Taxi!
 

Can someone please correct me if I am wrong but are taxis that service Chicago required to take a credit card (visa and master card)? For some trips when I am in Chicago in a few weeks taking a taxi would be best. I don't like caring cash on me if I don't have too. It's less of a burden if I lose plastic then if I lose a few $20's or more.

Theoretically, Yes
 

Per the rules:
"Effective March 1, 2002, every taxicab, regardless of the issuance date of its
license, shall be equipped with a taximeter or electronic equipment, approved
by the Commissioner, which is capable of accepting or being adapted to accept as payment for fares all major credit cards, debit cards, computer-chip-based or magnetic-strip-based smart cards, and other electronic methods of payment."

In practice:
It is common for the cabbie to play the "it's broken" card. Best to confer w/ the cabbie and advise him/her you intend to pay with plastic, or otherwise be prepared for a potential stand-off at your destination.

This is *EXTREMELY* common. Taxi drivers will even drive you to an ATM to avoid taking your card - I think because their cash flow from the credit card payments is slow.

My suggestion is that you carry cash, and if you are splitting the taxi with friends remind them to carry cash too so you aren't stuck paying for the whole taxi!

[QUOTE=das;7780582]This is *EXTREMELY* common. Taxi drivers will even drive you to an ATM to avoid taking your card - I think because their cash flow from the credit card payments is slow. /QUOTE]

Gosh, FTers, don't play so innocent. :D

In case you hadn't noticed, cash given to cab drivers is effectively untracable and untaxable. :) Whereas credit card payments ...

Best advice is above, clear credit card with cabbie before entering cab.

Hmm I am really against caring too much cash on me. Maybe at the most $5. The way I see it is if we allow the cabs to try to pull the wool over our eyes they win. I WANT MY MILES!!! Wonder how a promise to flag an officer down or call the cab co. would play out.

You think the meters don't track it? Sure, they're likely pocketing some of the tip, similar to waitstaff at a restaurant, but what's costing them a lot more is that the taxi company passes on or even marks up the CC fee to the driver (who is usually not an employee, rather classified as an independent contractor dispatched by the company).

If the drivers don't like the fee for taking plastic then they should look for another line of work. Every other place just marks it as a cost of doing what they do.

Given most cabbies lack of personal hygene, and propensity to take more serpantine routes aroudn town; the fact they don't want pay the overhead for plastic surprises you? ;)

Unfortunately the cabbies' rates are tightly regulated by by The Man (gov't). They can't really adjust to market conditions. Taxis here in Chicago are currently lobbying for a rate increase due to high fuel prices.

Don't get me wrong, conclusion is the same. If they don't like it they can take up another line of work.

As other posters have mentioned, it's hard to find cabs that happily and willingly take credit cards. If you're insistent on paying with plastic, your best bet is to call a cab dispatcher and request a cab who will take a credit card. If you're really convinced that you'll lose $20 bills right and left, then I'd recommend withdrawing small amounts of money from an ATM immediately before hailing a cab. (No offense, but "losing cash" sounds like a lame excuse. Should I be following you around because you're likely to be leaving a trail of cash, keys, iPods and credit cards in your wake?) Or, buy a CTA pass and plan on taking the bus & El.

Agree completely with those who have commented about the cabbies' dislike for accepting credit cards. If I'm in a situation where I'm expecting or hoping to pay for the cab with a credit card, I confirm they'll accept a credit card before I even give them a destination. Likewise, it's not usually a bad idea to confirm before starting the ride (at least if you're on a shorter fare) "You can change a $20, right?"