Where will VGCGroupie Buy Next (Post-Trip Reveal Prediction Poll)

[JackosinDIS]

Going on my first cruise in April. I’m scared a will fall head over heels for cruising

Ooh me too in April. Which one you going on?

 

[DoggoneVGC]

For me, it's not just the cost of DVC we have to look at (or even the dues, which add up, of course.) It's the overall cost of trips. If we have more points, we'd need to travel more to use them. Airfare, park tickets, kenneling our dog, hotels and gas if we drive...it all adds up fast! Even every 6 months might end up being more money than we want to spend. Time will tell, I guess.

One of my biggest expenses for getting "away" is my dog care at $200+ per day; it adds up. (I have 3 dogs and they stay at home with someone staying with them) This is why we we also love 2 - 3 night Disneyland trips as we do not like being away from them more than a few days. I think we have a total of 7 trips for 2025.

 

[VGCgroupie]

See, the Skyliner was the reason we were DITCHING Pop. I have no desire to step foot on that thing.

Haha I used to LOVE the Skyliner, this last trip I was a bit more leery of it due to the heat and getting stuck.

What cards are you getting for 10-30% off??

I have a credit card that gives me 6% cash back on groceries and so I use that card in combination with 4x fuel points. So my husband and I get gas together and save $1.00 per gallon. That is the easiest most straight forward almost always available way I save 20%. Target often runs promos where you get rewards for a certain spend amount. Example my most recent offer was $15 rewards back on a $150 purchase. I pay with my Target debit and save 5% on top of the $15 reward and use a shopping portal for 2% cash back this is a 16.90% savings. Then of course there are other random offers I watch out for at Sams Club, Bjs, Best Buy etc.

I don't think I'll ever go on a cruise. Partly because I don't think my son would like it (and I worry about his safety.) And partly because I think I'd end up feeling sick the whole time. (Oh...and documentaries like the Poop Cruise one certainly don't help. )

I saw that doc came out and was glad I just cancelled Netflix so I cant watch it. I have always said absolutely 100% I would never ever cruise. I don't like feeling stuck and not being able to leave so Im hoping I love it so much I wont want to leave. Right now I can say I am only comfortable on a Disney cruise, maybe I have too much trust in the mouse. It's the shortest cruise they offer just in case I hate it and feel the need to get off the boat asap.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Ooh me too in April. Which one you going on?

ohh yay!! We are doing the short 3 day on the Wish going to Nassau and one of the Disney Islands. Leaving 04/17

 

[VGCgroupie]

One of my biggest expenses for getting "away" is my dog care at $200+ per day; it adds up. (I have 3 dogs and they stay at home with someone staying with them) This is why we we also love 2 - 3 night Disneyland trips as we do not like being away from them more than a few days. I think we have a total of 7 trips for 2025.

Somewhat the same for us. One of my dogs is large so she costs more to board and she cant be boarded with our other dog and she is a sensitive one so we pay luxury suite rates for both dogs. SO much $ .

When my daughter doesn't go with us she watches them so I save some money, but then I get a 2 bedroom vs a 1 bedroom and pay for most of her food so in the end no savings

 

[ClaraOswald]

One of my biggest expenses for getting "away" is my dog care at $200+ per day; it adds up. (I have 3 dogs and they stay at home with someone staying with them) This is why we we also love 2 - 3 night Disneyland trips as we do not like being away from them more than a few days. I think we have a total of 7 trips for 2025.

I'm so thankful that a few years ago, I found someone on rover.com who is so great. They watch our dog in their house and only charge us around $200 for a whole week! The husband works from home so our dog basically just hangs out with him all day. And plays with their dog. (Of course, when they are unavailable, we have a hard time finding anyone else good!)

Here's a pic they sent me during our recent SD trip. Spoiled dog.

Haha I used to LOVE the Skyliner, this last trip I was a bit more leery of it due to the heat and getting stuck.


I have a credit card that gives me 6% cash back on groceries and so I use that card in combination with 4x fuel points. So my husband and I get gas together and save $1.00 per gallon. That is the easiest most straight forward almost always available way I save 20%. Target often runs promos where you get rewards for a certain spend amount. Example my most recent offer was $15 rewards back on a $150 purchase. I pay with my Target debit and save 5% on top of the $15 reward and use a shopping portal for 2% cash back this is a 16.90% savings. Then of course there are other random offers I watch out for at Sams Club, Bjs, Best Buy etc.




