Could someone please tell me again WHY I need a DVC?

[MomlovesDad]

I have been looking into the DVC over the past couple of days. Am finally somewhat clear on what the rewards are - it appears that the card is issued for a year, that the rewards expire at the expiration date, and that you only get rewards for purchases made with a "preferred provider" which are still up in the air as to just which grocery stores, video rentals, utility companies are on the "preferred provider" list. If charges are not with a "prefered provider, they are labeled as "other".

As I was posting under the other DVC double rewards post, I was asking myself, "Now WHY get a DVC vs. another rewards card?"

I haven't used a Discover in years, but I'm thinking they sent me a check every year in the amount of rewards I earned. And I'm not sure if they have "preferred providers" or not. But it is beginning to sound like the DVC charges that have been labeled in the "other" category might just count count on other cards, and would pay the difference you may save with DVC - and thus my question. Exactly WHAT are the benefits of having the DVC - additional % off of Disney purchases or what? And can you use your reward card over the phone - such as purchasing PHP's?

And WOW - I can't imagine someone charging $225,000 on their DVC in a year's time in oder to get $450 (that is WITH double points) reward points!! I am supposing that's how much you'd have to spend to get $450 points. What in the world do you buy?! I guess there could be a lot of travel and utility and security and phone and groceries and medical and video purchases, but with all the other posts about disqualified purchases, how did they do that?!

Ooo gosh! This is longer than I planned.
Thanks for the answers. I really missed this board when we were on vacation in WDW!! Isn't it fun here!? My little peice of Disney at home.
MomlovesDad

 

[JudyS]

Ha! I thought by "DVC" you meant "Disney Vacation Club!" (That's Disney's timeshare.) I was going to say, "You need DVC so you can stay at the Boardwalk for way less than the usual rate!"

I take it the DVC you are referring to is the Disney Visa Card? I'm interested in how good the Disney Visa benefits are, too. So far, I haven't gotten one. Instead, I have an Amex Cash Rebate card that pays a substantial cash rebate (it was over 3% of my purchases last year) and a GM rebate card that gives a rebate if I buy a GM car.

 

[noodle7729]

I love my Disney Visa, and have already earned 121 reward dollars. I just want to correct some of you math. If someone were to spend 225,000 they would earn 2250 reward dollars, not 225. Also, I have earned reward dollars for every purchase that I make, not just for preferred locations. The preferred locations only apply for double rewards. I hope this helps.

Jamie

 

[mad4themouse]

The Disney VISA pays you back in Dream Reward Dollars at the rate of 1% FOR ALL PURCHASES.

They are awarded monthly, unlike the Discover Card, which awards their cashback once per year.

Double Rewards are offered to select customers based on their charging habits. Some of us were offered double rewards everytime we charged over a set amount each month. Others were offered double rewards for all gasoline, utility and grocery purchases, regardless of the amount spent. It depended on what you were offered.

The Disney VISA also offers discounts on Disney vacation packages, including shipboard credits on the cruise. The discounts are exclusive to cardholders, although similar offers are frequently made to the general public. There are also special movie screenings, discounts to Disney on Ice and the Disney Broadway musicals.

I have to say that it is not the best rewards credit card to have in your wallet but it's not that bad either. The rewards are limited to use at Disney and the amount that you get back is pretty much the minimum that any card will offer. If you plan to visit Disney often, it might be worth looking into. If you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I'd say skip it and find another rewards card that will suit your long-term needs.

 

[whozit]

A correction on how Discover pays their rewards. They used to pay the rewards out once a year (on your card's anniversery date), now as soon as your reward balance reaches $20, you call a tollfree number or log onto their website and redeem your reward. You can only redeem in increments of $20 though, so if your balance is $24, you'll get $20 and the remaining $4 will stay in your reward account. Also, you have choices on how to receive your cashback award. You can get $20 cash or up to twice that amount if you choose to accept the award in a different way. The other promotions vary from time to time, but I know that sometimes you can redeem your $20 award for a $40 gift card to Red Lobster restaurants (and you can use it at other restaurants that are in the Red Lobster family...I forget what those are). They have also done similar promotions with bookstores, catalog companies and other things.

 

[hercamore]

Whozit is correct about Discover's policies on refunding your earned dollars. It is so easy to get your money back from them. I usually just have the rebate credited to my account every 6 months or so and I do it online easily and aquickly.

