I ordered a flashcab for a visitor well in advance (2pm--HP to O'Hare) to arrive at 6pm on 7/26/12. Flashcab called me at 5.55pm to inform me not only that my cab would not arrive at 6pm but they could not even give me an ESTIMATED time of arrival. I asked the flashcab operator if they could at least tell me whether they could have someone out by 7pm (a full hour later) and he informed me that they could not. I immediately called yellow cab who had a cab at my door in less than 10 minutes. Flashcab called me back and told me they could have someone out in 30 minutes!!! I told the operator that it was outrageous for them to cancel a cab (especially one to catch a flight) with 5 minutes notice, that yellow cab had already come and went, and that I would be sure to inform as many folks as I could about their deplorable business practices. Consider yourself informed. read more

Really gone downhill. I've been a loyal user for over 10 years. I travel weekly to O'hare for work. Yesterday no one ever showed. I had placed the order the night before (as i always do). i called and the operator said there were no cabs available and she was sorry i would miss my flight. sucker! she said calling the night before means nothing. they don't pre-order a cab for you. After 25 minutes I drove myself and almost missed my flight. My guess is that they will go out of business. Please don't ever use them. They have not figured out how to be a cab company in today's market. They haven't adjusted to Uber and technology. It felt good to delete them from my contacts. read more

I know it seems insane to give 5 stars to a cab company but bear with me. I have taken Flash Cab probably ~100 times in the past couple years (and have taken other cabs hundreds more times, all for work) and this as good as it gets in any city. I am definitely grading on a curve. A lot of the negative reviews here are basically blaming Flash Cab for the way the taxi market works. Yes, if you lose your iPhone in a cab, you probably won't get it back. People steal these all the time in coffee shops and public places. I too have lost an iPhone in a cab and the lost and found systems do suck, but this isn't necessarily the cab company's fault. Also, if you order a cab at, say, 6pm on Friday evening, you will probably have a really unpredictable wait time unless you use a service where you pay a surcharge for peak locations/times (like Uber). So, with those disclaimers, here are the positives: - The online ordering system is really reliable. Yes, the interface occasionally acts weird on my iPhone, but I don't have to pay a booking fee like Uber. - Every time they are having trouble finding me a cab, they call to let me know. This has only happened a few times in a few years, but it's nice to have actual customer service. - The cabs show up on time. In fact, they always show up 5-10 minutes early so I book for slightly later than I really want it. 4. Most importantly, the typical Flash Cab driver is more pleasant than a regular cab driver, less likely to lurch down the road like s/he is bent on vehicular homicide, and much less likely to yell at you. Now, I'm not saying that they are uniformly great. But compared to AVERAGE Chicago cab drivers, they are sooooo much better. The cars are ALWAYS clean. 9 out of 10 don't smell like smoke. They take credit cards without verbally abusing you. Like I said, this is graded on a curve. read more

A cabbie should not talk on his cell phone or play his radio while a fare is in his cab. I've gotten in cabs where the radio is playing very loud. I asked the cabbie to turn it down. He turns it down a slight bit and says is that OK. If he had half a brain he'd turn it off. For now on if a cabbie talks on his phone or has his radio on he is not getting a tip. read more

What a rip off. From O'hare to Crystal Lake and was charged $108. (lost cell phone on vacation and was forced to). Took Uber ride week before and was only $52. Will only us Uber again. These places deserve to lose business to independent Uber drivers. read more

Our technician took Flash Taxi service from the airport to his hotel and left his credit card in the chip reader. Immediately called Flash Taxi to try and retrieve his card but their home base was rude and would NOT contact the driver to return the card. Doesn't matter if the driver is a decent person if their parent company doesn't care about having satisfied passengers...So much for customer service! If they are this way with their customers, wonder how they treat their employees? TAKE UBER INSTEAD! read more

