Wow, it never occurred to me to pre-review a regulated cab company but I should have... and I would have assertively skipped this brand for any other. We debated Lyft/Uber vs taxi from O'Hare to downtown on this 9am Saturday arrival. Opting for immediacy since we had a packed, one-day agenda in town, we approached the first cab in line at the United Airlines exit area. The flash cab was an older Toyota Sienna minivan - not atrocious on the outside but, as we boarded, frightening on the inside. All standard seats were gone. In place were plastic/institutional benches, like you might find on a prisoner van. Doors lacked padding and seatbelts were nowhere to be found. The driver spoke broken English and only enough to get us suckered into his youth-hostile kidnap van. Thereafter he put earpods in and had a 40 minute conversation with (what sounded like) his wife. To his (lone) credit, it was in a very quiet tone. And his personal convo likely prevented us from enduring some random, inevitably too loud, crappy music choice. The minivan seemed further "stripped" beyond the seating, such that road noise was unusually loud... everywhere - through the metallic/unlined doors and uncarpted floor. There was a video camera affixed above the rearview mirror but it was tilted towards the ceiling. I then glanced at the side windows and there were warnings that occupants would be subject to videotaping (and a $200 fee for vomit cleanup... fair). I understand the unfortunate security/deterrence necessary in America but I have no confidence that a stranger won't later post their "taxicab confessions" somewhere (obviously without our explicit consent) so we kept our own conversations minimal, no names, home, personal/bio details, city plans, etc. We know the route and tracked it on Waze just the same and it was assuringly correct. However, the other huge concern was that the dash on this dilapidated minivan showed TWO active warning lights - a yellow exclamation triangle and a yellow engine-shaped light. That's frankly appalling. The entire journey we prayed that this wouldn't be the one trip leaving all three of us stranded on the side of the hwy. Our schedule was too tight to even accommodate a comped rescue ride... and that's assuming the flagged mechanical failure didn't cause a crash. Ugh... probably should be 1-star. Further clue to run: nearly 600 reviews with only a 1.7 average and zero interest from the company (its Yelp position remains unclaimed and unconcerned). read more

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24/7, my ass. This company used to camp out in front of the Palatine Metro station all the time. There is not a single cab in that cab corral that we paid $400,000 for. Worse yet, I called these bozos and asked for a car at the Palatine Metro during rush-hour trains. You would think everyone is using a taxi at that time. You would think there would be cars everywhere. I waited 30 minutes. They called me back: "We're still looking for a car." Another 20 minutes pass, and I decide just to walk to my residence from there. After I'm almost to my residence, they call back again, and at that point I just said, "F off." (Anonymous operator. Sorry but your company earned it. Nothing personal) When you wait 50 minutes for a time-sensitive cab and you say, "Yes, I am ready for pickup at the train station and need to go," then it probably means: send a car with some sort of form of urgency (HoW Do YoU HaNdLE CORPORATE!!!). This is why cabs are dying against Uber, because with Uber, I know where my damn car is within 5 minutes of booking the goddamn thing. With Uber, I know where my car is on the way to me, and they give me a credit if I wait too long. With the taxis, you could be waiting for hours, and they don't give you crap except for a rude driver and a smelly car. I thought these taxis were supposed to be a tightly regulated industry, better than ride sharing. They're not. They're worse than ride sharing. It's no wonder why they're so dirt cheap. They suck. Pay the premium, ride a nice car, actually have your car be transparent about its location, and actually have a decent driver, because half of these drivers are assholes. (I know from prior airport trips. Like the one place theyre useful. And in the loop of Chicago. And even then I'd rather take a damn Uber because these drivers are assholes who just talk non stop and will curse in front of everyone in the car with no care. They also are disrespectful to trans and disabled people.) To hell with flash can 303 taxi and all the Chicago taxi companies. Tried them all. They all suck. read more

This is brief note on a taxi company serving Midway Airport in Chicago, because they were especially helpful. We coordinated travel with friends, and after landing at the airport, they found that their luggage had gone astray for half-a-day. Including their child car-seat!!! Airport staff helped us find a taxi app, and the app helped us find Flash Cab, who had a large enough vehicle for all of us ... With A Child Car-Seat! The curbside "concierge" helped that cab jump the line to us (!), and blocked off a handy loading spot. The cab driver helped us get organized so that we all fit, and got us safe and sound to our destination. Kudos to Flash Cab! And of course, tips to the driver and to the airport concierge :-) read more

