Rort: Cuban prepaid cards

[El Presidente]

Does anyone here actually purchase these cards when in Cuba? 

is there a reason why you do? 

Cuban prepaid cards in convertible currency for foreign travelers

Havana, Apr 22 (Prensa Latina) Prepaid cards in Freely Convertible Currency marketed by the financial entity Casas de Cambio de Cuba (Cadeca) are well accepted among international travelers who visit the island, authorities from that organization announced here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• April 22, 2023
• CDT02:38 (GMT) -0400

• Published by: Elsy Fors Garzon

In a press conference held at Cadeca’s headquarters in this capital, its president, Angela Maday Fernández, reported that in the first quarter of this year alone, close to 9,500 of these cards were sold, designed so that residents abroad have an additional option to pay for services and goods in Cuba’s retail network.

To date, he added, these cards are available with balances in Freely Convertible Currency (MLC) of one thousand, 500, 200, 100 and 50, and can be purchased with US and Canadian dollars, Swiss francs, Japanese yen, British pounds, euros and Mexican pesos.

Likewise, they can be obtained in the entire network of Cadeca offices in the national territory, in 12 international airports and in 89 hotels upon presentation of the visitor’s passport.

Thanks to these tools, he specified, hotel reservations, excursions, air tickets, car rental, cafeteria and restaurant services, among others, can be paid for.

She mentioned that these are not rechargeable cards, they require a numerical identification to operate, they are for exclusive use in the national territory and the client can buy the amount they need during their stay.

Once the user completes his visit to Cuba, he said, at the Cadeca offices located in airports, the amount still available in said medium can be reimbursed at the bank exchange rate of the day in question, and according to the availability of the currency in the country to which you go.

According to the vice president of Cadeca Alejandro Velasco, there are plans to sell these cards without specific balances, so that the client loads it with the desired amount, adding that mechanisms are being sought so that they can also be acquired from abroad.

In the event that the person wishes to access the services or products of a private enterprise, he explained, they can extract national currency at the current exchange rate in the country at any of the Cadeca offices, banks or ATMs.

With respect to the MIR cards, designed for Russian tourism, Velasco clarified that although up to now their function is limited to the possibility of withdrawing cash from ATMs, work is being done so that they can also be used in the points of sale both in exchange houses and in bank offices.

[NSXCIGAR]

There now and yes, I just heard they are now allowing these to be purchased with USD. 

Still pointless for anyone with a non-US bank card. I'm sure the fees still suck. 

[SparklePony]

If you want to try to take more than 2 boxes out of the country, you need a factura, which they won't give you when you pay cash. So us US citizens can only get that via these dumb cards. 

[NSXCIGAR]

23 hours ago, SparklePony said:

If you want to try to take more than 2 boxes out of the country, you need a factura, which they won't give you when you pay cash. So us US citizens can only get that via these dumb cards. 

You can't buy from the LCDHs with cash so you need some card. These MLC cards are useful only for those who only have US Bank cards that won't work there.

Prior to this they wouldn't accept USD for the cards so if you were from the US you would have to go to your bank, get EUR and pay a fee for that, take the EUR cash (which if over €1000 you're supposed to declare) and buy the cards which you take a 10-15% hit on and get converted back to MLC which is 1:1 with USD. 

Last April when I came they weren't taking the 10-15% but after a few months realizing Americans were forced to buy them they just couldn't help themselves. 

[Corylax18]

I've never used one, I just use a Friends card instead. Now that banks are accepting USD, its even easier. Just give your friend the cash, they deposit it into their account, then use their card at the LCDH, wherever. Whatever change is left over can be considered a tip. I've had more than one Cuban insist that non citizens can walk into a bank and get their own card/account, but I had no desire to find out for myself. Now that the banks are accepting USD again, I may investigate this option more.