I love credit cards so much!

[GlamMistress]

@GlamMistress Welcome to the board and this thread. So glad you joined us!

I am fairly new to CC churning and really rely on the great people here to guide me. I am thinking you are further into the game than me so I am not much help there.

However, I save more than 5% on my Disney GC's. Not knowing what stores and CC's you have available...I am just gonna put my method out there and you can toss it or maybe all or some parts will work for you. So, my method is to buy GC's for Target when my Kroger-based grocery chain runs a 4x fuel promo ($250 GC earns $1 off up to 35 gallons). I pay for those with the Amex BCP (unless grocery stores are a 5% Freedom category). Otherwise I earn 6% back with the BCP. I also earn 4x fuel rewards. My dh & I gas up together and use all 35 gallons. Then I go to Target and buy Disney GC's earning 2% through the Target rewards program. That comes back in the form of a $10 coupon (used my last one on a baby gift). Then add my Disney GC's to my DVA earning another 2% that will come to me as a Disney GC.

So, for $250 spent, it looks like this:

$250-$15 (amex 6% back) - $35 (fuel savings) - $5 Target rewards - $5 DVA rewards = $190 (24% savings)

This is nothing compared to the savings a year ago but I've found this is currently the best I can do.

GREAT tips. Unfortunately I don't live in an area that has that extra Target rewards program yet AFAIK. I also don't get anything from fuel points - my husband and I each have electric cars, ha!

You are running a GREAT cost reduction plan here though. Very impressive.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Then I go to Target and buy Disney GC's earning 2% through the Target rewards program. That comes back in the form of a $10 coupon (used my last one on a baby gift).

I am an avid Target shopper and I have never heard of getting 2% rewards through a Target rewards program. I tried to google around and find it, but I couldn't find any information. Can you please give more details? Thanks.

 

[Ava]

I am an avid Target shopper and I have never heard of getting 2% rewards through a Target rewards program. I tried to google around and find it, but I couldn't find any information. Can you please give more details? Thanks.

I googled too and all I found were some articles from 2015 about Target testing a rewards program linked to an app. The articles said members earned 5% back and it was testing in the Raleigh-Durham area. I didn't find any information newer than that, though.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I googled too and all I found were some articles from 2015 about Target testing a rewards program linked to an app. The articles said members earned 5% back and it was testing in the Raleigh-Durham area. I didn't find any information newer than that, though.

Same here.

 

[Alexle2007]

I googled too and all I found were some articles from 2015 about Target testing a rewards program linked to an app. The articles said members earned 5% back and it was testing in the Raleigh-Durham area. I didn't find any information newer than that, though.

Same here.

I found this in the San Diego Union Tribune from 2016- “Cartwheel Perks,” the program is now being offered to people in the San Diego, Denver, Houston and St. Louis markets. Perks rewards Target shoppers with 10 points for every dollar spent in stores and is part of the retailer’s 3-year-old Cartwheel mobile app. Not sure if that is it though since we do not live in any of those cities.

 

[Lain]

Do any of the DL regulars have any recs for hotels that are a good redemption through the UR site? I'm hoping to pay 100% with UR points. We also either need a suite or two rooms since we are larger family. We also prefer walking in. I'm overwhelmed with the choices on the UR site!!

Searching for rooms or a suite for 6 in early June 2018 (I don't know your dates) using CSR, I see the Desert Palms Hotel & Suites is about 12,685/night. I've never stayed there, but it seems to come up in recommendations often in the DLR forum. It's also super convenient, on the corner of the same block as DLR (you can literally see the backside of the Cadillac mountain range from Cars Land.) Using the same perimeters, the Camelot Inn & Suites is 13,745/night, and is nearly right across the east entrance to DLR. However, I've never been. The Best Western Plus Park Place Inn Mini Suites is showing at 14,239/night, and is literally right across the street from the DLR entrance. We've stayed at the BWPPI, which feels very much like a motel; the rooms are a little dated but clean, there's a really small pool onsite, and I believe you get a hot breakfast at the adjacent Captain Kidd restaurant included. For location, I think the only hotel closer to the parks than BWPPI is the Grand Californian. Next is Castle Inn & Suites at 15,419/night. Again, Castle Inn is one of the hotels that seem to come up often in recommendations. I haven't been. Also convenient and little farther across the street from DLR. I believe Castle Inn had a thorough renovation just a few years ago. Hotel Indigo, at 16,352/night, is one of the newer hotels built around Anaheim Resort in the last five years or so. The rooms are clean and very modern. It's a bit of a farther walk from the entrance, but closer to off-site conveniences like Walgreens and restaurants at Anaheim GardenWalk. At 17,733/night is the Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance. This is one of the newest hotels in Anaheim, opened I think within the last five years, and has an amazing water park that I think would be so much fun for the kids. It's a convenient walk to the DLR entrance, and close to McDonald's, Panera Bread, and Mimi's Cafe if you want to escape theme park food and prices.

