Comments on: In New York City, cabs go cash-optional http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/in-new-york-city-cabs-go-cash-optional/ The last honest travel site Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: robyn http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/in-new-york-city-cabs-go-cash-optional/comment-page-1/#comment-5299 robyn Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:56:11 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5084#comment-5299 hmmm... i thought it was the credit card option on the metrocard myself. but then, i'm a mass transit addict. ask me what i miss MOST about new york? the MTA and street vendor food. all else is commentary. hmmm… i thought it was the credit card option on the metrocard myself. but then, i’m a mass transit addict. ask me what i miss MOST about new york? the MTA and street vendor food. all else is commentary.

]]> By: Carrie Charney http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/in-new-york-city-cabs-go-cash-optional/comment-page-1/#comment-4710 Carrie Charney Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:25:56 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5084#comment-4710 Carrying "only about $30 or $40 in cash" isn't necessarily safer. Perpetrators of street robberies have been known to retaliate when their victims didn't have enough to give for the cause. Carrying “only about $30 or $40 in cash” isn’t necessarily safer. Perpetrators of street robberies have been known to retaliate when their victims didn’t have enough to give for the cause.

]]> By: Matthew B http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/in-new-york-city-cabs-go-cash-optional/comment-page-1/#comment-4695 Matthew B Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:21:04 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5084#comment-4695 The consensus in my office is that, while the 5% is grumbled about, it is more than offset by higher tips that credit card (esp. corporate credit card) users give. We think the real reason cabbies dislike credit cards is that they have to be honest about how much they're getting tipped when they file their tax returns. I don't know why they're not allowed to surcharge for credit cards though, in Australia (where practically noone tips a cab driver) 10% is automatically added to the fare if you pay by credit card - which is not a big enough disincentive for most corporate travelers. The consensus in my office is that, while the 5% is grumbled about, it is more than offset by higher tips that credit card (esp. corporate credit card) users give. We think the real reason cabbies dislike credit cards is that they have to be honest about how much they’re getting tipped when they file their tax returns. I don’t know why they’re not allowed to surcharge for credit cards though, in Australia (where practically noone tips a cab driver) 10% is automatically added to the fare if you pay by credit card – which is not a big enough disincentive for most corporate travelers.

]]> By: Ned http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/in-new-york-city-cabs-go-cash-optional/comment-page-1/#comment-4682 Ned Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:57:27 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5084#comment-4682 Peter, I can tell you from personal, experience living in Philadelphia, that having cabs which can take credit cards is great. This is wonderful news for those of us who often travel to NYC. Philadelphia was the test city in the US for the joint project of the MasterCard and VeriFone wireless credit card system, starting in late 2006, and now all 1,600 Philadelphia Medallion taxis are equipped the system. We encountered the system in Honolulu, earlier this year. In Honolulu, it's completely optional for the cabs, but according to the concierge I spoke with in the Waikiki Beach Hyatt, with the number of tourists requesting cabs with the wireless credit card system, more and more taxis will have to install it. Thanks for your post. Peter, I can tell you from personal, experience living in Philadelphia, that having cabs which can take credit cards is great. This is wonderful news for those of us who often travel to NYC.

Philadelphia was the test city in the US for the joint project of the MasterCard and VeriFone wireless credit card system, starting in late 2006, and now all 1,600 Philadelphia Medallion taxis are equipped the system. We encountered the system in Honolulu, earlier this year. In Honolulu, it’s completely optional for the cabs, but according to the concierge I spoke with in the Waikiki Beach Hyatt, with the number of tourists requesting cabs with the wireless credit card system, more and more taxis will have to install it.

Thanks for your post.

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