Do taxis take credit cards?

Using your credit card to pay for your taxi is convenient and — depending on your card — rewarding. Unfortunately, there could be situations where the cab driver won’t accept your credit card.

Do taxis take credit cards?

This largely depends on local laws and regulations, but many taxi companies in larger cities are required to accept plastic. In most cases, drivers aren’t enthusiastic about it because of the fees they have to pay. Don’t be surprised if the driver claims the payment terminal doesn’t work even if it does work.

Some taxis may only accept certain credit cards like Visa, Mastercard or Discover. Make sure to ask the driver before you get in if they accept cards and if they do, which card networks.

Popular cities where taxi companies take credit cards:

Is it safe to use a credit card to pay for a taxi?

Paying your taxi with a credit card is as safe as when paying anywhere else. But just in case, here’s what to keep an eye on:

• Pay attention to the taxi meter.
  If the rate jumps because you want to pay with a card ask why. Adding a surcharge to credit card payments often goes against the agreement between a taxi company and the credit card company.
• Look at the POS terminal.
  If it looks suspicious, don’t swipe your card.
• Write down the taxi number.
  If you feel something’s off regarding your credit card payment, having the driver’s number will make it easier to report it.

Do taxis take credit cards in foreign countries?

It depends on the country and the taxi company. In most countries, taxis don’t take credit cards. In this case, you can either pay with cash or call Uber or Lyft. Before traveling, make sure to research some tips on using your card internationally.

Bottom line

Many taxi companies in large cities are required to accept credit cards as a payment method. In some cases, the driver may be reluctant to accept your card or simply claim the terminal is broken. However, this may be a violation of local law, depending on where you are. It’s a good idea to check if the driver accepts your specific credit card before you start your trip.

To be certain you can pay with a credit card, consider other methods of travel like Uber or Lyft. Some of the best credit cards for ridesharing let you earn accelerated rewards, so consider these options if you often use taxis or rideshares.

Frequently asked questions

• What if regional laws require cab drivers to accept cards but they still refuse to?

  In this case, you can report the cab driver to the local authorities. In some cities, it’s illegal for cab drivers to not accept credit cards. If the driver claims there are issues with the terminal, the taxi company may be able to verify if the terminal is actually down. If it’s not, the driver will have to answer to the company.

• Are there any credit cards with accelerated rewards on taxi rides?

  There are some cards with accelerated rewards on taxi rides, including:

  • American Express Cobalt Card earns 2 points per dollar on transit purchases, including taxis and rideshares.
  • American Express AIR MILES Platinum Credit Card. Earn 1 AIR MILE for every $5 spent on eligible food, drink, gas and transit purchases (up to an annual spend of $30,000), and earn 1 AIR MILE for every $10 spent on all other eligible purchases (and after the $30,000 annual spend)

Written by

Kliment Dukovski

Writer

Kliment Dukovski was a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in investments and cryptocurrency. He's written more than 700 articles to help readers compare the best trading platforms, understand complex investment terms and find the best credit cards for their needs. His expert commentary has been featured in such digital publications as Fox Business, MSN Money and MediaFeed. He’s also well-versed in money transfers, home loans and more — breaking down these topics into simple concepts anyone can understand. In another life, Kliment ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies. See full bio

Kliment's expertise

Kliment has written 33 Finder guides across topics including:

• Investing
• Day trading
• Stock market technical analysis
• Personal and business credit cards

Co-written by

Chelsey Hurst

Publisher

Chelsey Hurst is a publisher at Finder, specializing in banking and investments. She loves empowering people to avoid financial pitfalls and make better decisions with their money. Chelsey has a Bachelor of Science from Redeemer University, a Master of Science from McMaster University, and has won multiple awards for research communication. In her spare time, Chelsey enjoys cooking and taking long walks in nature. See full bio