Combining Multiple Gift Cards...would this worK?

[kristenrice]

I have an idea...

Like a lot of folks here on the budget board, I like to save for my Disney trips in small increments. Our school's TRIP program sells $25 Disney gift cards that I can buy each week. I *hate* hauling around a bunch of gift cards with me in the parks, but I do not want to buy the $100 cards either.

Here's my thought....would this work?

Let's say I bring 12 $25 gift cards to WDW with me ($300). When I check in, I have them apply the $300 to my room card with a credit card as a backup. (*I know that this can be done because I've done it*). Then, I should be able to go to any store that sells gift cards and "reload" one of mine for $300, charging it to my KTTW card, right?

I don't have an issue bringing a bunch of $25 cards with me, but I just don't like to haul a bunch of them to the park with me. I would also prefer to have the gift card to use instead of charging everything to my KTTW card and then "settling up" with the gift cards at the end of the trip. With the gift card, I would know with each transaction how much I have left.

What do you think? Is this a decent plan?

 

[cepmom]

seems to me that it would work, but personally I would just charge back to the KTTW card. I like to have the printout at the end of the trip to see how much was spent and where all on one sheet of paper instead of a million different receipts.

Or maybe guest services could combine all those small gift cards onto one gift card for the total combined amount? I know I used to be able to do that at the retail store I worked at.

 

[Kycha]

I did a google search and found this on another forum:

"If you have multiple gift cards that have a little or alot on them & would like to combine in to one card it can probably be done. I called the Disney Gift Card Hotline (1-877-650-4327) & a representative was able to combine my three gift cards on to one. I was even able to choose which of the three I wanted the balance on. It must not be possible to combine some gift cards as the representative I talked to said he could try but wouldn't know untill he tried if the system would let him."

Personally, I'd try this approach first. If it works, then you wouldn't have to lug 12 gift cards to Disney World with you. HTH!

 

[SUSIEQ]

seems to me that it would work, but personally I would just charge back to the KTTW card. I like to have the printout at the end of the trip to see how much was spent and where all on one sheet of paper instead of a million different receipts.

That's what I do, too.

 

[kristenrice]

That's what I do, too.

seems to me that it would work, but personally I would just charge back to the KTTW card. I like to have the printout at the end of the trip to see how much was spent and where all on one sheet of paper instead of a million different receipts.

Or maybe guest services could combine all those small gift cards onto one gift card for the total combined amount? I know I used to be able to do that at the retail store I worked at.

The only problem I have, particularly during F&W, is that I get a little "swipe happy". If I use my KTTW card, I would have to go to the front desk each day or keep track of my receipts anyways in order to know how much I have left. With a gift card, I only need to keep the most recent receipt which would show my remaining balance.

 

[katiedid36]

I did this on our trip in January. We had all gotten Disney GC for Xmas. I think I had 6 or 7 of them. After we had been there a couple days I went in to the check in area of the resort. The CSR put the GC onto our account. The only thing was that she could only put as much as our balance was. I think at that time I had around $120 balance so that was all she could apply. I went back a couple days later & did it again. You also have to be careful because if you send over $500 on your KTTW card then they automatically charge it to your credit card on file.

 

[Halle]

I think they charge your credit card when you get to $1500.00. When we went in December I had $950.00 in US Bank Visa gift cards, I knew the amount but they could not take the full amount off, I had to make a few trips to the front desk (BWV). This past trip we stayed at BLT, the CM told me that it is Disney's policy to only take 85% from the card. I was happy to learn that because DH was annoyed with theCC company!! When I told him it was Disney's policy he was fine with it.

 

[mousefan1972]

I think they charge your credit card when you get to $1500.00. When we went in December I had $950.00 in US Bank Visa gift cards, I knew the amount but they could not take the full amount off, I had to make a few trips to the front desk (BWV). This past trip we stayed at BLT, the CM told me that it is Disney's policy to only take 85% from the card. I was happy to learn that because DH was annoyed with theCC company!! When I told him it was Disney's policy he was fine with it.

The charge limit depends on the resort.

Values: $500 limit
Moderates: $1000 limit
Deluxe/DVC: $1500 limit