# Fly to Havana with Points 2026: American, JetBlue, and the post-2024 US-Cuba rules

Source: https://pointifytravels.com/blog/havana-flights-with-points-2026
Author: Pointify Research Team
Published: 2026-05-01

> Best ways to fly to Havana (HAV) on points and miles in 2026: American Airlines and JetBlue direct routes, AAdvantage rates, JetBlue TrueBlue, US-Cuba travel category rules, hotels with points.

US-Havana commercial flights resumed in expanded form in 2024 after rule changes. American Airlines runs daily MIA-HAV; JetBlue runs daily JFK-HAV. United and Southwest have not returned to Cuba routes. The cheapest award path is AAdvantage off-peak. US travelers must still travel under one of 12 authorized categories — most use "support for the Cuban people."

## Direct US-Cuba service in 2026

| Route | Carrier | Frequency |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MIA-HAV | American Airlines | Daily on the 738 |
| JFK-HAV | JetBlue | Daily |
| FLL-HAV | JetBlue (seasonal) | Up to 3x weekly |
| TPA-HAV | American (seasonal) | Up to 3x weekly |

## Award routings: cheapest paths in 2026

| Routing | Mile cost (each way) | Cash YQ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| American Airlines MIA-HAV via AAdvantage off-peak | ~12,500 AA miles economy / ~25,000 business | ~$50 |
| American Airlines via AAdvantage standard | ~17,500 economy / ~35,000 business | ~$50 |
| JetBlue JFK-HAV via TrueBlue | ~12,000-25,000 TrueBlue (dynamic) | ~$30 |
| JetBlue Mint JFK-HAV via TrueBlue | ~25,000-50,000 TrueBlue (Mint dynamic) | ~$30 |

## The US-Cuba travel category requirement

US travelers cannot visit Cuba purely as tourists. The 2025 rules require travel under one of 12 authorized categories:

1. Family visits
2. Official business of the US government, foreign governments, or international organizations
3. Journalistic activity
4. Professional research and meetings
5. Educational activities
6. Religious activities
7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic competitions, exhibitions
8. Support for the Cuban people (most-used; covers genuine cultural travel)
9. Humanitarian projects
10. Activities of private foundations, research, or educational institutes
11. Exportation/importation of information materials
12. Authorized export transactions

Most leisure travelers use category 8 (support for the Cuban people). This requires:

- Staying in private accommodations (Casas Particulares, AirBnB private rooms) — not government-owned hotels
- Eating at privately-owned restaurants (paladares)
- Engaging in cultural activities that support local Cubans
- Maintaining records for 5 years documenting your travel

Booking the flight does not require special documentation. The category is self-certified at travel time.

## Hotels in Havana on points

**Important:** Most US-based hotel chains (Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG) do not have properties in Cuba. The few that exist are either non-points-bookable or operate under special licensing.

- **Iberostar Parque Central:** Cash-only Spanish-chain hotel; popular with US visitors.
- **Meliá Cohíba (Spanish-Cuban chain):** Cash-only.
- **Casas Particulares (private homes):** $25-$80/night, support-the-Cuban-people category compliant. Book through AirBnB or Casas portals.
- **Hotel Saratoga:** Cash-only; iconic property reopened post-2022 explosion.

For US travelers, casas particulares are both the cheapest option and the only option that satisfies the support-for-the-Cuban-people travel category.

## The cash and connectivity reality

- **US credit cards do not work in Cuba.** Bring all cash needed for the trip in advance — recent Cuba travelers report carrying $50-$100/day in cash.
- **Currency:** Cuban Pesos (CUP). USD is sometimes accepted at tourist sites; Euros are accepted at most casas. Avoid converting at the airport (high fees).
- **Internet:** Spotty. Some casas offer WiFi cards; most hotels have WiFi for $5/hour. Most US travelers go off-grid.
- **Mobile:** US carriers don't roam in Cuba. Buy a Cuban SIM at the airport (~$25 for 1GB).

## Bottom line

For US travelers, American Airlines MIA-HAV at 12,500 AAdvantage miles off-peak economy + ~$50 is the cheapest path to Cuba. Travel under "support for the Cuban people" category, stay at casas particulares, eat at paladares, and bring all cash in advance — US credit cards don't work in Cuba. The trip itself is one of the most-distinct travel experiences in the Western Hemisphere; the documentation requirements are manageable but real.

[Search Cuba award flights on Pointify →](https://pointifytravels.com/search)

*Last verified by the Pointify research team on May 1, 2026, against current US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Cuba travel rules and AAdvantage award rates. US-Cuba travel rules and category interpretations may shift; verify current OFAC guidance before booking.*

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Published by Pointify Travels (https://pointifytravels.com). Compare cash fares and points prices for any route at https://pointifytravels.com/search.