My Target Red Card Experience

[Tiger926]

I'm not saying your wrong but I can't imagine Disney can keep your money just because its a gift card.. Confused

Why not? A gift card is to be used at time of purchase, and so since you are applying it to an account, then perhaps this is where the policy change is coming from?

Or, as I said, she was incorrect?

Tiger

 

[geckodani]

I've used gift cards on three past trips, and have been told by CMs to keep the cards, as if a refund was issued the funds would go back on the card.

 

[Colleen27]

I've used gift cards on three past trips, and have been told by CMs to keep the cards, as if a refund was issued the funds would go back on the card.

Me too, as recently as last week when I called to book a tour and last month when I stayed at CSR. However, I did have some issues with applying the gift cards that I've never had before - if one card wasn't enough to cover the entire balance I had to know exactly what was on it so the CM could process the charge for that amount, and at the Emporium two CMs couldn't seem to figure out how to apply 2 gift cards to a purchase (using one up, then taking the remaining amount due from the other). One went in back, said she asked a manager, and came back to tell me they couldn't apply more than one GC to a single transaction.

Of course, I still got the "can't apply gift cards to your room account" spiel at check-in so who knows what the policy is on refunds from that angle. A little consistency would be nice now and then.

 

[Tiger926]

I've used gift cards on three past trips, and have been told by CMs to keep the cards, as if a refund was issued the funds would go back on the card.

Me too, as recently as last week when I called to book a tour and last month when I stayed at CSR. However, I did have some issues with applying the gift cards that I've never had before - if one card wasn't enough to cover the entire balance I had to know exactly what was on it so the CM could process the charge for that amount, and at the Emporium two CMs couldn't seem to figure out how to apply 2 gift cards to a purchase (using one up, then taking the remaining amount due from the other). One went in back, said she asked a manager, and came back to tell me they couldn't apply more than one GC to a single transaction.

Of course, I still got the "can't apply gift cards to your room account" spiel at check-in so who knows what the policy is on refunds from that angle. A little consistency would be nice now and then.

Yes, consistency would be great, as my experience last week, was that they are no longer applying back refunds to Disney Gift Cards according to the Boardwalk check-in CM I dealt with.

Not sure if she is correct, but that was my experience as early as last week.

Tiger

 

[rachel09985]

You paid off your package with 43 gift cards.What happens if you have to cancel it goes back on 43 gift cards. It seems like a big hastle and a big risk to save a hundred or so dollars. Have you ever considered a Disney Visa. You get 2% cash back and if you have to cancel the money goes back on your Visa which you can use for other purchases. A Disney gift card can only be used at Disney. I'm sorry I just don't get it.

You don't get 2% back and its not on cash back, it is on Disney gift cards. You get 1% back on a disney rewards redemption card. 5% is more than 1% so why wouldn't you do that?

 

[rachel09985]

OP- good for you to keep your cool! I hate what that happens.

Where is NW Ohio are you from? I am from Maumee, Ohio

 

[Colleen27]

You paid off your package with 43 gift cards.What happens if you have to cancel it goes back on 43 gift cards. It seems like a big hastle and a big risk to save a hundred or so dollars.

That's part of why I don't do the Target discount thing. We get 2% back in tuition credits if I buy through the scrip program at my kids' school but there I can get $1000 cards so I only need to keep track of a few. Our Target only has up to $100 denominations and I don't want to hold on to 30 or 40 cards just in case I need to cancel! I don't mind the money being tied up on gift cards because I know we'll use them eventually but I'd like to use as few cards as possible to have less to keep track of. The extra 3% savings isn't worth paying off the trip in $100 pieces.

 

[Colleen27]

Yes, consistency would be great, as my experience last week, was that they are no longer applying back refunds to Disney Gift Cards according to the Boardwalk check-in CM I dealt with.

Not sure if she is correct, but that was my experience as early as last week.

Tiger

I'll ask when I get to Pop next month but that specific area of policy - applying gift cards to a room account - seems to be a particular train wreck when it comes to consistancy and CM training.

I've been told no less than three times that gift cards cannot be applied in advance and that if I want to pay off my room account with a GC I have to do so at the end of the trip, but I know from the DIS that others have been able to put the GCs on their account in advance. If by some chance I succeed next trip I'll see what they have to say about the refund policy.

