Cuban Tourist Visa- beware of scam

Kazc59

I have a holiday booked to Cuba with Thomson/First choice, this will be our 11th visit to this country. Thomson no longer issue a tourist visa as part of holiday cost. In the booking confirmation they advise these can be purchased at a cost of £16.50 per person, and give thetravelvisacompany.co.uk/thomson/cuba to apply for the visa. I was appalled to receive an application pack from them, charging £74 per person!! I have checked with the Cuban Embassy where you can apply direct, total for two is £52. There is also another web site that you can use who charge exactly the same as the Embassy. (Visacuba.com)
Beware first time travellers to Cuba, you do not have to pay £74 each if travelling with Thomson/ first choice holidays. It appears to be a scam that is endorsed by Thomson, as they currently do not provide other options in their paperwork!!!!
Can a moderator raise this further at money expert?

leylandsunaddict

Typical Thomson. You could just book with Thomas Cook instead lol.

I'd use cubavisas.com. They're the cheapest. £16 plus £7 handing and postage fees, so £46 for 2.

Kazc59

usually do go with thomas cook, but thomson were flying to santa clara for santa maria, where we have tried to get to for about 5 years!!! Back to thomas cook next year

khalessi01

I found the same thing with first choice, they specifically direct you to a company which charges £74 and the way the email is worded it kinda looks as though they are the only place you can access them. I rang to complain and the manager simply said they were partnered with travelvisacompany.co.uk. So i guess they are just happy to let their customers get ripped off and then blame said partner for over charging. They should be ashamed. Anyway, thankfully i read about cubavisa.uk/ from trip advisor. First choice clearly couldnt care less this will be the last time i book with them. Dont get scammed if you are going to Cuba.

FlyingPenguin

Hi, I needed a quick tourist card after calling a couple of places ( we tried the Cuban Consulate quite a few times with no luck), we spoke to cubavisa.uk who gave us the fastest process with office collection. Just in case if you are in a bit of hurry these guys were awesome. Best of luck and we are really looking for enjoying our trip.