Paying for cabs with a credit card

[I am the Walrus]

What's the latest decorum on this? I'm taking a company-expensed trip and it'd be easier to pay with a credit card, but the couple times I did this a few years ago the drivers acted like I shot their dog.

[Hugh Jass]

Cab drivers prefer cash so they can underreport their earnings so they don't have to pay taxes, can get food stamps and live in section 8 housing.

[The Drunken Actuary]

Bring cash. Many cabs don't even have the capability. If they do have the ability, make them take your card and don't worry about their moaning.

[hellomath]

Most the NYC cabs I seen have CC machine in it.

[Stillgreen]

In NYC, the cab drivers seem fine with it lately. The credit card machine is built into the back of their seat so you don't even have to hand them your card. I think I read somewhere that people tend to tip higher using their credit card rather than cash.

[Buru Buru]

I'm pretty sure that it's a law that nyc cabs must now have credit card machines. They all have them. Based on my convos with cabbies, most people use them. I usually give them cash and they seem happy and surprised by it.

[yoyo]

Cab drivers prefer cash so they can underreport their earnings so they don't have to pay taxes, can get food stamps and live in section 8 housing.

:tup:

[Hugh Jass]

you really want to hand your credit card to a cab driver who is upset with you?
sounds like a bad idea.

still, I can't believe you stoopid JSAs don't see this as another way for the NWO to track your every move.

[glassjaws]

I'm pretty sure that it's a law that nyc cabs must now have credit card machines. They all have them. Based on my convos with cabbies, most people use them. I usually give them cash and they seem happy and surprised by it.

I believe this is also true of Chicago.

[Agadefe]

The cabs have to pay a percentage to the people who make the credit card machines in the cab every time you use a credit card I think (a cab driver once drove me 2 blocks out of the way and back for free just so I could use an ATM and wouldn't pay him in credit card).

The only times, imo, it's okay to pay with credit is the airport taxis or other taxis with a set fee. Otherwise always have cash unless you wanna look like an a-hole.

[mlschop]

The only times, imo, it's okay to pay with credit is the airport taxis or other taxis with a set fee. Otherwise always have cash unless you wanna look like an a-hole.

I'm not too worried if a cab driver thinks i'm an a-hole for using a CC in 2010.

[Hero3128]

Ever get a cab driver who claimed that he didn't have any change? That happened to me while I was abroad. Oh well, poor guy was probably struggling to feed his family-can hardly blame him.

[Agadefe]

I'm not too worried if a cab driver thinks i'm an a-hole for using a CC in 2010.

:shrug:

I mean you are effectively taking money away from him by doing so.

Many cab driver are forced to put in the credit card machine by the state in which they are registered. Then, when you use it, he gets a smaller percentage of what you pay. I don't know how the year has anything to do with it.

[triplea]

I tried using my CC once, and the cab driver swiped the card a couple times and said the machine was not working. I am not sure if he was pretending, but it was around 11pm so I said whatever. Thankfully I had cash.

I did this two different times in two different cabs so it seemed like it was more than just a coincidence.

[Agadefe]

I tried using my CC once, and the cab driver swiped the card a couple times and said the machine was not working. I am not sure if he was pretending, but it was around 11pm so I said whatever. Thankfully I had cash.

I did this two different times in two different cabs so it seemed like it was more than just a coincidence.

Drivers do this for sure.

Ask him to drive you to an ATM if he wants cash.

[Travis]

I much prefer using cash (it's faster, about half the cab drivers around here seem to hate CC), but if I don't have cash on me and I have to take a cab, I usually ask when I'm getting in if they take credit cards (it is a law in Chicago that cabbies have to accept credit cards, but it's also Chicago)

[Kenshiro]

I believe this is also true of Chicago.

In NYC, you can actually use credit cards in most taxis. In Chicago, you can't.

I'm not sure if there is a requirement in Chicago, but if there is, the machines are always "broken" and credit cards usually won't be accepted.

[knowles]

In NYC, you can actually use credit cards in most taxis. In Chicago, you can't.

I'm not sure if there is a requirement in Chicago, but if there is, the machines are always "broken" and credit cards usually won't be accepted.