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Holy shit! The absolute rudest taxi driver I've ever had in my 61 years! This mother F-er asks what way I would go and then tells me the road I want to take is closed, it is not and I tell him to the exit at which time he freaks out and yells at me "Shut up! I am doing the driving! You shut up and I will drive you home!". Not a word was spoKen after that. never again! read more

Extremely unprofessional and rude experience. After being upfront about our destination (Norridge), the driver berated us for "wasting his time" because he had been waiting in the airport queue and wanted a longer fare so he could go home. He then attempted to pressure us into an illegal $40 "flat rate," which was significantly higher than the standard metered fare. ​When I refused and offered to get out with my two children, he begrudgingly agreed to use the meter but proceeded to drive intentionally slow to run up the cost. It's clear from other reviews that this is a pattern when they feel a fare isn't "profitable" enough. Absolutely unacceptable behavior, especially when traveling with kids. Avoid this service if you want a hassle-free ride home. read more

I have taken Flash a couple of times. I really think they need a rehaul in drivers and cabs. I went from Union Station to Ohare. The guy seemed surprised to see me get in for some reason. He went on and on about people paying with debit or credit cards. Then he went the longest way possible. The cost was 20 dollar higher that the cab that I had before going to the same place charged. read more

Number 3913 charged me $35 for a $24 ride because he thought I was a tourist. He immediately claimed he was giving me discount and changed it to $30. Thief! read more

Rip off. The meter read $13.50, but when I went to pay the driver with a $20 bill, he stated that there was some bogus airport surcharge of $4.00 which brought the total up to $23.00 -- yes, he said $23.00. He (Cab #531) drove me four (4 miles) from O'Hare Airport to Routes Airport Parking at 3901 Mannheim. I have NEVER been charged that much, and I travel frequently. Will never use FLASH taxi service again! read more

Walter Tatera Local Guide·20 reviews just now New I ordered a cab to be picked up at 725 W Montrose the cab pulled in and turned around. I am being picked up from Claraden rehab at the lake. I acknowledge the Cab and waved at him as I'm going down the ramp with my rollater. The cab driver then drove off after getting down the ramp. I called Flash cab back and told the representative what happened. she then called the cab back to pick me up #6410 cab came back and then looked at me and drove by. He then went down and flipped a U turn and parked. As I started he then drove by me AGAIN waved at Me! I flagged the next cab driver and got to my appointment late! Is this the way you treat the disabled and elderly? I as of late have booked cabs from flash and I have been stranded without a ride!!!!!! read more

Communication: Can't speak to human being when there's a problem like a no-show driver!

The Flash Cab app charged me $5 to cancel a ride, even though a driver never arrived. They failed to secure transportation, yet still added a cancellation fee. Customer service hangs up mid-call without offering any support. Feels like a setup to take money without delivering a service. Choose a platform with real accountability. read more

Over priced. Was charged 48 dollars for a 8.95 mile drive from the airport to the holiday inn. Driver barely spoke any English. Driver drove the cab as if he just learned how to drive. Drove the cab extra slow and confused. Did know which lane he should stay on. Driver of the cab did alot of slow down and go on the highway as if I didn't notice. Worst experienced ever. ​cab driver 1996TX read more

I never thought that Flash Cab, once so respected, could sink so low. As I live alone, I needed transportation in the early AM to the hospital for cancer surgery on April 22 and booked a cab for 5:30 AM on that date the night before. I called Flash at 9 PM on April 21 and arranged for a cab to come to my address on the far north side on April 22, believing that 8 hours was plenty of headway to arrange a ride. At 5:30 AM Flash called to say there was no driver available for me, a nasty surprise. I was very lucky in that a dear friend and neighbor was available that early in the morning to take me. Were it not for that friend, my CANCER surgery would have been canceled, at cost, with no guarantee I could get another date anytime soon. If you badly need a reliable ride, do not depend on this company. read more

we got in cab expecting to use Curb app for ride as we had done with out cabe in Chicago. The driver disconnected the system. I did not know when we go in that he did this. He stated that it won't be more than $40 and I thought he was giving an estimate and expedited to pay $30 per the Curb app estimate. We go to destination and they stated it would be $50 cash only. I told them we did not have cash and it took about 10 minutes for him to reconnect the Curb system as it was completely detached of all of its wires. I took a pick of the set to note the cab number and Affiliation. I did post a complain with the Chicago authority as well. read more

