Punished for being a DVC member?

[rhorsley]

HI there. So I just got off the phone with the Chase Disney Visa folks. I've been charged my full APR for the purchase of the dining plan and tickets (over $3k) that I added to my DVC reservation at BLT. I asked why, as I thought one of the perks (and one of the only reasons I have the card) was to be able to defer interest on Disney vacation costs for 6 months. I like to book everything early, so this was a really nice perk to have. They are advising that unless I buy a complete package (which I will never do again) it won't apply.

Needless to say, I can get better rewards and APR elsewhere and will be closing this card now. Does anyone know if there is a card or incentive through DVC to offer anything similar to what I used to get before I gave Disney 10's-of-thousands of my money?

Thanks in advance all!

 

[Brian Noble]

I can't think of any other card that will offer you six months at zero percent routinely for these sorts of charges.

If I were you, I'd open a "side" savings account---ING Direct is a popular choice. Then, rather than buying everything in advance and paying it off over time at 0%, put the same payments into your "side" account and buy vacation components once you have saved enough. Another (very small) advantage is that you will actually earn a few pennies of interest along the way.

 

[thebigman65]

HI there. So I just got off the phone with the Chase Disney Visa folks. I've been charged my full APR for the purchase of the dining plan and tickets (over $3k) that I added to my DVC reservation at BLT. I asked why, as I thought one of the perks (and one of the only reasons I have the card) was to be able to defer interest on Disney vacation costs for 6 months. I like to book everything early, so this was a really nice perk to have. They are advising that unless I buy a complete package (which I will never do again) it won't apply.

Needless to say, I can get better rewards and APR elsewhere and will be closing this card now. Does anyone know if there is a card or incentive through DVC to offer anything similar to what I used to get before I gave Disney 10's-of-thousands of my money?

Thanks in advance all!

I am not sure what the Chase Disney Visa has to do with being "Punished for being a DVC member" or "Spending 10's of thousands" (presumably on your DVC membership) but I understand your frustration. We cannot get this card in Canada, but from what I understand if you Buy DVC points or a vacation Package, then you get the 6 month deferral, other than that you are out of luck.

I would suggest looking for a low interest rate card (I have one that's 11%) and perhaps one that gives you Air/Travel miles for your flights. I booked 3 flights for Oct a month ago and it cost me $0.

Good Luck!

 

[cvjw]

Just cancel the tickets and dining plan thru Disney, and get the credit back on your card. Save up the money, and add everything back right before your trip. I would never pay interest on a purchase that doesn't have to be made right now. If you figure out that you can't save enough money for the dining plan, just pay OOP.

 

[awilliams4]

I only know of the 6 months interest free if you buy DVC Points or if you buy a Vacation 'Package'. Getting DDP and Tickets on the side do not count as a 'Package'.

 

[rhorsley]

Thanks for the responses.

I like the side account idea. I don't really use the card otherwise and we have the money in-hand. I just always like paying several hundred a month vs all at once (somehow it made it feel a little bit less expensive ) However, if this isn't an option any longer, as you said, might as well make a few pennies on it, right?

As far as feeling punished, I believe there is a partnership between Disney and Chase to offer the rewards points and other card member benefits. I am disappointed that Disney has not worked with Chase to find a way to regularly include DVC members (who have spent big bucks with them - and continue to do so as they use their memberships) in the card member benefits.

I know about the deferred interest for DVC add-on's or deposits, but I feel very strongly about not putting such things on a credit card. We saved for a few years and were very lucky to be able to buy into DVC with cash. Once you've made the investment there is very little incentive left in this credit card for members.

Anyway...I'm thinking definitely a side account, and for an emergency card I will look for something with a lower interest rate (I think Disney Rewards is something like 16.5%?) hopefully with travel rewards (gotta get to Disney somehow, right?)

Thanks again!

 

[disneynutz]

The card holder can't invoke the 6 months zero finance charge, Disney has to provide a code or you have to give Disney a code, I forget which. We had trouble once because our Guide didn't do his code part correctly and we got charged the interest which took months, a letter, and 6 phone calls to correct.

We use side accounts for everything, property tax, DVC dues, insurance. If you have a job where you can direct deposit into the different accounts it works even better.

We also use credit cards to collect points. We haven't paid for airfare in 5 years and we get 4 to 6 round trip tickets per year to go to WDW.

Bill

 

[DVCconvert]

I know about the deferred interest for DVC add-on's or deposits, but I feel very strongly about not putting such things on a credit card. We saved for a few years and were very lucky to be able to buy into DVC with cash.

Ideally, you could have purchased using card, then paid it off...effectively (via the points) getting a 1% discount

 

[wildernessDad]

My bank has a vacation club with the same interest as a savings account. I stick money in there so I can pay my Disney Chase Visa, which I use for vacation expenses, before the interest hits.

 

[hakepb]

Its too bad that Disney replaced the Magic Kingdom Club with the "better, more exciting" Chase Visa card.

 

[Dean]

I can't think of any other card that will offer you six months at zero percent routinely for these sorts of charges.

