Hash Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 I Know there has been a number of thread about travel to Cuba,but I would like to be clear on CC acceptance.Do cigar shops in Havana accept CC issued in the UK e.g Barclaycard.
scradley Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 I think you will be fine, they don't accept US credit cards or travelers cheques but I used my Canada Trust visa at all the LCDH I visited when I stayed in cuba. Im sure even if worse came to worse you could call Barclay's and they should be able to tell you if its accepted... Its always a good idea to inform them your going to be using it in an other country as well. A good friend of mine had to contact TD canada trust while we were down there because they had kept declining his purchases.
Puros Y Vino Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 Interesting question. Do they accept travellers cheques issued from a Canadian bank?
bigfunkyg Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 Actually interesting personal experience on this issue. I was in Varadero in December and had just finished selecting 8 boxes and went to pay. I handed over my Visa and the transaction was declined. They told me I had to call my bank. I headed to a payphone and tried to figure out how to call Canada and get a hold of my bank. Finally I managed to and they told me that I probably should have contacted them first to tell them I was travelling out of country and would be using my card. A few minutes later I returned to the store and the card worked. I guess the lesson learned is to call your bank first to let them know that you going to be in Cuba and spending a lot on cigars! G
tdlfoto Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 I guess the lesson learned is to call your bank first to let them know that you going to be in Cuba and spending a lot on cigars! G this holds true anytime you travel i believe. I've had a similar experience on my first trip to the cayman islands, as well as rome. now as routine i call my bank before leaving the country.
IcedCanuck Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 Actually interesting personal experience on this issue. I was in Varadero in December and had just finished selecting 8 boxes and went to pay. I handed over my Visa and the transaction was declined. They told me I had to call my bank. I headed to a payphone and tried to figure out how to call Canada and get a hold of my bank. Finally I managed to and they told me that I probably should have contacted them first to tell them I was travelling out of country and would be using my card. A few minutes later I returned to the store and the card worked. I guess the lesson learned is to call your bank first to let them know that you going to be in Cuba and spending a lot on cigars! G I always call VISA and let them know when I'll be out of the country and where I'll be going to avoid that exact problem.
Murri Posted February 29, 2012 Posted February 29, 2012 Had that problem with RBC Visa but not Canadian Tire Master card
zathan Posted February 29, 2012 Posted February 29, 2012 Had that problem with RBC Visa but not Canadian Tire Master card Yeah they have some kick ass Regional Edition snowblowers at the Varadero Canadian Tire. Seriously, never had a problem with my Canadian bank master card. They say you need your passport to pay with your credit card but that's like everything else in Cuba, very subjective. Show them your hotel wrist band and give them a random room number and that'll do the trick.
CanuckSARTech Posted February 29, 2012 Posted February 29, 2012 For me, TD Visa, no issues at all. Also, traveller's cheques, yes, but used Thomas Cook traveller's cheques, and cashed at a bank. You just can't use anything that's directly connected to the U.S. financial system. So, AMEX traveller's cheques - nope. Royal Bank of Canada now has branches and whatnot in the U.S. I think, so I'm wondering if that affects things. But, Visa or Mastercard, no issues at all, pending your card provider allowing overseas purchases on their system (call them ahead of time to just cover your rear), and as long as there's no overt connection to a U.S. bank/institution.
bigfunkyg Posted February 29, 2012 Posted February 29, 2012 For me, TD Visa, no issues at all. Also, traveller's cheques, yes, but used Thomas Cook traveller's cheques, and cashed at a bank. You just can't use anything that's directly connected to the U.S. financial system. So, AMEX traveller's cheques - nope. Royal Bank of Canada now has branches and whatnot in the U.S. I think, so I'm wondering if that affects things. But, Visa or Mastercard, no issues at all, pending your card provider allowing overseas purchases on their system (call them ahead of time to just cover your rear), and as long as there's no overt connection to a U.S. bank/institution. I used a RBC Visa only with the issue I mentioned above.
lonsdaleto Posted February 29, 2012 Posted February 29, 2012 Do the cigar factory stores in Havana accept credit cards? Not all stores in Havana accept plastic.
CanuckSARTech Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 Do the cigar factory stores in Havana accept credit cards? Not all stores in Havana accept plastic. IIRC, the La Corona LCDH store does, as does the Partagas LCDH store. I'm not positive on any others. But I think it's a standardized thing, even in Cuba, that if it's a LCDH store that it has to be able to accept electronic payments. I'm pretty sure, but not 100% on that.
tdlfoto Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 i used my Visa at the Partagas store last time down.
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