Honest opinions on Disney Visa

[Disneefun]

Am thinking about getting a Disney Visa to replace another visa that doesn't carry rewards (we have Discover for cash back but would like another rewards card to use when places don't take Discover or at BJ's where Discover only pays .25%, rather than 1%). I hear lots of different things about the DV, both good and bad and I'm lookng for honest opinions from those of you who have one. Some examples of what I'm looking for (we are Disney nuts so I know we'd use the points, that's not an issue):

Is it generally worth it or are there other rewards cards you like better?

Is customer service as bad as I hear, esp. in terms of getting your rewards cashed in or getting the "freebie money" that comes when you sign up for the card with certain offers? I don't want to deal with a credit card company that's impossible to work with when you need something.

If you don't carry a balance, do they penalize you? (I heard somewhere that if you don't carry a balance they credit your points at a lower rate instead of the 1% that's advertised. Also heard that they charge you a monthly fee if you don't carry a balance -- we never carry, so this would be a huge turn off).

Are there any places where they don't pay you the full 1%? (Discover won't pay the full 1% at warehouse clubs)

The rewards system isn't tiered, correct? You get the full 1% right of the bat?

Any other problems or praises you have with the DV, I'd love to hear them. Thanks!!

 

[nowellsl]

I use mine to pay bills like electric, cable, insurance etc. on-line then I pay it off every month. This works out well for me because I don't have to write out all those checks - then I just transfer the payment to Disney Visa electronically through my checking account, sometimes once sometimes twice a month. I've never been charged anything for not carrying a balance. I also have used the discount codes for rooms. Never have had a problem getting or using my card for rewards dollars. It's actually very convenient for me to have one.

 

[Jamieb]

I have more or less used my DV exclusively the past 6 months and have not had any issues with it. I did not get any bonus points for signing up since I converted it from another card with Bank One/First USA.

I have not had any problems getting my bonus points on the bonus point offers they have had recently but I have read that some people have had issues. Mine showed up the second billing cycle after the month they were charged.

 

[xABearx]

With one exception, which was handled, I have been very happy with the customer service that I received.

It's a very easy way to earn extra for Disney dollars. I've not had any penalties for paying off each month.

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

I use my DV like a debit card and LOVE it! I just had an award card issued to me for 400 points and had no trouble. I paid my Disney Vacation Club dues with the points I have accumulated. I don't know about interest rate since we pay it off each month. Our goal is to always have enough points so our timeshare is "free."

I haven't had any problems with customer service, but the web site is hard to navigate.

 

[brivers222]

I have been a proud holder of the Disney Visa card since the very beginning of Day 1. I love the perks it offers from time to time and I have never had an issue that was not politely taken care of by customer service.

I paid for my entire Disney trip on my card so that I could get the 0% APR for 6 months. There was a glitch in the system that would not allow the computer to accept the 0% so the Customer service rep refunded my Finance charge for the first month and personally monitered my account until she was positive all was working.

As for the rewards... I have NEVER had a problem receiving my cards, transfering and earning my points, EVER. Usually it is the bad stories you hear about, for every bad story there is about 150 positive stories that go unheard of.

I absolutely love this card (even more so now that I changed my CHARTERED MEMBER embossing to DISNEY VACATION CLUB MEMBER)

 

[lovesdumbo]

I've never had a problem with DV and I do not carry a balance.

 

[mousey]

The key is to not carry a balance on the card. On one statement I paid all but $300 and the interest was $11.62--that's a lot for interest--at least I think it is. The same day, I got my American Express bill that had a similar balance and the interest was $2.37

 

[marcyinPA]

I love my Disney Visa. I use it like a debit card, charging everything from groceries to gas to clothing (anything I would use a debit card for...and I NEVER have cash on me anyway! LOL)
I take the charge right out of my checkbook and then write a check at the close of each statement. I never carry a balance. For me, it's a wonderful and fun challenge to see how much Disney money I can save up. I know there may be other cards which offer more of a reward, but this is my "forced" Disney savings that I won't be tempted to spend elsewhere.