I have resisted using Uber because I try to support the hard working cab drivers of Chicago. And Flash has always been my first choice. But twice now, when I have reserved a cab to get to the airport the cab arrived at my house to pick me up 15 minutes late. And now when you call to check the status you get someone in the Phillipines who can only check the status and do nothing further to help. And of course they remind you that you should use the app to get the easiest service. (Which is actually true, but didn't help me out since the app was simply telling me that my cab was still 10 minutes away). It's too bad because I actually like talking to the cab drivers and learning things about wherever they come from. But the service and reliability has really gone down hill. I'm not ready to go Uber yet but please Flash, you know Uber is a threat, this is the best opportunity for you to differentiate yourself...don't blow it! read more

I had the most scariest experience with flash cab. When the cabbie stopped in front of my home as I was getting ready to pay him, he started flipping out and yelling saying "get the fuck out, hurry up and pay me, or I'll kick you out" "hurry the fuck up" the whole time I was paying the guy. I was so upset that I didn't have any cash, I used a credit card, and had to got they the signing process, and the whole time I was being cursed at by a very large scare looking African American male, with a Jamaican accent. He was yelling so loud. I was terrified and shaken up. I don't know why he just snapped like that. He must has some mental issues. I'm so lucky to have reached home safely. I noted his cab number 5490, this took place in down town Chicago. I hope flash cab reads this and takes care of this driver. read more

Seriously? This is how you run a cab company? I ordered a cab for 4:45 and they call at 4:48 to say they will be another 20 minutes. Are they run my dead monkeys? Maybe the Cook County Board? Stoopid. read more

I usually call them because they service my area of the city and arrive pretty close to on time. However, the last ride he charged me a surcharge because I crossed the city limits into Evanston - 1 1/2 blocks away!!! I don't care if you are ALLOWED to charge me - you shouldn't! I purposely called North Shore for my ride back because they do not overcharge me for crossing the boundary. read more

A lot better the last time around.....

Flash Cab is extremely undependable. You make reservations and while your client waits...and you call ....they tell you they're looking for a cab? Does that mean the airlines will wait cause Flash can't make it. Call them only as a last resort! read more

I'd give less than a star if I could. Called them at 7:10 for a 7:30 cab. "no problem" I was told. 7:40 -- nothing here. Called again and was told they have nothing in the area and I'm looking at 30 min more. When I called to cancel the cab (after having to cancel the restaurant!!), I got hung up in the face. If you want to try your luck, don't say you weren't warned read more

Twice I have called them and BOTH times I had issues with them. this company so far cannot seem to get a cab in Chicago to pick me up on time. The last time it took over an hour from the time I first called until I finally got home and I live 10-12 mintues from the pick-up. The first time I ever called them I waited over an hour to be picked up when they told me 10-30 minutes at the most. Be careful calling them if you expect prompt service. read more

I will warn all readers: this might be the worst review I have ever written... When I got into the cab, #4203, I asked if he took credit (knowing I didn't have any cash). He said yes. I accidentally dosed off in the backseat (like no one has ever done this!) and once at my destination he REFUSED to take me to my final address and then called the cops because he couldn't get the credit card machine to work. I attempted to file a report with the police and they said I had no case, so I am letting yelp users know about my experience. Good luck to you all!!! read more

I was attempting to drop my friend's dog back of at her house after watching him for the weekend. I called ahead and told the dispatcher that I had a dog that I would be traveling with. She said it wouldnt be a problem then said a cab was on its way. I kept getting text messages of different cab numbers that were being dispatched to my appartment. After 30 minutes I was forced to give up and leave the dog at my house because I had to go to work. I kept getting texts for AN HOUR AND A HALF. 10 different cabs kept saying they were on their way. Eventually one called me while I was sitting at work (1 hour 45 mins later) and said they were outside. After explaining that it had been almost 2 hours since I called and that I wasn't at my house anymore, the driver was angry that i wasted his time. Was not apologetic at all. Now when I'm hailing a cab in the city, I never give my business to Flash Cab. read more

