Disney Visa

[siskaren]

What a great idea - I never knew you could use points for Disney Gift Cards. This is good to know - can these gift cards be used online at Disney's shopping website, or in a Disney store as well?

You can use the card at the parks, on the cruises, the online store and in the Disney stores in malls.

1. Just to clarify - there's 2 cards you're using here, the Disney Visa, and a separate rewards card that transfer your points to?

2. So you transfer the points from the Visa once they've accumulated, to a rewards card to hold the points?

3. And you can use that rewards card, with the points, for gift card purchases?

4. How long do the rewards points last until expiration?

1. Yep.

2. Once you've earned at least 20 reward dollars, you can go online and request a card with those points on it. Once you have a card, you can then transfer more points on it, but you have to transfer at least 10.

3. Yep. I just did this in November.

4. If you don't transfer them, they last 5 years from the statement cycle in which they're earned. When you get a reward card, the card has an expiration date on it of December of the following year, although I don't know if it means December 1st or December 31st.

In early 2013, I requested a card with 50 points on because I had points that were going to start expiring (I only use them on Disney trips, and unfortunately, I haven't been able to go for a while). The card had an expiration date on it of December 2014. By November of last year I had transferred more points to it to keep them from expiring, but since I still didn't have a trip planned, and didn't want to lose the points, I ordered a gift card, so now those points will stay good indefinitely.

 

[kj2mom]

The fact that the rewards points are Disney rewards points is a plus for me but I know that is not how everyone feels and obviously a personal preference. I like that when I finally do decide to go to Disney I already have a stash. I have randomly used a few over the years to purchase gifts at the Disney Store/Disney Shopping online but generally speaking it is a good way for me to save for Disney without touching it for anything else.

What a great idea - I never knew you could use points for Disney Gift Cards. This is good to know - can these gift cards be used online at Disney's shopping website, or in a Disney store as well?

Yes, they can be used for anything Disney. They list all of the options on the card the gift card comes on (Disney shopping, Disney Store, Disney World, Disney Cruise just to list a few off the top of my head, I am at work or I would quote it). The great thing about ordering the gift cards online is there is no fee for shipping either so you are not losing any value that way either.

Just to clarify - there's 2 cards you're using here, the Disney Visa, and a separate rewards card that transfer your points to? So you transfer the points from the Visa once they've accumulated, to a rewards card to hold the points?

And you can use that rewards card, with the points, for gift card purchases?

How long do the rewards points last until expiration?

What's the difference between the Premier and the Rewards card? I noticed I was wrong in my original post - the $100 credit on a statement offer is only for the premier card, which has an annual fee, so I probably wouldn't be interested in that one.

I am not familiar with the Premier, I just have the Rewards (I used to have the debit card too before they did away with that). So the process is earning points each month which after just checking my statement it appears as if they are good for 5 years just leaving them to add up (I just checked my Jan statement and it says they expire Jan 2020). Once I get enough, depending on my mood, I will transfer them to the Rewards card I have. It is a separate card that you order online (free) and it is the actual card you use to spend your points. That card typically expires at the end of December the year following when you first ordered it. So, I got one last year and it expires December 2015. I will want to make sure I don't have any points lingering on that card when it is due to expire. Once it expires I will just order a new one. I believe it takes 20 points to order a card and then after that you can transfer in increments of 10. So, once I have points on my Visa that I would like to cash in I go to rewards site and transfer them to the rewards card then go to the Disney site and order gift cards in the value I have (I have done all different depending on my mood, $25, $50, $75, $100). The Rewards card is a payment option when you check out. They do require a credit card backup in case what you are ordering exceeds the rewards card value but it is just a backup.

I hope I haven't made it sound more confusing than it is. Everything can pretty much be done online. The only thing that takes some time is waiting once you order that Rewards card (I think it was 7-10 days). After that it is just instantaneous online transfers.

Over the years my children and I have had fun sitting down and counting up the value of all of the cards (because I always get different amounts you never know what you are going to get when you open that envelope) and dreaming of a day when we would be able to go. I am thrilled to say we are going in July of this year!!!!

ETA: Sorry siskaren it looks like I completely repeated you but we must have been typing at the same time...posting the same minute.

 

[Virtucomp]

We use the free version of the Disney Visa. I don't like paying for cards either. The card gives 1% back which is not as good as others. To us Money is Money so getting rewards points for the park is no different than giving me cash back as a credit.

We use the Freedom card to get 5% on different items. Then along came SouthWest Visa. They gave us 50,000 miles after three months. That gives us easily four round trip flights to Orlando without even building up more points. This one costs money but with the included miles it paid for itself already.

