How do Disney restaurants show up on credit card statements?

[ChanaC]

Apologies if this isn't the right thread, if this should have gone in the credit card thread, or if this was answered previously. I swear, I tried to search for answers but couldn't find them!

I was wondering if anyone knows what category Disney restaurants fall under on a credit card. For example, when you look at your statements, especially ones that give you extra points/cash back in specific categories, do Disney restaurants fall under "restaurants" or "travel"?

For reference, I mostly use two credit cards. One is a Bank of America cash rewards card where you get 1% back on everything, 2% back on groceries and wholesale clubs, and 3% on a category of your choice. Among the choices are "travel" (which appears to cover hotel, ticket, and parking purchases) and "restaurants." Usually I set this to restaurants, as that is what I use most out of the category options. This is where my question comes in. I'm planning a small three night trip to Disney and as I try to calculate expenses I'm wondering which category to set my card at (you can change it once a month). If the Disney restaurants are all categorized as travel, I have an easy choice. If they are categorized as restaurants I might need to do a little more math and figure out the best option. Either way, it would be nice going in to see how I can maximize my cash back! As a note, it doesn't look like I'll be staying on site, so I wouldn't be able to put everything on a magic band/to the room and pay one lump sum for all my purchases.

And off this topic, do retail locations/shops in the park show up as retail?

 

[Marionnette]

Apologies if this isn't the right thread, if this should have gone in the credit card thread, or if this was answered previously. I swear, I tried to search for answers but couldn't find them!

I was wondering if anyone knows what category Disney restaurants fall under on a credit card. For example, when you look at your statements, especially ones that give you extra points/cash back in specific categories, do Disney restaurants fall under "restaurants" or "travel"?

For reference, I mostly use two credit cards. One is a Bank of America cash rewards card where you get 1% back on everything, 2% back on groceries and wholesale clubs, and 3% on a category of your choice. Among the choices are "travel" (which appears to cover hotel, ticket, and parking purchases) and "restaurants." Usually I set this to restaurants, as that is what I use most out of the category options. This is where my question comes in. I'm planning a small three night trip to Disney and as I try to calculate expenses I'm wondering which category to set my card at (you can change it once a month). If the Disney restaurants are all categorized as travel, I have an easy choice. If they are categorized as restaurants I might need to do a little more math and figure out the best option. Either way, it would be nice going in to see how I can maximize my cash back! As a note, it doesn't look like I'll be staying on site, so I wouldn't be able to put everything on a magic band/to the room and pay one lump sum for all my purchases.

And off this topic, do retail locations/shops in the park show up as retail?

A lot depends on the CC, but this has been my experience using my Chase Sapphire. If I charge back to my room using my MagicBand, retail purchases and restaurants appear to get categorized as "travel" because the charge originates from the hotel.

Restaurants, especially those that are not located in one of the hotels, appear as "dining" when I pay directly with my CC.

Retail purchases made in stores not located inside the hotel (i.e. not a resort gift shop) are coded as "merchandise" or "retail"...I can't remember which. The gift shops were kind of hit or miss and I honestly cannot remember which ones coded as "travel" as opposed to "merchandise".

 

[ChanaC]

A lot depends on the CC, but this has been my experience using my Chase Sapphire. If I charge back to my room using my MagicBand, retail purchases and restaurants appear to get categorized as "travel" because the charge originates from the hotel.

Restaurants, especially those that are not located in one of the hotels, appear as "dining" when I pay directly with my CC.

Retail purchases made in stores not located inside the hotel (i.e. not a resort gift shop) are coded as "merchandise" or "retail"...I can't remember which. The gift shops were kind of hit or miss and I honestly cannot remember which ones coded as "travel" as opposed to "merchandise".

Thanks! If I buy something in one of the hotels I'll have to be careful!

 

[lockets]

Maxivu app and AwardWallet app (or site) has a merchant lookup tool listing how vendors code to credit cards

 

[Communicore1991]

I would set the category award to travel and then put all charges on your room so that way you have one large travel expense on your card.

 

[ChanaC]

I would set the category award to travel and then put all charges on your room so that way you have one large travel expense on your card.

Unfortunately (as of now) we’re staying off site so this isn’t possible. But if we snag a good on site hotel than this definitely will be the plan.