<begin rant on Boston cabs>

As others have stated, cabs in the Boston proper (not Cambridge) are required to accept credit cards, and they do work, no matter what the cab driver tells you! I would say on about 80% of my airport runs, the cab driver will say the credit card machine is broken or be very rude and nasty about me using a credit card. Just fight it out and insist on using the card (and leave a tip reflecting their attitude).

One time I was already home, and the cab driver was refusing my credit card. I told him I'm either paying with a credit card or just getting out and not paying. He still insisted the credit card machine was broken, and I should try it and see for myself. Note that this is a trick... they have to put the meter in time off mode, or press some sort of button to allow payment to occur. I responded that I know its not going to work.. because he didn't press the button for me to pay. He pretended he didn't know what I was talking about and we went back and forth for a minute or two until he finally pressed a button and walla!, like magic I was suddenly able to pay with a CC.

I have been using cash recently because I hate getting in these fights, but the whole situation pi$$es me off. I can understand them being mad if I whip out a CC for an $8 ride across town, but these are already overpriced $30+ quick airport runs.

The only thing I hate more then this, is when we cabbies try to rip me off by taking the Ted Williams. I'm usually careful to specify the route and watch what they are doing, but sometimes I'm tired and don't realize where they are taking me until its too late. My current strategy is to use cash if the cab driver is good, and by that I mean simply doesn't berate me or swindle me by taking the Ted Williams. If the cabbie tries to take me through the wrong tunnel and does anything else to let me know he doesn't value my fare, then I use a CC.

</end rant>