Tourist Card
Aug 4, 2016 | 12:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 77
Tourist Card
Hey FTers. I am booked for CFG in September. I have seen the Miami Herarld article about AA calling and facilitating this process. Every time I call AA no one knows anything about this.
Does anyone have any insight about obtaining one other than contacting the Cuban embassy directly?
Will they be available at the airport in MIA or upon arrival?
Thanks!
Does anyone have any insight about obtaining one other than contacting the Cuban embassy directly?
Will they be available at the airport in MIA or upon arrival?
Thanks!
Aug 4, 2016 | 1:43 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667
I'm in much the same situation, leaving September 17 and having gotten no info from anyone I talked to on the phone at AA. The last I read on some forum or another (Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree forum has a lot of travelers that have been going to Cuba for decades and are pretty clued in about all the changes, and are staying on top of these issues with new flights) was from someone who was told by AA that they were getting some third party agency to handle the tourist card at Miami airport. No word about the "mandatory" insurance though. And no word on when this as yet un-named agency is supposed to be up and running in AA's Miami airport area.
Please post, anyone who has heard something more.
Please post, anyone who has heard something more.
Aug 5, 2016 | 6:58 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 77
AA's reply
Hey guys just received the following message from AA on Facebook messenger. Social media team to the rescue again!
"A third party vendor will be contacting customers 32 days prior to their flight via email regarding obtaining their tourist card. You can purchase them earlier as long as it's specifically issued for the US and valid on the day of travel."
"A third party vendor will be contacting customers 32 days prior to their flight via email regarding obtaining their tourist card. You can purchase them earlier as long as it's specifically issued for the US and valid on the day of travel."
Aug 5, 2016 | 8:23 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667
Hey guys just received the following message from AA on Facebook messenger. Social media team to the rescue again!
"A third party vendor will be contacting customers 32 days prior to their flight via email regarding obtaining their tourist card. You can purchase them earlier as long as it's specifically issued for the US and valid on the day of travel."
"A third party vendor will be contacting customers 32 days prior to their flight via email regarding obtaining their tourist card. You can purchase them earlier as long as it's specifically issued for the US and valid on the day of travel."
Aug 15, 2016 | 8:35 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 77
Update
Just received an email from AA,
"Travel card and insurance coverage:
Most customers will need to purchase a travel card and insurance coverage, which you can obtain from Cuba Travel Services (CTS) by calling 305-204-9314 or 877-511-2822 (U.S. toll-free)."
"Travel card and insurance coverage:
Most customers will need to purchase a travel card and insurance coverage, which you can obtain from Cuba Travel Services (CTS) by calling 305-204-9314 or 877-511-2822 (U.S. toll-free)."
Aug 15, 2016 | 2:07 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667
What is the "normal" price of a tourist card? Does it change for passport nationality (US vs. other)? Does it change depending on where you buy it (Canada, Cancun,etc)?
Do we have other options than this agency that might be cheaper?
I have read elsewhere that people bought them for $25.
Anyone know this place:
https://fusion.dns-systems.net/secur...t=yes&accom=no
They are charging 20GBP (=U$25) including shipping for any nationality anywhere.
What I can't find yet is how long it would take to arrive. Have to read the rest of the site.
Last edited by VidaNaPraia; Aug 15, 2016 at 2:16 pm
Aug 15, 2016 | 8:09 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,749
I have flown to Cuba twice - once from Mexico and once from Jamaica. Both times I got the tourist card at the check in desk. I can't imagine AA won't have something in place.
Is that site just going to send a copy of the form for you to fill out and hand in at check in?
Is that site just going to send a copy of the form for you to fill out and hand in at check in?
Aug 16, 2016 | 7:25 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB
Posts: 14,218
Aug 18, 2016 | 11:57 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667
I'm playing phone tag with Cuba Travel Services (3 days now), but they never leave the info I've asked for. just a "we called" message.
But if they don't make it a point to get back to me, I'll try to order from the UK place for U$25 while I still have time.
edit:
The UK place sells GREEN tourist cards.
US passport holders need a PINK tourist card, more expensive.
But if they don't make it a point to get back to me, I'll try to order from the UK place for U$25 while I still have time.
edit:
The UK place sells GREEN tourist cards.
US passport holders need a PINK tourist card, more expensive.
Last edited by VidaNaPraia; Aug 22, 2016 at 10:30 am
Aug 22, 2016 | 7:47 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BDL/PVD
Programs: UA, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 227
Aug 22, 2016 | 10:43 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667
But...
Finally got through to them. The rep said she would send me an email with the visa form and the travel affidavit (where you choose the reason you are traveling). Return to them by mail with the "proof of ticket" and U$85. She said they process and ship the same day as this stuff is received by snail mail.
----
They do not answer their published phone number; just goes to answering machine.
Aug 22, 2016 | 10:52 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BDL/PVD
Programs: UA, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 227
It was beginning to seem as if they were playing phone tag in order to get the higher price at the airport in Miami.
But...
Finally got through to them. The rep said she would send me an email with the visa form and the travel affidavit (where you choose the reason you are traveling). Return to them by mail with the "proof of ticket" and U$85. She said they process and ship the same day as this stuff is received by snail mail.
----
I can't find any but the most general info about tourist cards on the DC Embassy/Consulate website. No price.
They do not answer their published phone number; just goes to answering machine.
But...
Finally got through to them. The rep said she would send me an email with the visa form and the travel affidavit (where you choose the reason you are traveling). Return to them by mail with the "proof of ticket" and U$85. She said they process and ship the same day as this stuff is received by snail mail.
----
I can't find any but the most general info about tourist cards on the DC Embassy/Consulate website. No price.
They do not answer their published phone number; just goes to answering machine.
Aug 23, 2016 | 9:39 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667