I saw that doc came out and was glad I just cancelled Netflix so I cant watch it. I have always said absolutely 100% I would never ever cruise. I don't like feeling stuck and not being able to leave so Im hoping I love it so much I wont want to leave. Right now I can say I am only comfortable on a Disney cruise, maybe I have too much trust in the mouse. It's the shortest cruise they offer just in case I hate it and feel the need to get off the boat asap.

My fear of heights is my main problem with the skyliner.

I wouldn't worry too much about a "poop cruise" situation. That was seriously nuts! If we didn't have our son, I think we'd be more likely to try a short cruise someday. I'd love to visit Castaway Cay or whatever it's called. Looks so nice! Which cruise are you taking? Will you get to go there?

 

[VGCgroupie]

I'm so thankful that a few years ago, I found someone on rover.com who is so great. They watch our dog in their house and only charge us around $200 for a whole week! The husband works from home so our dog basically just hangs out with him all day. And plays with their dog. (Of course, when they are unavailable, we have a hard time finding anyone else good!)

Here's a pic they sent me during our recent SD trip. Spoiled dog.

View attachment 979527



My fear of heights is my main problem with the skyliner.

I wouldn't worry too much about a "poop cruise" situation. That was seriously nuts! If we didn't have our son, I think we'd be more likely to try a short cruise someday. I'd love to visit Castaway Cay or whatever it's called. Looks so nice! Which cruise are you taking? Will you get to go there?

You are so lucky. My smaller one kind of looks like yours he would do so well with someone at their home but my other one is very high strung and wouldn’t do well. We are visiting one of Disney islands and Nassau

 

[ClaraOswald]

OMG! That really does look a lot like my dog. Actually, looks a lot like my dog that passed away back in 2018 too.

 

[PolyRob]

I need you all to teach me your ways!

I started with 5% at Target too!

I haven’t found the mythical 15-20% to be sustainable.

Like @VGCgroupie mentioned I try to keep my average above 15%. Right now I am flush with DGCs and won't buy anything that will drag my YTD average down. If I was in desperate need or was low for dues I would go for some more 10% options.

I have a credit card that gives me 6% cash back on groceries and so I use that card in combination with 4x fuel points. So my husband and I get gas together and save $1.00 per gallon. That is the easiest most straight forward almost always available way I save 20%. Target often runs promos where you get rewards for a certain spend amount. Example my most recent offer was $15 rewards back on a $150 purchase. I pay with my Target debit and save 5% on top of the $15 reward and use a shopping portal for 2% cash back this is a 16.90% savings. Then of course there are other random offers I watch out for at Sams Club, Bjs, Best Buy etc.

Target Circle bonuses are one of my favorites. I have multiple Target accounts with multiple Circle cards besides my primary Circle credit card (Circle debit cards linked to checking accounts). These usually return 15%+, but not quite 20%. The Circle rewards go towards everyday essentials like groceries when they're on sale so I am not taking any type of loss.

GCs.com runs promos from time-to-time and Chase tends to have GCs.com promotions. Combine that with Rakuten usually offering up 2% back on GCs.com and it adds up.

I have 'My Best Buy Plus,' which gets exclusive GC promos throughout the year and offers extended returns and price matching on items (it paid for itself for years when my new TV dropped in price).

Wholesale stores are great. BJs gives out coupons randomly for X off X spend and it works on GCs. Sam's Club and BJs also run promotions and if you can combine that with a wholesale multiplier card or when Chase has 'Pay Yourself Back' on wholesale stores with the CSR you can cash out points with an additional 25% savings. I also don't pay full price for the memberships. Typically $10 - $20 based on a renewal promo or new membership. (I am only loyal to Costco annually at full price, but it rarely has DGCs )

My local grocery store also runs promotions where you can get 20% off up to $100 in GC purchases around holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc) and I go with multiple cards and phone numbers of relatives and use whatever CC gives me the best return at the time (most recently I used my Citi Strata Premier for 3x).

Chase Freedom categories, CC offers for Lowes, Home Depot, Office Depot/Max, Staples, Quill, etc usually work. It depends on if the GC is digital or physical the way it's charged.

