Using miles for Cuba?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 135
Using miles for Cuba?
So AC flies there, I have plenty of MP miles, and I'd love to visit. But as a U.S. passport holder, it's not legal under most circumstances to go to Cuba (more specifically to spend money there).
My question is: is it even possible to make a booking to Havana using miles, and if so, what sort of information is registered?
Or just buy the ex-Canada fare?
My question is: is it even possible to make a booking to Havana using miles, and if so, what sort of information is registered?
Or just buy the ex-Canada fare?
#5
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Silver, MR Plat Prem & LT Plat, Hyatt Plat,SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE, UA 1K
Posts: 3,403
You CAN go to CUBA...you just have to know HOW to get through the 'issues'!
Although, from what I have "heard", Cuba is not really a-cheap anymore, or b-a good place to visit..with so many other GREAT tropical destinations...now the cigars..thats another story!
Although, from what I have "heard", Cuba is not really a-cheap anymore, or b-a good place to visit..with so many other GREAT tropical destinations...now the cigars..thats another story!
#7
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Silver, MR Plat Prem & LT Plat, Hyatt Plat,SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE, UA 1K
Posts: 3,403
#8
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA- 1P
Posts: 274
Cuban officials don't want their tourists to get in trouble... no one gets a stamp! I wouldn't worry about that.
#10
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 7
They make it very hard but not impossible to get to Cuba.
If you are booking a flight to a city with the intention of getting a connecting flight to Cuba and you tell the person booking your flight this, then they are not supposed to book the flight.
If you are booking a flight to a city with the intention of getting a connecting flight to Cuba and you tell the person booking your flight this, then they are not supposed to book the flight.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K 1.45MM, Marriott+SPG Plat, Clear, Nexus, Global Entry and MEX Viajero Confiable
Posts: 1,777
As mentioned, buy and fly from Toronto. No issues with passport since the stamp is on a blank piece of paper (just don't lose the paper until you've left Cuba ). Great trip.. but no, no MP miles awarded.
#12
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Washingon, DC
Programs: AF; DL; & SQ FF Programs
Posts: 170
I went to Cuba and had a great time! I'm just curious as to why you would want to go there illegally? Since they are going after people they find going through other countries and sticking them them with very hefty fines ($22,000. is hefty in my book), why not go the legal route?
#14
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,514
There is a great trip report by Jailer detailing his trip to Cuba.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=715144
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=715144
#15
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Washingon, DC
Programs: AF; DL; & SQ FF Programs
Posts: 170
The US government sells a license to certain operators for travel to Cuba. I know when I went there were 9 flights a day between Miami and Havana. I saw a United sitting on the tarmac when I arrived. I was on a Continental flight, that was classified as a charter. Cuba is expensive for the operators of these trip because of the restrictions our wonderful government puts on them related to financial transactions and of what the operators cost of doing business in Cuba runs them. To me it was worth it. Off the top of my head, Eldertreks was a company that had trips going to Cuba, check with them...it would be much cheaper than a huge fine if you were caught going illegally. When we came back to the US, customs gave us no problem, just their usual welcome home.