If I were you, I'd open a "side" savings account---ING Direct is a popular choice. Then, rather than buying everything in advance and paying it off over time at 0%, put the same payments into your "side" account and buy vacation components once you have saved enough. Another (very small) advantage is that you will actually earn a few pennies of interest along the way.

I have a separate ATM tied to a checking account (but not checks) only through my CU. I can transfer in or out but do not have any other ties to my existing accounts or overdraft protection. That way if it's stolen or compromised, my risk is little or nothing. I use this only for travel. A side benefit is it's MC so the numbers are different on each card. I notify them when I travel and where including dates. For Intl travel they don't charge anything extra (most do), other than the rates that Mastercard charges everyone. This would tie in well to this type of planning.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Any guest buying just tickets or the dining plan, whether they are DVC or not, won't get six months interest free unless they get them as part of a package.

Way back when, Disney had a deal with American Express. It wasn't any better than the deal with Chase.

What I like about Disney's deal with Chase is that they have Chase ATMs on the property and I bank with Chase. So I can get money without a fee anytime at WDW.

 

[ovalhead96]

I don't know where you live , but in Pittsburgh, we have a grocery store that sells disney gift cards. For every $50 you buy, you get .10 off per gallon. They also run specials where you get .20 per gallon. I paid for my entire vacation last year 2700 during the .20 special, and received over $10 per gallon off. Basically I filled up both my cars 3 times and saved almost $300. I used my Discover card to buy the gift cards, during the supermarket bonus 5% and got cash back on the whole purchase. Good luck!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I have a separate ATM tied to a checking account (but not checks) only through my CU. I can transfer in or out but do not have any other ties to my existing accounts or overdraft protection. That way if it's stolen or compromised, my risk is little or nothing. I use this only for travel. A side benefit is it's MC so the numbers are different on each card. I notify them when I travel and where including dates. For Intl travel they don't charge anything extra (most do), other than the rates that Mastercard charges everyone. This would tie in well to this type of planning.

I'm interested, Dean, in what the Mastercard card is you are talking about.
Capital One is the only one I know of that does not charge extra for international travel and overseas charges. Would you mind naming it?

 

[Dean]

I'm interested, Dean, in what the Mastercard card is you are talking about.
Capital One is the only one I know of that does not charge extra for international travel and overseas charges. Would you mind naming it?

Sorry, guess I wasn't clear. It's an ATM card that is MC based as a debit card. IIRC the way it was explained when I was investigating my options, MC itself charges an Intl usage fee/currency conversion but my CU doesn't add any additional charges. I know I've seen discussions in the past whether Capital one and Chase charge Intl fees and I don't recall an absolute answer. I'm pretty certain that chase say they do but that many people have used their chase card and stated they didn't see fees. I've used this card in Aruba, HI, Alaska, LV and MX without problem.

My usage plan, as I laid out, has worked perfectly while affording me about as much protection as one could get and still use a card at all. I looked extensively at debit cards and cash cards including WalMart and AAA prior. In all cases, the charges, reload fees and up front fees were significantly more than I wanted. What I have now has NO additional fees other than any fees levied at the destination and the conversion fees I noted. The other benefit is that it is free and easy to both LOAD and UNLOAD if I want. I usually estimate what I'll need for a trip then if I need more, just transfer online. Then at the end of the trip, even before I return, I transfer all but a token balance out so there's nothing there. That way if the card has been unknowingly compromised, as it not uncommonly the case for travel, there really isn't anything there. Since it's tied to my CU account in a limited fashion, I can also check it along online.

 

[dunbarfamily]

I don't know where you live , but in Pittsburgh, we have a grocery store that sells disney gift cards. For every $50 you buy, you get .10 off per gallon. They also run specials where you get .20 per gallon. I paid for my entire vacation last year 2700 during the .20 special, and received over $10 per gallon off. Basically I filled up both my cars 3 times and saved almost $300. I used my Discover card to buy the gift cards, during the supermarket bonus 5% and got cash back on the whole purchase. Good luck!

Great deal!!

 

[karana]

we like to use the Disney card for many of our daily needs and rack up those Disney points that we can then use to pay for tickets or a DDP. We always pay the balance and so get the benefit of paying for things we would have purchased anyways on a checking debit card. It's only 1% but it adds up over time depending on how often you use the points or how much you charge.

 

[PamOKW]

I suggest using the idea of saving up your cash to cover your vacation cost. Then charge it to your Chase Disney and pay if off right away before interest kicks in. You'll then start to build reward points that you can use toward your DVC dues (or to purchase your tickets etc.)

 

[cel_disney]

I suggest using the idea of saving up your cash to cover your vacation cost. Then charge it to your Chase Disney and pay if off right away before interest kicks in. You'll then start to build reward points that you can use toward your DVC dues (or to purchase your tickets etc.)

Ditto this!! We use our reward points yearly to cover most of our food expenses when we are there!!

 

[dclfun]

I also use my cc for everything and then pay it off before interest accrues. While I do use my Disney Visa when they have an extra cash-back promo, I have another signature visa that earns far more rewards. I usually get at least $600 per year cash back just for using that card. As to the Disney Visa 0% interest, I'm a DVC member also and really only get that benefit for DCL payments, but it's nice to have.---Kathy