I took taxi #4443 TX (Flash Cab) from the airport. The driver got angry because it was a short trip and started saying rude words in another language. When I gave him the exact address, he didn't confirm it. I opened my GPS to check and he yelled at me, saying I couldn't use my phone. When we arrived, he didn't help with my luggage and told me to get out in a rude way. I felt disrespected and uncomfortable. read more

I just had a Flash Cab Driver played 5821 try to run me off the road on Cottage Grove in Chicago I called Flash Cab to report them and they gave me so many problems to report that they have a reckless driver . Leo the customer service prep asked me to call back to file a complaint with the manager as opposed to taking my complaint because he worked at the customer service desk Zero stars. read more

very overpriced! got charged an extra fee of 30 usd for a 15 min drive Total rate was triple of an uber read more

If I could leave 0 stars I would. Driver told me he knew where my area was n then I got in the cab we went back and forth about how Im supposed to be giving him directions- when I offered my phone for GPS he was very rude. This is genuinely a scam, currently my toll is at 35$ and all we've done is get lost and be stuck in traffic, still 20 minutes from home. 3944 was my Taxi number- PLEASE SAVE YOUR TIME AND JUST CALL THE UBER/LYFT read more

flash cab drivers are mostly rude and inconsiderate. several verbal disputes with different drivers because i instructed them to take a certain route; but they insist on a faulty gps! it's my money and my choice to request the route i choose! read more

These guys are ripping off tourists. Their website echoes Chicago's ordinance, "Taxicab rates for trips within the City of Chicago and the airports are governed by the City of Chicago Rates of Fare. In Chicago you pay the amount shown on the taximeter, plus any tolls." According to the fares posted on their website a ride from W. Maddison by the U.C. to the 500 block of W. GRAND should be between $15.25 and $20.00. Cab #3072 demanded $35.00 to start. I'm sure the company is full of excuses, but what it looks like to customers who expect to simply get a quick cab ride at the rate the company posts on their website, the meter rate, is fraud. It certainly feels like they are ripping off customers. If not all Chicago Flash Cabs, certainly #3072. I am not concerned with how long the driver has been parked outside the venue waiting for a fare, the driver made the choice to park and wait. I expect to pay the metered rate, not to argue and haggle. Maybe it's not intentional, but what I encountered with this company feels like a rip-off. read more

Flash Cab - Taxis Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I ordered a can for 8PM cancelled it ask for a 10PM pick up nobody came. Called back @ 2:37AM for another cab received a call @ 2:52AM missed that call. I called right back for them to tell me my cab was cancelled with no excuse. It now 3 AM & I'M still waiting on a cab to no avail they still trying to tell me it was never a cab order this address fuck flash cab.. It's now 5AM & I'm still waiting on a cab I truly don't recommend flash cab to no one in the city of Chicago. This is grade A BS how the hell am I still waiting on a cab from 10PM Wednesday & now it's 5AM Thursday this is bad as customer service idgaf frfr I said what I said. Can u say angry customer read more

Horrible Horrible. My kids and I got into cab 2830 and the driver kept slowing down and swerving on the freeway to check directions. When I mentioned he was looking at the public transport directions he asked me if I was talking to him and then told me I didn't need to review him. He slowed down and swerved on the freeway to the off ramp and then drove 25 on the surface streets. He didn't know how to use the credit card payment system and asked me why I didn't know how to use it. Thank goodness I had cash. Got our bags and got out of there. 2830 was the worst and so is Flash Cab read more

This is the worse cab service ever bad attitude if you don't watch them when you get in the cab they will start the meter at 4.75$ when they are suppose to start it at 3.25 they don't give you time cone cone out will leave you !! If you have some place to be at a certain time don't call them because they will leave you if your not downstairs in 30 seconds & if you call back it will take you 20 minutes to get another one I will not recommend this cab service to anybody the worst cab service ever in Chicago dirty cars nasty attitude etc..!!!!! read more

Good service Donald barnes jr been around for many years ot is veteran cab company I've been with them for many years