It's a lot of work, but I do get a rush knowing how much I am "saving" and it makes buying anything Disney much easier. People outside these online Disney/CC/GC communities and my immediate family would think I was crazy if they knew the extent I went to, but this is a safe space. There is a wonderful thread where promotions and techniques are posted as they pop up: https://www.disboards.com/threads/new-disney-gift-card-deals-and-more.3952573/ It's always hard if you have an immediate need like a trip next week. If you're planning for the future (which I would say most DVC members are) it's not as bad!

 

[VGCgroupie]

I started with 5% at Target too!


Like @VGCgroupie mentioned I try to keep my average above 15%. Right now I am flush with DGCs and won't buy anything that will drag my YTD average down. If I was in desperate need or was low for dues I would go for some more 10% options.


Target Circle bonuses are one of my favorites. I have multiple Target accounts with multiple Circle cards besides my primary Circle credit card (Circle debit cards linked to checking accounts). These usually return 15%+, but not quite 20%. The Circle rewards go towards everyday essentials like groceries when they're on sale so I am not taking any type of loss.

GCs.com runs promos from time-to-time and Chase tends to have GCs.com promotions. Combine that with Rakuten usually offering up 2% back on GCs.com and it adds up.

I have 'My Best Buy Plus,' which gets exclusive GC promos throughout the year and offers extended returns and price matching on items (it paid for itself for years when my new TV dropped in price).

Wholesale stores are great. BJs gives out coupons randomly for X off X spend and it works on GCs. Sam's Club and BJs also run promotions and if you can combine that with a wholesale multiplier card or when Chase has 'Pay Yourself Back' on wholesale stores with the CSR you can cash out points with an additional 25% savings. I also don't pay full price for the memberships. Typically $10 - $20 based on a renewal promo or new membership. (I am only loyal to Costco annually at full price, but it rarely has DGCs )

My local grocery store also runs promotions where you can get 20% off up to $100 in GC purchases around holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc) and I go with multiple cards and phone numbers of relatives and use whatever CC gives me the best return at the time (most recently I used my Citi Strata Premier for 3x).

Chase Freedom categories, CC offers for Lowes, Home Depot, Office Depot/Max, Staples, Quill, etc usually work. It depends on if the GC is digital or physical the way it's charged.

It's a lot of work, but I do get a rush knowing how much I am "saving" and it makes buying anything Disney much easier. People outside these online Disney/CC/GC communities and my immediate family would think I was crazy if they knew the extent I went to, but this is a safe space. There is a wonderful thread where promotions and techniques are posted as they pop up: https://www.disboards.com/threads/new-disney-gift-card-deals-and-more.3952573/ It's always hard if you have an immediate need like a trip next week. If you're planning for the future (which I would say most DVC members are) it's not as bad!

These are all great options. I have thought about Best Buy Plus but haven’t done it yet.

For me the hardest part of the GC collecting is the combining of cards. I

 

[PolyRob]

These are all great options. I have thought about Best Buy Plus but haven’t done it yet.

For me the hardest part of the GC collecting is the combining of cards. I

I didn't pay for BBY Plus last year (well, the first year it started exclusive GC deals) until I was in the market for a new TV and I purchased it when there was no promotion and got $400 off the TV weeks later with the extended price matching. Same with an upscaling Blu Ray. Price matched to Amazon after I purchased it well past the basic refund period. Almost made $600 back on the $50 membership. The GC deals were just a bonus and helped me justify the initial membership cost not knowing if I would save anything on the TV. I have to see if I want to renew this fall and eat into my savings

Combining is a chore and the DGC website is far from perfect. I also track and save receipts because you need that information if you call with any issues, but it's just a way of life now

 

[AstroBlasters]

I started with 5% at Target too!


Like @VGCgroupie mentioned I try to keep my average above 15%. Right now I am flush with DGCs and won't buy anything that will drag my YTD average down. If I was in desperate need or was low for dues I would go for some more 10% options.


Target Circle bonuses are one of my favorites. I have multiple Target accounts with multiple Circle cards besides my primary Circle credit card (Circle debit cards linked to checking accounts). These usually return 15%+, but not quite 20%. The Circle rewards go towards everyday essentials like groceries when they're on sale so I am not taking any type of loss.

