Australian Citizen travel to Cuba from US

[aussiel]

Hi All,

As most of you will be aware, US carriers are now permitted to sell tickets for commercial travel between the US and Cuba. Travellers on these services, however, have to satisfy one of the below 12 categories. To quote the AA booking page, which one must agree with to continue booking:

U.S. citizens no longer have to apply for a license to visit Cuba, but tourism is still banned by the embargo. Your visit must comply with one of the 12 categories of authorized travel:

• Family visits
• Official governmental business
• Journalistic activity
• Professional research or meetings
• Educational activities or people-to-people exchanges
• Religious activities
• Sports and public events
• Support for the Cuban people
• Humanitarian projects
• Research
• Informational materials
• Authorized export activity

Is anyone aware if these requirements apply to Australian (or even British) citizens travelling on these services? I'd prefer not to have to fly via MEX/PTY if possible, as time is limited.

 

[JessicaTam]

Hi All,

As most of you will be aware, US carriers are now permitted to sell tickets for commercial travel between the US and Cuba. Travellers on these services, however, have to satisfy one of the below 12 categories. To quote the AA booking page, which one must agree with to continue booking:



Is anyone aware if these requirements apply to Australian (or even British) citizens travelling on these services? I'd prefer not to have to fly via MEX/PTY if possible, as time is limited.

Surely you have some research to do in Cuba? Maybe you are writing a book?

 

[Mogul]

A relative of mine has just done this exact thing in the last couple of days and had to fly to Mexico first.

 

[Dr Ralph]

If you fly from the USA you have to book an organised tour, which is what they call those people-to-people visits.

It's very easy to get a direct flight from places like Toronto or Jamaica though and not have to worry about this problem. It doesn't cost much time at all to do this.

 

[kpc]

We used Lifemiles a couple of years back to fly Sju-Pty-Hav on Copa J return

 

[aussiel]

Surely you have some research to do in Cuba? Maybe you are writing a book?

My awkward way with words would make this highly unbelievable ! I'm a little too honest to try and put on something like this, especially when travelling with 'my literary assistant'.

A relative of mine has just done this exact thing in the last couple of days and had to fly to Mexico first.

Thanks for the info. I'm hoping now that there are direct commercial flights from the US that things would be a bit easier.

...It's very easy to get a direct flight from places like Toronto or Jamaica though and not have to worry about this problem. It doesn't cost much time at all to do this.

Toronto is an option (Air Canada?), and can also build in a trip to Niagara. Air China also fly Montreal - Havana, but the schedule is limited. I'm not having much luck in getting Jamaica and Carribean non-stoppers though. Any suggestions as to routes? Flight search is coming up with Copa as the cheapest option for now (longer duration than AA/DL direct to Havana).

We used Lifemiles a couple of years back to fly Sju-Pty-Hav on Copa J return

Currently limited to QFF and Velocity points. QF don't seem to be able to book to Cuba. Don't have that many Velocity points, but will take a look at what options there are (including transferring to Krisflyer?).

 

[docjames]

Just fly to MEX or CUN then hop across on AM or CU.