Disney Visa Rewards Card Questions

[TwoAtDisney]

Not sure if this is the correct board, but.... What is the best way to order our Rewards Card before our trip?

I've read to allow at least 1 month prior. However, can we, & would it be better to order it now, just to be sure we have it in time, & then add the rest of the points before we leave? I'm assuming it does not take as long to add points to an existing card as it does to get the card - is this correct?

Thanks, Julie
p.s. I've read that we must have 20 pts minimum for a card, and for transfering points to a card.

 

[KristiMc]

I always order mine a couple of months before the trip - putting the min. on the card (I think it is 20). Right before we leave I go on-line and transfer the remaining points - the transfer is instant. You can do this also over the phone.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thank you, KristiMc. Sounds like the best way to do this.

Don't the dollars transferred to the rewards cards expire in 1 year? Does the card magically (naturally Disney!) know the date of transfer for every dollar! Seems like a logistical nightmare!

If the dollars expire, I can see the good reason for transferring most of the points to the card as last minute as possible.

Julie

 

[WeLuvTink!]

I usually order my card about 2 months before my trip. Then when I arrive I call up the number on the card and add more as I need it. Funny how I always find something expensive in the World of Disney store and have to run outside to call and have my full balance transferred over to the card. By the time I get back inside to a register, my balance is there!

 

[bean bunny]

I completely forgot to order mine well in advance and decided to cross my fingers and hope it would arrive. It showed up in about a week, needless to say I was thrilled that it arrived in time for our trip!

 

[tzolkin]

Don't the dollars transferred to the rewards cards expire in 1 year? Does the card magically (naturally Disney!) know the date of transfer for every dollar! Seems like a logistical nightmare!

If the dollars expire, I can see the good reason for transferring most of the points to the card as last minute as possible.

Julie

The card has an expiration date. (Mine have always been Dec of the following year-- for example my card from April 2009 expires this Dec)

It doesn't matter when you transfer points to the card, the expiration date is set. The only problem with transfering all your points to a card would be if you were to cancel your trip and not be able to use the points before the card expired.

 

[jj548548]

You can also get your card at WDW at any park guest service location.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I get my card in advance by a month or so with the minimum on it. Then when I am in Disney I charge everything on my KTTW card. At the end of the trip (or when I have time) I get my room charge bill, look over it, and then call right then to have exactly that amount transferred to the card. That way I know that I won't lose the points if something happens and I only use as much as I need to.

When I stayed offsite I put about $100 or so on the card, then used that to load a Disney gift card and paid with that. When it got low I called and transferred more and reloaded the card. The transfer is very quick.

 

[HLAuburn]

I just ordered my card today for our trip on Aug 27. When I placed the order, it had a "delivery date" around the 19th, so a little over a week. I also saw there was an option to pick up a card at any Guest Services location, so if you're running short on time, that's an option too.

You can order a card with 20 points or all your available points, but just keep in mind that if you want to transfer more later, it has to be at least 10. It's a quick call to transfer though, and they're credited immediately.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thank you everyone for all the great info. We've decided to order our card now with the minimum $20. We have so little rewards, less than $200, we decided to load it all on the card before we leave. We plan to use it all for dining during the 10 days we are staying offsite. So, I know we will spend it all.

lovetoscrap, that is a very good system you have going there. Excellent way to avoid losing dollars! However, did I understand that you transferred your $ from the Disney rewards card to a Disney "gift card"? How did you accomplish that? In the past, I have been told by the rewards 800# folks that is not allowed? When I called a local Disney store, I was advised the same. Luckily I did find a local Disney store that did it for me, but don't know if they will do it again.

Julie