Stupid Question re: Long Beach Airport taxi

[camidges]

I have read that there is a flat rate taxi at Long Beach Airport that will take me to the hotel.
My dumb question is, do you tip the driver when you are dropped off? If so, how much is average tip?
Oh, and do you usually need cash? Or do they take cards?

Also, one more ??... Do they only take you straight to the hotel, or would they let you make a quick Target run?

Thanks for your help- can you tell I don't ever take taxis? LOL!

I AM GOING NEXT WEEK ! Yay!

 

[naebear]

I would say that this isn't a stupid question!

I too wonder if taxi's take cards or just cash, and also if they will stop at target when you do a flat rate trip. We will be headed down in December and I am debating on a a shuttle or a taxi from LGB. The taxi is cheaper for 4 of us at $45, but how much of a tip do you add? Would it still be less after the tip?

 

[geekypeach]

Most cabs will take cards now. I still prefer cash though. Tips are based on service and custom. If there wasn't anything outstanding, I would tip $5. Most cab drivers will load your luggage and such for you, so it is worth tipping.

Many cabs have waiting charges if you run into the store. Time they spend sitting in their car is time they could have been earning extra fares. I would call a couple of the companies that serve LGB and ask.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I always tip 20%. 15% to 20% of the total cost of the trip is traditionally the way people tip cabs. I lived in SF for many years, so I was well acquainted with using cabs.

A flat rate cab would only make a quick stop at Target if you paid extra for it, I would imagine. Most likely the meter would be running the entire time you were in the store.

Here is a handy list from Money magazine on what is traditional to tip for different services:

http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/tipping/

On there they say 15% of the cab faire (so for a 45.00 tab, you would add on 6.75 extra). Where I live in the Bay Area, it seems more common for people to tip 20% for most services. It is also easier for me to figure out 20% in my head quicker!

 

[camidges]

Thanks for your responses!

I figure that I will just not worry about dropping by Target, and I now have a pretty good idea about what is expected for a tip...

Now I just need some patience as I wait that last week before I get to return to my "happy place"...

 

[iKristin]

Oh but make sure and mention the flat rate because otherwise it's $56 bucks. I had to mention it three times a few weeks ago because the guy was all "no it's Disneyland only" and I had to argue that it was bull that across the street is $11 cheaper