 

[JKeenz]

I never thought of using my Target Red Card to purchase Disney gift cards! Planning on paying OOP with gift cards for our food this trip instead of using DDP, so this is great! Thanks to whoever started this thread and for sharing your experiences I using them.....

 

[mickey2000]

You don't get 2% back and its not on cash back, it is on Disney gift cards. You get 1% back on a disney rewards redemption card. 5% is more than 1% so why wouldn't you do that?

Because on a DCL cruise I want the $50 visa credit and 6 months interest free !
Seems to me a lot more work for 3% more and no interest free period ....

 

[photos_101]

I was just looking at my receipt for our May trip. Which I paid in full with disney gc's from target, and they were processed and show up as 'credit card' payment. Actually, when the CM was doing my ressie she actually asked for the exp. date after I gave her the card #. lol

In the end, it is 'my' money so they would have to refund me it somehow. They just can't keep it. I have to call for some other assistance so I will have to ask about this.

 

[Lindymagoo]

OP- good for you to keep your cool! I hate what that happens.

Where is NW Ohio are you from? I am from Maumee, Ohio

We live in Sylvania! I feel a sudden urge to start singing "It's a Small World......" lol

 

[rachel09985]

We live in Sylvania! I feel a sudden urge to start singing "It's a Small World......" lol

Lol thats funny and ironic! Definitely am familiar with Sylvania!

 

[DoleWhipMom]

Went today to Target and got my temporary debit card (receipt). Tried to buy $1000 in gift cards but transaction was suspended. Frustrating part was the person on the phone for Target couldn’t tell me what the limit was, I would just have to keep trying different amounts and build up a history with them. I don’t mind them being cautious because of fraud; what I did mind was the complete lack of any kind of rule of what I could do and for how long. The staff at Target was wonderful though. Got a supervisor to speak to the rep on the phone (she was frustrated too). She was able to apply a 5% code but had to use my card the “regular” way. Her point to the rep was that now it won’t go towards me building a history and besides, the money is in my bank account to cover the transaction. So, even after I get the regular card, I will have to keep trying different amounts over time… makes no sense to me. Give me some kind of plan I can follow!

As soon as I got home I called Disney and applied them to my trip so that part went without a hitch!

 

[Lindymagoo]

Went today to Target and got my temporary debit card (receipt). Tried to buy $1000 in gift cards but transaction was suspended. Frustrating part was the person on the phone for Target couldn’t tell me what the limit was, I would just have to keep trying different amounts and build up a history with them. I don’t mind them being cautious because of fraud; what I did mind was the complete lack of any kind of rule of what I could do and for how long. The staff at Target was wonderful though. Got a supervisor to speak to the rep on the phone (she was frustrated too). She was able to apply a 5% code but had to use my card the “regular” way. Her point to the rep was that now it won’t go towards me building a history and besides, the money is in my bank account to cover the transaction. So, even after I get the regular card, I will have to keep trying different amounts over time… makes no sense to me. Give me some kind of plan I can follow!

As soon as I got home I called Disney and applied them to my trip so that part went without a hitch!

That was part of my frustration as well. The Target Financial guy was vague as to what I might be able to buy tomorrow, if I did the $300 limit that night. Maybe another $300 the next day, maybe not. No real guidance. And yes, my $2150 came off my debit card the "regular" way, and thereby, no history making.....oh well. I guess the end justifies the means. We were able to get our cards with the discount. Just not the "traditional" way. Glad I am not the only one who was exposed to this and glad that it worked out for you, too!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

But again, they still have to have something in place for people that have already used the gift cards in case of issues and they would have to (or should have to) tell people who try to use gift cards that the policy is no refunds. For the CM to say "yeah we just don't do it anymore" can't be the full story right?

 

[DisneyShannon]

Target has become a problem for me their pharmacy has raised their prices, from a four dollar med that I had got and paid four dollars for years. well it is now twenty dollars. I moved all my scripts to another pharmacy. Target told me that it was my insurance raising their prices, but the new pharmacy is four dollars. I never saved much with my red card and it is just used to save them money.

 

[Tiger926]

But again, they still have to have something in place for people that have already used the gift cards in case of issues and they would have to (or should have to) tell people who try to use gift cards that the policy is no refunds. For the CM to say "yeah we just don't do it anymore" can't be the full story right?

