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Quote:
Originally Posted by rocky
Is it possible for a US flier to use FF miles to go to Cuba?
I've got miles on OW, ST and *A. Also have miles on BA and QF.
Thanks,
Rocky
Aeroplan redemption from Canada to Cuba is the easiest. But, you might face less hassle if you change your residence to Canada before trying to book it. Look up a Pizza Hut address in Toronto and you're good to go.
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That only works if the OP's Star Alliance miles are in Aeroplan. If they are in a US based program (e.g. UA, US) I doubt even a change of address will allow this to be booked.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crhptic
That only works if the OP's Star Alliance miles are in Aeroplan. If they are in a US based program (e.g. UA, US) I doubt even a change of address will allow this to be booked.
Yes, this is correct. The miles have to be in Aeroplan or another non-USA held Star Alliance partner.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rocky
Any oneworld options? My only miles in foreign programs are BA and QF.
I can't seem to find any.
Iberia flies MAD-HAV, Mexicana flies MEX-HAV.
Those are literally your only oneworld options. You might want to just consider buying a cheap flight ex-Canada? My American friend does all the time and he hasn't been caught yet.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MatthewLAX
I haven't done it myself, but you can fly down to SAN, cross the border, and fly to HAV from TIJ with a connection in MEX on MX.
AM and CU are other options from MEX.
Never thought of Tijuana, good one Matthew!
I guess MTY would equally be convenient if you accessed it from the SAT area by bus. Juarez too?
PS - Mexicana's official rule that I saw today prohibit redemptions "from USA to Havana". Not a word on whether US citizens are permitted to book them - I doubt the Mexicans would care either way.
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Rocky you can use both QFF and BA miles to fly in and out of HAV but not from the USA.
I am currently booking a RTW using qantas and flying from mad to hav and hav to scl.
You might want to just consider buying a cheap flight ex-Canada? My American friend does all the time and he hasn't been caught yet.
Going via Canada is much more risky. Because the plane transits American airspace the passenger manifest is transmitted to the US. It will show that there is an American citizen on board. Real easy to get caught that way.
Those are literally your only oneworld options. You might want to just consider buying a cheap flight ex-Canada? My American friend does all the time and he hasn't been caught yet.
If you have Skyteam miles from a non-US programme, COPA will sell you a redemption to HAV via PTY even on a single ticket originating from the US (irrespective of your citizenship)- at least for as long as they're in the alliance (I don't know what will happen when/if they move across to *A). However, I don't think I would recommend that to a US citizen.
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There are perfectly legal circumstances under which US citizens can obtain US gov't permission to travel to Cuba (e.g., diplomats, reporters, academics, artists/musicians, etc.)
Why would the airlines not be allowed to book FF tickets to HAV? They don't ask travelers at booking time if they already have a visa to a country that requires it; what makes this situation any different? Why wouldn't they just check your documents before issuing a boarding pass?
FYI, Cayman Airways flies from GCM-HAV. I'm sure there are other small Caribbean airlines that make the trip.
