Disney Visa. Good first credit card?

[ashleybea1]

I'm looking into getting a Disney visa as my first major credit card. I do have a macys card which I only use for 1 purchase a month and then pay it off.

I have 2 upcoming disney trips, one in October and one in Feb for the princess 5k.

I was just wondering if anyone who has the card or had it can give me some pros and cons.

Thanks!

 

[mrsp1030]

We have the card but rarely use it anymore as there are better rewards cards out there that give you a better deal....

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We've had the Disney Visa for many years now. Our main reason for using it (which is paid off every month) is that we use the rewards towards our fees as DVC Members. It adds up, it helps. Go to their website, get informed. If it's something you will eventually get, just try to when they offer good incentives. When we graduated to premium, we got $50 in rewards and no interest. Shortly after that, they offer a $200 or something rewards. Be nice for your 2 upcoming trips.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just know it is a very hard card to get. They require one of the highest credit scores I've seen. I've been trying once a year and haven't been approved but I have my airline card and regular credit card no problem. I was going to replace my regular credit card with the Disney one but realized I actually make more dollars back on it so wasn't as bummed when I was denied. Also my regular credit card is through my bank so I can transfer rewards dollars to my bank account and use it for anything including Disney. The only perk I miss is the 10% off merchandise when spending over $50.

 

[chalee94]

I agree that the rewards are pretty low. There are better deals out there unless the limited perks mean a lot to you.

 

[Marionnette]

I'm looking into getting a Disney visa as my first major credit card. I do have a macys card which I only use for 1 purchase a month and then pay it off.

I have 2 upcoming disney trips, one in October and one in Feb for the princess 5k.

I was just wondering if anyone who has the card or had it can give me some pros and cons.

Thanks!

I wouldn't recommend it as a "first" major credit card. As PP pointed out, the rewards are limited and Chase can be pretty strict about credit scores & income. I told my son to apply for a CC through his bank (CapitalOne 360) in order to establish his own credit. The rewards are not too impressive but having an account with them with direct deposit helped to obtain the card. Our daughter also has a CC from her bank. Same deal as our son, she graduated from college and wanted to establish her own credit. I think that you'll find it is easier to work with your own bank than it is to deal with the "Big Boys" like Chase and Barclay's.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Do some research on the best reward credit cards; there are many better choices.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Have you checked your credit recently? I use Credit Karma to check it routinely. It's free and doesn't harm your credit. It also lists nearly every major credit card on their site and matches you up with different cards based on your own personal credit scores.

 

[LinderInWonderland]

Others have mentioned great tips, but I would also suggest looking at credit unions near you for cards with lower interest rates. I know interest rates don't matter if you pay it off in full each month, but were something to happen and you needed to carry a balance for a bit having a low interest rate would be better for you.

 

[MrInfinity]

For day-to-day purchases, you should be able to do better than 1% back by using some other card. About the only time we use our Disney Card is when shopping for Disney stuff - Disney Store, or at WDW in the shops there. Then you get that 10% off, which is why we have it. So I look at it like a Target Card... I'd use it at Target, but that's it. Shop around. If you take road trips, get a hotel card. If you fly, get an airline card. Cards that give you a product benefit will generally give you more than pure cash-back cards, if you need that product. For example $3,000 spent on a Disney Card would return 1% or $30. But that 3,000 pts on a hotel card can get me a $150 hotel night. 5x as useful. But not useful at all if you don't stay in hotels.

The Disney Card is better than, say, a card that charges a fee (be careful even which Disney Card you get some charge a fee!) but it's not all that great of the options available to someone w good credit.

 

[Happy_2_B]

Chase Sapphire Preferred or Starwood Preferred Guest credit card for day-to day use are good choices if you can get approved. Both have annual fees- but the points have a ton of travel flexibility. If you can make the minimum spend to get the sign up bonus- they are even better deals. The Disney card has some of the lowest perks of any card- not quite worthless= but I apply for and get around a dozen cards a year, have been to Disney 27 times (and going my 28th time this December), and the Disney card isn't even something I would consider. There are dozens of cards that are better as far as rewards go- with or without an annual fee.

 

[ashleybea1]

Thank you for all the helpful advice and tips. I think I'm going to pass on the Disney Visa. Im in the process of switching banks (From TD) so I'll see what banks offer which cards.

 

[jmmess]

Agree with the others. The free card is only 1%, but no fee. The Premium is $49/year and 2% on Disney, gas, food and 1% on the rest. CapitalOne, I believe has a 2% back on everything and no fee. Might be a better option.

 

[LMP❤️Disney]

I just got the card for the $200 gift card after the first $500 spent. The gift card is on the way other than that, as many have said- lots of other cards have more benifits.

 

[calypso726]

The Disney Visa was the first card we used that allowed us to use reward points to pay for our Disney vacations. We eventually graduated to using credit cards with sign up bonuses and spending category bonuses for travel hacking our way into flying in first class internationally on miles and free hotel stays on points. I agree with the previous posters. There are much better reward cards out there but this was the one that got our feet wet before diving into travel hacking. The first thing you need to do is figure out what you want in return. Cash back, travel redemption, specific hotel points or airline points or points that can be used in a flexible manner. Our keeper cards are the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Starwood Preferred Guest. First rule of travel hacking, don't carry balances, always pay in full and on time to maintain your good credit.