124 Days To Correct The Credit Card Issue- But, Sheraton Does It!
/On 27 June 2016, Stamford, Connecutict-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (a subsidiary of Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriott International) commenced management of the Hotel Quinta Avenida Habana, which was rebranded as Four Points Sheraton Havana.
Four Points by Sheraton Havana (SPG Category 6)
Avenida 5ta A 76 - 80,
Miramar District
Havana, Cuba
The initial reservation policy was:
30 June 2016
Payment and Cancellations
“Reservations for this hotel are prepaid and there are NO REFUNDS for changes or cancellation. Additional charges at the Hotel are NOT payable with US credit cards and must be paid in CASH or with non US issued credit cards.”
Then the reservation policy was changed to:
10 October 2016
Payment and Cancellations
"Reservations for this hotel are prepaid and there are NO REFUNDS for changes or cancellation for any guests, including SPG members. Additional charges at the Hotel are NOT payable with US credit cards and must be paid in CASH or with non US issued credit cards."
On 13 October 2016, Purchase, New York-based Mastercard Worldwide informed Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide that the company was incorrect in stating on its Internet site that credit cards issued in the United States were not permitted to be used at the property. The same day, Mastercard Worldwide informed the Central Bank of the Republic of Cuba, which responded that it was not aware of the situation, but would contact management of the Four Points Sheraton Havana.
Pompano Beach, Florida-based Stonegate Bank and San Juan, Puerto Rico-based Banco Popular of Puerto Rico, and Florida-based Natbank have authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury and from the Central Bank of the Republic of Cuba to have their Mastercard-branded credit cards and debit cards valid for use in the Republic of Cuba.
In 2015, Mastercard Worldwide removed its restriction for the Republic of Cuba on the use of its branded products in the Republic of Cuba.
The next change to the reservation policy was:
20 October 2016
Payment and Cancellations
"Reservations for this hotel are prepaid and there are NO REFUNDS for changes or cancellation for any guests, including SPG members. Additional charges at the Hotel must be paid in CASH or credit cards authorized for usage in Cuba (Please note-most US Based Credit Cards are NOT accepted in Cuba—check with your individual financial institution)."
However, not all sections of the Internet portal for reservations had been updated.
Today, the following was received:
28 October 2016
"Hi John. The policy has been updated. It is below for your reference:
"Reservations for this hotel are prepaid and there are NO REFUNDS for changes or cancellation for any guests, including SPG members. Additional charges at the Hotel must be paid in CASH or credit cards authorized for usage in Cuba (Please note-most US Based Credit Cards are NOT accepted in Cuba—check with your individual financial institution)."
