Best savings tips for Disney/DVC expenses?

[noisykid]

Most of us with DVC contracts have a decent amount of Disney expenses - Dues, APs or tickets, Food, merch, never mind flights for those that aren't local. So what are your favorite methods to save a bit more? Gift Card sales seem the most obvious, though for many of us with cash outlays in the many thousands a year, buying and managing all of the gift cards can be tedious. Any other tips?

 

[RuntheMouse]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/new-disney-visa-inspire-card.3978220/
Check out the new Disney Visa card. Lots of savings with that one!
https://disneyrewards.com/compare-credit-cards/

 

[byurick]

We don't buy LLs and try to limit meals when we're there. We often will just have a snack instead of a full lunch for example. My wife and I will share a soda and QS food. Little things like that, but they add up when you go often.

 

[noisykid]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/new-disney-visa-inspire-card.3978220/
Check out the new Disney Visa card. Lots of savings with that one!
https://disneyrewards.com/compare-credit-cards/

The problem with that new card is that most of its perks are redundant, non-existent, or insignificant in regards to the major costs of being a DVC owner (dues, AP, flights, Food & Merchandise discounts). It seems more directed at people who are not yet DVC members but visit often on a cash-basis.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I do what you do. I buy as many gift cards as I can without it being tedious. I use whatever credit card gives me the best rewards which means often using 2 or 3 different cards in a single trip.

I like the idea of the new Inspire card, but my spends are a lot more than $2k/year. So, I might have to still use more than one card per trip.

 

[RuntheMouse]

The problem with that new card is that most of its perks are redundant, non-existent, or insignificant in regards to the major costs of being a DVC owner (dues, AP, flights, Food & Merchandise discounts). It seems more directed at people who are not yet DVC members but visit often on a cash-basis.

I consider the $100 back on $200 tickets as well as the $200 back on $2000 in folio charges significant. $10 monthly Disney+ credit and 3% at Disney. The sign up bonus is solid as well.

 

[noisykid]

I do what you do. I buy as many gift cards as I can without it being tedious. I use whatever credit card gives me the best rewards which means often using 2 or 3 different cards in a single trip.

I like the idea of the new Inspire card, but my spends are a lot more than $2k/year. So, I might have to still use more than one card per trip.

Yeah, the gift cards' savings are hardly worth it though. Even at 10% off, if you buy $1000 worth of GCs you only save $100.

 

[wnielsen1]

The problem with that new card is that most of its perks are redundant, non-existent, or insignificant in regards to the major costs of being a DVC owner (dues, AP, flights, Food & Merchandise discounts). It seems more directed at people who are not yet DVC members but visit often on a cash-basis.

There's no problem with the new card as long as you get the signup bonus. After a year, downgrade or get rid of it if it isn't working for you. If you are a Disney+ subscriber and you are not getting a credit from one of the AmEx cards that offer it, the value equation becomes that much better for this new card especially in the first year.

 

[Orbiter_Fan]

This isn't Disney specific, but the Companion Pass with the Southwest card has saved us at least 5 figures since covid on flights.

But as with most things, it comes with caveats. The main one being, you either need to fly a lot each year or spend a lot more on the card to earn it. We have a large household and put everything we can on the card; for us, it makes sense bc it's money we are spending anyways. If you had to spend extra on things you may not normally buy to earn enough CP points, it kinda defeats the purpose.

Also, your airport needs to have good SW routes and times, which ours does.

Since covid, I have been to Hawaii, Vegas (x5), Cancun (x2), Punta Cana, Orlando (x9), Tampa (x2), Ft Lauderdale, and Savannah (x3). 2 or 3 of the domestic flights I flew Allegiant (don't remember which ones) the rest I was on SW as a free companion.

Additionally my wife (the primary) has always paid with points and most of my kids' flights were on points too.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I consider the $100 back on $200 tickets as well as the $200 back on $2000 in folio charges significant. $10 monthly Disney+ credit and 3% at Disney. The sign up bonus is solid as well.

Those are good in their own right. With the sign up bonus, it's hard to imagine it not being a good deal for someone who spends a lot on Disney vacations.

If my husband applies in the next month, we'll save $650. within about 2 months between the sign up bonus, the money back on the folio minus the annual fee.