FAQs

What is an Amigo Travel Card™?
An Amigo Travel Card™ is a pre-paid debit card that can be used by tourists while traveling in Cuba to safely have access to their money and pay for goods and services at over 6,500 locations throughout the island.

What are the Amigo Travel Card™ services?
Cash withdrawals: cardholders can use their Amigo Travel Card™ to make cash withdrawals at any of the widely available participating banks and currency exchange houses (CADECAS).
Purchases: Amigo Travel Card™ is currently accepted at over 6,500 points of sale including restaurants, gas stations, stores, hotels, car rentals, pharmacies, etc.
Internet real time statement: cardholders can retrieve a history of their account transactions and their remaining balance by logging on to www.amigotravelcard.com.
Long distance phone calls: The Amigo Travel Card™ may also be used to pay for the cost of long distance telephone calls made from North America.
Cash emergencies: While in Cuba, once a card has been reported lost, stolen or defective, we can arrange to obtain a “Cash Emergency” at the nearest BFI (Banco Financiero Internacional).
Balance refunds: A cardholder can request that any remaining balance be returned to him/her for a processing fee of $10.00 USD, or be transferred to another Amigo Travel Card™ or to a Smart-Transfer Account free of charge.

What are the Amigo Travel Card™ fees and exchange rates applied while in Cuba?
The card fee is 3.5% ($20 USD minimum) of the amount you wish to deposit. While in Cuba, the cash withdrawal fee is 1% of the amount withdrawn and a service charge of $2.50 USD is applied plus the exchange rate between USD and CUC. Account maintenance fees are waived for six months from the date the card was issued and are subject to a $1.00 US monthly fee thereafter. Lost cards are replaced for $8.00 USD and refunds on balances remaining upon return from Cuba are subject to a $10.00 USD administration charge to be subtracted from the balance.
If you have further questions about fees, please contact us at csr@amigotravelcard.com

Purchases are FREE, however they are subject to the exchange rate of 1.1124. Example: For a $50.00 CUC purchase, you will be charged 50 x 1.1124 = 55.62. Therefore, your card will be debited $55.62 USD.
Cash withdrawal fee is 1% of USD amount + $2.50 USD and subject to the varied exchange rate depending of Currency Exchange House (CADECA) appx. 1.1192 and Bank’s rate BFI Banco Financiero Internacional’s rate of 1.12500.

Example: To withdraw $500 CUC you will be charged 1% ($5.00 USD) + $2.50 USD = $7.50 USD plus the exchange rate of 1.1192. Calculation: 500 CUC x 1.1192 = 559.60 + $7.50 therefore, your card will be debited $567.10 USD

SCHEDULE OF FEES

Purchase and Recharge Card Fees Deposits
3.5% ($20 USD Minimum)

Purchases
- FREE - Subject to a fixed exchange rate between USD and CUC of 1.1124

Cash Withdrawals: Banks and Currency Exchange Houses
- 1% of the amount withdrawn plus a $2.50 USD service fee. - Subject to a variable exchange rate between USD and CUC of 1.1192 and 1.12500 depending on location.

Monthly Card Maintenance Fee
FREE for the first 6 months. Thereafter, a $1.00 USD monthly fee will be automatically deducted.

Card Replacement Fee
Outside of Cuba, a card can be replaced at a fee of $8.00 USD.

Balance Refund
Should you need a balance refund upon return from Cuba, a $10.00 USD administrative fee will be deducted from card’s balance.

*Should you wish to deposit more than $2,000 USD, you will be required to contact one of our Customer Service Representatives by calling 1-416-840-1466 or toll free from North America 1-800-724-5685 for detailed instructions and special requirements.

Are there limit amounts for the cards?
Yes. Amigo Travel Cards™ cannot exceed $2,000 USD. For cards exceeding $2,000 USD, we have imposed a strict clearance check and you are required to send a NOTARIZED ID together with a letter explaining the source and purpose of the funds. Amigo Travel Card must impose these restrictions to comply with the guidelines and rules outlined by Fintrac. For deposits higher than $2,000 USD the fee is 2%. Please contact one of our Customer Service Representatives by calling 1-416-840-1466 or toll free from North America 1-800-724-5685 for detailed instructions and requirements.