GCs.com runs promos from time-to-time and Chase tends to have GCs.com promotions. Combine that with Rakuten usually offering up 2% back on GCs.com and it adds up.

I have 'My Best Buy Plus,' which gets exclusive GC promos throughout the year and offers extended returns and price matching on items (it paid for itself for years when my new TV dropped in price).

Wholesale stores are great. BJs gives out coupons randomly for X off X spend and it works on GCs. Sam's Club and BJs also run promotions and if you can combine that with a wholesale multiplier card or when Chase has 'Pay Yourself Back' on wholesale stores with the CSR you can cash out points with an additional 25% savings. I also don't pay full price for the memberships. Typically $10 - $20 based on a renewal promo or new membership. (I am only loyal to Costco annually at full price, but it rarely has DGCs )

My local grocery store also runs promotions where you can get 20% off up to $100 in GC purchases around holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc) and I go with multiple cards and phone numbers of relatives and use whatever CC gives me the best return at the time (most recently I used my Citi Strata Premier for 3x).

Chase Freedom categories, CC offers for Lowes, Home Depot, Office Depot/Max, Staples, Quill, etc usually work. It depends on if the GC is digital or physical the way it's charged.

It's a lot of work, but I do get a rush knowing how much I am "saving" and it makes buying anything Disney much easier. People outside these online Disney/CC/GC communities and my immediate family would think I was crazy if they knew the extent I went to, but this is a safe space. There is a wonderful thread where promotions and techniques are posted as they pop up: https://www.disboards.com/threads/new-disney-gift-card-deals-and-more.3952573/ It's always hard if you have an immediate need like a trip next week. If you're planning for the future (which I would say most DVC members are) it's not as bad!

I’ve read it and a lot of the deals weren’t for Disney GCs as far as I can tell.

I also don’t see how it super scalable based on my Disney dues and spending.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I’ve read it and a lot of the deals weren’t for Disney GCs as far as I can tell.

I also don’t see how it super scalable based on my Disney dues and spending.

Last year I collected around $12,000 in cards.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Last year I collected around $12,000 in cards.

I am very behind this year and I’ve collected around $7,000 since we have taken more trips and I now have will have more dues.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I am very behind this year and I’ve collected around $7,000 since we have taken more trips and I now have will have more dues.

Gift cards usually make me feel like I’m not spending as much but when I say it out loud wow… I clearly give way too much money to the mouse.

 

[tx911]

Last year I collected around $12,000 in cards.

You are a DGC and CC reward ninja

 

[VGCgroupie]

You are a DGC and CC reward ninja

 

[PolyRob]

I’ve read it and a lot of the deals weren’t for Disney GCs as far as I can tell.

I also don’t see how it super scalable based on my Disney dues and spending.

Every deal I just mentioned was used to acquire DGCs over the past few months.

Target Circle bonuses could be "spend $200, get $25 in Circle rewards." Add a $200 digital DGC to your cart, checkout, get the 5% off, earn $25 to spend on something else at Target. I select groceries on sale that I would pay more for at my grocery store so it's not wasting the rewards.

I purchased BBY Plus for a TV, but BBY ran multiple BBY Plus exclusive deals for DGCs which I then stacked with Amex CC offers.

Lowe's doesn't advertise that the $50 off $200 Amex offer from this past March worked on gift cards, but it did.

It's not always a DGC on sale in a circular for 15 - 20% off. You have to work multiple angles and strategies to get the savings that high.

 

[PolyRob]

Last year I collected around $12,000 in cards.

I use multiple DGC accounts since the max is 1k per card, up to five cards. I no longer keep the cards linked after people had some issues posted in the GC thread, but it's definitely scalable

This is how I paid off multiple cash deluxe stays, APs, dining, etc for years and had to be factored into my DVC price comparison before purchasing.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I use multiple DGC accounts since the max is 1k per card, up to five cards. I no longer keep the cards linked after people had some issues posted in the GC thread, but it's definitely scalable

This is how I paid off multiple cash deluxe stays, APs, dining, etc for years and had to be factored into my DVC price comparison before purchasing.

I’ll be honest if they had allowed DGC to be used for direct purchases I would’ve tried to make it happen