This is horrible. A resident of our building, which is home to disabled adults, forgot his phone in a cab. He called the cab company, and the driver, who was just around the corner, charged him $13.25 to return the phone. The resident explained that he didn't have the money for this fee. The driver insisted he wouldn't return his phone until he paid the $13.25 and it was the resident's fault for forgetting his phone. The resident managed to gather the money to pay the taxi driver, but he was left in tears. This situation is shameful and makes me sick to my stomach. Shame on you! Cab # 2960 read more

Same experience as everyone else. Cab no. 579 verbally quoted $30.00 for a 5.3 mile ride. A mile in , the driver punched in a standard rate of $40.00. When questioned, "I would never say $30.00." Took $35 cash at the end of it. We questioned the cab fare, which showed we should have only paid 18.00, driver claimed up. See pic. read more

Flash Cab - Taxis Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Called Flash cab to book a ride but instead of the blue and white cab a black car came that read Universal cab. So flash sent this 3rd party ride and I told the guy I had a TAP card. He said he had customers who had the Tap card before but he didn't tell me he didn't accept it until we reached my destination now he still tried to make pay even though his card reader declined my card. He called the police and they all sided with me. Now I'm waiting to fight this in court. I called Pace who also said it's not my fault. Called Yellow cab to return home they never came I guess it's because I told them I'll be using a Tap card. I ended up taking the bus home! read more

Horrible experience. I live near O'Hare airport so it's a short ride. I always tell the cab driver that it's a short ride before I get in. I got in the taxi line and got a flash cab. I told the driver it's a short ride and while he got a short ride ticket I got in the cab but as soon as the cab driver got in the cab it was obvious that the driver was upset about it being a short ride because he swore and mentioned that he had to wait in a long line and was hoping for a long ride to make more money. The driver passed my exit and when I mentioned it he said he wants to drive far so he can make more money. I insisted he exit and that made him even more angry. When we finally arrived at my destination the cab driver locked the doors and said I can't get out til I pay him in cash. I seriously feared for my life. I will never take a flash cab again. read more

100 degree heat in Chicago today, no a/c in the cab, told not to put the window down, hotter in the car, traffic slow and ride is miserable. read more

Flash Cab - 100 degree heat in Chicago today, no a/c in the cab, 40m ride, hotter than outside! - Taxis Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The driver from Midway airport told me my fare would be $40.00. My ride was going to be six miles from the airport. He had looked up the address on his phone then gave me that quote. I told him to turn the meter on as I was not going to pay without the meter. He said I should have called UBER. He ended up driving me but ran through all the stop signs. He also kept complaining about how he had to go home which was on the north side and he had waited three hours. Told him that was not my problem. He was getting angrier as we drove. The final metered fare was $14.00. (NOT THE $40.00 he quoted!!!!) This driver was a thief and lied!!!! Would never get in another FLASH CAB again. So sad as I tipped him $1.00 and I usually tip much more as I know it is a short ride!!!! read more

This review deserves no stars really! I had the worst Cab (#4218) experience ever! I took a cab from the airport to the northside. My boyfriend tells him to Logan Square, then I gave him my address, and he didn't type it in, I felt ignored - later into the drive my boyfriend repeats the address to him; and he said he knew it already, that it was Logan Square; we then tell him, "that 'Logan Square' is not an address", that it's a neighborhood, and he still did not type it into his navigation device. We thought his behavior was rude - we felt like we needed to tell him where to go. We just wanted to hurry and get home. We will never take Flash again. So disappointed. read more

