How far out do you start purchasing gift cards?

[worm761]

I was just wondering how far out from a trip most people start buying gift cards. I am not a big fan of the buy gift cards to save for the trip method. But I am planning on getting gas gift cards from Mypoints and was wondering how long is too long. I might get some gift cards to have travel meals prepaid too. Not really sure yet though.

 

[ValpoCory]

I was just wondering how far out from a trip most people start buying gift cards. I am not a big fan of the buy gift cards to save for the trip method. But I am planning on getting gas gift cards from Mypoints and was wondering how long is too long. I might get some gift cards to have travel meals prepaid too. Not really sure yet though.

There's a grocery store in Texas (HEB) that is famous for it's Disney Gift Card specials. Offering 16.7% to 33.3% off Disney. It appears they have reduced the frequency of these specials to once per year, happening in late November/early December. I am planning on going to WDW in October/November 2014, so if I want to take advantage of saving hundreds of dollars, I'll have to buy Gift Cards almost a year in advance.

 

[Gorechick]

I started purchasing gift cards for my trip last August about 6 to 9 months in advance. I'm hoping to go again in 2015 so I may start to put some cards away by next summer.

 

[Cjmuma]

I pay for my entire trip in gift cards from Giant Eagle... Who can beat the double fuel perks! Disney + Free Gas = A+++++

 

[jmartinez1895]

I start buying mine as soon as I book ( normally a year before travel). I will however be keeping an eye out for extra special deals and I will buy some even if I don;t have a trip planned, because I know that at some point in the future I will use them.

 

[christianweecare]

I don't think I ever stop buying gift cards! LOL! I purchase Disney gift cards from Target regularly as we always have something planned or in the works. I also buy Disney gift cards as birthday & Christmas gifts for grown children & grandkids to save for trips. I purchase gas gift cards from my local Publix whenever they have a coupon for $50 worth of gas for $40 to save for trips. It's always nice to have gas $$ already paid for. I also purchase restaurant gift cards regularly from Target to save the 5% with the Red Card. Every little bit helps!

 

[TravelMommy]

I am constantly buying them! for upcoming trips. We use them for most of our food expenses and that way food is all prepaid before we go My own "dining plan" if you will , lol

 

[sissy_ib]

There's a grocery store in Texas (HEB) that is famous for it's Disney Gift Card specials. Offering 16.7% to 33.3% off Disney. It appears they have reduced the frequency of these specials to once per year, happening in late November/early December. I am planning on going to WDW in October/November 2014, so if I want to take advantage of saving hundreds of dollars, I'll have to buy Gift Cards almost a year in advance.

I love HEB. I only buy gift cards if there is a deal on them. When there is a deal the amount I buy depends on how close I am to a trip and what I have planed for that tip.

 

[AnjieNet]

We are heading to Texas for Thanksgiving this year. What are the odds HEB would have a special on them then and do you have to be a frequent shopper or have a member card or anything similar?

 

[bee607]

I pay for my entire trip in gift cards from Giant Eagle... Who can beat the double fuel perks! Disney + Free Gas = A+++++

Me too! It feels so good to fill up that gas tank for free!

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

As soon as I get back from a trip I start buying one $50 Disney gift card a month. Occasionally I'll have to drop it to $25 if we have a really spendy month. Usually in a year and a half or two I have enough to cover our food for the next trip. I try to get them either at Kroger (for the fuel perks) or Target with the Red Card (for the 5% off). I've never seen any of the great promotions I see some lucky folks talk about on here.

 

[swthrtpallanes]

I started last year right after I booked my trip. I buy them from Target and reload character gift cards whenever I hit up a Disney store since there are none In my home town. Next week I will be buying them for Kroger so I can the fuel points.

 

[eyor44]

I was just wondering how far out from a trip most people start buying gift cards. I am not a big fan of the buy gift cards to save for the trip method. But I am planning on getting gas gift cards from Mypoints and was wondering how long is too long. I might get some gift cards to have travel meals prepaid too. Not really sure yet though.

If you are cashing out points from gift cards from MyPoints, make sure you do it at least two months (8 weeks) before your trip. Some GCs arrive quickly, some can take 6+ weeks.

FYI - you can get a Walgreens GC from MyPoints and use it for a Disney card at Walgreens. Easy swap. Look to see which has the better point value, gas card or Walgreens.

 

[worm761]

If you are cashing out points from gift cards from MyPoints, make sure you do it at least two months (8 weeks) before your trip. Some GCs arrive quickly, some can take 6+ weeks.

FYI - you can get a Walgreens GC from MyPoints and use it for a Disney card at Walgreens. Easy swap. Look to see which has the better point value, gas card or Walgreens.

Not all Walgreens will allow you to buy a gift card with a gift card. Mine won't.

 

[sissy_ib]

We are heading to Texas for Thanksgiving this year. What are the odds HEB would have a special on them then and do you have to be a frequent shopper or have a member card or anything similar?

No card needed. They have coupons on the gift card display. Last year as Thanksgiving/Christmas time they had a deal, buy $300 worth of cards get $50 off.

 

[Chief Powhatan]

We go every year in November. During our first trip to Target every month, we buy a $50 card. This pays for the first $600 of our 7 day tix for the 3 of us. With me, it is not so much about the budgeting or saving the 5% as it is a little reminder every month that Disney is coming up at the end of the year.

 

[AntFarm]

As soon as we have a trip booked we start stocking up! We aim to buy at least $100 in cards a month which is a big chunk of change since we usually book 9-12 months out.

 

[verleniahall]

We buy between 50 to 100 in gc's each month starting about a year out from our trip!

 

[eangel12]

Is there a reason why people purchase gift cards instead of putting cash aside? Is there a special benefit using gift cards? Just curious!

We are headed to Disney in August 2014 and I'm putting $100 in cash aside to have for food and such. Just wondering if gift cards would be better.

 

[lauradis]

I pay for my entire trip in gift cards from Giant Eagle... Who can beat the double fuel perks! Disney + Free Gas = A+++++

90 gallons of gas free just for going to Disney

OP We normally dump all our savings into bank acct and wait for special on Gift cards. That could be 6-9 months away or at 45 day mark.

Its so much fun to buy over 2000 in Disney gift cards.

With My points I normal cash those out as soon as I can.