Expect Chase, Citibank, Bank Of America, Barclays, American Express To Authorize Charge/Credit/Debit Cards
/At the request of airlines and hotel management companies, expect by the end of November 2016 for New York, New York-based JP Morgan Chase, New York, New York-based Citibank, Charlotte, North Carolina-based Bank of America, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania-based Barclays, and New York, New York-based American Express to authorize their respective charge/credit/debit products for use in the Republic of Cuba.
Forest City, California-based Visa Inc. and New York, New York-based American Express would then join Purchase, New York-based Mastercard Incorporated which removed its restriction for the Republic of Cuba on 1 March 2015. VISA, American Express, and Riverwoods, Illinois-based Discover Financial Services (which also manages Diners Club International) have not reported removing their restrictions.
There is increasing pressure from United States-based airlines who are or will operate flights to/from the Republic of Cuba to have passengers use charge/credit/debit cards for ticket purchases, ticket changes, fare changes, luggage fees, class of service upgrades, etc, while passengers are within the Republic of Cuba. The focus is upon regularly-scheduled flights from cities in the United States to the city of Havana, which will commence at the end of November 2016, rather than to other cities within the Republic of Cuba, whose passengers are primarily visiting family and are generally less requiring of additional services. Passengers to/from Havana, which is the entry-point for most visitors especially those within the higher levels of airlines' frequent flyer programs, require consistent and efficient services.
There is increasing pressure from United States-based (and non-United States-based) hotel management companies who are or expect to manage properties in the Republic of Cuba to provide guests with the option to make payments at the property(s) rather than make prepayment and cash payments (to extend stays and for incidentals).
United States-based and non-United States-based management of airlines and hotels which operate within the Republic of Cuba believe that universal use of charge/credit/debit cards by individuals subject to United States jurisdiction who are visiting the Republic of Cuba within confines of the twelve (12) categories under a provision of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSREEA) of 2000 would spend an additional 20% to 30% while within the Republic of Cuba- representing a potential US$100 million in additional revenue to hotels, restaurants (government-operated and non-government-operated), rental car agencies, and at retail stores.
Currently, Pompano Beach, Florida-based Stonegate Bank and San Juan, Puerto Rico-based Banco Popular of Puerto Rico, and Florida-based Natbank are using 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.
Both Stonegate Bank and Banco Popular de Puerto Rico had issues with Stamford, Connecticut-based Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide whose Four Points Sheraton Havana refused for more than 110 days after opening on 27 June 2016 to accept the Mastercard-branded products issued by the two banks. The issue has been resolved.
Mastercard-branded and Visa-branded credit cards that are not issued by United States-based financial institutions are authorized for use in the Republic of Cuba.
For an issuing U.S. bank to have its Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover or Diners Club branded charge/credit/debit card operational in the Republic of Cuba, the U.S. bank must receive authorization from Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover and Diners Club and from the Central Bank of the Republic of Cuba.
U.S. Banks Issuing Airline and Hotel Credit Cards
New York, New York-based Citibank- Mastercard
NOTE: Long Island City, New York-based JetBlue offers flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Havana, Republic of Cuba
New York, New York-based JP Morgan Chase- VISA
NOTE: Long Island City, New York-based JetBlue offers flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Havana, Republic of Cuba
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania-based Barclays- Mastercard and VISA
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Bank of America- Mastercard and VISA
NOTE: Fort Worth, Texas-based American Airlines offers flights from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Havana, Republic of Cuba
Which Airlines Offer Which Credit Card Brand
Alaska Airlines- Mastercard (Barclays) and VISA (Bank of America)
American Airlines- Mastercard (Bank of America) and VISA (Citibank)
Southwest Airlines- VISA (Chase)
Delta- American Express
Spirit- Mastercard (Bank of America)
JetBlue- Mastercard (Barclays)
United Airlines- VISA (JP Morgan Chase)
Which Hotels Offer Which Credit Card Brand
Hilton- American Express and VISA
Marriott- VISA (Chase)
NOTE: Stamford, Connecticut-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (a subsidiary of Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriott International), manages the Four Points Sheraton Havana and will manage two additional properties Havana, Republic of Cuba
Starwood- American Express
NOTE: Stamford, Connecticut-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (a subsidiary of Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriott International), manages the Four Points Sheraton Havana and will manage two additional properties Havana, Republic of Cuba
Wyndham- VISA (Barclays)
