Raise + Redcard+ CC points= %11 off Disney?

[linzjane88]

Good morning Disney peeps! For the first time (I have no clue why just now) I am deciding to try getting the Target Redcard 5% off. I have been reading about people using Raise to buy discounted GC which got my wheels turning. Here is my plan (someone please point out my fatal errors). I am using 200$ as the amount because round numbers make me happy.

Buy $200 Target GC thru raise @4.5% (-9.00) off = $191
Pay with my Barclay card (2.2% rewards, -4.20) =186.80
Use the 200 Target GC on Targets site with the Redcard as my primary (-10)= 176.80


I know in reality the discounts wouldn't be so cut and dry since it is a mix of travel rewards and Redcard discounts but doesn't that work out to be 11% off?
We do have a Kroger near us that is offering 4x fuel rewards but I don't think that is as good of a deal since we usually only spend about $200 a month on fuel and I hate being tied down to getting my gas before the points expire. I also have the Disney Visa and quite a few other CC's that I have collected for their rewards but I think the Barclay Arrival+ is by far the winner of them all. Thoughts?

 

[Marionnette]

Good morning Disney peeps! For the first time (I have no clue why just now) I am deciding to try getting the Target Redcard 5% off. I have been reading about people using Raise to buy discounted GC which got my wheels turning. Here is my plan (someone please point out my fatal errors). I am using 200$ as the amount because round numbers make me happy.

Buy $200 Target GC thru raise @4.5% (-9.00) off = $191
Pay with my Barclay card (2.2% rewards, -4.20) =186.80
Use the 200 Target GC on Targets site with the Redcard as my primary (-10)= 176.80


I know in reality the discounts wouldn't be so cut and dry since it is a mix of travel rewards and Redcard discounts but doesn't that work out to be 11% off?
We do have a Kroger near us that is offering 4x fuel rewards but I don't think that is as good of a deal since we usually only spend about $200 a month on fuel and I hate being tied down to getting my gas before the points expire. I also have the Disney Visa and quite a few other CC's that I have collected for their rewards but I think the Barclay Arrival+ is by far the winner of them all. Thoughts?

You've reinvented the wheel. Lots of people have been doing this for quite a while now. Congrats on your savings!

ETA- Monster thread about Disney GC deals HERE

 

[havaneselover]

That's a good deal. I am at about 20% using My Amex blue preferred at Kroger to buy target gift cards then using those to buy Disney. Or I can save 14% buying the variable load gift cards at Target. I fill up 3 times per month (20 gallons per fillup) so I don't worry about not using my gas points.

 

[nalajms]

I use this method for many Target purchases, not just Disney GC. My fav is stuff that's on sale and eligible for store pickup! You get the 5% off with the red card, plus ability to pay for it all using the gift cards. And they have it at the front desk waiting for me so I don't have to go into the store and buy more stuff I don't need!

 

[linzjane88]

That's a good deal. I am at about 20% using My Amex blue preferred at Kroger to buy target gift cards then using those to buy Disney. Or I can save 14% buying the variable load gift cards at Target. I fill up 3 times per month (20 gallons per fillup) so I don't worry about not using my gas points.

Brilliance. I seriously don't know why I just decided to try this now. I think when I read about others doing it it sounded too overwhelming and convoluted but I feel up for a challenge. Plus it will offset my V&A's dinner. Haha!

 

[linzjane88]

That's a good deal. I am at about 20% using My Amex blue preferred at Kroger to buy target gift cards then using those to buy Disney. Or I can save 14% buying the variable load gift cards at Target. I fill up 3 times per month (20 gallons per fillup) so I don't worry about not using my gas points.

Ok I just redid my math and you have a better plan. It will require me to put pants on vs sitting in my bathrobe but I think the 2% extra is worth it.
Buy $200 Target GC @ Kroger --> Buy Disney GC @ Target --> Total discounts = 13%.

 

[havaneselover]

Brilliance. I seriously don't know why I just decided to try this now. I think when I read about others doing it it sounded too overwhelming and convoluted but I feel up for a challenge. Plus it will offset my V&A's dinner. Haha!

I used to just buy disney gift cards at Kroger but I really wanted to take the kids on a 7 day cruise next year so I upgraded my process Right now I'm looking at about a $1,700 savings on a $4,000 cruise (including on board booking, using a TA, and using a DVA). It's the only way I can afford such an extravagance.

 

[havaneselover]

Ok I just redid my math and you have a better plan. It will require me to put pants on vs sitting in my bathrobe but I think the 2% extra is worth it.
Buy $200 Target GC @ Kroger --> Buy Disney GC @ Target --> Total discounts = 13%.

Go through ebates and you should get another 2% back.

 

[linzjane88]

Go through ebates and you should get another 2% back.

HOLD THE PHONE! Can I buy my GC through Kroger online ? Through ebates? I thought I would have to go to the store in person for the GCs. I am looking at their site right now. Where have I been!!!???

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

Good morning Disney peeps! For the first time (I have no clue why just now) I am deciding to try getting the Target Redcard 5% off. I have been reading about people using Raise to buy discounted GC which got my wheels turning. Here is my plan (someone please point out my fatal errors). I am using 200$ as the amount because round numbers make me happy.

