Disney/BankOne Visa info?

[Minnie's Mate]

What, did we all expect that we'd get a disney dollar for every dollar spent??? They're not idiots.

Thanks BrianD for pointing out what should be obvious to everyone. They aren't going to give away $/$ and neither does any other reward card.

Also, Discover has been mentioned. Several years ago I looked into the Discover rewards and found that their 1% was only if you CARRIED a balance of several thousand dollars each month. I don't remember the exact total but the reward was graduated based on the balance carried from month to month. If you paid it off each month, there were NO rewards. Does anyone know what Discover's current APR is? It is probably the typical 18.99%! That is hardly a deal in my book if you are going to carry a balance.

At least what has been printed here says that you just have to use the card for purchases to earn the rewards. You don't have to carry a balance and pay big interest to get them. And, according to the fine print that was copied here, there are bonuses for making certain types of purchases. As with the gasoline credit card that gives 5% rewards for qualified purchases, i.e. gasoline at their branded stations, maybe the double and triple rewarded Disney Dream Reward Dollars are for purchases made at WDW theme parks, resorts and at Downtown Disney.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Thanks BrianD for pointing out what should be obvious to everyone. They aren't going to give away $/$ and neither does any other reward card.

Come on, guys, let's not be radicals.

All many of us are pointing out is how the Disney card could indeed offer better rewards and incentives. I have mentioned my personal favorite on several threads, the AMEX Delta Skymiles. For each dollar you accululate a mile, making purchases on grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, etc., earns you double miles, the Optima still has no annual fee, you follow some promos and could easily pile up to $15,000 a year merely signing on to AT&T, Earthlink, etc. Don't want to use your miles to travel? There are other partner alternatives you could spend your rewards on...

So for Disney being Disney, they could have done far, far better. Why limit your awards to $750 a year? The opportunities to earn more points are restricted to blowing money off in cruises and packages! Heck maybe without that limitation they could have offered better deals...

But they probably felt people would be happy enough with a little pin and a "day 1" inscription on the card. Those that are signing on for that sole reason are only building up their assumption and promoting Disney's treatment towards guests that could be far better.

 

[BrianD]

Originally posted by TreeOfLife
Come on, guys, let's not be radicals.

All many of us are pointing out is how the Disney card could indeed offer better rewards and incentives. I have mentioned my personal favorite on several threads, the AMEX Delta Skymiles. For each dollar you accululate a mile, making purchases on grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, etc., earns you double miles, the Optima still has no annual fee, you follow some promos and could easily pile up to $15,000 a year merely signing on to AT&T, Earthlink, etc. Don't want to use your miles to travel? There are other partner alternatives you could spend your rewards on...

First off, the Delta SkyMiles Options card (w/ no annual fee) earns you a 1/2 SkyMile for every dollar you spend, so getting double miles would mean you get 1 mile for every dollar you spend. So let's say you spend $15,000 in a year, so you end up with about 15,000 sky miles. Wow, just 10,000 more and you get a free round trip ticket that you can redeem as long as you book FAR in advance. And while the new Disney card may not really be any better, it's certainly no worse, so for those of us like Disney and spend money on Disney anyway, why not get the card?

Obviously if you do not plan on using the rewards for Disney related items, then there is NO reason to be interested in the card in the first place. That's why it is a DISNEY VISA.

 

[mad4themouse]

I think that we can agree that for those of us who are already enjoying the benefits of a rewards-type credit card, the new Disney VISA is probably not all that great.

I have the Chase-i MasterCard and it pays me every month in the form of Webcertificates. The payback rate is 1% and you need to earn at least $10 in order to get paid that month but if you don't, the balance carries over into the next month. Because I charge EVERYTHING, I'm getting between $20 and $25 back every month. It all goes into my Disney Fund and I've already gotten over $150 since October. Not a bad little nest egg.

I also have a USAir frequent flier card that I'm ready to give up. Those frequent flier miles are just getting too hard for an entire family of 4 to spend at one time. If I don't make arrangements as soon as the time opens up for booking the flight, I can forget about it! Plus, the card carries an annual fee of $40 and there is nothing else I can do with the rewards but get flights. There are other ways to do that. I was looking into the Univeral Entertainment Card (Universal Studios) as a replacement. I was waiting for the Disney VISA to come out so that I could compare them. For anyone interested in the Universal Card, here's a link to their site. Universal Entertainment MasterCard At least there, you can review what the rewards are and how many points they cost before you apply.