What currency is the balance of my Amigo Travel Card™ held in?
Amigo Travel Cards™ are purchased in United States of America dollars (USD) and all funds and fees are in USD dollars. Card balances are in US funds specifically to maintain the withdrawal value of your account balances upon your return as CUC (Cuban Convertible Pesos) have no value outside Cuba.

How do I apply for an Amigo Travel Card™?
Simply fill out the Application Form with all your personal information. You will automatically receive an e-mail with your designated 16 digit account number, user name and password. Your card will not be mailed to you unless we have received the proper ID requirements and payment.

What type of personal identification do I need at the time of obtaining an Amigo Travel Card™?
At the time of obtaining an Amigo Travel Card™ you will be requested to present two pieces of identification. The first identification must bear your photograph such as your valid passport. The second piece must be an official document that reflects your current address such as your property tax invoice or any utility invoice (gas, hydro, telephone, etc).

How do I purchase an Amigo Travel Card™?
You must send us the payment fee of $20.00 USD or both payment and amount you wish to be deposited in your account, (ie: $2,020.00 USD) together with a photocopy of your passport and address information as specified in the Application Form. If you are sending your payment by Wire Transfer, Tel-Pay Bill Payment, Interac E-mail Money Transfer or Hyperwallet, kindly fax a legible copy of your ID together with the payment receipt to FAX 1-905-660-7743, otherwise include the photocopy of your ID in the mail or present it to the attendant at time of obtaining an Amigo Travel Card™ in Person.

What are the payment methods I can use?
CANADA: In Person / Mail / Wire Transfer / Tel-Pay Bill Payment / Interac E-mail Money Transfer / Hyperwallet.

UNITED STATES: Mail / Wire Transfer

OTHER: Wire Transfer

What are the estimated clearing / deposit times?
If your payment is received in order, it will then go trough a clearing process. Money Orders and Cashier’s Checks will be deposited within 2-3 business days. Bank Wire Transfers within 2-3 business days. Tel-Pay Bill Payment will be deposited the same business day, however, it can take up to takes up to 5 business days to be received. Interac E-mail Money Transfer and Hyperwallet will be credited within 24 business hours.

Is the balance of my money evidenced on my Amigo Travel Card™ held in trust until withdrawal?
Balances held on Amigo Travel Cards™ are held in a trust account for cardholders at a recognized banking institution outside of Cuba.

When will I receive my card?
Once payment and proper ID are received, we will issue the card and send it to you by regular mail. Cards delivered within CANADA will arrive in approximately in 3 business days, to UNITED STATES approximately in 5 business days and INTERNATIONAL approximately in 14 business days. Should you wish RUSH the delivery of your card, we may send it by FedEx Overnight Service at your expense. To arrange for this service, please contact a Customer Service Representative by calling 1-416-840-1466 or toll free from North America 1-800-724-5685.

What is the exchange rate and fees applied when using my Amigo Travel Card™ in Cuba?
Purchases are FREE, however they are subject to the exchange rate of 1.1124. Example: For a $50.00 CUC purchase, you will be charged 50 x 1.1124 = 55.62. Therefore, your card will be debited $55.62 USD.
Cash withdrawal fee is 1% of USD amount + $2.50 USD and subject to the varied exchange rate depending of Currency Exchange House (CADECA) appx. 1.1192 and Bank’s rate BFI Banco Financiero Internacional’s rate of 1.12500.

Does the Amigo Travel Card™ replace cash all together?
No. There will always be the need to use cash for certain things such as taxis, tips, flea markets, etc. It is also important to have cash in anticipation of any power or communication failure in Cuba.

Where and how do I get cash?
Cash may be obtained at participating banks and currency exchange houses (CADECAS) where the Amigo Travel Card™ is accepted. Currently, Amigo Travel Cards™ are widely accepted. After providing the teller with your passport and your Amigo Travel Card™, your transaction amount will be debited from the funds balance associated with your card number. Cash withdrawals will be issued to you as CUC Cuban Convertible Pesos which are widely accepted on the island as the US dollar has been removed from circulation.
Cash withdrawal fee is 1% + $2.50 USD and subject to the varied exchange rate depending of Currency Exchange House (CADECA) appx. 1.1192 and Bank’s rate BFI Banco Financiero Internacional’s rate of 1.12500.
Example: To withdraw $500 CUC you will be charged 1% ($5.00 USD) + $2.50 USD = $7.50 USD plus the exchange rate of 1.1192. Calculation: 500 CUC x 1.1192 = 559.60 + $7.50 therefore, your card will be debited $567.10 USD.

