VISA Rewards Card Alternative

[Jessica14]

I just wanted to offer up this suggestion to those who may be trying to decide on the Disney Card. Last time we went to Disney, it was on credit and it was a big mistake. I liked the idea of the rewards, but felt that even though we are careful spenders most of the time, we are also on a limited budget, and a credit card really isn't what we need now.

I found the Disney VISA debit card option and linked it to our current Chase checking account. It will replace the one I have and work in the same way except now my rewards will be for Disney instead of general ones for other merchandise. No, I didn't get anything special and I don't know if I will be getting any free dining or room discounts. But I thought it was a little way of earning something extra and not changing anything about what we currently do. I use my debit card for everything, so I'm hoping points add up quickly. Even if it just gets us one nice meal, it will be worth it!
Jessica

 

[bumbershoot]

We have the disney debit card. You know there's a $25 annual fee and that the rewards are a fraction of what you earn with the CC, right? You get one disney rewards dollar for every $200 you spend.

Very cute card, though. And if I'm already spending that money on bills, I might as well earn something (though we joined with a "get 25 Disney reward dollars with your first use" deal, so for this first year it evened out).

For our budgeting, we like saving up the money and then buying disney gift cards when we get to the park. Shorter trip, we get one big gift card. Longer trip, we'll break the total down by day and buy one card a day. I love collecting the cards, so it doubles as a free souvenir for me.

YOu could buy those, being sure to use it as credit (you have to sign for purchases, you canNOT use your PIN) so you get the rewards dollars, and sort of double dip. Hey, that's a good idea!

 

[JB2K]

YOu could buy those (Disney Gift Cards), being sure to use it (Chase/Disney Debit Card) as credit (you have to sign for purchases, you canNOT use your PIN) so you get the rewards dollars, and sort of double dip. Hey, that's a good idea!

Now, that's the smartest thing I've heard, all day!

 

[Jessica14]

Yes, I know the rewards are lower and there is a fee. It works like my previous card did. Although, for awhile, no one told me the thing about the credit! Thanks for verifying that I'll need to continue to do it. I was really annoyed at my bank for not telling me about it! My thought is that we have paid down debt in the past and now do everything in cash/debit. I think another card would be a mistake for us. It would make no sense to earn twice the rewards but end up with interest. I like the gift card idea very much! I look at the whole thing as a little bonus that I was not intending to have.
Jessica

 

[Disneybuckeye]

If you are not disciplined enough to only put on a credit card what you can pay off every month than a debit card is the best way to go for you. Even if you only earn $50 a year for your trip that is certainly better than nothing. We use the credit card for almost everything and pay it off in fulll. We travel to Disney about once a year and usually have around $600 in free money. Yes, some other cards may pay more, but a vacation is an over and above expense and I loave having "free" money to pay for some of it.

 

[MandM-Mom]

Is there a daily spending limit on this debit card from chase....or can you make large purchases with it?

 

[bumbershoot]

Is there a daily spending limit on this debit card from chase....or can you make large purchases with it?

It's just a normal debit card, subject to the limits on your specific account.



Jessica14, I'm glad I was able to verify the "credit" part. I messed up a couple times at the beginning, using my PIN and being disappointed. When you have to get to $200 to earn a buck, every little bitty card use counts!

 

[lisam427]

how do u redeem the money you earn. is it similar to the regular disney visa where u go 2 guest services or they mail it to you?

 

[VLee]

I was using the Disney visa rewards, but then figured out that I came out better (money-wise) to use the Southwest Visa Rapid Rewards card.

Since I was spending cash for a flight each time, and the cost of flights keep going up, I now do better getting free flights. It takes 16 credits (1 credit = $1200 or total of $19,200 in purchases) But you get 2 free credits on your anniversary date and 2 credits for each flight, so actually you only have to spend $14,400 for a free flight (plus there are other promotions offering additional credits, etc.)

Spending $14,400 would give me $144 in Disney Dollars and I would have to pay more than that for a flight (if I paid cash). Even adding in the annual fee of $59 for the card, I am now coming out ahead.

I keep it paid off every 4 to 5 days, so I have no interest.