Barclay Card Points Redemption Question

[loveshak22]

I was hoping someone on here could help me out and let me know if they've had any personal experience buying something directly from WDW and then trying to redeem their points for a travel statement credit for that purchase on their Barclay travel card?

From what I've been reading online about different rewards programs and how to use them for your Disney vacation, the tips always include buying your tickets through Undercover Tourist and then redeeming points for a travel statement credit on your Barclay card. I can't tell if they are making this suggestion because buying directly from Disney doesn't count as a travel merchant (that seems to be implied) or if they are basing it on UT being cheaper and the better buy? When I've looked the cheapest option for me is Disney and then I can also add the MVMCP tickets in the purchase and have it covered by my points. But I don't want to purchase from Disney and Barclay say it's not a travel merchant code and then not be able to redeem my points to cover the purchase.

I've tried to Google this and have found some comments to articles where people indicate they purchased through Disney but they did have to call Barclay to allow them to use the points as a statement credit for that purchase - so it seems like it doesn't come up automatically as an option for redemption. I called Barclay and asked and the customer service rep told me Disney would be fine but I don't feel like she was very knowledgeable because she gave me information that contradicted the website and the packet of information they sent me when I signed up.

So - anyone have any personal experience with this?

 

[Madteaparty001]

I purchased some party tickets about a month ago on my Barclay and it did not show up as a travel expense. I've been to busy to call but plan to do so this week and see if they will manually change it so that I can redeem some points for it.

 

[loveshak22]

I purchased some party tickets about a month ago on my Barclay and it did not show up as a travel expense. I've been to busy to call but plan to do so this week and see if they will manually change it so that I can redeem some points for it.

Thanks for the info! Can you let me know if they manually change it for you? I'd much prefer going through Disney and getting my party tickets all at one time but my whole plan is messed up if Barclay doesn't allow me to use my points for this purchase.

Hopefully it's no problem for them to manually change it for you - good luck!!

 

[Madteaparty001]

I will update when I finally get a chance to sit down and call, I'm hoping it will be a quick fix.

 

[mistysue]

This happened to me last year when I charged tickets from Disney. I called three times to have them change it. They kept saying they would and never did. The good news in the end was that I used the card for our hotel so the extras we charged to the room came up as a travel expense and I still got to use my points in the end, it just took a couple months longer.

 

[loveshak22]

Thanks for the information! That's really annoying since how could Disney hotels and tickets really be anything but travel. I understand it has to do with merchant codes but that seems crazy.

I've read online that other people have called and been approved to redeem points for Disney without issues, but those posts were older...maybe its changed since you didn't seem to have much luck.

I'm glad to find out now though! It'll be interesting to see how madteaparty's situation works out.

 

[Madteaparty001]

So I called today, talked to the representative who said they couldn't do anything, and then asked to talk to the manger. The manager said they couldn't do anything, probably trying to back up their representative. They told me they couldn't change the code WDW had used to categorize the purchase.

So then I asked to speak with the manager's supervisor. When I told the supervisor what was going on she said no problem, and that they would manually refund me what was charged on my card and take it out of my points. It was a good 15-20 minute phone call of arguing and trying not to be snippy. A lot of 'I know WDW didn't code it as travel, but it is, so fix it.' Which, thankfully, they eventually did.

 

[loveshak22]

Thanks for reporting back! That is so annoying! I know it has to do with merchant codes but from what I've read online they have to get these calls about Disney a lot so just make an exception for them...or at least you'd think it'd be an easy solution!!

I guess I'll go through Undercover Tourist for ease!

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Speaking of merchant codes, kind of off topic but maybe someone might know the answer. Discover's next quarter bonus is 5% at home improvement stores (which I take to mean Home Depot, Lowes, Ace etc.). We're getting our fence redone, do you think the fence company would be considered a home improvement store? Who would I ask? It's only up to $1,500 in purchases but that would help offset the cost of the added 3% credit card fee they're charging. I'm wondering if it's worth delaying the start of the fence installation until July (They're already 3-4 weeks out from starting, so what's another 2 weeks?). Opinions on this?

 

[loveshak22]

Speaking of merchant codes, kind of off topic but maybe someone might know the answer. Discover's next quarter bonus is 5% at home improvement stores (which I take to mean Home Depot, Lowes, Ace etc.). We're getting our fence redone, do you think the fence company would be considered a home improvement store? Who would I ask? It's only up to $1,500 in purchases but that would help offset the cost of the added 3% credit card fee they're charging. I'm wondering if it's worth delaying the start of the fence installation until July (They're already 3-4 weeks out from starting, so what's another 2 weeks?). Opinions on this?

I would think it would count. I guess you could always ask the fencing company their merchant code and then ask the credit card company if that code counts?

I don't know how a fencing company wouldn't be home improvement...but then again I would have guessed Disney would be travel!!

 

[Madteaparty001]

Speaking of merchant codes, kind of off topic but maybe someone might know the answer. Discover's next quarter bonus is 5% at home improvement stores (which I take to mean Home Depot, Lowes, Ace etc.). We're getting our fence redone, do you think the fence company would be considered a home improvement store? Who would I ask? It's only up to $1,500 in purchases but that would help offset the cost of the added 3% credit card fee they're charging. I'm wondering if it's worth delaying the start of the fence installation until July (They're already 3-4 weeks out from starting, so what's another 2 weeks?). Opinions on this?

Maybe have Home depot or lowes put the fence in? I know they contract it out but I think you pay for it in store. If it's more expensive that route you can maybe see if the fence company will do a preliminary charge on your card and you can see how it show's up on your credit card account.

 

[loveshak22]

I just wanted to follow-up and say that even though Disney tickets apparently aren't considered as a travel purchase by Barclay, if you purchase a package through Disney and make payments on your Barclay card, it does show up as a redeemable travel option. I made a payment towards my ticket/resort package through MDE a couple of days a go to see if it would come up as a travel purchase and it did. I just redeemed points for a statement credit for the amount I paid towards my package! I'm really excited that it worked because we have a few big expenses coming up and with Barclay's double points it will help earn a chunk of rewards towards our November trip!

 

[Madteaparty001]

Thanks for the update! I know if you charge things to your room at a Disney Resort and then pay it off at the desk it counts as a travel expense. So in case you ever don't buy a package that's an option as well.

 

[loveshak22]

Thanks for the update! I know if you charge things to your room at a Disney Resort and then pay it off at the desk it counts as a travel expense. So in case you ever don't buy a package that's an option as well.

That is awesome to know! It's been awhile since I've gone without being on the meal plan but I'm assuming I can charge everything to my room - spa day, meals, drinks, etc.?

That's awesome that will all count as travel since I'll get double points and all those charges will add to some more redemption points towards those costs when I get back!

I just signed up for the Barclay Rewards Boost so I think I'm going to have to do more online shopping at my usual stores just to get 4x's the points!