Also, Discover is a tiered rebate. You only start reciving a full l% back on your card after spending $3k. With Visa, you start earning 1% back with first purchase. Also, Discover does not rebate for purchases at warehouse clubs.

I have both cards. I am happier with Discover even with the tiering.
However, Visa is accepted everywhere and Discover is not. I am using the Visa to pay medical bills and dd's apt rent wich adds up quickly in disney dollars.

herc.

 

[hookedup]

I use my AMEX most places but like Discover there are many merchants that only take M/C & Visa - my vet, my dentist, and Trader Joes (a market here in CA) so I use my Visa for those - that way I am getting something back for every purchase I make.
Plus I like that my Disney Visa is fee-free which many rewards cards are not, including airline miles and AMEX ones

 

[hightown]

Have gotten tons of offers for Disney's Visa and don't see a reason to get it.

-don't need another credit card. too many effects your credit
-don't like a variable rate or another yearly fee
-i get the same cash back if i use my visa debit
-before Disney visa came out I got the Starwood AMEX for the reward points. in two years, have accumulated 47,000 points. about 15,000 of that extra bonus for Starwood stays or other bonus. So if you look at actual spending of 30,000 that would have earned $300.00 on disney visa.
-I just used 40,000 points and booked 5 FREE nights at the Swan. Deluxe hotel w/great location. What would that $300.00 in disney rewards have covered for 5 nights?

Anyway, that's just me and I'm sure there's value in it for some.

 

[sln88]

I don't see any point in the Disney Visa, unless you are a Disney fanatic that has to do everything Disney

I also have the Amex cash back card. They simply credit your account with the $ on your anniversary date. i don't have to call anyone to cash in anything and wait for a card that I can only use to buy Disney stuff. My cashback can be used to buy Disney, or if I want, groceries. There is no fee for using this card. I got about 1.5% back last year.

I also have a cashback Visa for places that don't take my Amex, but for them I have to call to have them issue the check.

 

[allforpooh]

This is really a personal preference, and I like the Disney Visa. Currently we put everything on it, from College tuition, car insurance, mthly bills etc. I use it like a checking account, when I charge I marked it as a ck in the check book so when the bill comes I have that money to pay the balance. I never pay interest or any yearly fees.

Also the rewards do not expire in a year unless you transfer them to the reward card, which I have not done yet.

What this card does give me is a place where I need little will power to save money for disney trips(family fun). As a previous posted said about Discover, she applies the cash back to her outstanding balance. This is what I would do also, and what fun is that...

So too each his own.... I would look at what would be best for you and use that.

The only recommendation I would have is take advantage of the perks. If you are planning to pay an expense anyway in cash, why not charge it and pay it off when the bill comes that way you get a little something for it without any additional cost to you.

Denise
PS right now we have 800.00 for our Cruise in Oct, and maybe even some left over for our trip in March.

 

[disneychrista]

Its all in how you will use it. I use my card for every purchase, any bills that can be charged, etc. Then I pay the bill off each month. It works for me. I get 1% back (which I am saving for a room at the Grand Californian) and I pay no fee. I will never have a credit card that charges me a fee for the "privillage" of having it. I have never qualified for any of the double points. I have never been able to use the special offers. But that is not what I got the card for.

 

[disneychrista]

I forgot about another great reason to use the Disney Visa, it brings a smile to the cashiers face

 

[dandelion]

Originally posted by whozit
The other promotions vary from time to time, but I know that sometimes you can redeem your $20 award for a $40 gift card to Red Lobster restaurants (and you can use it at other restaurants that are in the Red Lobster family...I forget what those are). They have also done similar promotions with bookstores, catalog companies and other things.

Unfortunately anytime I've checked it's been a $25 gc for $20, but that's still saving something. I used them for Christmas gifts.

The Red Lobster cards may also be used at Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones.

Has anyone ever used the Lands End gift cards - can I use them online? I have back-to-school uniform shopping to do. The website terms almost make it sound like I could use it at Sears on Lands End merchandise.

As for Visa cards ... I have a Target Visa. Unfortunately I'm at Target a lot more often than WDW.

 

[roadtripper]

We use the Disney Visa because the least negotiable part of a Disney vacation has always been the cost of park tickets. The deepest discount I have seen is about 5%. I can earn enough points over the course of the year for one free Annual Pass. I still have a miles card for big purchases, but charge all the small things to my Disney Visa and pay it off every month. Works for us!