It's the law in Chicago that cab drivers have to accept CC. If they tell you the machine is broken, they're likely being disingenuous. The cab company charges drivers a fee on top of the usual visa/MC surcharge to accept CC. All-in, it's about 5% of the total fare. In addition, it takes a lot longer for the driver to get paid for trips where a passenger used a CC. I've heard it can take up to a month.

Because of this, a lot of drivers will huff and puff about taking the card or flat out lie to you that their machine is broken. Regardless, they all have the old school manual machines and can call in to dispatch to get an approval code for the transaction.

[Heathen]

you really want to hand your credit card to a cab driver who is upset with you?
sounds like a bad idea.

still, I can't believe you stoopid JSAs don't see this as another way for the NWO to track your every move.

Yeah, but try getting your change from a gold coin from a cabbie.

[Heathen]

I tried using my CC once, and the cab driver swiped the card a couple times and said the machine was not working. I am not sure if he was pretending, but it was around 11pm so I said whatever. Thankfully I had cash.

I did this two different times in two different cabs so it seemed like it was more than just a coincidence.

I bet if you told them you were out of cash the machines would have miraculously fixed themselves.

[glassjaws]

In NYC, you can actually use credit cards in most taxis. In Chicago, you can't.

I'm not sure if there is a requirement in Chicago, but if there is, the machines are always "broken" and credit cards usually won't be accepted.

I've used my card in taxis here many times. Guess I'm lucky.

[glassjaws]

Ever get a cab driver who claimed that he didn't have any change? That happened to me while I was abroad. Oh well, poor guy was probably struggling to feed his family-can hardly blame him.

Did you beat him up like you were a Chicago Blackhawks player in Buffalo?

[Darkness Falls]

I bet if you told them you were out of cash the machines would have miraculously fixed themselves.

:iatp:

It's happened to me twice ... the cabbie goes to check his machine and it surprisingly starts working. As for the times when it's not working, there goes any tip for the cabbie.

[triplea]

I bet if you told them you were out of cash the machines would have miraculously fixed themselves.

I know, I was debating whether or not to do just that, but I took the safer route. Luckily I had enough cash.

The other problem is asking for a receipt. Whenever I have asked for one, they just give me a blank card. :rofl:

[Maine-iac]

Yep. I've NEVER gotten a cab receipt that was filled in. (Cash only. I've never used a CC in a cab, but I assume those receipts would be accurate.)

[Not Mike]

For any long trip, or something that is being expensed, I always use a credit card. In general, I don't carry tons of cash, and even if I have a couple hundred, I don't want to drop $50-55 on it for an airport cab ride.

IMO, a big eff you to the cabbies that don't want to take credit. This is the world we live in.

The most recent time a cabbie tried to pull this dick move of not accepting credit, I said "oh, you don't accept credit", he said "no", and I said "what's the phone number for the dispatch?"... at that point, he grumbled and took my credit card.

[Lucy]

I've used credit cards to pay for Chicago cabs without any trouble. And I'm fine with the blank receipt. It gives me a place to write down what I paid before I forget, which is all I really need. I've never had an employer challenge me on a credit card reciept, nor have I ever had any inclination to lie on one.

[silverfox]

I believe this is also true of Chicago.

Only true for chain companies. Independent owned can still not accept. I think they also don't need a divider between passenger and driver so you'll be able to tell.

[silverfox]

I find if the fare is say, $12 and I say, "I have $10 or I have to pay credit card," they'll usually take the $10. I usually have more cash than that, but it saves me money when I do this. In the time it takes to process the card, they can pick up another passenger so it's like win-win-win. I win, cabbie wins, and next passenger wins.

[JollyGoodFCAS]

Good thing about CC's is that you can easily tip 15-20%, instead of cash where you're in the awkward position of having to give too little ($10 for a $9 fare) or too much ($11 for a $9 fare, plus the hassle of asking him to give back 9 singles from your 20).

[Kenshiro]

I've used my card in taxis here many times. Guess I'm lucky.

Maybe I should rephrase.

In NYC, I've never (recently) had a driver completely refuse to take a credit card, although they've grumbled. In Chicago, I've had taxi drivers refuse my fare when I've asked if they'd take a card. Obviously some will, but it's not something I'd count on.

