Most % off of Disney Gift Cards?

[KalamityJane]

I need to get about 8k worth of Disney gift cards in the next 6-7 mo (cruise plus DL APs for 4-5 people). There is no way we would go through that much in fuel perks from Kroger/Fred Meyer, so I'm looking for another way to maximize savings. I do have a Target RedCard, but would prefer to somehow utilize my Southwest card if possible. 8k worth on my SW card would get us a flight for 1 person equaling about $140. Using the 5% off is $400.

I do have a Disney Vacation Account and will be funneling gift cards through there for the extra 2%. I do not want to sign up for another credit card at this point.

What is the best way to work this? I am planning on maxing out the amount of gas perks (getting 33-35 gal at a fillup at $1 off and 4x rewards - will probably be able to use about 3k worth in gas rewards at 4x - will put it on the Southwest card) so I'm looking mainly for the rest of the money (5k)- how to work the system the best way. Is there a way to add to the percentage from Target?

 

[hdh23]

How do you use fuel points for gift cards? I've been missing the boat on that one and my husband works there even!

 

[PuppyPrincess]

Would be interested in any other ideas too. I know Sam's Club sells the gift cards at a slight discount too.

 

[KalamityJane]

How do you use fuel points for gift cards? I've been missing the boat on that one and my husband works there even!

Oh, you don't use the fuel points for gift cards, but if you buy the gift cards duing a 4x point and max out the fillup, it works out to be ~14% off.

$250 in gift cards = 1000 fuel points = $1 off gas with a max of 35 gallons o the equivalent of $35 off the $250 since it was money I'd be spending on gas anyway.

$35 off of $250 is 14%.

We only go through around 60 gallons of gas a month though between both our cars, so I max out at about 2 fillups/month which is about $500 in gift cards when they are running the 4x sale. If they are doing the 2x sale, you can buy 5 $100 Visa gift cards (with $6 activation fee), earning 1060 fuel points, then turn around and buy Disney gift cards with them, earning another 1000 points, so you get 2060 fuel points for $530 working out to be about 13.2% if you max out the fillups. I fill my car up and then get the rest in gas cans to fill up the hubs truck.

They usually have a discount with the fuel points going on on the gift cards.

 

[KalamityJane]

Ok, Shop @ home has Target for 4% off, so I stacked that with the 5% RedCard discount online... we shall see if the gift cards qualify.

 

[disneygirl916]

Ok, Shop @ home has Target for 4% off, so I stacked that with the 5% RedCard discount online... we shall see if the gift cards qualify.

What is shop@ home?

August 1993 offsite, July 1997 offsite, June 1998 Poly, June 2003 CBR, April 2007 CBR, July 2008 CSR, March 2010 ASMusic, August 2010 FW, October 2012 AofA, September 2014 CS

 

[disneygirl916]

What is shop@ home? August 1993 offsite, July 1997 offsite, June 1998 Poly, June 2003 CBR, April 2007 CBR, July 2008 CSR, March 2010 ASMusic, August 2010 FW, October 2012 AofA, September 2014 CS

Actually just googled it. It says cash back not good on gift cards....

August 1993 offsite, July 1997 offsite, June 1998 Poly, June 2003 CBR, April 2007 CBR, July 2008 CSR, March 2010 ASMusic, August 2010 FW, October 2012 AofA, September 2014 CS

 

[KalamityJane]

Actually just googled it. It says cash back not good on gift cards....

August 1993 offsite, July 1997 offsite, June 1998 Poly, June 2003 CBR, April 2007 CBR, July 2008 CSR, March 2010 ASMusic, August 2010 FW, October 2012 AofA, September 2014 CS

Yeah, I'm going to see if they count as "entertainment cards", since Target classifies them as that... worth a shot.

 

[robinb]

Let us know if it works for you Jane!

Disney gift cards are a special breed. They are considered "entertainment cards" and may be eligible for the extra discount.

 

[disneygirl916]

That's a very good point. Keep us posted!!

August 1993 offsite, July 1997 offsite, June 1998 Poly, June 2003 CBR, April 2007 CBR, July 2008 CSR, March 2010 ASMusic, August 2010 FW, October 2012 AofA, September 2014 CS

 

[disneygirl916]

That is a very good point!! Keep us posted!