My DH is self-employed and he has two business rewards cards that he uses to pay for all his overhead. His Diners' Club card offers 2 points per $ and has a lot of rewards, including the options of converting those points into hotel GCs and frequent guest points, restaurant GCs, rental cars and frequent flier points. They even offer Amazon.com GCs.

His other business card is a Chase business card. What I like about this card is that the awards include airline travel vouchers which are good on any airline, anytime. They cost the same number of points/miles as my USAir card with fewer restrictions. It also offers restaurant and retail GCs and rental car & hotel certificates.

My advise to anyone who is interested in rewards-type credit cards is to define what your expectations are with regards to rewards and then research the cards that best meet those expectations. Obviously, someone who doesn't have kids won't be interested in a Toy R Us credit card and someone who isn't interested in Disney rewards has no need for the Disney VISA. For some, the Disney VISA may be a good replacement for another card or a good card to start with. For others, it would not be worth it.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Pay no interest for 6 months on Disney vacation packages.**
Pay no interest for 6 months on cruise packages or ticket-inclusive Disney vacation packages when you or your travel agent book through the Walt Disney Travel Company or Disney Cruise Line® and charge the package to your card prior to arrival.

This leaves out DVC and AP holders, two of Disney's most loyal customers (with regard to the theme park packages). Not a great move. I am still going back and forth about applying.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Take a deep breath, BrianD. Disney is not paying you comissions promoting their Visa, right? So there's not need to be fanatical about it.

By the way, I have the Delta Skymiles gold, which does indeed give me at least one mile and tons of double miles. There are plentiful cards that pay far better rewards. I am just disappointed in guests who plan to get Disney's just for the pin and the "day 1" inscription on their cards... My second favorite is LLBean Visa. As a platinum, member I get one reward dollar for purchases made elsewhere and two for buying LLBean items... Just sharing.. and still breathing...

But hey, no need to fire up. A critical thiker can give it like he takes it: get the cutie card, get the pin and use other cards instead if you want to brag about rewards (like getting air tickets, round trip, free, non stop.. blah blah). Just remember that your credit report will show your actions, be selective ;-)

 

[mad4themouse]

TreeofLife,
Do your Delta SkyMiles card and LL Bean card offer rewards other than tickets on Delta and LL Bean merchandise? Can those rewards miles/dollars be cashed in for hotel gift certificates or restaurant GCs?

They sound like good cards but if you're not the LL Bean type (like me) or Delta is not a major carrier out of your closest airport (again, me) then the cards are useless if they don't offer other options.

I understand your enthusiasm for your particular rewards cards as they seem to benefit you. However, please understand that not everyone wants or needs a free flight on Delta or clothing from America's #1 casual oufitter. For some people, that Disney VISA may actually be a good choice. It all depends on what each of us is looking for in a rewards card.

Your warning regarding an individual's credit report is well worth noting. Too many inquiries over a short period of time, too much hopping from one credit card to another and having way too many credit cards in your wallet can all work to your disadvantage when it comes time to apply for personal loans, home equities and mortgages.

I think that you make some valid points. It makes no sense to jump up and apply for this card simply because it has got a picture of the Mouse on it and you get a nifty pin along with it. A wise consumer will carefully weigh their options and make an informed decision.

 

[Lilly's Dad]

With ALL credit cards, ALWAYS pay them off in full, on time each month. Regarding credit card premiums, (always get NO ANNUAL FEE) Disney 1% isn't bad. $7500.oo in charges will get you $75 Dis Dollars. Toys-R-Us is same deal:1% BACK IN GIFT CERT, BUT YOU ALSO GET 3% BACK ON TOYSR-US purchases. Marriott Hotels gives you a free night in a nice hotel for $7500 in charges. There are other travel mastercards that will get you 2 nights in a days inn or comfort or Ramada for $7500 in charges. The best deal I think, is Dodge mastercard, or GM mastercard which gives you 5% in rebate back on all purchases.: $7500 in charges earns you $375 back in future GM car rebate ( I got $6000 off my last car.) If you have a small business, charge all your business expenditures rather than cut a check to pay them.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Do your Delta SkyMiles card and LL Bean card offer rewards other than tickets on Delta and LL Bean merchandise? Can those rewards miles/dollars be cashed in for hotel gift certificates or restaurant GCs?