The Disney Visa has two or three perks we like.
1) even the free card can be used to book a package trip (hotel and park tix) and not have interest charges for over 90 days.
2) Discounts on purchases in park over $50.
3) They release deals to Disney Visa card holders days before everyone else. So we got to book the free dining deal last year before the general public started taking the limited rooms.

Since the card is free we keep it but use the Southwest card more.

 

[rinnythepooh]

We go every year and use the Premier card. We get 2% on groceries, gas, restaurants and Disney and 1% on everything else. You can use the rewards points for anything Disney, or ANY airline ticket ANYWHERE that you purchase.
We put everything we can on the card and pay it off in full every month.
Its the best card because:
1. YOU GET FIRST SELECTION ON FREE DINING AND OTHER PROMOS.
2. We get around $500 to $700 a year for Disney vacation or airline tkts anywhere.
3. You get discounts at several Disney Restaurants, Disney Store, Tours ect.
4. Food and Wine Festival has special Chase lounge WITH FREE WRIST BANDS FOR SPECIAL SEATING FOR ILLUMINATIONS AND EAT TO BEAT CONCERTS ON CERTIAN DAYS.
5. You get free 5x7 character photo at Epcot
$50 fee more than pays for itself.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I don't spend a lot on things that other folks seem to spend a lot on, like groceries and gas, so I've kept the Disney visa card. the points pay for most of my annual pass renewal. I don't ever claim any of the extras they offer except the F&W wristbands once in awhie.

 

[siskaren]

Once it expires I will just order a new one. I believe it takes 20 points to order a card and then after that you can transfer in increments of 10.

Actually, it's not increments of 10, it's at least 10.

ETA: Sorry siskaren it looks like I completely repeated you but we must have been typing at the same time...posting the same minute.

Yep, our posts have the same time stamp. No worries, I see it happen all the time. : (Not necessarily with my posts, but it's definitely not unusual for several people to respond to a post at the same time.)

 

[kj2mom]

Actually, it's not increments of 10, it's at least 10.

Silly me, I knew that. I have a bunch of $25's. Not sure where my head was.


I am actually sitting on the Premier page now wondering if I should apply for that. I spend the most of our money on groceries and gas so if I earned more on those that would be great. Although I don't like the idea of the annual fee, the promotion with the $100 after using the card would basically be paying for two years of that fee (and the 2% instead of 1% on the items I spend on the most helps too). Hmmmmmmmm

 

[rinnythepooh]

Silly me, I knew that. I have a bunch of $25's. Not sure where my head was.


I am actually sitting on the Premier page now wondering if I should apply for that. I spend the most of our money on groceries and gas so if I earned more on those that would be great. Although I don't like the idea of the annual fee, the promotion with the $100 after using the card would basically be paying for two years of that fee (and the 2% instead of 1% on the items I spend on the most helps too). Hmmmmmmmm

We used to have the non fee Disney Visa and changed to the premier. We didn't like the idea of paying a fee, but it was a no brainer because we go every year. The 2% instead of 1% on groceries, gas and Disney made up that $50 in a couple of months.

 

[kj2mom]

We used to have the non fee Disney Visa and changed to the premier. We didn't like the idea of paying a fee, but it was a no brainer because we go every year. The 2% instead of 1% on groceries, gas and Disney made up that $50 in a couple of months.

Thanks, I went for it and am approved. I have 5 months to earn some extra points and as we know, every little bit helps.

 

[rinnythepooh]

Thanks, I went for it and am approved. I have 5 months to earn some extra points and as we know, every little bit helps.

It is amazing how it adds up. Our next trip is in October. Cant wait till April so I can start planning my ADRs.

 

[grubens]

This post may be late, but my advice is get the regular no annual fee card and skip the premier. We have had the regular card for many years. As a practical matter it never gets used because the rewards simply pale in comparison to our other credit cards that gives us 2% back on evreything (not just gas and groceries). That $ can be spent on Disney or anything else we like. We keep the card, however, because it does offer some benefits you can't get elsewhere, like early access to sales (came in very handy for our trip next month), a free photo and discounts on certain tours. As a I see it, why would I not want these benefits for free? Put another way, get the free card for the non-points benefits, don't think about the points and don't use the card except when it is getting you a benefit you cannot otherwise get. (And don't forget to put it in your wallet when you actually go to WDW to get your free picture!)