August 1993 offsite, July 1997 offsite, June 1998 Poly, June 2003 CBR, April 2007 CBR, July 2008 CSR, March 2010 ASMusic, August 2010 FW, October 2012 AofA, September 2014 CS

 

[aliceindisneyland]

My Kroger fuel perks and Amex Blue Cash Preferred bonus and 6% cash back is getting me 18.5% off of 2K in gift cards. You don't want to open a cc account though? The Amex has $150 bonus with only a $1,000 minimum spend, and 6% back at grocery stores up to 6k/yr.

Knowing how much fuel each car uses monthly and how many times you can reasonably expect to have 2 empty cars at the same time [if you have smaller than 35 gallon tanks, you need to fill up 2 cars to get the full value] will help you figure out how much savings you can really get off of those fuel perks.
But 6% off the top with the Amex is awesome IMO - I'm already better than Target not counting the fuel perks.
Amex 6% on 6K in groceries: $360
-$75 annual fee
+$150 sign up bonus
Total $435 saved on $6,000 = 7.25%
Plus the fuel perks on $6000 in gift cards (12000 points at 2x - for our cars that would save $300!) - about 12%!
ETA: Buying Target gcs $150 at a time and using them online to buy the Disney gcs is getting me an extra 5% off!

 

[KalamityJane]

My Kroger fuel perks and Amex Blue Cash Preferred bonus and 6% cash back is getting me 18.5% off of 2K in gift cards. You don't want to open a cc account though? The Amex has $150 bonus with only a $1,000 minimum spend, and 6% back at grocery stores up to 6k/yr.
There is a good explanation somewhere in the big Disney Gift Card thread where someone explained why it may save you a bigger percentage overall to buy gcs with 2x fuel points instead of 4x fuel points. I will try to find it later and add it, but you could probably find it fast.
Knowing how much fuel each car uses monthly and how many times you can reasonably expect to have 2 empty cars at the same time [if you have smaller than 35 gallon tanks, you need to fill up 2 cars to get the full value] will help you figure out how much savings you can really get off of those fuel perks.
But 6% off the top with the Amex is awesome IMO - I'm already better than Target not counting the fuel perks.
Amex 6% on 6K in groceries: $360
-$75 annual fee
+$150 sign up bonus
total 435 saved on $6,000 = 7.25%, plus the fuel perks on 6000 in gift cards.

Yeah, we just opened up 2 SWA RR cards in the past few months to earn the companion pass, so I don't want to open up a new card right now. Between the 100,000 mi and the companion pass, we earned $1428 in miles and then whenever DH flies, I fly free. So that's another 1k+ depending on how many flights we end up taking. Should end up being at least 4 roundtrips free for me.

 

[ebradley23]

Sam's Club has $150 worth of GC for $142.97. Not a huge savings, but it would save you $375

 

[sydneysmom]

Sam's Club has $150 worth of GC for $142.97. Not a huge savings, but it would save you $375

I'm totally confused..... how is this saving $375??

 

[KalamityJane]

I'm totally confused..... how is this saving $375??

Because I need about 8k worth of gift cards. Unfortunately we don't have a Sam's Club near us Only Costco.

 

[ebradley23]

Because I need about 8k worth of gift cards. Unfortunately we don't have a Sam's Club near us Only Costco.

I would check Costco. I have found they tend to have similar offers on things like this. Sam's also sells these online. If you know someone with a membership, they could place the order online for you.

 

[KalamityJane]

I would check Costco. I have found they tend to have similar offers on things like this. Sam's also sells these online. If you know someone with a membership, they could place the order online for you.

Oooo, now there's a thought! My mom has a membership - if I could pay with the SW credit card, and then run these through the Disney Vacation Account, that would be worth it - they are running 4.7% off right now at Sam's. If I can't get the 9% off with the Target/SAH thing, I will do this - would be about 6.7% plus the miles.

 

[SUSIEQ]

Ok, Shop @ home has Target for 4% off, so I stacked that with the 5% RedCard discount online... we shall see if the gift cards qualify.

I tried it, and it didn't work for me. But, please let us know if you have better luck.

 

[KalamityJane]

I tried it, and it didn't work for me. But, please let us know if you have better luck.

Will do - did you try with shop at home or ebates?