I can understand the better something than nothing argument. Sorry, I guess I'm just stuck on the point that we got a better deal with Amex + disney club - the Amex card has a one point per one dollar rewards, and when it was the official card you could use those points for disney stuff (tickets, etc.) Combine that with the discounts on water craft (which I enjoyed), dining, purchases at wod (20%) and it was pretty nice.
With this new card, the point structure is 1%, and in "doing my research" I can't find what value those magical points will have - is it dollar for dollar? The discounts are pretty sparse; 10-50 on total packages is insulting. One could do so much better just booking a room (with all the discounts especially) and buying tickets.
I guess there is some advantage to the book now, no interest for 6 months, but again, I think that is only packages, too. I'd just as soon book now, pay one night, and then pay the rest after I check out! Or use
dvc points of course - my point is, I don't see the advantage there over the past systems.
I also enjoyed the disney club discount on tickets, disney magazine, etc. My research doesn't turn those up from this card.
I guess the $50 credit on cruises is nice for those who cruise; I'm not sure what the disney club or amex rewards for those were, not having been interested. There is something for Broadway, which isn't in my current plans.
Despite all the reports of wonderful new rewards programs for frequent customers, it is difficult for me to see how this beats the situation with disney club + Amex, at least for me. I do see the advantage for Disney, they make a few percent profit with every use of the card. And I see the advantage to Bank 1. I think it is pretty egregious of Disney to do this, when they are going to cut out those "loyal customers" who don't have the desire to get a credit card, let alone those without credit history. They've cut them right out. This is much more of a commitment for those customers than simply paying a few dollars annually for the disney club, and a greater profit for disney. Plus, it gives Disney another way to push travel company packages, which have recieved such a lackluster response from those "frequent guests." I really don't see that as the type of reward program that was discussed at the stock meeting a year ago.
Couple this now with all the problems I've seen on these boards - no second cards, telling people to re-apply for credit (and take the hit on their credit ratings!) if they didn't get the dvc logo, counting people's applications twice (also at a hit to their credit report, presumably), etc., I don't see a lot of good customer service reasons to apply.
So, I'm left thinking the only reason to apply for this, at least for me, would be the looks of the card and having "DVC DAY 1" stamped on it. Perhaps there are some advantages I missed in this homework? Please convince me -
DR