I ordered my rewards card before our May trip and got it quickly. I didn't have a problem using it at all.

I only had one problem at the very beginning when my card was new...my payment must have gotten tied up in the mail and was a day late. They charged me a late fee, but I called and explained what had happened and they dropped the fee. No hassles.

 

[tinkerbella22]

I have never had a problem that wasn't taken care of politely quickly and properly. One time they miscoded a check I sent in. The payment was supposed to be for 3000 dollars and they encoded it for 5000 dollars. This was 4th of July weekend last year. We were leaving on a trip and there was no money in our checking account. The people at Disney in a FLASH wired the money back to my bank. Issued me credits for any incovienience and wrote the bank a note to cover all baounced check fees. They even called me to update me....whole problem solved before I even came back from my trip. I am very happy with the rewards, points and customer service.

 

[Chesire]

I also use it as a debit card and have never had any problems (and I never carry a balance). I have cashed in my reward dollars only once, but it was easy and the card arrived about 10 days later.
As far as CS, I have had a few odd charges show up and each time they were handled well (since I buy things online, I am very careful about my bill!)
Overall, I have been very happy with this card

 

[DBC]

I personally think the Starwood Amex is a better deal. We usually go during high season so the 10K points per night at the Swan/Dolphin is a good deal.

We'll get 3 free nights this year which equates to about $1,000 during Feb vacation week. The Disney card wouldn't get us anywhere near that kind of return for putting $20-25K on it. You get 1 point per dollar but there are bonuses (double points, free points etc) so you don't need to spend $30K to get 30K points.

We don't carry a balance and use it for everything possible.

 

[EdDome]

I'm also a "Day 1" and have had no problems. I typically charge just about everything and pay it off the next month. I requested my reward card via their web site and it came in about a week. I'd like a higher reward rate so we'll see now that they gave me a monthly threshhold.

 

[canwegosoon]

Initally I was excited about it(Charter Member too), but now I have cooled. I never saw double points that I qualified for, so now I have to make that call. I put $2000 on it per month, and po in the same month. There are high intrest rates, so you must be careful...switching to my debit card rewards which has similar rewards (choice of gift MC or 5 day Hopper or airline etc). I am always shopping around. But am happy to have the $114 in disney dollars, just won't be using the card as much, as I thought.

 

[simbaru4]

For those of you that use your card for everything and pay the balance of each month - how many specials have you received as far as double points or postcards with special rates?

 

[TaraPA]

Can anyone tell me exactly what the Disney Reward Dollars card can be used for - in the parks? Restaraunts? Hotel reservations? Disney Store? I have had a hard time navigating their website & keep getting timed out! I understand how to trasnfer my dollars to a debit-type card to use - but where can I use it? I was specifically wondering if I can purchase park passes with these Reward Dollars either at a Disney Store before I go, or at the Resort or park. Thanks!!

 

[Lady Cluck]

If you are in the market for a new credit card, or wanting to transfer to a lower interest card, I read in Money magazine to never accept solicitations you receive in the mail until you do your homework. Unless you specifically want the Disney card for the rewards, there are probably better offers elsewhere.

Consumer information sites like Cardratings can help.

 

[canwegosoon]

Originally posted by simbaru4
For those of you that use your card for everything and pay the balance of each month - how many specials have you received as far as double points or postcards with special rates?

I put $2000 a month on it, and have recieved no other offers...I did get the initial double pts for over $500...but still have not recieved them Very Sad But happy for those who are able to get discounts...I just figure DV will miss me when I'm gone, but I guess they aren't making any money on me

 

[marcyinPA]

Originally posted by simbaru4
For those of you that use your card for everything and pay the balance of each month - how many specials have you received as far as double points or postcards with special rates?

I put on the average of $1300 on the card each month and pay it off. I received the first double rewards offer from March-June with a $150 threshold. I just received the next double rewards offer from July-June 05, but must spend over $450 to get the double rewards, and this time it's only good on certain items.

Before the first double rewards offer, I only used the card once and that was to book my Kids Play/Stay free package last October for May. We are charter card members btw.