I'm going to stop there, as these are about the only hotels that come up when searching the UR portal that are within walkable distance to DLR (there may have been a Ramada too), and offers a really broad range in price and quality. A lot of the accommodations around DLR are legacy hotels and motels on the lower end of prices, the big chain hotels clustered around the convention center, and newer smaller hotels owned or run under big chain names popping up around the broader Anaheim Resort area. You'll find a lot of recommendations in the DLR forum. For me, I would stay at the BBPPI again, but I would definitely splurge on the Marriott Courtyard.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Hi guys! I joined this forum specifically for this thread!

Yesterday I opened my Disney vacation account. I am saving for a European ABD (not cheap!!!). I'm an avaid credit card points collector. I am researching, trying to find ways to hack the ABD to make it cheaper. Obviously going to do the 5% Target gift card trick.

I'm thinking about opening the Chase Disney Visa. I'm already over 5/24 (so is husband and we are in two-player mode). I know the Disney card isn't under 5/24 but will of course eat a slot. Can't decide between no-fee and $49 fee AF. Any advice?

Currently my daily driver card is the Amex PRG. I also use the new Amex Blue Biz Plus.
I have the Amex Plat. Husband carries the Citi Prestige. Then there's a million cards in the sock drawer, ha.

I am happy to be here, super excited about my very first ABD and I want to contribute to this community!

Welcome, I look forward to hearing about your non-Chase successes. You are already contributing as I too was wondering if I was still getting the best discount out there for Disney GC's but had not gotten around to posting the question.

Better than the 5% target gift card is to purchase the $100 disney gift cards online from BJs. You get 5% plus whatever your credit card is offering, with Target you have use their card so you only get 5%. You don't have to be a member to purchase this item from BJs, don't get the other denominations because they aren't 5% off.

Run the math for the Disney card, are you really going to spend so much on the Disney card that you'll make the $49 back? I suspect you're better off with a no-fee credit card that gives you 2% cash back on everything that paying Disney $49 for the privilege of them giving you 2% back in a method not nearly as liquid as cash. I think they're both offering $200 after a $500 spend so mox nix there.

I have been using BJ's which has been very helpful in covering MS.

@GlamMistress Welcome to the board and this thread. So glad you joined us!

I am fairly new to CC churning and really rely on the great people here to guide me. I am thinking you are further into the game than me so I am not much help there.

However, I save more than 5% on my Disney GC's. Not knowing what stores and CC's you have available...I am just gonna put my method out there and you can toss it or maybe all or some parts will work for you. So, my method is to buy GC's for Target when my Kroger-based grocery chain runs a 4x fuel promo ($250 GC earns $1 off up to 35 gallons). I pay for those with the Amex BCP (unless grocery stores are a 5% Freedom category). Otherwise I earn 6% back with the BCP. I also earn 4x fuel rewards. My dh & I gas up together and use all 35 gallons. Then I go to Target and buy Disney GC's earning 2% through the Target rewards program. That comes back in the form of a $10 coupon (used my last one on a baby gift). Then add my Disney GC's to my DVA earning another 2% that will come to me as a Disney GC.

So, for $250 spent, it looks like this:

$250-$15 (amex 6% back) - $35 (fuel savings) - $5 Target rewards - $5 DVA rewards = $190 (24% savings)

This is nothing compared to the savings a year ago but I've found this is currently the best I can do.

Wow, love it, great job stacking. Just goes to show how having the right cards can make a difference. I do not have (any) AMEX cards or a Freedom card yet so have only taken advantage of Kroger's 4xFP a couple of times, also was not aware of the Target rewards program.

 

[hsmamato2]

Tell them to plan for the next trip. :] Food and ticket are usually very hard to do unless they want to redeem just straight cash, which isnt advisable. swipe discover and redeem for gift cards? I know staples has this VGC card that could be used for dining... im not sure of the fee though. I guess buying those straight with a credit card right now will help them earn more points?

Ha! so what you're saying,barring gc deals, they've reached their deals limit for now? I don't think they plan to go back soon,this is their big trip and they're only sort of into disney anyway. So what are the best cc's for general gc purchase that will net them some cashback for their purchase? (business cards) Oh, they alrwady did the barclays deal too so that's some more cash back for their travel purchases- I forget- do UT ticket purchases count for travel on barclays?

 

[hsmamato2]

Do any of the DL regulars have any recs for hotels that are a good redemption through the UR site? I'm hoping to pay 100% with UR points. We also either need a suite or two rooms since we are larger family. We also prefer walking in. I'm overwhelmed with the choices on the UR site!!

not sure if this an option but we LOVED the IHG down on Harbor blvd..... that room had two beds plus a sofabed- either book thru UR site or you can transfer points to IHG to book too-it's walking distance

 

[Lain]

not sure if this an option but we LOVED the IHG down on Harbor blvd..... that room had two beds plus a sofabed- either book thru UR site or you can transfer points to IHG to book too-it's walking distance

Hotel Indigo? That's the only IHG hotel within walkable distance to DLR that I can think of? Very nice hotel. Signing up for the IHG card might be an option.

 

[ski_mom]

I see you've got a lot of info on the DL hotels, but I just wanted to add that we stayed in the Residence Inn when we went 3 years ago. There were 6 of us (my mom went with us) and we got a 2 BR suite. It was set up more as individual buildings than a hotel with interior entrances. We had a loft suite that the kids thought seemed like its own apartment. It's a little farther than some of the hotels (I think it was about a 15 minute walk), but my family walked each day. There was a shuttle that my mom took to the park and back to the hotel. I think it was free for seniors and a nominal cost for others.

