Disney Visa not really fair, when you think about it...

[bcorso]

I'm sitting here reading different boards about the new Disney Visa. When it comes right down to it, it's a bad move on Disney's part. Replacing the Disney Club Card with a Visa....

I would rather pay the $29.95 a year for the Club Card for GUARANTEED 10% savings on my purchases as I always am shopping at TDS.

Not everyone qualifies for the or will get the Visa for various reasons (no credit, bad credit, etc...)

It will take next to forever to earn any rewards with them, plus have to pay an interest rate if you don't pay your balance in full.

When and if you finally can get the new Visa months after the fact, you'll have missed out on the Day1 advantages.

They've basically limited to only a select group of people who are eligible and not the majority, which isn't fair, cuz it's the majority that visits their parks, buys their merchandise, etc.... They've taken away the potential for all to enjoy the benefits and left those who could really benefit from the card with squat.

Wouldn't that technically be descriminating??? Just my $.02.

BTW, just want to add, I'm in no way intending to sound bitter about whether I get it or not, I just don't think it's fair to those who won't qualify or just don't want the card but want the savings they used to get with the Club. I don't need any more credit cards (they canceled my original Disney Store card years ago for non-use ~ before I got bit by the Disney Bug ~ and didn't find this out til last year, right before they stopped that card) so I'm impartial either way.

Bonnie

 

[cmbelle]

Well, I just got the new Disney card. I'll see if they offer any discounts on merchandise. The only deals they have on vacations are if you purchase one of their "plans" and you have to get the ultimate park hopper. I never get one of their vacation deals because it it so expensive; I can reserve a room and purchase tickets separately for a better price.

I'm also upset because they processed my application twice, both with 2 different limits. Then we get a call from First USA asking us all these personal questions to verify their information so they can cancel one of the cards they mistakenly sent me. I called them back in case it was some sort of scam. SO I go to use my card today, and it was declined.

If this is the way their credit card business is going to start off, I will be switching cards very soon.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by bcorso
I would rather pay the $29.95 a year for the Club Card for GUARANTEED 10% savings on my purchases as I always am shopping at TDS.

They've basically limited to only a select group of people who are eligible and not the majority, which isn't fair, cuz it's the majority that visits their parks, buys their merchandise, etc.... They've taken away the potential for all to enjoy the benefits and left those who could really benefit from the card with squat.

Bonnie

Bonnie: I absolutely agree. We applied for the card thinking it would be nice to get some rewards on the things we use our current credit card for, but after I sat down and did the math, I saw that I would definitely be able to put more away for our trips by sticking with my current habit of paying cash for everything and throwing the change in a jar. If I used a credit card to get the rewards, I wouldn't have that change. And I saved over $900 in change last year -- the Disney card tops out at $750. And there ain't no way we're ever gonna charge $75,000 -- we don't make close to that!

We don't know whether they'll approve us for the card or not, but if they do, I expect we may cancel our (only) credit card and use the Disney card like we use our current one -- for online/catalog shopping only (things we can't use cash for). I won't go out of my way to earn reward dollars 'cuz my change jar is a better option!!

 

[d-r]

Originally posted by cmbelle


I'm also upset because they processed my application twice, both with 2 different limits. Then we get a call from First USA asking us all these personal questions to verify their information so they can cancel one of the cards they mistakenly sent me. I called them back in case it was some sort of scam. SO I go to use my card today, and it was declined.

Be careful to make sure that this doesn't get noted on your credit history as two separate credit lines - that will impact on your credit score. Any time you open a new credit card it will impact your credit score negatively, because you have this unused credit and so they figure you could run it up if you want to. Also, every time you apply your credit score goes down, because it is interpreted as you needing credit. The credit score doesn't care at all that you just wanted a Disney card. So you will want to be sure that this doesn't show up as two applications.

DR

 

[d-r]

I also agree with the first poster. What really burns me up about this, is that Disney was giving so much talk about a new program to reward their frequent guests and customers in a more personalized way. This is a way to make profit of off those customers - Disney will get a percentage of each dollar spent - rather than reward them. And it does cut people out, and it does impact the credit of people who do get it. This is much more than a simple disney club card - this is a credit card and so it comes with serious considerations.

Also, I agree about the discounts. Those discounts on the packages are small. Anyone would be way, way better off going room separate (especially with all the discounts out there). Going with those packages and a $50 discount on the most expensive ones would be a bad move.

Before this card, Amex was the official card and there were many discounts on dining, water craft, world of disney, etc. Plus, there were rewards at the rate of 1 per dollar (sometimes more) that could be exchanged for disney purchases (though not a point = dollar rate). Combined with the disney club, which anyone who chose to could simply get, those benefits were much greater than with this card. Again, it really stinks after all the talk of rewarding loyal customers.

