Disney rewards credit/debit question

[ice_queenocf]

We are going to visit DW in December. Is it worth it to get one of these cards now? Will our rewards even show up in time for our trip? How long does the activation and rewards process take?

Thanks.

 

[bumbershoot]

For the debit, we got our cards inside a week of signing up.

There's a $25 annual fee for the checking account, but right now (or at least a month ago) you get $25 in rewards dollars after making 5 non-PIN transactions.

The rewards are posted to your account on the last day of your account cycle. So, we get our statement that starts on around the 4th each month, so I'm expecting to see rewards dollars on the 3rd.

With the debit you only earn 1 rewards dollar per $200 you spend. If you can qualify for the credit card, and if you spend it exactly as you would a debit, never paying any interest, not only is there no annual fee (from what I've read), but you earn something like 4 rewards dollars per 200. I think. Anyway, the credit rewards are better. But if you're going to be paying interest on that credit card, it's probably worth just using the debit.

You don't have to order the rewards dollars card to be sent to you. There are many places inside of WDW and DLR where you can get the card and then transfer your dollars onto it. Assuming all goes well (this is our first full month with the card), that's what we'll do at DLR.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Tough call on this one, you aren't leaving yourself much time. It will take a week or two to get approved and receive your card.

In order to request your first rewards card, you must have a minimum of 20 rewards dollars in your account. That's equivalent to spending $2000 on the credit card. If you get a debit card, you only get 1 rewards dollar for every $200 spent, so you're talking about spending $4000 before you can request a rewards card.

And finally, the rewards dollars post to your account after your statement is generated not immediately after your transaction posts.

I wouldn't want to discourage you but unless you plan many return trips to Disney locations, I think you should consider another rewards card. I don't think that you will acrue enough rewards dollars to make it worth getting the card just for your upcoming trip.

 

[Best Aunt]

Unless you have some big expense coming up. Remember that you can use a credit card at a lot of places where you typically might pay by check (doctor, dentist, charitable donations, subscriptions, etc.).