Turning Webcertificates Into Disney Dollars!

[MHopkins2]

[Please don't laugh if I'm the last person on earth to figure this out - I'm so proud of myself! ]

I've been trying to figure out what to do with the big $20 in Webcertificates I earned through MyPoints. I'd started the program with the thought that I could use the money for souveniers at the parks, using their "convenient plastic off-web card!" Then I read the part where it costs $5 or $6 to get the plastic - not a big deal for those with $200 balances, but a good size chunk out of my hardearned $20!

I just figured out this afternoon that I can use the webcertificate to buy a gift card at DisneyStore.com (getting more points in the process!) and then buy Disney Dollars at the Disney Store using the gift card. Woooooo!!! I called my local Disney Store to confirm that was okay, and they said indeed it is. Also, because a gift card is considered cash, there is no tax or shipping charge. YAY - park shopping, here I come!!

Side note - the CM I talked to gave me the (happy) answer, then asked me for my name and phone number so she could double check. (I would have been happy to be put on hold - she offered.) I assumed it would be "no news is good news," but indeed she called me back within five minutes to say that what I wanted to do was perfectly okay, and wish me a Disney day. Does anyone know if Disney Stores have CM comment cards???

 

[A kid at heart]

I hear ya on that one~!

 

[DumboFan]

When I asked about using the Gift Cards to purchase Disney Dollars, the CMs told me it couldn't be done! I guess I have a strange DS near me! I'll try again next time I get enough points. I was planning on going to the mall website & getting a GC & turning that into DD.

 

[MHopkins2]

Strange! It sounds like you've got it covered with the mall GC, but you might try talking to the store manager - maybe the CM you talked to just wasn't familiar with the policy? (Both the CM and the Manager said they had never had anyone do that at our store, but that there was no reason why you *couldn't.*)

 

[cindala]

DumboFan,
It must be New Jersey! They gave me the same trouble at my local TDS, but I told them to check again, that I knew it could be done, and sure enough, I was able to buy DD with my GC. Don't take no for an answer!

 

[Pink Flamingo]

MHopkins2 - That's a great idea. I haven't earned enough points yet to cash out for a web certificate, but I was wondering if something like that could be done.

Does anyone know what the charge for shipping is from DisneyStore.com for a gift card? Thanks!

 

[MHopkins2]

PinkFlamingo - that's the best part - the shipping charge is $0! Also, there's no tax, because it's considered a "cash exchange" or some such.

One caveat I've discovered - DisneyStore.com (and the catalog as well) send through a temporary charge of $1.00 to authorize your card. So even though your webcert balance is $25, you'll get "sorry, insufficient funds" for a $25 gift card. However, the webcertificate.com customer service people (who are *outstanding*) will put a temporary "courtesy addition" of $1 to your balance if you call them and explain what you're trying to do. It's a bit of a pain, but still worth it IMHO to get the Disney Dollars. (Yeah, I know, I should just use the webcert on sunblock and a camera from Drugstore.com, but the Disney Dollars are so much more fun!!)

 

[Dznypal]

I just copy the page from webcertificate with the account # and exp: date and take it to TDS and have the CM run the # through manually and then I buy $DD.
Its so easy no extra charges for a plastic card and I have the $DD in my hot little hand!!!!

Ive done this 3 times already and only once did a CM say she needed the plastic card so I just went another day and got another CM who put the card through manually without a problem!!! she was even interrested when I told her about these
rewwards and how they work!!!

good luck in what you do If you have any ?s just write

 

[MiknMinMouse]

Can the DisneyStore gift card be used at the World of Disney downtown????

 

[DumboFan]

MiknMinMouse~ No, no, no!
My cousin's kids each got about $150 in GC (between Bday & holidays) & they weren't able to use them at DTD. I felt horrible because I was the one who suggested she tell family (IF they asked) to get them DDs for their vacation. I never thought not everyone would know about DDs.

Imagine being 5 years old & having that much money & NOT being able to spend it!!!

 

[MHopkins2]

*ouch* Dumbofan!

This is of course too late to help you out, but for MiknMinMouse, if folks give your kids GCs before your trip, you could probably exchange them for DDs at the Disney Store at the airport. (They might not have $450 at once, but a smaller amount should fly...)

 

[mom2girls29]

I did the same thing dznypal did. I printed the page from the webcert and took it to the DS . They typed in the numbers and presto. Unfortunately, I thought I could use a gift card at DTD and bought that. Then I read on here that it was of no use in the world and exchanged it for DD the night before we flew out. This site has helped me countless times!

 

[Dznypal]

for you. to me its the easiest thing to do with the webcertificate.
I'm always afraid that something will go wrong with the card at least the $DD we know are good!!!

I just worry about things allot!!!