Disney Visa - How do you maximize...

[DISNEYLOVER70]

silly question: after you rack up these reward dollars, how do you redeem them?

We have the Disney card, but never even thought about the reward points ....duh....
It came with a 0 balance transfer offer and then a low annual apr so we got the card. So glad I found this thread...

 

[DiznEeyore]

silly question: after you rack up these reward dollars, how do you redeem them?

We have the Disney card, but never even thought about the reward points ....duh....
It came with a 0 balance transfer offer and then a low annual apr so we got the card. So glad I found this thread...

You either have to call the 1-800 number or log into the website to transfer points to a rewards card.

 

[calie_j]

Can anyone confirm this? This will make a HUGE difference in the way I've been managing my account. Every time I use the Disney Visa, I send a payment off that day thru quicken. The theory is to end up with a $0 balance. If this negates the rewards, I am doing this for nothing. I guess I'll need to call them but I'd prefer to hear from someone who has actually experienced this on their bill and can tell us how it really works, not how they say it's gonna work.

I can confirm it's not true. At the top of my statement it lists "purchases, cash, debits" of 3,383 which matches my rewards earned line of 34 which is what they go by to calculate rewards. These 2 numbers should match unless you took a cash advance that wasn't eligible for rewards or had a credit refund (for returning a purchase for example) that will go against your purchase amount for rewards.

On this months statement I have beginning balance of 2368, purchases of 3455, and remaining balance of 880 which shows I not only paid off last months balance but paid some charges off during the middle of the statement period. My rewards are 30 which is because I had a $425 credit refund from a previous purchase so that was subtracted off and not included for rewards.

Edited to add: early this year I had a 6,000 medical bill to pay and my limit was only 4500 (and I was carrying a balance my bad) so I mailed a payment for $6,000 which gave me a negative balance of 2,000. Once the check cleared I called and paid the medical bills by phone. The only drawback is I could only charge 4500 then after they adjusted could charge the rest, they wouldn't let me charge more then my limit even with the credit balance. And yes I made sure to check that I earned my 60 rewards by doing it that way and they were all there on the next statement. Just another example of earning rewards on purchases no matter when you pay them.

Calie

 

[solgent]

early this year I had a 6,000 medical bill to pay and my limit was only 4500 (and I was carrying a balance my bad) so I mailed a payment for $6,000 which gave me a negative balance of 2,000. Once the check cleared I called and paid the medical bills by phone. The only drawback is I could only charge 4500 then after they adjusted could charge the rest, they wouldn't let me charge more then my limit even with the credit balance. And yes I made sure to check that I earned my 60 rewards by doing it that way and they were all there on the next statement. Just another example of earning rewards on purchases no matter when you pay them.

When you are in this situation, you can call and ask for an increase in your credit limit. I am not sure what they do to check-- I am sure they at least look at how long you have had the card and whether your payments are on time. Over the years I have done this a couple of times and they've always agreed to raise my limit.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I have a AMEX that I use for most things (including Costco) but I have found that there are quite a few companies that dont take AMEX so I use my Disney Visa for those (the vet and the dentist) and a few others.
We ALWAYS pay off our balances each month!!

I use my Disney Visa for everything but Costco, where I use my AMEX. I looked into buying Costco cash cards online (their website takes Visa--go figure!) to use at my local warehouse, but the shipping charges were more than the 1% reward I would earn.

Our strategy is pretty much the same as everyone else's: we use it for anything and everything we can, and always pay it off each month. We usually end up with about $300/yr. that I use towards our DVC maintenance fees.

 

[calie_j]

When you are in this situation, you can call and ask for an increase in your credit limit. I am not sure what they do to check-- I am sure they at least look at how long you have had the card and whether your payments are on time. Over the years I have done this a couple of times and they've always agreed to raise my limit.

I actually tried that twice at different times and was denied even tho my history with them was excellent. I was a bit surprised that they wouldn't allow the larger charge because when we got our 1st cc this is what they suggested we do to be able to charge a cruise that was more then our limit. Funny thing with the Disney Visa, after I started making large payments and paying off the balance they started sending me letters about what a great customer I was and they noticed I'd made a large payment and wanted to be my primary cc company along with some balance transfer deals AND raised my limit without my having to ask. Guess they were worried about losing my business once they saw I didn't NEED their money

 

[cjhinch]

It is easy for us right now........we are building a house and charging whatever we can on the Disney Card. I figure we will easily earn the $750 points for this year and next year! Not sure if I could be disciplined enough to use it for everything and pay it off each month though!