12/31/2021 - Cab No. 4387 has an older driver w/a thick Eastern European accent. He was sent to pick me up from Wal-Mart with a few groceries. I expected an uneventful experience, but that's not what I got. First, although there was room to park correctly, he sat halfway in the street. Hard to push a cart to the trunk like that. Secondly, he gave me that "look." I don't know if you talk about it on here, it was never necessary to bring it up before. But being a Black Woman in America, I know it when I see it. This guy had it - "why did they send me to get YOU?" Thirdly, he NEVER GOT OUT OF THE CAB. When I asked are you gonna get out to help me put this stuff in the trunk, he said "No!" Alright; I got one this evening. Two Black women were pulling up behind us [this is all right in front of the store] and asked if I needed help. The older one walked up to his window and asked what was he doing, sitting there and not helping me? I thanked them profusely. But the icing on the cake was when he got to my building, the mail lady had just gotten a parking space so there was room, but only if you could drive. The example at the store told me that's unlikely... So he sat in the middle of the street. But rather than giving me time to get my cart out of the car to put the bags into, as soon as the payment went through he jumped out the cab and started putting my bags on the ground. Claimed that he had to hurry up because of the cars blowing at him; they do that all the time, no one pays attention. It's a narrow street. But ON THE GROUND??? I won't tolerate that from anyone. Yes, I called him a lot of things about then, as he almost broke my olive oil and vinegar bottles [I don't do plastic]. I tried to call the company when I returned, but 10 minutes on hold is more than enough and I hung up. So, I hope that Flash's "big dogs" see this. All of the drivers know that I don't mind giving them a healthy tip, regardless of how long the ride might be. But I won't tolerate being treated as if I shouldn't be calling a cab in the first place. This is not 1950. There have been other drivers at this company that seem as if they are not happy, taking a Black Woman where she needs to go. I suggest another career. Maybe this is someone's elderly relative whom they're giving something to do. Not with that attitude; he's lucky it was me, and not someone else. That was CAB #4387. read more

Shitty drivers - ran a red light while pedestrians were trying to cross. Do not recommend.

Horrible horrible horrible Booked a cab two hours in advance. Cab was 5 minutes late so I called. was told that a cab had not been assigned yet. but they would expedite. waited another 10 min still no cab. called, was told that the cab had picked up the wrong person and completed the trip. I booked pickup at my home address, how in the hell do you pick up the wrong person. They just kept changing their lies every time you call. Cancelled the cab and booked elsewhere will never use again, and will tell everyone at the airport to not use this unreliable and dishonest company. read more

The drivers are a real rip. I use them with my TAP card, and lately they say their machine is broke, and they will take cash only. When you call to report them they will do nothing but say call the City of Chicago and fill out complaints. What BS. All the cabs in Chicago suck big time and UBER is way better even if I have to pay. read more

The ripped me off of $30. We were at the airport and took a cab which from the airport to our house was always no more than $33.00. This driver drove us to downtown and around to get more money. Totally a rip off read more

I reserved a flash cab online via Super Shuttle, thinking it was a reputable company. I was directed to cab 1193. The driver did not speak at all, yanked the reservation paper from my hand and only said three words the entire trip. It was the one of the most uncomfortable rides I have ever had in a car service. Then, he had the audacity to make a nasty comment before I had fully exited the car. "You could at least say thank you" was his comment. Well, judging from the fact that he could not wait to get us out of the car, did not open the door for me to exit and I had my bags or the car and in the street before I could even get to my bags. I did not have a chance to say anything before the nasty comment. But the almost $20 tip, that I am sure he didn't know about, hence the attitude, was more than enough thank you. Buyers beware.. never leave a tip before you receive service. read more

Beware of Flash Cab! You might do better with any other taxi service. Today I called for a pick up at 12:30 PM. Had to call back 5 or 6 times to ask when will I get picked up. I was told my request would be "expedited". Still no pick up at 2:15 PM. The pet vet clinic called to tell me I missed my 2:00 PM appointment and I would be charged the standard office visit fee for a missed appointment. Flash Cab never showed up. Their offer to provide service, telling me they would come and pick me up, each time I called them, ended up costing me $115. Flash Cab is unreliable. Avoid the frustration and call any other taxi service! Afterward I got smart and installed the Uber app. Cab companies in Chicago complain that ride share services have stolen their revenue and make it hard for their drivers to earn a decent income. Hmmm. Perhaps cab companies are losing revenue because Uber and Lyft are simply providing a better, faster service. Screw Flash Cab! read more

I took flash cab service yesterday 3/31. I was truly disappointed. My destination was not that far. I just wanted to go to church because it was Easter Sunday the cab number was 2476. This cab driver purposely took the long route. I live on Belmont Ave and Green view going to 13th and Loomis. This driver could have taken the local route or expressway but instead he took the total opposite direction. To make a long story short the cost was 25.74 instead of what would've been about 13 to 15 dollars. I will report this to BBB and to other authorities. read more

Born on the North Side, been riding with Flash as long as I can remember. They only hire drivers who know their way all over the City, and they make drivers prove it before they ever sit in a Cab. On the one occasion a driver took me the long way around to someplace, I called Flash on my arrival. My next ride was free. read more

Flash Cab - Flash Cab Logo - Taxis Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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