Won't be using flash cab again. The cab was 10 minutes late (no one from the dispatch center called to inform me of this) and when the driver arrived, the car wreaked of cigarette smoke. He had all 4 windows down trying to get rid of the smell and it was pretty chilly outdoors this morning, so it was a very unpleasant ride to say the least. Never use this taxi company. You're better off taking uber instead. read more

Melissa in Cab 90 is good driver but their dispatch services are HORRENDOUS. Called to place initial service request and thought it would be ok, but checked on reservation 1 day prior to departing and NO RESERVATION. Got back from trip and had called to confirm pick up at O'Hare 1 day before, got to O'Hare and NO TAXI. Had to wait over 1 hour for a taxi. UNRELIABLE DISPATCH SERVICE. read more

I needed a cab from O'Hare to Bensenville, IL (a Chicago suburb) which was only 15 minutes away. Since it was raining, I was in the cab for 28 minutes from the airport to my house. Prior to getting a cab at O'Hare, I asked the cab coordinator at the curb what the fare was to Bensenville, IL. I was quoted $33.00 plus fees. I took the cab he directed me to, which was Flash Cab. When at my destination, the front meter said one fare, and the back meter said another. I questioned this, and the driver told me it was standard fare plus 1/2. I was shocked. The cab coordinator said nothing about this at O'Hare airport when I asked him the fare. I again questioned this policy, and the cab driver turned on his cell phone flashlight, leaned over the seat, and attempted to show me where on the very rubbed-out placard at my knees that the fare was standard fare plus 1/2. He did not know where it was on the placard, moving his cell phone around frantically, and I could not see it posted because it was pitch dark in the cab. I was not told of this policy prior to getting into the cab. I did check the website today, and this policy of fare plus 1/2 is posted on the Flash Cab website. However, I believe that the airport coordinator and the cab driver should tell people prior to them getting into the cab that this is the fare policy to select Chicago suburbs. In addition, the tip on my receipt is .07 higher than the percentage that I gave him. This is not a lot of money, but if you add up all passengers in his car that are giving .07 higher than what they think they are tipping, it adds up over time. Next time I will park in long-term parking and take the shuttles. I see no reason to have to pay fare plus 1/2 to go to a suburb located right next to O'Hare airport, especially when I was not told of this policy ahead of time. read more

I've missed my cab multiple times now because the driver picked up the wrong passenger. You have my name, don't you? Could've checked. I like to call ahead for a cab to the airport so I can come downstairs and leave exactly when I want to. So no, I don't want to wait 15 minutes while you dispatch another one. Grrrrrr. read more

This taxi company has no idea what customer service means. I have ordered cabs from this company and been left waiting with NO SERVICE too many times. Even when I have called hours in advance to reserve a cab apparently "reserving a cab in advance" means nothing to them. I called to reserve a cab for 1pm over an hour ahead of time on Friday I had to be at work at 1:30pm and when i didn't get a call to tell me my cab had arrived at 1pm i called flash to see what was going on and they told me there were no cabs in the area and it was a matter of time before one would come get me. The girl said she wouLd call me back in five minutes to let me know how long before the cab would arrive. The girl never called me back and I ended up having to leave my house at 1:10 to try and catch a bus which takes an hour to get me to work. There lack of service almost got me in trouble at work and could have affected my livelihood if it weren't for CCC cab company which happened to pick me up randomly at the bus stop I would have been late. The worst part about it is this is not the first time this has happened to me personally with Flash and it seems IF THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE A SERVICE THEY SHOULDN'T OFFER IT!!!!!!! read more

Absolutely horrible. Stood in the freezing cold 20 minutes waiting on my cab that I ordered 3 hours ago. I made a reservation because I had a work party to go to and couldn't be late! After i couldn't feel my toes, I decided to see WTF is happening. I had to call 14 times to get through. Finally, I get through and then wait 5 more minutes on the phone in the cold. Once I actually get a live person, the operator tells me that "they are still working on my order. It will be another 15-20 minutes." really???? What the hell is a reservation for if you can't get a cab on time. Don't waste your valuable time with these idiots... unless you want to be late! read more

