Taxi!
May 22, 2007 | 12:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 1,037
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.
May 22, 2007 | 8:17 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: CHI
Programs: SPG LIfetime Plat, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Wannabe, Hilton Silver, UA Gold
Posts: 397
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.
"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.
May 22, 2007 | 3:29 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold
Posts: 3,640
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!
May 22, 2007 | 4:31 pm
#4
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
[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.
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.
Gosh, FTers, don't play so innocent.
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.
May 22, 2007 | 6:10 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 1,037
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.
May 22, 2007 | 6:18 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, US
Posts: 2,210
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).
May 23, 2007 | 8:07 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 5,209
May 23, 2007 | 2:34 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: CHI
Programs: SPG LIfetime Plat, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Wannabe, Hilton Silver, UA Gold
Posts: 397
Don't get me wrong, conclusion is the same. If they don't like it they can take up another line of work.
May 27, 2007 | 8:51 pm
#10
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 16,210
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.
May 28, 2007 | 8:25 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Heading to Costco for more popcorn...
Programs: UA 1K 2MM Flier, SPG Plt, Hilton Dia
Posts: 8,461
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?"