Buy $200 Target GC thru raise @4.5% (-9.00) off = $191
Pay with my Barclay card (2.2% rewards, -4.20) =186.80
Use the 200 Target GC on Targets site with the Redcard as my primary (-10)= 176.80


I know in reality the discounts wouldn't be so cut and dry since it is a mix of travel rewards and Redcard discounts but doesn't that work out to be 11% off?
We do have a Kroger near us that is offering 4x fuel rewards but I don't think that is as good of a deal since we usually only spend about $200 a month on fuel and I hate being tied down to getting my gas before the points expire. I also have the Disney Visa and quite a few other CC's that I have collected for their rewards but I think the Barclay Arrival+ is by far the winner of them all. Thoughts?

You're leaving a lot of money on the table by not taking advantage of the Kroger deal!!! Spend your time trying to find a way to make that work!! If you're spending $200 on fuel a month you should be in great shape to make the Kroger deal work. The gift card portals such as Raise should only be used if no other options are available to you. Get a couple 5 gallon gas cans if you have to or ask a friend/family member to purchase the gas from you (they're gonna buy it anyway) at worst case. I utilize the Giant Eagle (similar to Kroger) fuel perks program and am now getting up to over 34% (36% I think) with my strategy. It might look something like this:

1. Purchase Visa/MC gift cards at Kroger with CC (pereferably AMEX blue preferred-6% cash back plus fuel points earned minus small activation fee for cards----your Barclay will hve to do for now),

2. then purchase target gift cards at Kroger (more fuel points earned),

3. then do the Disney cards via Target Redcard loophole (5%),

4. then deposit to Disney Vacation Account for additional 2%/K spent.

 

[linzjane88]

Hmm, I am going to look into the AMEX Blue Card. I have excellent credit so should be no problem. I have sort of dipped my feet into CC churning and we don't carry balances so I am planning this out to maximize some new card bonuses.... So insanely brilliant people. I knew there was the Target 5% deal that I was ignoring for someitmes but I didn't realize it was *this* good And I did the math on the Kroger fuel points. Even if I just get .80 off a gallon one fillup is about $12 so it is bigger than I was thinking initially.

 

[havaneselover]

HOLD THE PHONE! Can I buy my GC through Kroger online ? Through ebates? I thought I would have to go to the store in person for the GCs. I am looking at their site right now. Where have I been!!!???

No, go through ebates to buy the disney gift cards from Target.com. Also don't forget 4x fuel points is running this weekend. I think you have to load the digital coupon but am not certain.

 

[havaneselover]

Hmm, I am going to look into the AMEX Blue Card. I have excellent credit so should be no problem. I have sort of dipped my feet into CC churning and we don't carry balances so I am planning this out to maximize some new card bonuses.... So insanely brilliant people. I knew there was the Target 5% deal that I was ignoring for someitmes but I didn't realize it was *this* good And I did the math on the Kroger fuel points. Even if I just get .80 off a gallon one fillup is about $12 so it is bigger than I was thinking initially.

Amex Blue Preferred is the one I have. It has a $75 annual fee, but it's worth it to get 6% off the first $6,000 in grocery spending. Plus their offers are awesome.

 

[havaneselover]

You're leaving a lot of money on the table by not taking advantage of the Kroger deal!!! Spend your time trying to find a way to make that work!! If you're spending $200 on fuel a month you should be in great shape to make the Kroger deal work. The gift card portals such as Raise should only be used if no other options are available to you. Get a couple 5 gallon gas cans if you have to or ask a friend/family member to purchase the gas from you (they're gonna buy it anyway) at worst case. I utilize the Giant Eagle (similar to Kroger) fuel perks program and am now getting up to over 34% (36% I think) with my strategy. It might look something like this:

1. Purchase Visa/MC gift cards at Kroger with CC (pereferably AMEX blue preferred-6% cash back plus fuel points earned minus small activation fee for cards----your Barclay will hve to do for now),

2. then purchase target gift cards at Kroger (more fuel points earned),

3. then do the Disney cards via Target Redcard loophole (5%),

4. then deposit to Disney Vacation Account for additional 2%/K spent.

If you have two cars or don't mind dealing with gas cans the savings doing this are crazy.

 

[linzjane88]

No, go through ebates to buy the disney gift cards from Target.com.

I looked into it. I can buy GC through Kroger online. You don't get the Ebates offer thru Target if you buy GC though. It is in their terms. Unless I am wrong (I hope!)

 

[havaneselover]

I looked into it. I can buy GC through Kroger online. You don't get the Ebates offer thru Target if you buy GC though. It is in their terms. Unless I am wrong (I hope!)

I got them last week. Saved $3.80 on 4 $50 gift cards.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

If you have two cars or don't mind dealing with gas cans the savings doing this are crazy.

Yea, the Giant Eagle program won't allow two cars at fll-up time, so I utilize the gas cans. The savings are the best I've seen and my program is limited to 30 gallons...saves 12%/hundred or 24% if double dipping with Visa/MC gift cards.

 

[momto4obkids]

I looked into it. I can buy GC through Kroger online. You don't get the Ebates offer thru Target if you buy GC though. It is in their terms. Unless I am wrong (I hope!)

Some people get the ebates and some don't. I am one of the unfortunate ones that don't get the cashback when going through ebates. I would suggest giving it a try though to see if you get it!

 

[nalajms]

Amex Blue Preferred is the one I have. It has a $75 annual fee, but it's worth it to get 6% off the first $6,000 in grocery spending. Plus their offers are awesome.

Do you know if they consider Costco a grocery store? I'm not near a Kroger or Giant Eagle. And we don't depend 6k at grocery stores each year. With the annual fee, it's probably not worth it.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

Do you know if they consider Costco a grocery store? I'm not near a Kroger or Giant Eagle. And we don't depend 6k at grocery stores each year. With the annual fee, it's probably not worth it.

No.