I booked a cab on Wednesday for Friday morning for 3:40am to catch a 6am flight. Cab was there at 3:35, and they even sent me a text to let me know it was dispatched so there was no question if they forgot about my order since I booked in advance! Perhaps since I was so early and they had cabs readily available, but I had a good experience. My cab driver was friendly and professional too. read more

Do not call these guys! Horrible customer service! I booked a cab with them through Taxi Magic 24 hours in advance of my flight and received a confirmation via email. I called Flash on the morning of my flight to be sure I would be picked up and I was told "Nobody has picked up that order." "What does that mean," I asked. The very rude dispatcher's reply was "What do you think that means? How much more clear can I get?" And I replied "Well, does that mean that you never received my online booking, or that it's in a queue and somebody will be here, or that nobody will come to get me?" To which she responded "I don't know how you are confused. Nobody has picked up your order. That means nobody is coming to get you!" I was totally shocked at her responses. I had no choice but to get in my car and speed to the airport, just barely making my flight after parking, etc. since I had planned to be dropped at the door by a cab I had reserved 24 hours before. Then at 10:27 (27 minutes AFTER I was supposed to have been picked up) I got a call asking if I was waiting for a cab! What a disaster. Do not count on these guys if you're looking for a reliable, stress-free ride to the airport. Or anywhere for that matter. read more

The absolute worst cab company I have ever experienced. From boston to london and that's saying a lot. Cabs in 3rd world countries run more efficiently! The lasy dispatchers never sent out a cab after 35 minutes of waiting finally hailed down a cab on the street and still missed my flight! Poor customer service, avoid at all cost (unless you like being late or missing flights). read more

The dispatchers are the worse. Why say your driver is around the corner and then the cab doesn't show up for 15 minutes? Used to be so reliable and the best in the city. Now they are one of the worse. Hope the drivers go elsewhere and work for a better company. read more

Only giving them 1 star because our first Flash cab driver was perfectly normal. Lets start with him. On Sunday a Flash cab was dropping off another hotel guest at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in downtown and we hopped in after them. Told him we were going to Union Park in the west side. He was quick, nice and knowledgeable that there was a music festival there at Union park Friday and Saturday (Pitchfork festival). We told him we were attending the Sunday festivities. Everything went perfectly well as it should have. Satisfied with our initial experience we called Flash cab after the festival. The next driver was there in about 10min and called us but we had a hard time connecting on the busy intersections on Randolph. He did loop around but we had to run and catch him before the light turned and others tried to steal him. Why he did not turn on the smaller cross street, I have no idea. Oh well. But now on the cab ride back to our hotel which should of taken max 10 min took us at least 30+ min. He did not know where our hotel was, even after me telling him it was just north of the river off of columbus, close to navy pier, close to michigan ave, north of wacker dr...etc etc. I'm not from Chicago but have been here enough times to give him whatever bit of info to at least start driving in the correct direction. We had to google map on our own phones directions to the hotel and when we got "lost" by the Hyatt Regency hotel I told him it was just across the river from our hotel. He shushed us and would not listen to any advice I tried giving him and he called someone else and started speaking in a different language for directions. I dont expect every cab driver to know every hotel and address in the city. But not to know what or where navy pier, michigan ave, and ON THE DAMN CHICAGO RIVER NORTHSIDE means is just unacceptable. Will never use Flash cab again. read more

Ordered a cab using the app. It did not show up. Called, operator gave me the runaround. Won't rush to use Flash Cab again.

