Using pre-paid Visa/Credit Card at Quick Service and Snack locations?

[DisneySherpa]

Our goal was to use the QSDP and pay OOP for a few TS meals. Now, with 16 days left before our balance is due... it's looking like we're going to have to pass on the DP

I still REALLY like the idea of going down with our meals "prepaid"... and the only way I can think to do this is to purchase a prepaid credit card prior to our trip. I dont want to carry excessive cash in the parks and would prefer not to check out with a $$$ bill or to pay it off a little each night.

So my question is... is this something Disney accomidates? I'm not talking about a Disney gift card... but rather an actual prepaid Visa/American Express/etc.

Will the QS locations accept these? I've never had problems IRL, but not sure if Disney is different, especially with the introduction of the DP.

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dioxide45]

I wouldn't think there would be a problem at counter service where a tip is not expected. At TS though they may try to over authorize the card expecting a tip and that will tie up funds on the card for several days. The only time it may get tricky is when the card has less on it than you need for a meal. Not sure if they can charge to multiple payment types.

 

[Hot Rod Momma]

When BayouMickey and I go down we use a Walmart prepaid visa. We have had no problem with it and it really does help when you want to make sure you stay within a certain budget. Just watch the terms on them because some of the prepaid cards charge an additional fee each time it is used (up to 3 or 4 dollars for a transaction and I am not just talking atm ones)

 

[idatwilight]

The person taking your card won't even know that it's prepaid unless they look really hard at it, which they won't. It should work just like a regular credit card. A few things to keep in mind, though:

What the other people said is true, these cards often have mad fees for all sorts of things, and you'll want to make sure none of the money is being "held" for any reason--since you're not charging the hotel room on this, it shouldn't be a problem. Fees are also pretty high for taking out cash ($2 in addition to whatever the ATM you're using charges).

Try to get a card that reimburses you if your money gets stolen or your card gets lost. As far as I know the Walmart Moneycard is the only one that does this.

 

[damiel]

I work for a bank and I would highly suggest you get a pre-paid Visa from a bank. The fees for the card are usually less and most banks do not charge a usage fee. I should warn you that you need to keep track of what you spend because you don't want to try to authorize for more than what is available on the card. The card will be declined and your funds will be held for up to 36 hours. Your bank can explain this better for you.

 

[dioxide45]

I work for a bank and I would highly suggest you get a pre-paid Visa from a bank. The fees for the card are usually less and most banks do not charge a usage fee. I should warn you that you need to keep track of what you spend because you don't want to try to authorize for more than what is available on the card. The card will be declined and your funds will be held for up to 36 hours. Your bank can explain this better for you.

It would be a good idea also to register the card online. Many prepaid Visa debit cards have this and it allows you to track your charges online. Though one still needs to keep track manually as online won't show charges until they post. Another benefit of registering is in the event of a lost or stolen card one should be able to get it replaced.

 

[DisneySherpa]

WOW... thank you so much for all your input... some of your concerns/comments were things I never thought of/considered.

The only cards Ive seen like the ones Ive mentioned is the Walmart Visa and an Amex gift card. I've never used one personally, so was totally unfamiliar with the process/fees/etc. A coworker mentioned to me that Wachovia (who we bank with) also has a similar Visa GC set up like Walmart.

I stopped in today after work to ask a few questions about it:

There is a $1.98 purchase fee, but from what I've read/been told... there are no additional fees per each individual purchase made with the card. They also mention a $2.50/mo charge after 6mo... but Im planning on blowing through the card in a matter of a week... no issue there

If there is a minimal balance left on the card... I need to pay via two payment methods... the first being for the exact amount remaining on the card, and then the remainder due paid in cash/debit/credit. I doubt Ill be able to do this at QS locations, but possibly at gift shops or back home.

If the card is lost, I can recieve a new one at the cards remaining balance for a fee of $15. If its stolen/unautorized charges, there is a zero liability policy and I can be reimbursed.

After hearing all the facts... I think we're sold... and going to purchase one through Wachovia. It's not reloadable, but no worries there... it's a one time thing for us.

Thank you so much for all your insight... I think if it wasn't for some of your responses, I would have purchased an Amex GC and been very disapointed/taken advantage of.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I know you said you didn't plan to buy a prepaid Disney card, but you may want to reconsider. You can purchase it at any GS, so you won't need to carry your cash for long. There's no fees, they replace it if you lose it, & you can add to it at any time. This is what we do for our DS & his GF. The receipt prints how much is left on the card. We add funds, as needed. That keeps them from trying to make a purchase they may not have enough to cover.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I am confused about this (and not just you, i read this alot )

Why don't you just charge it and then pay it when the bill comes since you have the money in order to get the gift card I use mine for the rewards and love it!

or just charge to the room and pay it off before you leave?

Just curious
thanks,

 

[DisneySherpa]

I thought the Disney GC couldn't be used for food though? Or is that just the GC they give you on your birthday instead of free admission? I had just assumed that since you cant use that gift card for food, you couldnt use any disney gc?

Pumba,

Ive always charged in the past, right to our room... no issues or complaints.

I got spoiled when we traveled on Free Dinning in Sept '07. We checked out with a very minimal bill and well over a thousand dollars eatin in food!

It was that trip that we realized how "relaxed" we were in terms of our meals. We didnt question what we were buying, didnt look at the price, and knew we wouldn't have a $$$ bill by the end of the trip.

I want the peace of mind that everythings already paid for... that "all inclusive" feeling. So if I can't get that feeling through Disney (we somehow misbudgeted with our 45day mark ) I'm going to try and make it myself... the "Sherpa" way

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I thought the Disney GC couldn't be used for food though? Or is that just the GC they give you on your birthday instead of free admission? I had just assumed that since you cant use that gift card for food, you couldnt use any disney gc?

There's a few carts that don't take any type of card. At those, you obviously wouldn't able to use it there. These are the small carts that only sell water, fruit, etc. Other than that, my DS & his GF were able to use the regular GCs everywhere. It's just like using a regular CC. It is the birthday card that has restrictions.