Miles to Cuba
 

Uh, I wouldn't if I were you. Your government is nuts about Cuba for some reason (for now). Not worth the risk.

Why leave a paper trail for traveling illegally? Whether you agree with the policy or not, going there is not allowed by the US government unless you meet special circumstances. If you have family there or for business, educational, or government needs you can be allowed but otherwise you not allowed.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS /TRAVEL TRANSACTION LIMITATIONS: The Cuban Assets Control Regulations are enforced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and affect all U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located, all people and organizations physically located in the United States, and all branches and subsidiaries of U.S. organizations throughout the world. The regulations require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed in order to engage in any travel-related transactions pursuant to travel to, from, and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada. U.S. law enforcement authorities enforce these regulations at U.S. airports and pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travelers who fail to comply with Department of the Treasury regulations could face civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.

x1achilles, I thought that because you are transiting US airspace with this route, you are still reported to Big Brother.

*I am not certain and stand ready to learn more

The question is also valid for us furriners who are not Merkins. Could there be any hassle with US visas or visa waivers?

My understanding is that the passenger manifests for this route are handed over to the US government. I'm not sure what branch would use the information.

Merkins?
 

If there is a papertrail that somehow links to anything American, then at some point a US government agency will be involved. Giving a FF# provides confirmation that you were a flight going to and/or leaving Cuba. The Feds take this very seriously. Even though actual prosecution is rare they can make you sweat while you're in custody and make your future international travel a nightmare.

Its not worth the 5,000 miles.

Off topic, but the same goes for using credit cards or making phone calls while you are in Cuba. Anything that leaves a papertrail with an American company is a potential problem if the wrong person decides to snoop.

This thread isn't very pertinent to mileage running, so I'll go ahead and move it to the Cuba Forum.

--jpdx, MR Moderator

Probably not, unless you do business there. If you do business there and they (choose your US government agency) find out about it, you'll be banned from entering the United States until they get rid of that stupid rule.

Happens periodically to Canadians. All very funny to me (not in the ha ha way).

Can an American earn UA miles on Air Canada from YYZ (Toronto) to Havana?

I rather doubt it and don't think it would be worth trying either. DL specifically excludes earning SkyMiles on any partner flight to/from HAV. I didn't see any wording to that effect in UA's rules, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's in there somewhere.

I agree that I would not enter my UA number if I was american. Being european based I have travelled on award ticket three times now Europe-EWR-YYZ-HAV and back and it is a big problem at EWR everytime. This has been on SK document and one single PNR. I have gotten the SSSS every time.