Disney Debit Card questions

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

I'm not a big credit card user. I really don't like to spend money that I don't have, and with a credit card I would be very tempted. Which is why I never bothered with a Disney credit card. But yesterday I saw that they do offer a debit card through Chase and I was wondering if anyone here uses it. The big question I have is: are the rewards good enough to make-up for the annual fee? I am trying to plan a big Disney trip next year with my extended family and the private meet & greet perk would be great for the kids. Thanks

 

[amyy]

I didn't think there was an annual fee. I pay off my balance almost every month and the reward add up but I don't think it is the best rewards card out there. I know, I know that I am suppose to pay it off every month but I am sure there has been a month that slipped by me.

Right now we have about $600 in rewards.

 

[MommyBell08]

I have the Debit card with "Ultimate Rewards". I earn the rewards WAY faster than I did with my Disney cc, and I get cash back that I then buy a Disney Gift card with, or just Vacation fund it. The cost for rewards is 25$ a year . I have had it less than a month and could already get a $10 gift card to Target, or cash reward over $10. So it will pay the $25 fast. We have a very modest budget as we are paying all our cc's off so not alot of money is being spent either.. Hope that helps! Oh and you can find a $100 sigh on bonus for chase if you search it. We opened two accounts (DH and I) and got $200, the added each other the the accounts, we went together and they had no problem at Chase.

 

[kayla87]

We use the Disney Rewards debit card and are pleased. As long as you will charge more than $5000 in a year you'll be ahead of breaking even. There is no charge for extra cards as long as they are tied to the same checking account, so for our two cards, it is only one 25 dollar fee.

Yes, I know I could get better rewards other places, but I'm not interested and am happy to stick with Disney Rewards Debit.

 

[MamaJessie]

I have been wondering myself. Thanks for all the info!

 

[bumbershoot]

With their debit card, it's $25/year. They might still be having a deal where you get 25 in Disney Reward Dollars after using your debit card...that can make up for the fee for the first year, at least.

You earn 1 Disney Reward Dollar for every $200 you spend. So it doesn't add up fast, but it does, over a year, add up.

If you google "disney debit card", you should be able to get to the Chase page that shows all the info about it.

 

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm going to get it. I have seen a few offers for $100/new Chase checking accounts so that would really help. Plus I think I have a few bills I could pay off every month with a debit card instead of a check.

 

[Shmily1]

It's worth it to me to have designated Disney funds and my debit card has Mickey on it! I've been happy with mine.

 

[delmar411]

I have the Debit card with "Ultimate Rewards". I earn the rewards WAY faster than I did with my Disney cc, and I get cash back that I then buy a Disney Gift card with, or just Vacation fund it. The cost for rewards is 25$ a year . I have had it less than a month and could already get a $10 gift card to Target, or cash reward over $10. So it will pay the $25 fast. We have a very modest budget as we are paying all our cc's off so not alot of money is being spent either.. Hope that helps! Oh and you can find a $100 sigh on bonus for chase if you search it. We opened two accounts (DH and I) and got $200, the added each other the the accounts, we went together and they had no problem at Chase.

They just switched my leisure rewards over to the ultimate rewards and I'm not seeing how I'll earn rewards faster with this program. Can you explain how it works at all? With the leisure rewards I earned 4pts for every $1 (or portion of a dollar. I could spend .01 and get 4pts! ) but this program looks like 4pts for every $5 I spend. So I flat out have to spend $5 to get the 4pts. Before I was able to get at least $200 in Amazon GCs plus an assortment of other lower value GCs, per year but now I don't think I'll make it even close to getting $100!

 

[bumbershoot]

Plus I think I have a few bills I could pay off every month with a debit card instead of a check.

That's what I do.

The biggest thing to remember, if you're using it at stores, is you must *sign* for purchases. If you use the PIN, you won't get rewards.

 

[disneygirlinphoenix]

Im Happy with mine too. I like the perks of having it. Sure I wish the rewards acculmated faster, but I love carrying a mickey card, and DH has the dalmation one! cute!!

I think its worth it!

 

[TeaForTulips]

I've had the Disney debit card through Chase for less than a year now. There is a $25 annual fee, but I have already earned enough rewards to make up for the fee and then some. There are also special perks for being a card holder. I think it is well worth it. We are planning a trip in September next year so I hope to use my rewards then and have a quite a few saved up. The key is to know how to use the card. Only transactions where you have to sign your name count, so never use your pin always opt for credit so you can sign.

And having a cute Disney debit card is also just friendly!

 

[zscfan]

I use my debit card for everything--even a $1.25 cup of coffee...every little bit helps accumulate rewards and I can keep track of where my money is going by looking at my check register.

 

[JB2K]

Budget Tip - use that debit card to pay things like:

• Cell Phone Bill
• Landline/Internet Bill
• Electric Bill
• CATV/Satellite Bill
• Membership Fees

And those rewards will add-up really fast!

 

[darthspud]

ive had my card since march (debit card) and besides the $25 sign up bonus ive only earned like $10 and i use it for EVERYThing... after cashing out for my trip in december im going to cancel my card. in my book its just not worth it. but it is cool having a card with mickey on it... i am thinking about just using that account not as my primary account but just as a savings account for vacations

 

[bumbershoot]

Darth, you've only had it a few months! Give it a bit more time. OK so you are, going to December, but still. We use it for utilities, cable, and AT&T, and then copays and the occasional extra thing (we just move money from our credit union when we use it for other things), and we're beyond 25 from the bonus 25.

Is it a lot? No. Is it 25+ more than I would have had if I weren't using it? Ayep.

But if you have access to a card with better rewards and/or with no fee, then post that card here!

 

[shan136]

We got our Disney Debit Card about two months ago. Yes, a rewards card through Chase cost $25 per year, but we received $25 disney dollar bonus plus a $100 bonus from Chase for opening the account. We have been running all of our big ticket bills through the debit as a Visa charge, including our mortgage and our WDW trip balance.

Although we are not earning tons of money, we will have earned our $25 back plus a few hundred dollars in extra spending money, so I would say it is worth it.

 

[jomommy]

The big perk for us isn't the rewards, it's the actually perks. Debit card holders can also get the special Disney Visa offers released by Disney. We saved ourselves a TON by booking the Visa Kids stay, play and eat free offer. We're taking our five kids to WDW for a week in September for under $2500. Oh, and the few rewards we've earned will pay for everyone's mickey ears.

 

[mickeyluv]

The website says 1 Disney Dream Reward Dollar for every $200 in qualifying non-PIN purchases on the debit card. It seems like everytime I buy groceries with my back debit card now or go to a store and buy something I have to key in my pin. What are some examples of non-pin purchases?

 

[delmar411]

The website says 1 Disney Dream Reward Dollar for every $200 in qualifying non-PIN purchases on the debit card. It seems like everytime I buy groceries with my back debit card now or go to a store and buy something I have to key in my pin. What are some examples of non-pin purchases?

That's because you hit debit instead of credit. Debit cards are to be used as a credit card to earn points. I don't ever enter my pin for purchases. Can't earn points on debit card purchases.

Swipe card, hit credit or if nothing prompts tell the cashier it's credit or hit the red cancel (cancel for credit) button if it asks for your pin and then sign (or not, sometimes no signature required for under a certain amount). Then you've just earned rewards.