MasterCard Removes Block on Cuba Transactions for U.S.-Issued Cards
Apr 11, 2015, 4:42 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 1,894
Read the previous posts. MasterCard works in Cuba. It all depends on whether or not the financial institution that issues your card has lifted the restriction. I assume yours has not.
Jun 6, 2015, 11:22 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Middle Earth, and often worse
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3 Gold
Posts: 2,217
In late April, before I went to Havana, I checked with my Canadian credit union regarding the use of my ATM/debit card. I was told it would work fine in Cuba. However, when I landed in Cuba the card did not work. Mind you, I used my Bank of Montreal Mastercard to take out a cash advance so all was not lost - just some fees. 
Upon returning from Cuba I telephoned the Canadian credit union about the uselessness of their ATM in Cuba and was told: sorry about that. They hopefully will stop giving out false info regarding the use of their ATM card in Cuba (it has a Mastercard and Maestro logo on the back)
Upon returning from Cuba I telephoned the Canadian credit union about the uselessness of their ATM in Cuba and was told: sorry about that. They hopefully will stop giving out false info regarding the use of their ATM card in Cuba (it has a Mastercard and Maestro logo on the back)
Jun 6, 2015, 12:49 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,800
Supposedly the only ATM cards that will work in Cuba are those that have the Visa logo on them. I converted my TD card to a Visa-logo'd one but can't remember if I tried to get money from an ATM.
Jun 7, 2015, 8:55 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Middle Earth, and often worse
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3 Gold
Posts: 2,217
Only my Canadian Bank of Montreal card allowed me to buy items and to take out a cash advance. Still a lot of experiential learning for folks travelling to Cuba.
Feb 29, 2016, 3:18 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska MVP
Posts: 1,171
Any traveler updates here?
I just called Bank of America (have an AS Signature CC) and they told me that it will NOT work for transactions in Cuba.
I also called Chase (as I have a Southwest CC as well) and they told me that their card does not work in Cuba either.
I just called Bank of America (have an AS Signature CC) and they told me that it will NOT work for transactions in Cuba.
I also called Chase (as I have a Southwest CC as well) and they told me that their card does not work in Cuba either.
Mar 16, 2016, 2:12 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, US
Posts: 2,229
I visited Cuba March 3-9, 2016. While credit card logos were on display at various business locations, this did not mean that U.S. credit cards would work.
For example, at the Melia Las Dunas (Cayo Santa Maria), an all-inclusive resort, the front desk told me that no credit cards issued by U.S. banks were currently being accepted.
For example, at the Melia Las Dunas (Cayo Santa Maria), an all-inclusive resort, the front desk told me that no credit cards issued by U.S. banks were currently being accepted.
Mar 30, 2016, 10:39 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: California
Programs: UA, WN, DL, AA, KE, OZ
Posts: 119
I'll be going to Cuba in a month. I was hoping to see information whether US cards would work or not. I checked with Chase, and they told me that the VISA card was not blocked on their end.
I also have a Canadian debit card/Mastercard. My bank told me it would be hit and miss. It's supposed to work, but not all places will accept US branded cards since it is a Mastercard.
I will give it a try and see what happens, but I'm taking cash since I'm not betting on it working at all.
I also have a Canadian debit card/Mastercard. My bank told me it would be hit and miss. It's supposed to work, but not all places will accept US branded cards since it is a Mastercard.
I will give it a try and see what happens, but I'm taking cash since I'm not betting on it working at all.
Apr 3, 2016, 3:33 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 1,894
I also have a Canadian debit card/Mastercard. My bank told me it would be hit and miss.
May 9, 2016, 11:53 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: California
Programs: UA, WN, DL, AA, KE, OZ
Posts: 119
Just got back from Cuba last week. We tried an ATM, but it would not work for our Canadian card (Mastercard logo). Since we brought cash, it was fine, but it also didn't work for our other traveling companion who had a Mexican ATM card (Bancomer).