credit cards cuba

tootsiegb

does anyone know which credit cards can be used in cuba? I know that you cant use credit cards affiliated to US banks, but which would these be?
any help grateful thanks x

BenL

Captial One, MBNA will both be american.

Safest bet as ever for foreign usage is the longterm best card - Nationwide BS.

Wholely owned by its (uk mainly) members.

nomoneytoday

Apparently they charge up to 10% to use a credit card, so it may be better to take euro or sterling IMHO

heavy_t

Hi, having been myself I would say that you will find it very hard to use them just about anywhere. Obviously if you are planning on taking one Am-Ex and Morgan Stanley are out, and I'm pretty sure I read that MBNA cards are American owned so won't work.

Really, Cuba is not the kind of place where you'll be able to pay for things on a credit card as you do in the UK anyway. There aren't really shops, bars and restaurants set up for it. Nor are there many cash machines.

You can change sterling at most of the banks and big hotels in Havana, as well as at the airport. DON'T let any jineteros (street hustlers) exchange money on the street as they may try and give you Cuban money (CUP) as opposed to Cuban convertible pesos (CUC). It's a pain that you can't exchange in the UK, but the CUC is a closed currency. Personally (I'm assuming you're going to Habana and/or the bigger towns) I would take sterling, keep it well locked away at all times in your room and just have the credit card if you need emergency cash from a bank. Using a credit card for everyday spending would be a real headache.

Also (you probably know this already) don't get US dollars as they are subject to 18% comission, as opposed to 8% on GBP (which isn't great).

If you have any more questions about Cuba let me know.

Cheers

tootsiegb

thanks for that heavy t. I will only be using credit card possibly for trips with rep & also scuba diving through hotel. I am taking sterling for day to day expenses. I just thought it would be better to put expensive trips & diving on card so i dont have to take so much cash!

Thanks

heavy_t

tootsiegb wrote: »

thanks for that heavy t. I will only be using credit card possibly for trips with rep & also scuba diving through hotel. I am taking sterling for day to day expenses. I just thought it would be better to put expensive trips & diving on card so i dont have to take so much cash!

Thanks

If it's a big tourist hotel you will almost certainly be able to change your sterling there. I would try and check with them directly if they will take credit card payment for the excursions. There's probably a fair chance.

bert&ernie

Lloyds (now incorporating HBOS) is quoted on the NYSE and, as such, is obliged to comply with US sanction orders.

I have successfully used a First Direct Visa (HSBC) in Cuba, but I would advise you check with your card issuer before travelling. Whatever they say, don't rely on a credit card as the Cuban acquiring bank networks are known to be unreliable.

casimpson

I am aware that credit cards issued by US banks cannot be used in Cuba, and that looking at many travel forums, the recommendation is to use a VISA card issued by a UK bank. I am struggling to find out which credit cards are available that meet this criteria. I currently have a MBNA (US bank) VISA card and wish to change to another VISA card, but issued by a UK bank. Can you suggest any options that I should look at ?

simon_templar_2

If the Bay of Pigs fiasco had not happened you probably would not need to worry about what cards work there.

RichyRich

No Abbey cards work in Cuba at all.

Unfortunately, someone told the Cuban government that Abbey had been taken over by MBNA, so they won't take 'em.

simon_templar_2

Abbey have not been taken by MBNA??!! MBNA used to run Abbey credit cards but have not done so for a year at least.