Disney Visa-- worth it v. Airline Rewards Card?

[twinsouvenirs]

We have two cards that give us 1.5/2 miles per point but do have annual fees. We have 100k miles this year on one and we have about 75k miles on the other. we plan to use them on Disney trips. BUT all this talk of the Disney Visa has me tempted--has anyone chosen this over airline miles, and is it a significant savings if you are absolutely going to WDW 1 or more times a year? We will probably accrue fewer miles in the future because my husband's co is switching to company cc's instead of personal reimbursements for expenses (sighhh)

 

[JWG]

We have two cards that give us 1.5/2 miles per point but do have annual fees. We have 100k miles this year on one and we have about 75k miles on the other. we plan to use them on Disney trips. BUT all this talk of the Disney Visa has me tempted--has anyone chosen this over airline miles, and is it a significant savings if you are absolutely going to WDW 1 or more times a year? We will probably accrue fewer miles in the future because my husband's co is switching to company cc's instead of personal reimbursements for expenses (sighhh)

We have it to gain the discounts and use it on Disney vacations, but it's not a good rewards card. The points per dollar are not better than 1%. I'd stick with something else as a rewards card (even something that does cash back and you use that toward Disney). But having the card to get 15% discounts on tours and such is nice.

 

[kyle051777]

Ya, I was not impressed with it. You can get 1.5% and 2% on other cards and just have them give you cash back that you can use on Disney vacations. Unless you are looking for discount savings there are definitely better options. Good luck with your decision.

 

[disneynutz]

You have to do the numbers and realize that many cards only pay points based on how the merchants are coded. Some Disney systems aren't coded as vacation or travel so you may only get the lower reward.

Our dues bills are high so paying the fee for the Disney Premier Visa which gives us 2% rewards currently saves us money.

Bill

 

[a742246]

I use both. The Disney rewards card I only use at Disney for some extra discounts. The Disney Visa is free so and they give you 100 - 200 hundred
Disney Dollars just for signing up.

 

[gonzalj1]

We have moved from the Disney Visa to the Venture Rewards card. We find that when we use the Venture points for travel (hotel, air etc) we get double the value if the Disney points.

We did just learn that park admission is not considered a travel expense by Capital One. So we need to charge the park admission to the hotel room and use our points against the hotel charge.

 

[CruznLexi]

I prefer my SW Visa card. I have the Disney visa but the rewards are much less. I flew free to Seattle for my Alaskan cruise at high season. I use my CC for all high purchases

 

[Msmithmd]

We use an Amex for primary purchases card, but have the no-annual-fee version of Disney visa for two reasons:

One, the 10% off at Disney mall stores and online, back home (where the DVC discount doesn't work.)

Two, the free character picture service at Epcot and DCA. This is awesome. We usually come home with a couple pictures from this every trip. It's rare to find much "for free" these days and this card actually delivers a nice value here, at the $15 a picture Disney would otherwise charge. Also, the kids love it...

Agree with what others have said that other card reward programs are better. We literally only use the Disney card for these two things.

 

[MagicJourney]

Airline miles are invaluable, especially when redeemed for first/business class, and last minute tickets. I'd say keep your rewards card. Perhaps you could add the chase disney debit card, which gives you 10% off at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com, and other onsite benefits: http://disneydebit.com/perks.html

 

[Brian Noble]

Agreed. The Disney card is a flat 1%. Miles can always be used for at least that much value, and sometimes more.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

We have two cards that give us 1.5/2 miles per point but do have annual fees. We have 100k miles this year on one and we have about 75k miles on the other. we plan to use them on Disney trips. BUT all this talk of the Disney Visa has me tempted--has anyone chosen this over airline miles, and is it a significant savings if you are absolutely going to WDW 1 or more times a year? We will probably accrue fewer miles in the future because my husband's co is switching to company cc's instead of personal reimbursements for expenses (sighhh)

I vote for airline miles. I have a Disney rewards card and don't feel I get nearly the amount of rewards from it as I do from my Southwest CC.

 

[mabalt]

You have to do the numbers and realize that many cards only pay points based on how the merchants are coded. Some Disney systems aren't coded as vacation or travel so you may only get the lower reward.

Our dues bills are high so paying the fee for the Disney Premier Visa which gives us 2% rewards currently saves us money.

Bill

This is true. Also, the Disney Premier Visa can be used for airfare. It gives 2% on grocery, dining, and travel, and Disney. I called before joining (we actually charged our DVC membership and got a separate loan) and asked about specific stores. For example, Target is listed as a grocery store.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I have the Disney Visa but never use it anymore. It just sits in my wallet to get the free character photo op when at WDW or DL. I have a Chase Sapphire card that gives me 2 points for all travel and dining. Practically eveything I charge while in Disney is considered travel to them, so it's a nice plus. I find it's easier to rack up the mileage/points on my Chase card, which I then use towards flights to Disney. Works out the best that way for me!

 

[ppjluvsdvc]

The one thing I like about the rewards card is that a dollar is a dollar when you get the rewards. For many airline miles cards you need to use tens of thousands of miles to get even the cheapest of flights. Maybe I haven't figured it out right but I still find the Disney rewards better in many respects. It works well for us as we do go to Disney at least once a year and we can get a lot of meals and other things. Now that we can even use it for airfare is a plus.

 

[smitch425]

This is true. Also, the Disney Premier Visa can be used for airfare. It gives 2% on grocery, dining, and travel, and Disney. I called before joining (we actually charged our DVC membership and got a separate loan) and asked about specific stores. For example, Target is listed as a grocery store.

To clarify, the premier gives you 2% back on grocery (including Walmart and Target non-grocery items), restaurants, Disney purchases (including resort stays at DISNEY LOCATIONS-no other "travel"), and gasoline. Rewards can be used towards airfare (after your statement closes), but you only earn 1% on airline ticket purchases.

 

[monicainindy]

We have both the AMEX Delta reserve and the Disney visa. I travel a ton for work and use the AMEX Delta for work expenses. This year we will reap that benefit by traveling to Venice to catch the Magic and doing it all with miles --- even flying business class on the way over.

That said, airlines and hotels have recently devaluated these programs. Both requiring more miles to book routes and reducing the inventory of awards seats. Heck, Delta just this week decided to start charging for companions in their Sky Clubs. Up until now I have been able to take my family with me... not happening come May 1st.

If you visit Disney or cruise often enough, I think that the Disney visa is a great value. There's a good chance that we will make that our main card in the near future.

 

[CarolynMink]

I agree with many of the others here, the disney VISA may not be the best value.

For me however, I use my reward points to pay off part of my MFs. It always feels nice to have a huge chuck of that cost gone. I do use all my reward points toward that one expense. I also, do use the other perks & discounts as a plus. I do have the premier card which is an added expense but does give me that extra percent back on certain purchases.

(I pay my son's high school tuition with the card and although it is at only 1%, I still get back $140 a year from just that.) or