DR

 

[TreeOfLife]

Disney does not reward loyal guests at all... VIPs, that's another story.

Breaking up with AMEX was another catastrophic decision. I get the feeling they'll realize that when they issue several cards, run out of pins and sit there waiting for the charges to build up wealth...

You just have to wonder how the heck management makes such poor decisions, when you look at the whole thing. They resent guests who visit other theme parks like theirs should be the only ones to visit. But dang, look at all you keep taking away, Disney. Open your eyes and realize that guests feel acknowledged by other family entertainment enterprises! You just aren't the only choice around anymore...

 

[AdventurerKat]

I agree here. We aren't even going to bother with this because we don't use credit cards often (just use debit for online purchases) and on the off chance we do, if it takes $75,000 to earn $750.00, well, we would be earning probably $1.00 as much as we use our cc.

I was really hoping when talk of a disney rewards program was going to be started that they were actually going to award the people who shopped in their stores, went to their theme parks, stayed in their hotels but this is just stupid, imho.

So, I hope it fails and fails miserably and they at least bring by DC or some version of it. I was much happier with that.

 

[buzz2400]

I agree. I was declined because of bankruptcy back in 1994 due to divorce. However I have good credit. Pay my credit cards in full every month. I go to WDW every year. I also shop at the Disney Store in my area using my DC discount. Kind of lost the "magic" after I got the reject letter. I am already talking to my son about vacationing elsewhere next year. So much for being a loyal customer. Universal is sounding a little magical.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I totally agree with you Bonnie! Actually, I never though of all the other people who couldn't get one because of problems with credit etc. That's a very good point. I've sent in my complaint to Disney already ... Canadians can't get the card and with our low dollar getting to Disney is hard enough as it is. Maybe they'll bring back DC... maybe

 

[lalapodip]

Bonnie, I don't think that you sound bitter. As others have posted, I feel that you are 100% correct, and I have thought that the whole Visa deal was unfair since day 1, for reasons all stated above. Bring back the Disney Club!! It's for FANS of Disney, not for the credit card industry!!

 

[Debbie123]

I agree with Bonnie. I was also declined because I have too much credit. It made me quite mad as I spend "alot" of money with Disney. Does anybody know of an e-mail or snail mail address I can register a compliant with. I would like to give them my two cents. Thanks.

Debbie

 

[TreeOfLife]

Used to be
wdw.guest.communications@wda.disney.com

However, last time I e-mailed them I got a message saying they were "improving" their e-mail system. I don't know if those addresses are getting anywhere or being forwarded. Give it a try

 

[bcorso]

Well, my mum got her card, just for the sake of getting it.

I think we should put together a website where its set up like a petition, you know sign it, add comments to bring back the DC and then when millions have signed it, send the link to Disney. I want my DC back! It has saved me tons! Mine expires in July.

B

 

[jamsmom]

I just got my card, but will probably continued to use my AMEX more frequently because it haws a better rewards program.

 

[DWofjdads2]

OK, I don't mean to be dense, (and since I've been out of touch with this stuff lately... just too busy) BUT... are you saying that the Disney Club card, the one that used to be the Magic Kingdom Club card, that you pay $30.00 for and get 10% off stuff like merchandise and Annual Passes and such, doesn't exist anymore?

If that's the case, we might be in big trouble for our December trip. We usually get the Disney Club Card & then get the discount on the Annual Passes. That's a pretty big chunk of change.

Please tell me I'm reading this wrong!

Jackie

 

[Eilonwy]

Nope, you're not reading it wrong. Disney stopped renewing Disney Club memberships in December as far as I know (I haven't been a member since it was Magic Kingdom Club, so I can't help with the specifics). AMEX also stopped giving any discounts on purchases, dining, etc. on 12/31, since Disney came out with their own new Disney Visa. I suppose the only good news is that if you are a DVC member (or staying using a member's points), they've started giving discounts on dining and other things.

 

[bcorso]

Yes, the Disney Club Card was $49.95 but I had a code from http://www.disneysampler.com to get $10 off. I used it in July to purchase our park hopper passes at 5% discount. Good thing too, the very next week, they stopped with the park hopper pass discount.
They stopped taking orders for DCC in Dec. '02 and when it expires for you, that's it. No more. Bummer, I like saving 10% at the Disney Store.

 

[disneychrista]

I don't see the new Visa as a replacement for the Disney Club, because really it is two seperate things. One is a discount card, one is a rewards credit card.

I got very limited use out of my Disney Club card, my Disneyland Premium Annual Pass, gives me more/better discounts for my Disneyland Trips.