Should You Plan a Trip to Cuba with Airline Miles?

Just last week, the first wave of American passenger aircraft landed in Cuba for the first time in over fifty years. Whether the future of American tourism to Cuba looks good or bad in your eyes, this change does give us a brand new destination to visit.

But, how will you get there?

At the moment, JetBlue, Florida-based Silver Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and others have flights already scheduled or in the works. Better yet, one of our favorite airlines – Southwest Airlines – plans to add Cuba to their portfolio of destinations as soon as they get approval from the Department of Transportation.

Plenty has been said about how to book Cuba on points so far. Here are a few of the best options, please at least one alternative to consider.

Flying to Cuba on American Airlines

If you have the Citi Platinum AAdvantage MasterCard or any other credit card that earns American AAdvantage miles, you’re in luck. Since Cuba falls squarely within the Caribbean, fares can be downright cheap in miles if you’re flying directly out of Miami. For a MileSAAver off-peak award, you can expect to fork over 25,000 American AAdantage miles plus taxes and fees. For a peak MileSAAver award, you’ll pay 30,000 American AAdvantage miles to sit in economy.

The downside is, award availability isn’t showing on the American Airlines website thus far. So, if you want to book an award fare, you’ll have to pick up the phone. Hopefully, the option to book online will present itself soon.

Booking a Flight to Cuba with JetBlue

If you have the new JetBlue credit card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you may also consider booking flights to Cuba with JetBlue. At the moment, flights cost as little as 7,000 JetBlue points round-trip from FLL to Santa Clara, plus taxes and fees. That’s for an economy seat, and it’s downright cheap! And since JetBlue has become a transfer partner for Chase Ultimate Rewards, earning these points is easier than ever.

	The JetBlue Card Add to Favorites	$0 first year $0 after first year	5,000 bonus points After you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days Read Review »
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	The JetBlue Card
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Sign Up Bonus $0 first year $0 after first year 5,000 bonus points After you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days Annual Fee Already have this card? Maximize your rewards.
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	Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Add to Favorites	$0 intro first year $95 annual fee	Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $625 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® Read Review »
Already have this card? Track it and maximize your rewards.

	Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Apply Now Add to Favorites
Sign Up Bonus $0 intro first year $95 annual fee Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $625 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® Annual Fee Already have this card? Maximize your rewards.
Read the FTG Review »

Still, paid fares are incredibly reasonable. For the same random dates in October (October 12^th – 19^th), round trip flights from Fort Lauderdale to Santa Clara cost as little as $200. That’s a steal!

Other Ways to Enjoy Cuba

Along with flying, you can also consider a cruise to select cities in Cuba. Pearl Seas Cruises, out of Miami and Fort Lauderdale, for example, offers a ten-night cultural experience in Cuba. This cruise is still waiting on government approval but is expected to sail on October 26, 2016, and regularly after that.

If you’re up for a small boat adventure, you can consider a seven-night tour with Fathom. Departing from Miami, this tour will take you on an adventure around the island of Cuba, stopping in ports of call such as Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Cienfuegos. All-inclusive pricing includes three meals per day (including meals on land), excursions and guided tours, lodging aboard the MV Adonia, and transportation during the tour.

Obviously, more and more cruise lines will add Cuba to their itineraries as they receive approval to do so.

The Bottom Line

Some of my Canadian friends have been vacationing in Cuba for years, but as an American, I haven’t had much of an option, yet. There are still plenty of other places to see, but Cuba stands out as a truly mysterious place to visit – at least for now.

Do you have plans to visit Cuba soon? Why or why not? Please share below.

[Image via Getty]