Disney Visa - any down side?

[ajpa]

I am wondering if getting a Disney Visa has any disadvantages?

DH doesn't like having a lot of credit cards --we only use 2, and never carry a balance. He is very wary of applying for new credit cards in general and will only consider those that have no annual fee and excellent reward programs.

Is there any downside to the Disney Visa card we should be aware of before we consider applying?

Thanks!

 

[PrincessBetsy]

I was wondering this same question. I'm thinking about getting one too.

 

[Jestocost]

The reward element of the Disney VISA on its own is less robust than what other cards offer. My Chase BP Amoco card, for example, offered 5% back on all BP Amoco purchases and 2% on most travel purchases, whereas the Disney card offers a flat 1% back on all purchases. That's the biggest drawback, IMO.

Of course, the Disney VISA also offers periodic room discounts and other benefits that may offset some or all of that reduced reward benefit. You'll just have to kind of think that through.

The Disney VISA card itself is much cuter too.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

The reward element of the Disney VISA on its own is less robust than what other cards offer. My Chase BP Amoco card, for example, offered 5% back on all BP Amoco purchases and 2% on most travel purchases, whereas the Disney card offers a flat 1% back on all purchases. That's the biggest drawback, IMO.

Of course, the Disney VISA also offers periodic room discounts and other benefits that may offset some or all of that reduced reward benefit. You'll just have to kind of think that through.

The Disney VISA card itself is much cuter too.

I love the designs for disney visa cards!

 

[KellyNY]

The reward element of the Disney VISA on its own is less robust than what other cards offer. My Chase BP Amoco card, for example, offered 5% back on all BP Amoco purchases and 2% on most travel purchases, whereas the Disney card offers a flat 1% back on all purchases. That's the biggest drawback, IMO.

Of course, the Disney VISA also offers periodic room discounts and other benefits that may offset some or all of that reduced reward benefit. You'll just have to kind of think that through.

The Disney VISA card itself is much cuter too.

But usually room only discount for Visa is matched for general public in couple days, I do not see advantages to havw this card, except it is cute.

 

[EastonCat]

We have carried this card for four years. In addition to the reward benefits, there are special character greets and other in-park periodic events for cardholders only. We find these valuable as well. Since there is no cost for the card, we saw no downside, other than some people don't like to have extra credit cards.

And yes, they're cute.

 

[MissBritt]

I considered getting one when we got the pre-approved app in the mail, but I don't know if it's worth it. Does the 1% reward rebate apply to any and all purchases?

 

[marshmellow86]

It has no annual fee. You receive 1% back on all purchases to be issued via Disney Rewards card - good at WDW and DL, in addition to disneyshopping.com. Has the typical grace period with no interest, if you pay off your balance in full each month.

I have had one since it came out. No issues.

They do offer some specials - i.e. sometimes no interest for disney cruises or vacations charged to the card. also a character photo and meet and greet in Epcot. You can sometimes also get 10% off at Disneyshopping.com.

Several card designs to choose from. My kids liked Tink - lots of people comment to my DH when he uses his Tink card!

 

[Paulagrav]

My husband hates using Tink! But it's the only credit card we use now, so there's really no choice for him.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Have they been doing anything with the interest rates lately? It is comparable to other reward cards?

 

[bumbershoot]

Have they been doing anything with the interest rates lately? It is comparable to other reward cards?

It's a Chase card, and Chase has been messing with interest rates, most definitely.

 

[Judy in Texas]

Have they been doing anything with the interest rates lately? It is comparable to other reward cards?

Just got a new disclosure. My rate is prime plus 9.9%. The discount at some of the Disney Stores does not apply to all purchases. I think it is over $50 in merchandise and certain items are not included. Movies for example.

 

[Drusilla]

Just got a new disclosure. My rate is prime plus 9.9%. The discount at some of the Disney Stores does not apply to all purchases. I think it is over $50 in merchandise and certain items are not included. Movies for example.

As long as you pay your balance off every month, interest rate doesn't matter.

The other nice thing the Disney card does offer is 6 months 0% interest for Disney vacation packages/tickets/rooms, etc. But you MUST pay off entire balance within the 6 months or Chase charges you interest for all 6 months in your 7th month. Be careful and keep an eye on the calendar!

 

[Me!Thatswho]

For us, the Disney Visa has more than paid for itself on our upcoming trip alone. We were able to save $700, which essentially represents our airplane tickets, thanks to the current promo discount code that is, or at least was, available. I think it was 30%, but it might have been 40%, off per night. Plus, because we "charged" the trip, it will be at 0% for the next 6 months. So, while we always pay it off when it comes due, we're actually making money because we can leave the money to cover the trip in the bank for a little while longer. Granted, it's probably only enough to buy a pack of gum, but no matter - I can use the gum to lessen the pain when my ears pop while we are making our descent into Orlando. And finally, we get the rewards dollars for using the card for the actual purchase of the trip, which means that either a meal or souvenirs are on Chase while were at the World!!

So, to sum it all up, we get: free airplane tickets, gum, & stuff in the parks! To me, it gets no better.

 

[bumbershoot]

Granted, it's probably only enough to buy a pack of gum, but no matter - I can use the gum to lessen the pain when my ears pop while we are making our descent into Orlando.

 

[KimK2006]

My husband hates using Tink! But it's the only credit card we use now, so there's really no choice for him.

I have Tink. My DH has a generic gray one. You can call and get a different style (non-character) for your DH. The cards don't have to be the same one.

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

From July-Sept and then again in Oct-Dec we were offered a special 5x bonus for the purchases made in the categories of travel, dining, groceries, and one other area. We will get the bonus points at the end of each 3 month period.
We put everything on our card and just pay it off at the end of every month. We went to Disneyland in July and had just over $200 to spend, and when we go again in Jan. we should have around $400 since we get the 5x bonus.

We get discounts while we are at the world as well.

Since we pay it off each month it has worked out for us.

 

[KimK2006]

From July-Sept and then again in Oct-Dec we were offered a special 5x bonus for the purchases made in the categories of travel, dining, groceries, and one other area. We will get the bonus points at the end of each 3 month period.
We put everything on our card and just pay it off at the end of every month. We went to Disneyland in July and had just over $200 to spend, and when we go again in Jan. we should have around $400 since we get the 5x bonus.

We get discounts while we are at the world as well.

Since we pay it off each month it has worked out for us.

They don't offer that special to everyone. My mom got the offer. I didn't. I wondered if it is b/c I already charge EVERYTHING (and pay it off each mont). My parents only use theirs as a business card, so they don't charge a lot on it. I was SO envious they got the offer!

 

[trac96]

i got the 5 x thing on my card and i use it for everything, and i mean everything. i also pay it off every month so the interest rate doesn't matter much. there are cards with more incentatives but the disney one is just to darn cute. and they are easy to convert over to spend them.

 

[ObsessedwithMickey]

I'd definitely recommend this card. I took it out initially for the 0 percent promotion on balance transfers and continue to use it as my main credit card. While interest rates have gone up recently (5.99% to 12.99%), it hardly matters if you pay it off in full each month as I do.
There are many benefits to the card including the 0 percent interest for six months on Disney Vacation packages, special character Meet and Greet with free photo at Epcot, discounts on tours and certain merchandise.
And while the 1 percent rewards on purchases doesn't seem much, Chase does offer many promotions for 5X rewards. I am now receiving my fourth three-month promotion since I got the card two years ago. In all, I have accumulated $535 Disney Reward Dollars during that time and will likely hit the $700 mark by the time this current promotion ends. All in all, a great card.