Disney Visa Card

[jodistar]

Anyone out there that has used their Disney Visa and have gotten really cool rewards? I was just curious if it was worth my while to always use it?

 

[Tinkim]

jodistar ~ I have been using mine for about two months now for pretty much everything. Using it like it was a debit or a check anywhere that accepts Visa and then paying it off when it comes due. I am making $20-25 a month in rewards so far. Unfortunately, I probably won't get to WDW until Feb 2006 so I figure by then I will have about $400-450 in rewards. So I figure that will pay for quite a few of our meals so it seems worth it to me. They do offer vacations packages and sometimes double points but I haven't really been looking too closely at the vacation packages to know if they are a great deal or not. I figure anything that helps me get closer to the magic is worth it! Good luck with yours and remember the key is to pay off the card because when you start having to pay finance charges the rewards aren't worth that.

 

[yecats]

IMO I don't think it is the greatest (not a great APR) and of course rewards can only be used for Disney. Other cards do have better deals if you use what the benefits are (ie. Discover gives cash back, Airline cards give free tickets if you travel by plane often). In my area, a lot of places don't accept Discover cards so I very rarely use that. I may only fly once or twice per year or every other year so I really don't rack up airline miles. I signed up last year for the Disney card. I have had the card for about 6 to 7 months and have about 40 reward dollars to date to use for next trip. I should be using them more to payoff other bills and my rewards will increase accordingly.

I figure that I am not really getting any benefits from my other cards currently. At least with Disney, I can use the rewards for an upcoming trip and always know that if I can't make it back this year, I'll be there next year.

I would tell you that if you love Disney and know that your going often, then apply and use it to the best that you can. If you can get better deals with other cards and only will go to Disney every 2 or 3 years, then maybe another card would be better.

P.S. - Disney still seems to be in the experimental stage with the card since it came out last year. Now they have provided some discount packages for cardmembers and released codes to general public thereafter (cardmembers do get a slightly deeper discount) but its not like your going to save hundreds as a cardmember. Also, some promotions are only offered to certain areas (and I have never been included in them to date). What I mean by this is 2 months ago certain areas (seems like in New England area) a lot of cardmembers were offered double points for various purchases (ie. groceries, paying utility bills etc. for 3 months or so). This has never been offered to me to date. Weigh your options to determine what is best for you.

 

[Pugdog007]

When your statement says you have Disney dollars available, how do you cash them out?

Also - be aware - always call and ask for a lower APR. They started me at 10.9%, I called and they reduced it to 9.9%. I was advised this was as low as they could go on a fixed currently. But it never hurts to ask... they will never "give" you their lowest rate out of the gate but if you have good credit, you can talk them down.

 

[ducklite]

I got mine when they first came out, and use it for everything! We've had a lot of expenses associated with building a new home that I've charged in order to get the Reward Dollars. I've earned over $1000 worth since I got the card! The key is paying off the bill every month.

It's a nice way to save for WDW, because you can't use the rewards anywhere else (well, except TDS).

Anne

 

[marcyinPA]

I also use mine for everything (gas, groceries, etc.) and pay it off at the end of each month (so the apr is no biggie to me...I don't carry a balance). The best tip I learned, from these boards, is to use the card and treat it like a debit card. Every time I use it, I write it into my checkbook as a deduction. At the end of my billing cycle, I add up all of my DIS VISA charges from my checkbook, add that total back into my checkbook, and write a check for the charges. Works like a charm!!

Right now, I'm earning double rewards points until the end of June on any purchases over $150 each month. They add up, not fast, but still. Also, if you charge your disney trip, you don't pay interest for I think 6 months. (not sure on this, but I know there is SOME sort of deal like this!)

I average about 13 points a month. I figure by our next trip, I'll have some meals covered! Plus I still have points left on my card from my last trip that we didn't spend! WOO HOO!!!

 

[westjones]

I haven't used mine yet, but in September I am hoping to have about $200 to use on our Disney Cruise.

After that, I will start saving for our cruise next year. I figure that I will just put it on our account once we get on board and that way I won't have as big of a bill when we leave!

DJ

 

[logan1_2000]

Can someone help me not screw this up, LOL? I am a Day 1 Disney Visa Card holder, and to date have around $450 Reward Dollars on account. I want to apply these dollars to the final payment on the 4/2/05 Magic Cruise I booked directly with DCL (please spare me the flames--not DU, not AAA, not Allseas, not Costco, not vacationstogo.com gave me a better quote, they were all identical) which is dues in 6 or 7 months. I can do that, can't I? Or do I just have to use the dollars for on-board credit? Believe this or not, I dont tend to run up a huge ship-board bill--not a big drinker, dont tend to book the ship's packaged excursions, etc. And I suppose now that the diet cokes are free there is no reason to move the reservation to AAA for the free sodas (though I never knew if I could use the Reward Dollars toward a fare booked through AAA, either, and as I state above not sure how it works even directly booking with DCL).

Your help appreciated. I think the giant diet coke bottle full of coins from the past several years will also go a long way toward the fare.

 

[Disney Debbie]

Logan - you can do that - but I'm not sure of the procedure. I'd call the # to order the rewards card and ask them. I would think you'd get a rewards card and then call up WDW Cruise Line and make a "payment" with it.

I've really just been trying to build up my balance the last few months and have $123 to use starting Monday!! (YIPPEE) I didn't think I was getting that double points deal either - but apparently I am! But I am only getting it for purchases over $850.
I pay my pharmacy bill, my cell phone bill, all my groceries and shopping with it and it adds up quickly.


But as with any card - the reward aren't worth it if you don't pay your balance every month.

 

[logan1_2000]

Thanks Debbie. But about that little saying of yours, about not being a southerner, you mean my son, born and raised in Georgia with an Alabama debutante for a mother isn't a southerner because of my snowbelt birth ? sheesh, and i'm the tulane alumni president in my city!!