When we went, the only credit card I had was the SW card, so we had free flights from that, but I knew nothing about UR points at that time. We had a couple of free nights from Marriott points that we had, so that's part of why I chose it. I'm sure with UR points, there are probably better options, but I wanted to throw it out to because it's definitely walkable and was a very nice hotel with a free hot breakfast.

 

[Eighty8Keys]

Do any of the DL regulars have any recs for hotels that are a good redemption through the UR site? I'm hoping to pay 100% with UR points. We also either need a suite or two rooms since we are larger family. We also prefer walking in. I'm overwhelmed with the choices on the UR site!!

Best Western Park Place Inn & Suites is one of our top choices. You just can't beat the short walk across the street. We stayed there last in February 2015 and they were in the middle of a major remodel of the lobby and breakfast area with the rooms schedule for refurb next. It seems like the rates have really increased since we stayed there last. The hotel was full when we tried to book for September 2015 so we ended up next door at the Tropicana Inn & Suites which was absolutely fine and still a short walk. No free breakfast though. I did see more availability on the Chase travel portal for Tropicana than Best Western when I was looking a short time ago and the rates were lower.

 

[Dugette]

The Best Western Plus Park Place Inn Mini Suites is showing at 14,239/night, and is literally right across the street from the DLR entrance. We've stayed at the BWPPI, which feels very much like a motel; the rooms are a little dated but clean, there's a really small pool onsite, and I believe you get a hot breakfast at the adjacent Captain Kidd restaurant included. For location, I think the only hotel closer to the parks than BWPPI is the Grand Californian.

@wendow I was going to recommend looking at this hotel purely for the closeness to the parks. This is where we stayed last year and it is quite literally across the street from the Disneyland resort sign (you cross, then walk under the sign, past the bus drop off, then there's the esplanade security, and you're in - one morning, I realized that we forgot something in the room while we were in the security line and got all the way back to the room, got the item, and was back in line before DH & DD made it through security - so, very short walk). That said, it's not fancy at all and I'm not sure what suites are like - I think ours was considered a mini-suite and there was just a small half-wall between beds and couch (fine for the 3 of us, not sure about your group). The breakfast wasn't particularly good, but adequate and worked for grabbing some coffee, milk, water, etc. for the day. I just started the trip report for this, so you can see pictures if you follow the Disneyland link in my signature below.

I have also heard good things about the Howard Johnson's. It's a longer walk (but still fairly close), but has some cool "kids suites" (two rooms and bunk beds) and also has a pretty substantial waterpark on site. I have not looked in the Chase portal, but I would guess it's an option.

Have fun - we LOVED Disneyland (and we are WDW regulars).

 

[amalone1013]

I got all excited to recommend my DLR hotel, but it doesn't look like it's on the UR portal... wah wah wahhhhhh....

 

[wendow]

I got all excited to recommend my DLR hotel, but it doesn't look like it's on the UR portal... wah wah wahhhhhh....

I'm still interested in your recommendation!

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I'm still interested in your recommendation!

DH and I stayed at the Sheraton Park Hotel and really liked it. It was a few blocks from the entrance to the park, so just took us a few minutes. It was clean, quiet and comfortable. I got free breakfast with my SPG Gold membership. We stayed on SPG points and it was pretty cheap because we got the 5th night free.

 

[wendow]

I had no idea the Target rewards program was so limited. I am in the Denver area which appears to be one of the markets it is open to based on what @Alexle2007 posted. All my family is pretty much in the Houston area and they all have it too so I just assumed all had it.

It is a part of the cartwheel app. I wonder if Target has any plans to roll it out other places. That is really weird.

 

[wendow]

Thank you to all who gave me DL recs. The choices are different around there and I don't have a 'lay of the land' at all. While I don't have little, little kids anymore, I still don't want to have to be crossing tons of busy intersections. And our oldest dd will need a wheelchair (unless she has massive improvement) so I have to consider that too. Now I have a nice list to start going through!

@Lain I did some brief looking on the UR site and that Courtyard by Marriott jumped out at me too. The waterpark looks like so much fun!

 

[wendow]

Signing up for the IHG card might be an option.

My dh opened an IHG back in 9/2015. He got 60k points or so. We decided to close the card (total dorks back then and didn't know what we were doing lol) and we never used the points. The trip we were going to use them towards ended up not happening. I'm guessing he has lost the points by now but I could open an IHG and then maybe him try again later this year.

 

[WDWRook]

Is there a good explanation of the Disney Vacation Account and how to ensure you use it properly to get the 2%? We put some funds into a new account several months back in order to meet the travel spend on the CSR, but I recall something about you don't get the 2% if you ask for a gift card back. Only if you directly pay for certain Disney expenses from the account. Is that right? Ideally, I'd like to just apply it to our room charge as we charge all meals, etc, to our room while at WDW. unless there is a better hack to use, like pay via CC and pay CC via DVA?