Actually, yes, both companies give me rewards to use their services and acquire goods. In fact, if I do not want to use my Skymiles awards in plane tickets I can use them for several other alternatives, including resort stays and such... LLBean's rewards include outdoor programs, not necessarily merchandise. You can even donate both companies' rewards to charity and outdoor education programs

Several cards give you cash awards which you COULD use to book rooms and so forth. I am so critical of Disney's card is that it limits those rewards to $750/yr, and the means to acquire them are so scant. They are basically funneling guests into booking cruises and packages in order to get plentiful (up to $750/yr) rewards

Heck people will get and do what they want, I really don't care. But I still insist that if you want to get better, more abundant rewards, you can pick other cards with even lower interest rather than the one with the free Disney pin...

 

[Lilly's Dad]

Dear Mad4 themouse: you have a great perspective on this! Thanks! Also...regarding the Chase Business Card you referred to: What's it Called (typically there would be a name to the program) also, does it have an annual fee? It sound flexible and very useful if there aren't any catches. Thanks again!

 

[mad4themouse]

Lilly's Dad,
The Chase business card is actually called the Chase Business Card. There is no fee for the card itself but there is a $50 annual fee for enrollment in the rewards program. Given the very large amount of overhead in his business, DH made that amount up in less than one month with the card. Because it is a business card, the credit limit is high. He pays the balance off every month. If you have several employees with cards, you get a separate statement for each of them in addition to one invoice for the account. You can get details about the card here:
Chase Business Card Terms & Conditions and for details regarding the rewards: Chase Business Rewards Table

 

[ceecee]

Yes, it's about like all the rest. However it would be nice to get 4% on all Disney purchases! I think my toysrus card was a 4% rebate on their purchases. Kroger's had a great one for Blockbuster movie cards, but they changed it so we cx that one. Now I'll see what the Disney card offers. We usually only use our airline card. We've gotten 9 free flights over the years.

 

[DizneyDogs]

The credit card application is now up and running online - got the email from disney today.

 

[z28wiz]

yep same here. But it really doesnt sound that appitezzing since u only get 1 % on purchases and on rare occasions you can get double or triple but still not worth it in my opinion.

 

[lucysdad]

My family used the Disney Club card a lot. We saved bucks at the local Disney Store as well as on our trip each year. I always thought of it as a sort of thank you from Disney for our loyalty and interest. I was bummed when Disney cancelled the Magic Kingdom Club and started charging for the Disney Club, but, we still got more than our money's worth. But, this.....1%....well, it just doesn't seem worth it at all. It doesn't seem like an improvement, that's for sure. As the years go by, we get less for more. Now I remember when I was a kid and a candy bar cost a nickel.....

 

[NotUrsula]

It's a co-branded card, and double points from the co-brand merchant is the usual minimum on such cards. I have 2 of them right now, one is a TJX Visa Platinum from BankOne, which is 1%, generally, but 5% on purchases from any TJX merchant. The other is a Starwood Amex, which is 1 pt/$1, except for money spent at Starwood properties, in which case it is 2 pt/$1.

The Amex ties in to the Starwood Preferred Guest program, which offers a lot of random bonus opportunities for stays in certain sluggish markets or at new hotels, often 1000 pts. at a time. Used together, this combo packs a nice punch, and you are allowed to consolidate points within a household. We just booked 5 days @ the Swan on 40K points. We generally like the hotel cards over the airlines, as hotel rooms will hold 4 people, so you get more value for your points, and with this one, anyway, there are no blackouts.

BTW, the Southwest Airlines Visa *will* give point credit for transferred balances. It depends on the amount transferred, but you can get up to 4 flight credits on a balance transfer. 8 credits will buy a ticket, and again, if there is any open seat on the flight you want, it's yours. They normally give 2 credits per r/t flight paid for, so 4 r/t's will earn a reward ticket.

 

[Boo Mc]

Will you be able to use the Disney rewards for park tickets or AP's? Will you be able to apply the rewards to purchases you make using your room card (like WDW counter service and sit down restaurants.) Not sure if this was asked yet but thanks for your help!

P.S. Think they'll let me apply the rewards to our DVC dues?

 

[EmptyNester]

Originally posted by NotUrsula

BTW, the Southwest Airlines Visa *will* give point credit for transferred balances. It depends on the amount transferred, but you can get up to 4 flight credits on a balance transfer. 8 credits will buy a ticket, and again, if there is any open seat on the flight you want, it's yours. They normally give 2 credits per r/t flight paid for, so 4 r/t's will earn a reward ticket.

Actually, it takes 16 credits to get a reward ticket - but I think it's still a pretty good deal! Also, SWA has been running a special that gives double the credits if you purchase your ticket online - so 4 r/t will earn you a free ticket. Between the Visa and the credits for flights, we usually average 2-3 free tickets/year.

We love SWA!

Sharon