Air "Canada" Call Centre - seeking Cuba info

[complexintentions]

Wow. There's another thread that rips on AC's phone service, and I gotta say, I have rarely dealt with two ruder customer service reps on the phone, for any company. Just got off the phone with not one call but two, completely useless twits who unfortunately, represent Air Canada on the phone.

I was looking online for a flight YYZ-HAV, on behalf of a colleague, and wanted to inquire about visa requirements for travel to Cuba. The web isn't the greatest resource since her situation is quite convoluted: non-Canadian national with Canadian visa, resident visa in UAE, traveling to Cuba. Hence I thought a call to the airline listing this flight for sale might have some help with what she needs for immigration: visa, travel card, what?

Well the agent, in the hickest, Florida trailer trash accent, promptly informs me that she cannot provide my with any such information due to being located in the US, and the US' well-known travel ban to Cuba. So I admit I started laughing at loud. I guess it struck me as ludicrous that a) the US was still clinging so tightly to their idiotic 50's policy re: Cuba, and b) that AC would contract a foreign company to handle their customer service, that couldn't even provide rather key information on one of the products they sell. Suddenly I am not surprised that the company is in so much trouble if this is indicative of how inept management decisions are. Why not just get a call centre in Bangalore? At least they TRY to pretend they are geographically close to their customer base!

I had called on the 1-888 number from the AC site listed as "international support". So I decided to try the 514 Montreal number, and was routed back to the ignorant Floridians. I was then informed that I could only reach the Montreal office between 2 and 6am Eastern time.

AC should just give up now and cede their company to foreign entities. At least the pretense of being a Canadian company could end.

[yycflyguy]

Entry requirements for various nationalities:

Nationality You need:

US citizens

License from US Department of Treasury, passports valid for 3 months and visas for entry

UK nationals

Valid passports, visas if they do not possess Tourist Cards

Canadians

Valid passports, Tourist Visas if they do not have Tourist Cards

Australians

Valid passports, Tourist Visas if they do not have Tourist Cards


Irish nationals

Valid passports, Tourist Visas if they do not have Tourist Cards

http://www.gowealthy.com/gowealthy/wcms ... udwHl.html

Hope that helps.

[complexintentions]

Thanks man,

yeah I Googled around, but she's an Indian national with a Canadian resident visa...plus she's industry so she wants to travel standby but I told her they probably would want proof of a return flight to qualify for a visa. The whole reason I was calling Air Canada was to see if it would be necessary to get a positive space ticket but as mentioned they were useless.

Anyone know the ins and outs of a Tourist Card? Who issues these? Never used one, just visas.

[wirez]

Actually the Floridians are AC staff, not a third party. Sorry to hear about your experience.

Hopes this helps:

NATIONAL INDIA (IN) /EMBARKATION CANADA (CA)
DESTINATION CUBA (CU)

VISA DESTINATION CUBA (CU)

...... NORMAL PASSPORTS ONLY ......
PASSPORT REQUIRED.
- PASSPORT AND/OR PASSPORT REPLACING DOCUMENTS MUST BE VALID
ON ARRIVAL.
ADMISSION AND TRANSIT RESTRICTIONS:
- NATIONALS, FORMER NATIONALS, ALIEN RESIDENTS OF CUBA AND
EMIGRANTS OF CUBAN ORIGIN RESIDING ABROAD MUST
TIAC-TIM*CU/PA/RE/ID30584

VISA REQUIRED, EXCEPT FOR HOLDERS OF A TOURIST CARD ("TARJETA
DEL TURISTA") TO BE OBTAINED PRIOR TO ARRIVAL, ALSO SEE UNDER
VISA - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- ALL VISITORS MUST HOLD TICKETS AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS
REQUIRED FOR THEIR RETURN/ONWARD JOURNEY, UNLESS THEIR
PASSPORTS ARE PROVIDED WITH A SPECIAL ANNOTATION TO THE
CONTRARY ISSUED BY A CUBAN CONSULATE.
- THE LENGTH OF STAY MUST BE COVERED BY USD
50.- TIAC-TIM*CU/VI/AI/ID3236
- TOURIST CARDS ("TARJETA DEL TURISTA") IS ONLY VALID FOR
TOURIST PURPOSES TIAC-TIM*CU/VI/AI/ID34245
WARNING:
- NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE ENTRY REGULATIONS WILL RESULT IN
REFUSAL OF THE PASSENGER, WITH FINES FOR THE AIRLINES,
VARYING BETWEEN USD 500.- AND USD 1000.- PER PASSENGER AND

DETENTION COSTS AT THE CARRIER'S EXPENSE.
- PASSENGERS TRAVELLING TO OR FROM CUBA VIA MEXICO
TIAC-TIM*CU/VI/WA/ID17766
- NEITHER VISA EXEMPTIONS NOR TOURIST CARD FACILITIES ARE
APPLICABLE TO THOSE HOLDING FOREIGN PASSPORTS WHO ARE BORN
IN CUBA. THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED CUBAN NATIONALS, UNLESS
HOLDING A DOCUMENT SIGNED BY THE CUBAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS, PROVING WITHDRAWAL OF THEIR CUBAN CITIZENSHIP.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

NO VACCINATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER CUBA FROM ANY COUNTRY.

SIMPLIFY YOUR REQUEST USE TIFA, TIFV AND TIFH
FULL TEXT AVAILABLE USE TIDFT
CHECK TIAC-NEWS/N1 - GHANA: VISA ON ARRIVAL FACILITY

[yycflyguy]

Anyone know the ins and outs of a Tourist Card? Who issues these? Never used one, just visas.

For flights to Mexico and Cuba the tourist cards are issued onboard along with customs cards and, in the case of Cuba, H1N1 health card. I have spent lots of time in both these countries and never have I been asked to produce the toursit card on the street but they may ask for it back at the airport when you depart. Latins love paperwork.

[Huge Hammer]

The airline is responsible for providing you with the Tourist Card so no need to worry about tracking one down before you go. Airlines face possible fines from the Cuban authorities for having PAX arrive without one.

Unlike the Mexican Tourist card there is a cost charged to the airline for the Cuban cards.

[loopa]

I'm trying to figure out what this thread has to do with aviation.

Crappy customer service is found in all dimensions of some company's, and Air Canada is known for being one of those; it's nothing new. It sucks for the other employees trying their utmost to provide a good experience for travelers.

[crazy_aviator]

WHY would a national airline Hire foreign call centres when we can do the work ourselves ?

[tonysoprano]

$$$$$......