Not sure what neighborhood the other yelpers live in, but I ALWAYS call the night before I need a ride to the airport, and lately, they've ALWAYS been 30-45 minutes late. When I get nervous and call in the morning, they say that they are just putting the call out on the radio. That's not right - why call the night before then?? Maybe they don't like Ukrainian Village so much. Back to Yellow for me. read more

I have tried this company a few times and every single time they have given me extremely poor service. I called and asked for a van because I had so much luggage. They took a very long time to come and didn't come in a van. They then had to call a van and that took a long time as well. I recently called for a cab and they asked me if I was ready now. I told them yes, and 1 hour and 15 mins later they arrived. By that time I had walked to find a cab on my own. Make this company a last resort! read more

Horrible service. Just like Julie N, I placed an order SEVEN hours in advance. No call, no text, nothing. I call them at the time my cab was SUPPOSED to arrive and was placed on hold for TWENTY minutes. A rep calls me while I'm on hold (go figure) and tells me they haven't found anyone to take the order yet. I explained that I have to be to work in what is now 10mins after the order was ALREADY 20mins behind. All the guy gave me was excuse after excuse. "The weather is bad". "It's Saturday". "They should tell you the preorders are not guaranteed". "Other services will be the same". NO! That is ENTIRELY unacceptable! NO WAY should it take you THAT long to find someone to take an order placed THAT MUCH in advance. Never using this service again and never recommending it. Especially because of the rude customer service rep. read more

It says you can call to reserve a cab. Um no. Called cannot reserve a cab. Called a previous time to get picked up immediately. Nope again. Worthless. read more

Yet another flash cab failure. After calling at 7AM for a 3.45PM cab, we get a call at 3.45PM saying that the cab is not available. They ask if I want them to look for one in my area, I tell them that we are going to the airport and can only wait for a short period before we will be too late. They say they will look and call me back and never do. If you live outside the loop, I would like to know what a reliable cab company is! read more

Consistently unreliable cab service. Surprised people still use them. We've made reservations few times to go to the airport and on 3 occasions, they didn't show up. When you call them, it's pretty much like making a new reservation and they say we'll send some in 45 minutes. What's the point of reservation then? That's it. I'm done with them. read more

Last week, my boyfriend and I hailed a cab (Flash Cab #5734) on Damen Street in Bucktown (the 1900 block) and took the cab to Old Town. Immediately after we got out of the cab, we realized that his phone had fallen out of his pocket while we were sitting in the cab. So, he immediately called the company, left a message on the lost and found line and spoke to someone in dispatch. We were really hoping that the cab driver would realize that we had left the phone, and be honest and return it to his company's lost and found department. Unfortunately, despite several follow-up phone calls and check-ins, we were told yesterday by the company that the driver of cab #5734 never found the phone. However, much to our surprise, the phone was finally turned on this morning which activated the "Find My Phone" app and to our sadness, the phone is now located in HYDERABAD, INDIA. So, sadly it was stolen, likely sold, hacked into (with multiple attempted hacks into email), and wound up in India all within four days. The saddest part is that we don't even care about the phone itself as we have just lost thousands of important pictures that we had used the phone to take to document an important three month project. So, obviously we will never step into a Flash Cab again given our experience with the driver of cab #5734. Such a disappointing experience. read more

Ordered a cab the night before for a 6:15am pick up to take me to the Metra station. I got a call 10 min before saying there were no cabs available. Will never use Flash cab again! Unreliable!!! read more

Can't trust them to be on time! Bad news when you need to catch a flight. Response of woman dispatcher when I called was "sorry for the inconvenience." Will never use them again! read more

I have just come in from my corner at Schiller and State ... where I was crossing with my dog at 5:30 PM. Up roared a Flash Cab # 6788 and could easily have run me down mid-intersection if I had not yelled at him. The woman in the cab rolled down her window and apologized for such drivingr and the scary incident. Sorry, I don't want to be riding around with drivers of this caliber. "Awesome?" I don't think so .... read more

I called up Flash Cab and I got a driver named Suneel. He was on time, professional and behaved well. After riding with him, I changed my opinion on Flash cabs. Kudos to the driver!! read more

Absolutely unreliable service. Do Not use Flash Cab. I have used their app several times. They assign a cab to come and it never shows up. They even show the cab picking up someone else and send me a receipt. I can't ever count on them. Terrible terrible service! read more