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One last request for advice (for now) Caribbean Transfer or Cash?

Replies: 46 - Last Post: Dec 21, 2012 10:22 AM Last Post By: CheersTerry

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johnabbotsford

johnabbotsford avatar

Oct 21, 2012 11:33 PM
Posts:  3,371

30

Thanks Beardo and Jen - just looked at this. Returns between 85.5 and 88.2 CUC per 100 USD depending on the single amount sent (c.f. 87CUC per 100 USD Cash). Good to see they accept both Visa and Mastercard.
As previously noted for US based senders Western Union is another option for funds to Cuban family.

travistouchdown

travistouchdown avatar

Oct 22, 2012 7:18 PM
Posts:  243

31

#21 lucky you. I sent money last Tuesday and while it says delivered on the website theres no money on the card. Good thing i didn't sent that much money and that its not of a big importance to get the money asap. But im never going to use CT again if they ever come back on their feet.

sayeh

sayeh avatar

Oct 22, 2012 8:07 PM
Posts:  542

32

#35 - And now I'm just hoping that the AIS works at the Cuban end!

BeardoUK

BeardoUK avatar

Oct 22, 2012 8:15 PM
Posts:  1,086

33

Occasionally AIS says it can't send funds. The worst problem that I had was once when it said the transfer had not been made, I re-did it, and then both went through.

sayeh

sayeh avatar

Oct 22, 2012 8:22 PM
Posts:  542

34

they emailed a receipt to me so it should be ok - just waiting now for himself to pick up the card in Stgo.

jacpan

jacpan avatar

Oct 22, 2012 10:48 PM
Posts:  83

35

Sayeh, will you let me know how it goes? We usually send $ to MIL at the beginning of the month and that's coming up.

BeardoUK

BeardoUK avatar

Oct 23, 2012 6:49 AM
Posts:  1,086

36

It doesn't cost anything to get the card, does it ? That takes a week, so you might want to get her to do that, even if you don't use it.

jacpan

jacpan avatar

Oct 24, 2012 12:57 AM
Posts:  83

37

I wanted to let you guys know that today through vbce, I was charged only $11 per 1k. I am so happy right now!!! I got it at nearly even. :) I also enjoyed a beautiful day in Vancouver. Have a good night, all!

mainstreet101

mainstreet101 avatar

Dec 20, 2012 12:25 PM
Posts:  1

38

We were in Cuba last summer. Took cash, no problems, we had about 4k on us. Of course, tried to be careful, split it up, etc.

I live in a border city to Canada. On a lark, I drove up there to see if I could open a bank account. I could, no problem. I got a debit card from the bank, Scotia bank. Next time I go to Cuba, I will just use that canadian card at the atm, banks....
Anyone know why this might be a problem? Seems like it should work. Canadian bank, canadian card, canadian money.
Thanks.

jacpan

jacpan avatar

Dec 20, 2012 2:25 PM
Posts:  83

39

That's actually a really good idea!!!! I didn't even think of that. I did call one bank and they said I had to live in Canada, but I'm sure that was just an independent.

johnabbotsford

johnabbotsford avatar

Dec 20, 2012 2:47 PM
Posts:  3,371

40

#43mainstreet - the only debit/credit cards that work in Cuban ATM's are Visa. Is your Scotia Visa?
This is the list that (Canadian) Visa itself puts out
http://visa.ca/en/personal/visa-debit-card/index.jsp

That aside interesting that you easily acquired a Canadian card - I've ceratinly seen other reports of jacpan's experience.

greslogo

greslogo avatar

Dec 20, 2012 7:10 PM
Posts:  691

41

I'm quite surprised a foreigner can open an account in a Canadian bank without any residency.

CheersTerry

CheersTerry avatar

Dec 20, 2012 7:55 PM
Posts:  2,359

42

Opening up the bank account isn't the main issue - there are ways around that - it's getting a Credit Card. That's not going to happen.

mainstreet101, as far as I'm aware Scotia Bank doesn't have a Visa supported Debit Card that will work in Cuba.

Cheers,
Terry

johnabbotsford

johnabbotsford avatar

Dec 20, 2012 8:11 PM
Posts:  3,371

43

That's what I thought.

CheersTerry

CheersTerry avatar

Dec 20, 2012 8:42 PM
Posts:  2,359

44

Gres, I've opened up lots of bank accounts in Canada for Americans who are doing business here temporarily and need a Chequing Account to receive bank transfers from the US so they can pay their Canadian bills.

Getting a Credit Card is another issue though... what's to stop them from maxing it out then simply flying home? The Credit Card Company won't chase them over an international border for that kind of dough... they have to eat the loss...

Cheers,
Terry
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