 

[rinnythepooh]

This post may be late, but my advice is get the regular no annual fee card and skip the premier. We have had the regular card for many years. As a practical matter it never gets used because the rewards simply pale in comparison to our other credit cards that gives us 2% back on evreything (not just gas and groceries). That $ can be spent on Disney or anything else we like. We keep the card, however, because it does offer some benefits you can't get elsewhere, like early access to sales (came in very handy for our trip next month), a free photo and discounts on certain tours. As a I see it, why would I not want these benefits for free? Put another way, get the free card for the non-points benefits, don't think about the points and don't use the card except when it is getting you a benefit you cannot otherwise get. (And don't forget to put it in your wallet when you actually go to WDW to get your free picture!)

Which card gives 2% back on everything and how much is the annual fee ? It looks like it might be worth looking into.

 

[richmo]

I have the standard Disney Visa card, but don't use it very much. The amount you earn can easily be matched or exceeded on other credit cards from Amex, other Chase cards, etc. It is nice to have if you want to jump in on room offers before the public gets them, but thats really about it.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Which card gives 2% back on everything and how much is the annual fee ? It looks like it might be worth looking into.

CapitalOne **Quick Silver***: 1.5% kickback on every purchase

 

[nat8199]

While I do have the Disney Visa, I only got it because I had a referral to get a $200 GC with $500 is spending and to get the early discount availability.

The Disney Visas, in general, just don't offer good enough rewards. Instead of paying the annual fee for the premier to get the 2% offerings, I just paid for a Amex Blue Preferred, which offer 6% cash back on groceries and plus other 3% rewards. I also have the free Discover that offers 5% on rotating categories and 2% on restaurants and gas.

 

[nat8199]

I am also considering the Citi® Double Cash Card for all the purchases I make that don't fall under the higher percent categories my other cards offer. It seems like a good offer.

 

[mm1971]

Would you recommend getting a Disney Visa to someone who won't necessarily be a 'go every year' type of visitor?

We're going in May for a 1 week trip, and after that I'm sure we'll go back, but probably not for a couple/several years.

I didn't know if the benefits of the card were worth it? Trying to be as cost conscious as possible for our trip, I saw that you can get a $100 statement credit after your first purchase, which is appealing, but again not sure if it's worth it? Any other benefits to having it?

Thanks

That would depend on: 1) if you like to have a Disney card that will collect points that you can use to offset purchases and costs of your next vacation. 2) If you are booking a package through Disney, it may be worth it just for the 6 months free interest when you use the card to book and 3) If there is another card out there that provides a better benefit above the 1 or 2% you get back in points.

For me, I have 2 cards. One is Disney and the other is a SW airlines card. We use our cards for most purchases (including food and clothing) and pay it off each month. We have gone to Disney the last 3 years. I have always had enough points on the SW card to cover the flights (approx. $1,200) and that has helped a lot. We use the points saved up on the Disney card to pay for a portion of the vacation or for spending money while there, depending on how much we have. It does make the vacation less expensive by using the points.

Again, the negative is that there are other cc out there that provide a higher % back or could be more beneficial that may make more sense. One of the high points for me is to still watch DD's excitement as I pull the card out to pay for things. One more dollar closer to spending some time with Mickey and the family.

Benefits are:

1) points earned on each purchase
2) Free financial on packages for 6 months
3) Special meet and greet at Epcot
4) % off purchases at Disney Store, Online and participating places at Disney ($50 min. purchase)
5) Special offers and discounts will sometimes be offered before it is released to the public
6) discounts on broadway shows and a few other special things you can see on the website

Good luck deciding. I have it for both financial and personal reasons.

 

[btk2333]

CapitalOne **Quick Silver***: 1.5% kickback on every purchase

Barclay arrival plus gives 2% back when redeemed as statement credit towards travel expenses (Disney tickets qualify as well as Disney resort reservations) plus 10% back on redeemed points so essentially 2.2% back on all purchases.

 

[MrInfinity]

I didn't know if the benefits of the card were worth it? Trying to be as cost conscious as possible for our trip, I saw that you can get a $100 statement credit after your first purchase, which is appealing, but again not sure if it's worth it? Any other benefits to having it?

Generally not worth it, no. We can do better than 1% back on pretty much any other card. Disney should really up this to 3% or there's no benefit to using this card for daily purchases.

It is handy for gift shops at WDW, or if you shop at the Disney Store. Then you get 10% off. That's about the only time we use ours.

And be careful of the Premier Card (the one w the $100 statement credit). It has a $50 annual fee. The free card is okay for the "just having it" benefits but there is probly a better card out there for your daily purchases.

 

[inerror]

Love my Disney Chase card. I recently cashed in my rewards and have $80.53 to spend on my trip to WDW next week. YAY for extra money to spend on my ten day trip.