I have clearly stated that the CM said they do not offer refunds back to Disney Gift Cards when applying them to hotel room accounts at check-in or during the trip.

Whether it is correct or not, is another matter, but the CM clearly explained the policy to me, as she understands it, and that is no refunds back on gift cards, so they are encouraging guests to place gift cards on accounts before checkout in small increments of what you know you will spend, or the night before checkout (if you have express checkout on a credit card), get a copy of folio, and use your gift cards then, in the proper amounts.

Again, this was my experience at Boardwalk last week, so hopefully some others will report back with their experiences over the coming months.

Tiger

 

[mistysue]

I have clearly stated that the CM said they do not offer refunds back to Disney Gift Cards when applying them to hotel room accounts at check-in or during the trip.

Whether it is correct or not, is another matter, but the CM clearly explained the policy to me, as she understands it, and that is no refunds back on gift cards, so they are encouraging guests to place gift cards on accounts before checkout in small increments of what you know you will spend, or the night before checkout (if you have express checkout on a credit card), get a copy of folio, and use your gift cards then, in the proper amounts.

Again, this was my experience at Boardwalk last week, so hopefully some others will report back with their experiences over the coming months.

Tiger

I feel like you are snapping back at people and this isn't personal. I have to say though, including your replies that are sort of scolding people no, you have not been clear. You said that the CM told you they will not apply the refund back to the gift card. Ok, so the next logical question is what they do with the money if they owe it to a customer. Yes, it is a reasonable question that no, you have not addressed.

A question is being asked and you keep answering a similar question as if the person is stupid for asking. You have now repeatedly told us that one CM told you they will not refund the money back onto the card. Ok, great. We all heard you. But if they owe you money back they have to do SOMETHING with it. Gift cards are run through their system the same way as a credit card. So maybe they don't put it back onto the card, but they can not take money from you and then just absorb a refund due. Even stores that don't offer refunds give you a store credit.

 

[Tiger926]

I feel like you are snapping back at people and this isn't personal. I have to say though, including your replies that are sort of scolding people no, you have not been clear. You said that the CM told you they will not apply the refund back to the gift card. Ok, so the next logical question is what they do with the money if they owe it to a customer. Yes, it is a reasonable question that no, you have not addressed.

A question is being asked and you keep answering a similar question as if the person is stupid for asking. You have now repeatedly told us that one CM told you they will not refund the money back onto the card. Ok, great. We all heard you. But if they owe you money back they have to do SOMETHING with it. Gift cards are run through their system the same way as a credit card. So maybe they don't put it back onto the card, but they can not take money from you and then just absorb a refund due. Even stores that don't offer refunds give you a store credit.

Nothing personal, as it is an Internet message board. LOL!

Sorry, but I have clearly stated my experience. People seem to be confused, perhaps angry, etc at Disney regarding this, and it has nothing to do with me. Don't shoot the messenger should apply here.

Again, people are missing what I have clearly spoken about: if this policy is correct, and CMs are properly explaining to guests (which she did to us), then guests will determine an amount to apply, and there should be no refund needed (barring an emergency in which guests didn't spend any money). There will be no refund given is what the CM told me. And, in my experience, there are stores in which if you don't return the gift card used at time of purchase, then you do lose that amount. Has happened to me several times.

I clearly understood the policy as explained to me, but again, she may be incorrect. If it is correct though, then Disney is putting the onus on the guest to determine what amount to apply at time of check-in, and she clearly stated to me that no refund would be offered, so I needed to take a minute to figure out the amount I wanted to apply to my account. Maybe they are revamping the Disney Gift Card policy due to the new system?

I am truly not understanding why people are struggling to understand this? You may not like it, but it's a pretty clear policy, as I have explained on here exactly what the CM did with our gift cards last week.

Bottom line is that Disney doesn't even need to do the whole gift card process at check-in, as it takes up time and holds up the check-in process. Much more efficient and simple to swipe 1 credit card to pay, then 45 Disney Gift Cards that need to all be swiped and tracked. Maybe they will limit cards, no more refunds, etc...due to the new system?

And again, as I stated, this may be incorrect, but this was my experience at Boardwalk last week.

I don't have time to email Disney right now, but I will so as to cross-check my experience with this, and I will respond back here.

Tiger

**UPDATE - I have emailed Disney about this, so I will post back when I get a response **