[Ve Vant Ze Money]

Good thing about CC's is that you can easily tip 15-20%, instead of cash where you're in the awkward position of having to give too little ($10 for a $9 fare) or too much ($11 for a $9 fare, plus the hassle of asking him to give back 9 singles from your 20).
Not sure if serious?

[Super Silver Haze]

Ever get a cab driver who claimed that he didn't have any change?
Yes. In Chicago!

[ShakeNBakes]

I find if the fare is say, $12 and I say, "I have $10 or I have to pay credit card," they'll usually take the $10. I usually have more cash than that, but it saves me money when I do this. In the time it takes to process the card, they can pick up another passenger so it's like win-win-win. I win, cabbie wins, and next passenger wins.
In Chicago, I tried to pay a $20 cab fare with a credit card. When the guy said "no credit cards" (even though he had both Visa and Mastercard stickers in his window), I gave him the option of full fare with tip on Visa or the $4 US I had in my wallet. Guy took the $4. :shrug:

[hellomath]

Not sure if serious?

That's 20c too much.

[hellomath]

In Chicago, I tried to pay a $20 cab fare with a credit card. When the guy said "no credit cards" (even though he had both Visa and Mastercard stickers in his window), I gave him the option of full fare with tip on Visa or the $4 US I had in my wallet. Guy took the $4.

I wonder does it work in NYC given all NYC cabs have "working" CC machines.

[otley]

In Chicago, I tried to pay a $20 cab fare with a credit card. When the guy said "no credit cards" (even though he had both Visa and Mastercard stickers in his window), I gave him the option of full fare with tip on Visa or the $4 US I had in my wallet. Guy took the $4. :shrug:

What a deal!

[silverfox]

In Chicago, I tried to pay a $20 cab fare with a credit card. When the guy said "no credit cards" (even though he had both Visa and Mastercard stickers in his window), I gave him the option of full fare with tip on Visa or the $4 US I had in my wallet. Guy took the $4. :shrug:

Yeah, I sometimes don't follow the logic. Sometimes the machine craps out so they have to call in your credit card number. By the time they go through the hassle, they can probably make up the money with another passenger. They need to install more readers in the back seat with blink®. Don't even have to pull my card out of my wallet.

[LifeTilt]

Good thing about CC's is that you can easily tip 15-20%, instead of cash where you're in the awkward position of having to give too little ($10 for a $9 fare) or too much ($11 for a $9 fare, plus the hassle of asking him to give back 9 singles from your 20).


Well , change the numbers and I totally agree. If I'm just taking a short cab ride, in NYC you sometimes get weird numbers. Ie, your cab is $4.60. You definitely don't want to tip $.40, but $1.40 is absurd. So then I'll always use CC. Otherwise, I only use CC for airport.

[silverfox]

Well , change the numbers and I totally agree. If I'm just taking a short cab ride, in NYC you sometimes get weird numbers. Ie, your cab is $4.60. You definitely don't want to tip $.40, but $1.40 is absurd. So then I'll always use CC. Otherwise, I only use CC for airport.

Why is $1.40 absurd?

[silverfox]

I tip $1/drink at the bar regardless of whether it's the $2 beer special or a $10 drink. Maybe I'm the absurd one.

[Salzmann]

Ever get a cab driver who claimed that he didn't have any change? That happened to me while I was abroad. Oh well, poor guy was probably struggling to feed his family-can hardly blame him.
Yes- it happened to us in Rio. The driver was absolutely clueless and asked 3 times to see our guidebook so he could look at the address again. We're not sure if he was literate. When we finally got to the destination (he had to ask for directions), he claimed that he didn't have change for a bill that was worth something like $15; the fare was about $3. I saw a news stand, told him to stop (I knew the Portuguese word from all the red hexagonal signs reading "Parar"), bought a paper and gave him the fare plus a sall tip.

I did have one cabbie in NYC grumble loudly when I paid by credit card- apparently my tip was too small to offset his costs. I'm not sure why since I always tip 10-15% and credit card fees are a lot less than that. I almost handed him a couple more dollars then realized I'd just be rewarding bad behavior. So I didn't.

