Gift cards

[Shacka1]

Hi Everyone!!!

I would like to stock up on universal gift cards for my trip but I have a few questions:

1) Aside from the parks and paying the balance on my room, can I also use them at CityWalk?

2) My main concern would be losing them is there a way to do a digital gift card, not sure if that would make my life any easier?

Thank you!

 

[AJA]

Is there a reason you don’t want to wait and purchase them at the resort? I also worry about misplacing them but enjoy using the gift cards and not pulling out my credit card everywhere. I just stop by the gift shop at the hotel every couple of days.

 

[Shacka1]

Is there a reason you don’t want to wait and purchase them at the resort? I also worry about misplacing them but enjoy using the gift cards and not pulling out my credit card everywhere. I just stop by the gift shop at the hotel every couple of days.

I was going to stock up on them now and then pay my hotel balance with them. Get the tickets with them before I go. And then use them there as well

For me it's like slowly paying off my trip but I do worry if I lose them it's like losing cash

 

[macraven]

Only time I buy gift cards online prior to my trips are during a special deal ( discounts)

It’s easier for me to buy the gift cards when I am at the hotel or parks and less chance that I misplace them or leave them at home…..duh

 

[lockets]

Where could universal gift cards be purchased outside of the park for a discount? I’ve never seen those. Or if online - where?

 

[dez1978]

Where could universal gift cards be purchased outside of the park for a discount? I’ve never seen those. Or if online - where?

No where that I've been able to find. I think the only discount you'd get is if you bought visa/mastercard gift cards at a discount then used them to purchase the universal cards

 

[macraven]

I buy mine at grocery stores
Depends on where you live if the UO gift cards are available

 

[macraven]

There is a current ongoing thread on discount cards
Can’t remember the full title of it but use the search button and pull it up

it is a great source of info and savings

 

[DisneyMom93]

Am I missing something? What is the benefit of using gift cards as opposed to a credit card? Is there some kind of discount that makes it worthwhile? I have bought Disney Gift Cards when Target used to have the gift card purchase discounts, etc but what is the benefit of using Universal gift cards?

I don't see buying gift cards as a way to "save up" for a vacation.

I earn rewards/points when I use my Amex. I earn 4X the points at restaurants. I can dispute charges on my credit card if I have to. I also like that I can keep track of all my purchases, etc. And I don't have to worry about losing a gift card which is essentially cash.

What's the difference between pulling out a gift card to pay vs. a credit card?

Thanks!

 

[macraven]

Everyone has different ways on how they want to budget their money and plan for the expenses for their trip.

Some like to buy gift cards and some prefer credit cards

 

[macraven]

But the main reason I buy the gift cards are based on the characters that are on them

I now have every card the minions are on….
I just adore them

I have a cork board in my study to display them once I have used up their monetary value.

 

[Husker Mike]

To me, using gift cards seems like the most painful way to pay for a vacation. You've got to handle a stack of cards, and know which ones have a balance remaining on it. So you are investing extra time and effort to go buy the cards as well as use them. And unless you are perfect with your budgeting, you either won't have enough on your gift cards or too much left over on your gift cards (that you'll either have to find a way to use up or make a return trip, and hope you don't lose the gift card.) And if something falls through on your trip, your money is already committed to Universal. (Something to keep in mind, even though COVID is waning...)

Many credit cards offer rewards that can rival the discounts you might be able to get.

 

[Sue M]

I buy mine at grocery stores
Depends on where you live if the UO gift cards are available

sadly no Universal Gift cards here. But some grocery stores carry Disney cards.

Am I missing something? What is the benefit of using gift cards as opposed to a credit card? Is there some kind of discount that makes it worthwhile? I have bought Disney Gift Cards when Target used to have the gift card purchase discounts, etc but what is the benefit of using Universal gift cards?

I don't see buying gift cards as a way to "save up" for a vacation.

I earn rewards/points when I use my Amex. I earn 4X the points at restaurants. I can dispute charges on my credit card if I have to. I also like that I can keep track of all my purchases, etc. And I don't have to worry about losing a gift card which is essentially cash.

What's the difference between pulling out a gift card to pay vs. a credit card?

Thanks!

I like to buy a gift card when I arrive. We use it mainly for dining, snacks and drinks at the parks, etc. I feel it’s safer than pulling out my credit card multiple times a day. Even in the parks credit cards can be compromised. I’ve heard of it happening at Orlando parks.
I’ve never used them for paying for my room. Also, like Mac I think they’re cute!

 

[georgina]

Am I missing something? What is the benefit of using gift cards as opposed to a credit card? Is there some kind of discount that makes it worthwhile? I have bought Disney Gift Cards when Target used to have the gift card purchase discounts, etc but what is the benefit of using Universal gift cards?

I don't see buying gift cards as a way to "save up" for a vacation.

I earn rewards/points when I use my Amex. I earn 4X the points at restaurants. I can dispute charges on my credit card if I have to. I also like that I can keep track of all my purchases, etc. And I don't have to worry about losing a gift card which is essentially cash.

What's the difference between pulling out a gift card to pay vs. a credit card?

When I lived in Pittsburgh I bought them at Giant Eagle with my 6% back on grocery stores AmEx, plus Giant Eagle gave fuel discounts based on purchases, sometimes doubling them on GC purchases. I could get 12-18% in rewards, which is not insignificant discount. I don't mind handling a stack of GC. I keep track of my purchases through the receipts. One year we had 3 rooms at Thanksgiving and I took $5000 worth of GC (all $100's!) I took them to the front desk a few separate times, very early in the morning when they weren't busy, to redeem them. I'm not sure if Giant Eagle even sells them anymore as we have moved.