A big Credit card issue is affecting Canadians visiting Cuba. It turns out lots of canadian people visiting cuba found thereself strapped for cash due to a credit card processing problem. The problem is mostly because The Bank of America purchased the MasterCard credit card business of Regina based CUETS Financial last year. With CUETS Mastercard business now owned by the Bank of America those MasterCard transactions are being processed in the U.S and thats where the problem starts. The United States has a trade embargo with Cuba, implemented just after Fidel Castro seized power years ago. That exact embargo makes it a crime, under United states law, for the Bank of America to process credit card transactions from Cuba. And that means for us people who live in canada with no cuban trade embargo of any kind will be affected by MasterCard credit cards processed by the Bank of America will not be able use them while in Cuba. So it might be a good idea to check with your card company before you leave to see if your in the clear. It also would not hurt to bring some cash on you and maybe some travelers cheques. Most good travel agents will most likely be able to give you some good advice to help your trip to cuba be a great one. Don't forget to always have a backup plan, a peice of plastic won't do you much good a couple thousand miles away from home if its declined.