[EasternSierra]

I don't understand the concept of tipping cab drivers. Tipping in general is an annoying concept, but at least there is some argument to tip a server or a hair stylist because there is some variability in the service that you can get.

With a cab driver you are paying him directly for the service he provides. There is no middle man there to take the cash. His job is to get you from point A to point B, in a timely and safe fashion. If he does his job then he should get the rate that he agreed to accept.

The one argument that I can see for tipping is if you're paying with cash and the change is small. Then you say: "you can keep the change", so that neither of you are hassled by having to deal with change. I think this concept of "keep the change" eventually morphed into this concept of "tip your cab drivers 10-15%" which I think is absurd. In other countries I've visited they don't have this concept of tipping cab drivers. A lot of times, you just agree on a price beforehand so you have a nice even amount to pay.

[Lucy]

I don't understand the concept of tipping cab drivers. Tipping in general is an annoying concept, but at least there is some argument to tip a server or a hair stylist because there is some variability in the service that you can get.

With a cab driver you are paying him directly for the service he provides. There is no middle man there to take the cash. His job is to get you from point A to point B, in a timely and safe fashion. If he does his job then he should get the rate that he agreed to accept.

The one argument that I can see for tipping is if you're paying with cash and the change is small. Then you say: "you can keep the change", so that neither of you are hassled by having to deal with change. I think this concept of "keep the change" eventually morphed into this concept of "tip your cab drivers 10-15%" which I think is absurd. In other countries I've visited they don't have this concept of tipping cab drivers. A lot of times, you just agree on a price beforehand so you have a nice even amount to pay.
The concept of tipping cabdrivers is that it's customary, and if you don't do it they are underpaid. Pretty stupid, but that's how it works.

I hate tipping. I'd much rather just have the fee be enough to pay the worker. But I live in world where people like the power a tip gives them or something, so I tip.

I'd tip $1.40 for the $4.60 fare. What the hey, the driver still gets stuck with all the transaction time at both ends, and then has to go find another fare.

[silverfox]

I did have one cabbie in NYC grumble loudly when I paid by credit card- apparently my tip was too small to offset his costs. I'm not sure why since I always tip 10-15% and credit card fees are a lot less than that. I almost handed him a couple more dollars then realized I'd just be rewarding bad behavior. So I didn't.

VISA charges like 3% and the franchise charges like 2% or something like that for administration costs. And then some people dispute charges especially when they take a cab drunk. Overall, a 5% fee is half the tip you'd be paying them. I'd be pissed if I lost half my tip income every someone swiped their card.

[silverfox]

The one argument that I can see for tipping is if you're paying with cash and the change is small. Then you say: "you can keep the change", so that neither of you are hassled by having to deal with change. I think this concept of "keep the change" eventually morphed into this concept of "tip your cab drivers 10-15%" which I think is absurd. In other countries I've visited they don't have this concept of tipping cab drivers. A lot of times, you just agree on a price beforehand so you have a nice even amount to pay.

I'd agree if the fare they charged wasn't so regulated. If it was a free market, the fare would probably be a lot higher than what it is now.

[EasternSierra]

The concept of tipping cabdrivers is that it's customary, and if you don't do it they are underpaid. Pretty stupid, but that's how it works.

I hate tipping. I'd much rather just have the fee be enough to pay the worker. But I live in world where people like the power a tip gives them or something, so I tip.

I'd tip $1.40 for the $4.60 fare. What the hey, the driver still gets stuck with all the transaction time at both ends, and then has to go find another fare.

I'm not sure they are underpaid. I mean they have to pay for gas and car maintenance, isn't the rest of the money theirs to keep?

I don't want to sound like I don't tip. I actually follow the rules and tip cab drivers. I just HATE doing it and I like to complain.

[EasternSierra]

I'd agree if the fare they charged wasn't so regulated. If it was a free market, the fare would probably be a lot higher than what it is now.

I'm not sure a free market without regulation would work too well for cab drivers. There would be a lot of scamming and price discrimination going on for sure.

[Double High C]

The only times, imo, it's okay to pay with credit is the airport taxis or other taxis with a set fee. Otherwise always have cash unless you wanna look like an a-hole.

