How to maximize a DVA?

[MamaBear12]

So, I'm new to all this, but the plan is to open a DVA, load it with discounted Disney gift cards (purchased at Sam's with 5% cash back rewards card when club is part of quarterly 5% category)...so roughly 10% off gift cards. Then I would use the DVA to pay for WDW packages, DVC dues (we don't own yet, but planning to down the road), and/or APs (depending on the year). I know the DVA has to be open for at least 120 days before I can collect on the $20 gift card/$1,000 spent, so I would open and start all this at least 6 months before our first trip using the DVA. So, my questions are:

-Is the $20 gc/$1,000 likely to be ongoing? Currently it expires the end of 2017 right?
-Am I correct in the ways I can use the DVA (DVC dues, APs, WDW packages)? (It's my understanding you get a number and say you're paying with a gift card)
-What other ways could I use the DVA? Cruises? Paying of MagicBand/hotel charges at WDW?
-Does the $20 gc/$1,000 spent accumulate over time...for example, if I pay off $1500 for a WDW package (and receive a $20 gc), then on the trip use it to pay $500 in MagicBand/hotel charges, will I then be eligible for an additional $20 gift card?
-Am I missing anything? Other/better ways to save?

Thank you!

 

[Marionnette]

So, I'm new to all this, but the plan is to open a DVA, load it with discounted Disney gift cards (purchased at Sam's with 5% cash back rewards card when club is part of quarterly 5% category)...so roughly 10% off gift cards. Then I would use the DVA to pay for WDW packages, DVC dues (we don't own yet, but planning to down the road), and/or APs (depending on the year). I know the DVA has to be open for at least 120 days before I can collect on the $20 gift card/$1,000 spent, so I would open and start all this at least 6 months before our first trip using the DVA. So, my questions are:

-Is the $20 gc/$1,000 likely to be ongoing? Currently it expires the end of 2017 right?
-Am I correct in the ways I can use the DVA (DVC dues, APs, WDW packages)? (It's my understanding you get a number and say you're paying with a gift card)
-What other ways could I use the DVA? Cruises? Paying of MagicBand/hotel charges at WDW?
-Does the $20 gc/$1,000 spent accumulate over time...for example, if I pay off $1500 for a WDW package (and receive a $20 gc), then on the trip use it to pay $500 in MagicBand/hotel charges, will I then be eligible for an additional $20 gift card?
-Am I missing anything? Other/better ways to save?

Thank you!

1. The $20 bonus for every $1K spent is currently due to expire on 12/31/17.
2. You can get use the DVA for DVC MFs, APs which are purchased online or by phone, and vacation packages. In theory, DVC dues payments are not supposed to count toward the $1K spend but there have been reports that it does.
3. Your full account number is the " gift card" number that you use.
4. You can use the DVA for cruises and preloading your stateroom account by phone. You can buy tickets, including special event tickets like MVMCP online or by phone. You cannot use the DVA to pay for onsite purchases at the theme parks or resorts, that also excludes any room charges on your portfolio. IOW, once you're on property, you cannot use the DVA to pay for anything.
5. The amount toward the bonus accrues for qualifying purchases. You can't use it to pay off MB charges, so that part of your question is moot.

 

[MamaBear12]

1. The $20 bonus for every $1K spent is currently due to expire on 12/31/17.
2. You can get use the DVA for DVC MFs, APs which are purchased online or by phone, and vacation packages. In theory, DVC dues payments are not supposed to count toward the $1K spend but there have been reports that it does.
3. Your full account number is the " gift card" number that you use.
4. You can use the DVA for cruises and preloading your stateroom account by phone. You can buy tickets, including special event tickets like MVMCP online or by phone. You cannot use the DVA to pay for onsite purchases at the theme parks or resorts, that also excludes any room charges on your portfolio. IOW, once you're on property, you cannot use the DVA to pay for anything.
5. The amount toward the bonus accrues for qualifying purchases. You can't use it to pay off MB charges, so that part of your question is moot.

Thanks! So without the $20 gift card bonus, it really doesn't "save" you anything...just a tool for putting a bunch of gift cards into on account (I know you can already combine small gift cards into $1,000 gift cards)? Meh. Unless they extend the bonus, probably not worth it then...

 

[CMNJ]

Thanks! So without the $20 gift card bonus, it really doesn't "save" you anything...just a tool for putting a bunch of gift cards into on account (I know you can already combine small gift cards into $1,000 gift cards)? Meh. Unless they extend the bonus, probably not worth it then...

If they don't extend the bonus I'd definitely say it isn't worth it. Prior to Disney launching the gift card management website where you could combine gift cards the DVA was the only way to combine a bunch of small ones into one but without the bonus I wouldn't see a point anymore.

 

[jmmess]

It definitely works to pay your DVC dues, I've done this for the last two years. I hope they don't get rid of it at the end of this year as it's a nice little perk.

 

[MamaBear12]

1. The $20 bonus for every $1K spent is currently due to expire on 12/31/17.
2. You can get use the DVA for DVC MFs, APs which are purchased online or by phone, and vacation packages. In theory, DVC dues payments are not supposed to count toward the $1K spend but there have been reports that it does.
3. Your full account number is the " gift card" number that you use.
4. You can use the DVA for cruises and preloading your stateroom account by phone. You can buy tickets, including special event tickets like MVMCP online or by phone. You cannot use the DVA to pay for onsite purchases at the theme parks or resorts, that also excludes any room charges on your portfolio. IOW, once you're on property, you cannot use the DVA to pay for anything.
5. The amount toward the bonus accrues for qualifying purchases. You can't use it to pay off MB charges, so that part of your question is moot.

So, it can't be used to pay off MB. Can it be used for a dining plan though, and does that count as a qualifying purchase? Thanks!

 

[CMNJ]

So, it can't be used to pay off MB. Can it be used for a dining plan though, and does that count as a qualifying purchase? Thanks!

Yes