Cuba LONE4 ramifications: which airline to ticket?

[Happy Dude]

Because I have Cuba on my LONE4, I can't ticket on AA (which means no more platinum challenge either). Plus, according to the OW planning tool, a 5 hour stop in MEX is not enough between HAV-JFK so I've got to book with an airline anyways.

So which airline should I ticket with in order to save a few bucks? Should I call the airlines myself, get a TA to quote me for all, or is there a website I can use?

The itinerary is:
MEL-SIN-FRA-xLED-HEL or BUD-IST-xAMM-TIP-AMM-CDG-xMAD-HAV-MEX-JFK-LAX-BNE-MEL

(No stop in SIN and additional sector in TC2. There's trans-sib rail trip and a bunch of flights in China to book too.)

 

[Postcode]

I did something similar a few years ago. The US embargo on Cuba is there and nothing can be done it seems even for non Americans.

I suggest MAD-MEX on your LONE4 and book a separate ticket MEX-HAV. Most websites are US based so can't quote a Cuba flight. Try the Mexicana website.

If entering the US after being in Cuba be aware you cannot bring in anything bought in Cuba. I was aware of this and even had used bus tickets and maps which were in my luggage confiscated. The airlines it seems are obliged to share info on travelers so be aware and prepared.

Go to Cuba. It really is worth it.

 

[serfty]

... Go to Cuba. It really is worth it.

See here for a Trip report with relevant information:

• http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...hotos/pre-trip-report-notzac-needs-19179.html

 

[notzac]

Ticketing recommendations ... set up your LONE4 with AA, give yourself a day either side of your intended trip to Cuba in MEX (the Hilton at the airport is reasonable if expensive), then ticket MEX-HAV-MEX with MX separately. You won't be able to do so on their website (unless you have a Mexican CC), but any competent TA or non-US-based online TA should be able to sort you out.

..and echoing Postcode's comments, definitely take the time to go to Cuba. Do your research first, but you won't regret going! More than happy to answer any questions you have

 

[ronza]

I did this on a Oneworld Award RTW and got around it simply by booking it as a side trip out of Cancun. I don't think even you can have Cuba and the US on the same iten regardless of who tickets it (my experience with Qantas FF desk)

CCS-MIA-CUN (one very long, tedious day, not recommended) then CUN-HAV-CUN then CUN-JFK

Coming in from Europe, Cubana and Virgin Atlantic fly but I don't think their one way fares are equal to half a return. The cheapest flights to Cuba are out of Cancun and are pretty much fixed price. Direct flight CUN-JFK works out well but it is on a 757.

You will have to use a online travel agent to ticket the CUN-HAV-CUN as when I tried with Mexciana, it wouldn't take my credit card.

 

[Happy Dude]

Thanks for the replies, and they've got me thinking. From the OW Travel Planner:

"If a ticket includes travel to/from/via Cuba it may not also include flight segments for travel on American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection due to U.S. government restrictions."

So, according to the OW rules, you can't have Cuba on an AA ticket or have AA flights on the intinerary. Theoretically, I should be able to plate on anyone but AA.

But if I plate on AA, I can put the savings (if any) towards a Plat Challenge and a flight to/from Cuba.

Also, and this the deal breaker, if I route something like MAD-JFK-CUN-xMEX-LAX-BNE (with CUN-HAV-MEX booked separately, and without a stop in LAX), can I bring cigars back in luggage? Does the enthusiasm shown by US C&I extend to checked-through luggage?

This (posted by postcode), "I was aware of this and even had used bus tickets and maps which were in my luggage confiscated.", doesn't fill me with confidence.

Read through notzac's very good and useful TR. Ta for the link serfty.

 

[Dave Noble]

You could do MAD-MIA and there is a v nice quick flight time to HAV and back and then can continue onwards to CUN or MEX on AA

Have you managed to sort out visas et al for Libya?

Dave

 

[notzac]

So, according to the OW rules, you can't have Cuba on an AA ticket or have AA flights on the intinerary. Theoretically, I should be able to plate on anyone but AA.

So long as you have a flight arriving or departing Cuba on the ticket, you can't have any sector on the same ticket operated by an American airline. Stupid US gov'mint restriction.

Also, and this the deal breaker, if I route something like MAD-JFK-CUN-xMEX-LAX-BNE (with CUN-HAV-MEX booked separately, and without a stop in LAX), can I bring cigars back in luggage? Does the enthusiasm shown by US C&I extend to checked-through luggage?

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news -- no Cuban product is permitted entry in to the United States, whether transiting or otherwise. Expect to be asked by the US Customs folk about your trip, expect to have anything of Cuban origin confiscated.

After I left Cuba, I flew HAV-MEX-LHR-AMS -- so I took everything with me and posted it all home from Amsterdam. If you're routing back through the US, look in to shipping from Cuba (DHL has offices in Havana, see DHL Cuba Office Information .. I'd expect it to be offensively expensive and possibly somewhat unreliable) or possibly shipping/posting whilst at MEX. Unsure of options or cost.

 

[AussieTim]

possibly shipping/posting whilst at MEX. Unsure of options or cost.

MexPost is not at all reliable - letters can take 2 months internationally - and sometimes not arrive at all... If shipping out of MEX - FedEx or DHL are your best options.

 

[ronza]

From my experience, I had no problem "getting through" 5 packs (25 cigars) of Cubans. That was HAV-CUN-JFK.

All HAV flights arriving into Cancun are searched rigorously for cigars by Mexicans but as long as you are under the 25 cigar (check this), its no big deal. Just have them near the top of your luggage or in hand carry because if they pick up the tube shapes on the X-Ray, you will be pulled away.

Getting into JFK was a different experience from the time I went through MIA. I think I either just had "Mexico" on the list of countries I had previously visited or a whole bunch that filled the box (had been backpacking through South America) with Cuba in there quietly. Either way, the only words the immigration agent muttered to me was "Have a nice time". At Customs, the only agent there was collecting cards with no one being stopped or searched. Whatever JFK terminal AA Central American flights arrive from anyway, there is no arriving baggage X-Ray unless you declare something.

YMMV but ultimately, plenty of Americans go to Cuba but the stamps on their passports make it look like they've only been in Cancun for a week lapping up the sun (though you'll have two arrival stamps from Mexico). Don't go wearing your finest Fidel Souvenir T-Shirt and I doubt US C&I will pick that you've been to Cuba. I guess if they cotton on and ask you if you've been to Cuba, the jig is up and you can kiss your cigars goodbye but ultimately, there is a big possibility you'll have no problems puffing down a Montecristo in Times Square.

 

[Happy Dude]

You could do MAD-MIA and there is a v nice quick flight time to HAV and back and then can continue onwards to CUN or MEX on AA

Have you managed to sort out visas et al for Libya?

Dave

How fly MIA-HAV? Via CUN?

Still organising Libyan trip (only emailed your recommendation yesterday). LP thorn tree reports tourist visa process has recently changed: no translation needed and can be issued at airport.

 

[Dave Noble]

How fly MIA-HAV? Via CUN?

Still organising Libyan trip (only emailed your recommendation yesterday). LP thorn tree reports tourist visa process has recently changed: no translation needed and can be issued at airport.

There are direct flights from MIA-HAV; don't need to go out of the way at all

Dave