This is as wrong as two left shoes.

[Lucy]

Most cab drivers are employees, and most of their fares go to the owner of the medallion. At least, that's how it works in NY. Maybe there are places where the barrier to entry (getting the medallion) isn't so expensive, and an individual can afford to own his own cab. In NYC, each of those medallions is is use at least 18 hours a day, 7 days a week.

[EasternSierra]

Most cab drivers are employees, and most of their fares go to the owner of the medallion. At least, that's how it works in NY. Maybe there are places where the barrier to entry (getting the medallion) isn't so expensive, and an individual can afford to own his own cab. In NYC, each of those medallions is is use at least 18 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Okay this is news to me.

I want cab drivers to be paid a fare wage. (pun intended) I just don't like tipping. I think many consumers, if they thought about it and realized that they're going to pay the same price, would prefer system where tips were elminated and service charges were built into the pricing explicitly. That way, everyone has to do it and no one would feel obligated to do anything. It's the feeling of obligation more than spending the extra couple of bucks that annoys me.

[I am the Walrus]

I was all set to pay by credit card and just let the cabbie know up front, but then I googled "LaGuardia taxi" and this came up in the first match (bold emphasis mine). Is this BS?

http://www.ny.com/transportation/airports/LGA.html

Taxis

Taxis into the city take anywhere from 20-40 minutes. They cost between $16-$26 NOT including bridge tolls (these are an additional 3 dollars). Taxis are cash only. Make sure to hail a cab in the designated areas or ask a uniformed airport employee to help you. Generally, it's polite to tip at least a dollar per bag if the taxi driver assists you.

[silverfox]

Based on how crappy the webpage looks, I'd say it hasn't been updated for like 10 years.

[campbell]

I was all set to pay by credit card and just let the cabbie know up front, but then I googled "LaGuardia taxi" and this came up in the first match (bold emphasis mine). Is this BS?

http://www.ny.com/transportation/airports/LGA.html

Taxis

Taxis into the city take anywhere from 20-40 minutes. They cost between $16-$26 NOT including bridge tolls (these are an additional 3 dollars). Taxis are cash only. Make sure to hail a cab in the designated areas or ask a uniformed airport employee to help you. Generally, it's polite to tip at least a dollar per bag if the taxi driver assists you.

This is BS.

I've been paying for cabs with nothing but credit cards this year. To/from LGA.

[Paul Blart]

This is BS.

I've been paying for cabs with nothing but credit cards this year. To/from LGA.

Thanks MPC, that will come in handy this weekend :tup:

[WhyAndHow]

Last time I was in NYC, I got from LGA to Midtown for $2.50. Took the 60 bus to Columbia U and then the 1 Train down Manhattan to Penn Station. If I had been thinking, I could have gotten off the bus earlier and took the 6 down the East side faster.

[Paul Blart]

Last time I was in NYC, I got from LGA to Midtown for $2.50. Took the 60 bus to Columbia U and then the 1 Train down Manhattan to Penn Station. If I had been thinking, I could have gotten off the bus earlier and took the 6 down the East side faster.

I think I will be less cheap....especially since cab fare will be reimbursed by my employer.

[LifeTilt]

Most cab drivers are employees, and most of their fares go to the owner of the medallion. At least, that's how it works in NY. Maybe there are places where the barrier to entry (getting the medallion) isn't so expensive, and an individual can afford to own his own cab. In NYC, each of those medallions is is use at least 18 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This. I'm not sure what the % is, but I know a good amount of cabbies don't own their cabs.

And cheap medallions? Medallions run over $500K.

[LifeTilt]

Based on how crappy the webpage looks, I'd say it hasn't been updated for like 10 years.


Considering they say that the bridge tolls are $3, it's probably even longer than that.

[glassjaws]

One of my friends looked into being a cab driver. He was told he'd get the cab from the company and he would pay $1,000 (I think) a week to the company. Anything over that was money in the bank for him. He could work as much or as little as he wanted as long as he could pay the $1,000.

This was a short while ago, so I could be wrong on the $1,000.

[Darkness Falls]

Does anyone know if cabs in DC usually take credit cards?