Expired Disney Dream Dollars?

[princesssatheart]

I recently found a reward redemption card from my Disney Visa that I opened 2 years ago. I was planning on using the card to get souveniers on my trip in June, however I noticed that it actually had an expiration date on it! It expired in December of 2011. I am really annoyed about this and don't want to lose the money that was on the card. Has this happened to anyone and if I call Chase will they reinstate the money to the card? In my opinion, those dollars were earned and should not expire. I live in CT and it is illegal for gift cards to expire, so I think this should count as that. Anyway, any input would be appreciated!

 

[HooKooDooKu]

I live in CT and it is illegal for gift cards to expire, so I think this should count as that.

Problem is, it is not a gift card.

I think the idea behind the CT law is that since a gift card is obtained by paying for its cash value, allowing a gift card to expire is like allowing a business to let money expire.

But the Disney Rewards Card is like frequent flyer miles. It was a 'bonus' that was 'given' to you for being a loyal customer. Because you didn't pay for the Disney Rewards dollars directly, they become worth what Disney Visa says it is worth.

I agree that it sucks that they allow these to expire. That is why after our trip this spring, I'm changing to a rewards card that pays in cash, and pays better than just 1%.

Unless somone offers any better advice, I could only suggest that you try to find an email for customer service and write a "complaint". Based on what I read from the guy in the online news that tries to help travellers with thier problems, he seems to always say that something in writing (even if it is just email writing) is better than a phone call. Especially since I think what you are asking (the reinstatement of your rewards $$$) would be outside the normal "rules" for tier 1 customer service.

 

[disneychrista]

I tried to use a gift card (Disney Visa Rewards Card) less than 1 hour after the card expired and it was declined. I contacted them and was told too bad so sad. In fact I was told that I had to use them before midnight EAST COAST time on 12/31, meaning 9pm at Disneyland, which was where I was.

 

[Pumpkinmuffin]

I would call and see if they would reinstate the points, but they are not trying to be underhanded...the expiration date is clearly on the front of the card, has always been since the beginning of their program.

What I do is when I have a good amount on my reward card I go in to the Disney Store and have them transferred to a gift card. You should even be able to reload one card so you don't have multiple giftcards to handle.

Good Luck!

 

[Marionnette]

I think that you're probably out of luck. But it never hurts to call. You might get a customer service rep with a sympathetic ear and the ability to go the extra mile to fix it for you. Don't be upset with them if they cannot or will not restore those Dream Dollars. Like someone else already stated, the terms and conditions are clearly spelled out on the website, the cardholder agreement and the brochure that you get when you receive your card.

 

[arthuruscg]

When I got the DDD card for my last trip, I didn't transfer all the DDD on to the card bc they expire after 2 years on the card instead of 5 years if left on the Chase account.

It only takes a few minutes to transfer the DDD and it will be on the card almost instantly.
The whole process took less time then when it took to get to the ticket counter.

 

[princesssatheart]

I agree that it sucks that they allow these to expire. That is why after our trip this spring, I'm changing to a rewards card that pays in cash, and pays better than just 1%.


I totally agree with you. I am not impressed with the program rewards and there are other cards out there that offer more. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[sskeen]

This happened to me, but I had a great outcome. I noticed in early Jan. that the rewards expired in Dec. I called and was told it was after hours and a supervisor would contact me in a few days. No one called back so I called again. Before the call I was asked if I would take part in a survey after the call to talk about my experience ,I replied yes to the survey. I was very nice to the person and she said a one time credit would be reinstated. I don't know if agreeing to the survey had anything to do with the outome
I say give it a try and good luck.

Sandi

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

So if the card expires in dec 2012 and you load 100 onto it in nov and dont use it all, it will expire by january? That is bizarre that freshly added dollars could expire so fast.

 

[arthuruscg]

When you get the rewards card, it will have an exp date of about 2 years from when it was issued. Any DDD transferred to that card will exp on that date.

You can keep the card and have it reloaded. So, if you made a trip in June and then in December, you can use the same card. But the CARD exp date doesn't change.

The DDD on the chase account exp 5 years after they are put on your account (earned). So for the DDD to have the longest life, don't transfer the DDD until you will need them.

Now, I have also heard that you can buy Disney gift cards with the rewards card, which could mean they last for ever.

 

[DawnM]

Look at your card and if it expires soon, you can request a NEW card instead and the expiration date will be another 2 years.

I only load cards when we are either AT Disney or have a trip completely planned and know we are indeed going.

Dawn

So if the card expires in dec 2012 and you load 100 onto it in nov and dont use it all, it will expire by january? That is bizarre that freshly added dollars could expire so fast.

 

[disneychrista]

Look at your card and if it expires soon, you can request a NEW card instead and the expiration date will be another 2 years.
I only load cards when we are either AT Disney or have a trip completely planned and know we are indeed going.

This exactly. The only reason I had some expire on me was because I made a return from a prior trip and the $$ went back to the card. I didn't think to ask them to put it on the newer card.

 

[ICF]

So if the card expires in dec 2012 and you load 100 onto it in nov and dont use it all, it will expire by january? That is bizarre that freshly added dollars could expire so fast.

Unless things have changes, the reward dollars expire on 12/31 of the year FOLLOWING when they were put on a card.

So -- $'s put on 1/1/12 would expire on 12/31/13
$'s put on 12/31/12 would expire on 12/31/13

In the 12/31/12 example, unless you REALLY needed to do it that day, it would have been in the best interest of that person to wait until 1/1/13 in which case they would not have expired until 12/31/14.

 

[princesssatheart]

So this morning I called to activate my Disney visa because my other cards had expired and I asked them about the reward card that expired. At first, the man I spoke with was apologetic but basically had the "that's our policy" tone. So I told him how I was disappointed with this policy and that it's not fair since I spent the money to earn the points, they should not be taken away. So then he put me on hold and said maybe he could get half of them reinstated. When he came back on the phone, they had reinstated all of my points!!! I was very happy and was glad I voiced my concern over their policy.

 

[TIAMOMMA]

When you get the rewards card, it will have an exp date of about 2 years from when it was issued. Any DDD transferred to that card will exp on that date.

You can keep the card and have it reloaded. So, if you made a trip in June and then in December, you can use the same card. But the CARD exp date doesn't change.

The DDD on the chase account exp 5 years after they are put on your account (earned). So for the DDD to have the longest life, don't transfer the DDD until you will need them.

Now, I have also heard that you can buy Disney gift cards with the rewards card, which could mean they last for ever.

Anyone know how this works? I have points expiring in October and am not intending on going anytime soon, I'd rather have a gift card.

 

[dzorn]

Anyone know how this works? I have points expiring in October and am not intending on going anytime soon, I'd rather have a gift card.

Go on the chase site and it will tell you how to redeem. You can redeem them for movie vouchers at the theaters and the stores.

I do not think you can use them to purchase gift cards. You can use them for purchased at the Disney Store on line.

Denise in MI

 

[princesssatheart]

You CAN have them put on gift cards. The person I spoke with at Chase actually recommended that for next time if I think they are going to expire. Gift Cards don't expire, so then you are safe. It really doesn't make sense that they make you go through that extra step to keep your points, but that's the way it is.

 

[UCFALUM]

You CAN have them put on gift cards. The person I spoke with at Chase actually recommended that for next time if I think they are going to expire. Gift Cards don't expire, so then you are safe. It really doesn't make sense that they make you go through that extra step to keep your points, but that's the way it is.

Yes! I added some $$ for our upcoming trip and she suggested the same thing. In fact, still had $60 on the card so that is what prompted my Q. Will def. buy gift cards on the way out.