On November 29, 2016 United will resume service to Havana, with daily non-stop service from Newark Liberty and weekly service (Saturdays) from Houston. The new flights are already bookable on united.com and prices are very reasonable, with business class tickets cheaper than what charter operators have traditionally got away with selling economy tickets for–
But what about award tickets? Can you use your United miles to get to Havana?
Use United MileagePlus Miles to Reach Cuba
As of yet, your miles will still not get you to Cuba. If you search for Havana or anywhere else in Cuba, you will encounter the following error message–
Same issue if you call.
I asked United when we can use our miles to get to Cuba and was told that providing me a date would “constitute signaling a pricing action” but that won’t stop me from speculating.
I think it will happen soon.
U.S. tourism is still technically illegal in Cuba, but the reality is that no one cares anymore except for hardcore Anti-Castroites (is that a word?) in Florida who believe that the relaxing of relations with Cuba will strengthen the Castro regime. I think the opposite will happen.
So for now, you cannot use United miles to Cuba, but stay tuned, because once that policy changes there will not be just United to get you to Cuba with your miles but Air China via Montreal, COPA via Panama City and Bogota, or Avianca via San Salvador or Bogota.
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