How do I purchase goods and services from a store?
There is NO FEE when purchasing goods and paying for services with the card. When shopping at a location that displays and accepts the Amigo Travel Card™, simply present your card and proper identification to the participating merchant. The merchant will enter the amount of the purchase and then request you to authorize the transaction by signing the receipt. Your card balance will be debited immediately by the amount of the purchase. The purchase exchange rate between CUC and USD is 1.1124

Example: If your purchase total is $50.00 CUC, they will convert $50.00 CUC x 1.1124 = $55.62 USD this will be amount debited from your Amigo Travel Card.

How do I report a lost or stolen Amigo Travel Card™?
While in Cuba, report it immediately by calling Havana’s 24hr Customer Service Support at telephone number: (7) 55-4444 / 55-4466 / 55-4024 / 55-4180 or by visiting the Card Centre located at Hotel Habana Libre Calle 23 Esquina, Vedado, Havana.
Outside of Cuba, report it immediately to Amigo Travel Card™ Customer Support Center at telephone number: 1-416-840-1466 or from North America at toll free number: 1-800-724-5685 during regular business hours (9:00 - 5:00 eastern time).

How quickly can I receive a Cash Emergency if my card is lost or stolen?
While in Cuba, once a card has been reported lost or stolen, we can arrange to obtain a “Cash Emergency” at the nearest BFI (Banco Financiero Internacional) during regular banking hours (Monday – Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm) by calling Cuba's Customer Service Support at phone number: (7) 55-4444 / 55-4466 / 55-4024 / 55-4180. Outside of Cuba, once a card has been reported lost or stolen, it can be replaced at a cost of $8.00 USD by calling Amigo Travel Card™ Customer Support Center at phone number: 1-416-840-1466 or from North America at toll free number: 1-800-724-5685.

How do I check the balance of my account or obtain an account statement?
You may obtain your balance and account transactions with your user name and password received by e-mail at time of creating your account. Simply visit www.amigotravelcard.com and log in. While in Cuba you can only obtain this information by calling Customer Service Support at: (7) 55-4444 / 55-4466 / 55-4024 / 55-4180 or in CANADA at: 1-416-840-1466 or toll free from North America 1-800-724-5685.

Can I replenish my card?
Yes. Once you have used the card, you may replenish it by sending us the funds to be deposited to your account. A $20.00 USD service charge will apply to each deposit of up to $2,000 USD. Any deposit higher than $2,000 USD, is subject to a fee of 2%. For cards exceeding $2,000 USD, we have imposed a strict clearance check and you are required to send a notarized ID together with a letter explaining the source and purpose of the funds. Amigo Travel Card must impose these restrictions to comply with the guidelines and rules outlined by Fintrac. Please refer to Payment Methods.

Can a relative or friend use my card?
No. Only the individual whose name appears on the Amigo Travel Card™ is entitled to use the card. However, amounts can be transferred to another card within the Amigo Card Services network or to a Smart-Transfer Account free of charge.

How do I use my Amigo Travel Card™ as a prepaid phone card?
Amigo Travel Card™ may be used as a prepaid phone card to make long distance calls from North America. Simply dial the telephone number listed on the back of your Amigo Travel Card™ 1-877-296-9724 and follow the prompts. The cost of the call will be deducted from the balance of your Amigo Travel Card™.

Can remaining balances be withdrawn upon return from Cuba?
The cardholder can request that any remaining balance on a card be mailed to his/her place of residence as indicated in the registration data. An administrative fee of $10.00 USD will be deducted from the remaining balance of the card. The cardholder can also request that the remaining balance be transferred to another Amigo Travel Card™ or to a Smart-Transfer Account free of charge.

Is there a time period after which a card is no longer valid?
Amigo Travel Cards™ are valid for 24 months from the date of activation, provided that there remains an amount on balance; a $1.00 USD monthly maintenance fee will be automatically deducted commencing the 6th month after activation.