using gift cards for cash reservation

[mhmcduff]

Question
Recently I have recieved 400 in gift cards from several relatives for Christmas as we are going down to wdw on december 27th for four days on cash and 4 nights on points. Question is can I pay for part of the cash part over the phone with member services using the gift cards? Just would like to use them instead of traveling with them since they are basically cash and I usually dont carry much cash- just for tips as everything else goes on our debit cards. Just worried about losing them and being out 400 with no recourse

 

[DebbieB]

Question
Recently I have recieved 400 in gift cards from several relatives for Christmas as we are going down to wdw on december 27th for four days on cash and 4 nights on points. Question is can I pay for part of the cash part over the phone with member services using the gift cards? Just would like to use them instead of traveling with them since they are basically cash and I usually dont carry much cash- just for tips as everything else goes on our debit cards. Just worried about losing them and being out 400 with no recourse

With the new reservation system, you might be able to do that. I would call MS and ask. In any case, I would make copies of them just in case something happens.

 

[mhmcduff]

With the new reservation system, you might be able to do that. I would call MS and ask. In any case, I would make copies of them just in case something happens.

what does copying do? if they are not used can they reissue them

 

[DebbieB]

what does copying do? if they are not used can they reissue them

They can replace lost tickets if you have a copy, they might be able to do the same with gift cards.

 

[taaren]

Most gift cards are attached to an electronic number string, so if you make a copy/write down the numbers on the back of the card, you should be able to use the gift cards without actually having them there. I always copy the numbers down in case I lose the gift cards, and in some cases have used the gift cards that were physically at my house 3000 miles away when I was in DLR by having my mom read me the number over the phone. (I ordered them a few weeks before the trip and the mail to Hawaii can sometimes take that long. My mistake.)
The catch is, you have to be sure that when you lose them, somebody else doesn't pick them up and use them because the money is just gone then ...