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Best Credit Card For Disney World Vacation

How It Compares To Similar Cards

Free Family Disney Vacation Using Credit Card Rewards

The Disney Premier Visa offers some solid benefits for Disney fanatics and families planning an upcoming trip. However, due to the limitations of the card, most people would be better off choosing either a travel credit card or cash back credit card with more flexible reward options.

Disney Premier Visa Card vs Capital One Venture

With a $95 annual fee, the Capital One Venture card is more expensive than the Disney credit card although the fee is waived the first year. However, it offers a more generous 50,000 bonus mile signup bonus worth more than the $250 that Disney provides to new cardmembers. You do have to spend significantly more $3,000 to earn the bonus.

The Venture card provides double miles per dollar on every purchase every day, not just double points for Disney, gas stations, restaurants, and groceries as the Disney card does. And it provides 10 times the miles on hotel stays through January 2020 at thousands of participating hotels, which makes it a way better deal if youre a frequent hotel guest.

Rewards redemption is also much more flexible with the Venture card, and you pay no foreign transaction fees. But you dont get that special 0% promotional APR on Disney vacations, which could help you make paying off your trip over time more affordable.

Disney Premier Visa Card

Key Features at a Glance:

  • Annual Fee: $49
  • Current Welcome Bonus: $300 statement credit after spending $1000 in the first 3 months after account opening
  • Currency/Points Earned: Disney Rewards Dollars
  • Earning for Spending: 2 Disney Rewards Dollars per dollar spent on gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and many Disney locations 1 Disney Rewards Dollar per dollar spent on all other purchases
  • Other Perks: Discounts at Disney parks and at the Disney Store , 0% promo APR for 6 months when booking select Disney vacation packages, exclusive character meet and greet location at Walt Disney World and Disneyland

Last and actually maybe least is the Disney Visa card. Why didnt I lead with this card? Although the name and co-branding may make it seem like an obvious choice, its not a great card for travel rewards, even for Disney travel.

The Disney Premier Visa Card earns Disney dollars that can be redeemed like cash towards Disney hotels, park tickets, and some other Disney purchases. The Disney Premier Visa Card is also the only Disney co-branded card where cardmembers can also use their Rewards Dollars for airfare. Just purchase airline tickets on the the card and pay yourself back as a statement credit.

There is a no annual fee version of this card with fewer perks as well as a debit card version available. Check out my complete comparison guide to the Disney credit cards for the deep dive analysis!

The Best Credit Cards For Disney Travelers

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We’re proud holders of the Chase Disney Rewards Visa. This might seem obvious. Duh! You love Disney! You love credit cards! Why wouldn’t you love the Disney credit card?!

But there are actually several other credit cards that we love just as much when it comes to preparing for and saving big on our Disney vacations. In this post, we go through the credit cards we think Disney travelers need to be considering, and how they can fit into your Disney planning.

Time is money. But so are perks and points.

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So Is The Disney Visa Right For You

If you are someone who visits a Disney theme park annually , the answer could be yes if you are disciplined enough to pay off the balance each month.

You can also reap some rewards even without using your card for purchases outside a Walt Disney World Resort.

So even if you are one to rack up credit card rewards, youre best to do that with a card that offers a higher percentage back and more spending flexibility. Save this card for Disney purchases, and use the rewards balance as part of the budget for your next Disney vacation!

How We Make Money

The Top Chase Disney Visa Perks

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What If My Job Prevents My Family From Going To Disney World

If your job often has last-minute emergencies, you might be worried about having to cancel your Disney trip last-minute. Jonathan Breeze, CEO of the travel insurance site Aardy, notes that most Disney visitors are working age. As such, they are taking a work-approved vacation, he adds. And while canceled vacations are rare, it does happen.

He recommends looking at a policy with cancel for work reasons built in. That way, if an employer forces you to cancel your vacation last-minute, youll be covered.

Brief Review Of The Citi Prestige Card

With its steep annual fee , the Citi Prestige might be easy to ignore for most readers. But first, note the Prestige comes with a $250 annual travel credit, which means youre spending $245 for the other perks.

At 5X points earned for dining and air travel, and 3X hotels and cruise lines, the Prestige is at least competitive with other big-name cards in earning. So what sets it apart? 4th Night Freea perk which, up to 2X per year, allows you to book a hotel stay and receive the fourth night for free.

As of early 2020, were not seeing Disney hotels available for 4th Night Free booking. This is a huge loss for Disney World travelers. That said, the Disney Springs hotels remain an option, and those share many perks with Disney hotels.

Moreover, youll still see notable top-tier hotels like Four Seasons Orlando and the Waldorf Astoria. Using 4th Night Free at Four Seasons can easily amount to over $1000 in savings. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, which are walking distance to two parks, are also usually found in the portal.

Finally, the Prestige comes with Priority Pass. If you dont have Priority Pass through another credit card already, this can be a nice perk for Disney travelers, as The Club at MCO is a lounge included with membership.

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Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center

This one is also located a little further away but is another economical choice. Standard rooms start at only 25k Bonvoy points per night. Plus, all Bonvoy members will get their 5th night free when booking their stay with points. Plus, youll enjoy a free breakfast when you stay here. If youre a little short on points, you might want to look at the . New card holders will get 100,000 Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.

The Best Credit Card For Your Next Vacation To Walt Disney World Resort

Disney Rewards Visa Credit Card by Chase: Comparison, Experience, and Opinion

May 25, 2021

Planning a vacation to WDW and want savings, extras and exclusive perks? The Disney® Visa® Credit Card is the perfect way to make the most of a vacation at Walt Disney World® Resort. From special vacation financing to photo opportunities at private Cardmember locations, weve listed the benefits the Disney Visa Card and Disney Premier Visa Card can offer at the Most Magical Place on Earth.123

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Chase Freedom And Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom earns 5% Cash Back on up to $6000 or purchases in categories that rotate every three months. The Chase Freedom Unlimited Earns 1.5% back on all purchases all the time.

If your pair these with the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preserved, you can easily get more than 2% back on all purchases.

Save Money At Theme Parks With Amex Offers

Before you decide which credit card to use for your theme park tickets, be sure and check for any Amex Offers that might save you money. Even if you earn fewer points, that might be a worthy trade-off to keep money in your pockets. In the past, we have seen Amex Offers for Universal Studios and Undercover Tourist.

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Is Booking Your Disney Vacation Through Costco Worth It

Booking a family vacation is almost as stressful as traveling with toddlers, so booking a Disney package vacation is probably worth it. When comparing Costcos package to booking individually, saving upwards of $100 is still money in your pocket to spend as you wish. Besides, the value offered by the amount of time saved and the convenience of booking everything at once essentially having Costco do the heavy lifting of planning is probably worth it on its own, especially for busy moms and dads with an already packed to-do list.

Editorial Disclaimer

The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.

Siobhan Neile is a freelance writer covering finance, tech, and other related topics. She lives in Austin, Texas.

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But What About The Disney Debit Card

How to Save on a Walt Disney World Vacation

But wait theres one curveball everyone should consider before getting a Disney credit card. Disney also offers a debit card version, complete with cute card designs. You have to be a Chase checking customer to be eligible.

While debit card holders dont earn any Disney Reward Dollars, there are plenty of perks that come with the card, including:

  • 10% discounts on purchases at the Disney Store and shopDisney.com and on purchases over $50 at select merchandise locations at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Aulani, and Disney Beach Resorts when mentioning the offer
  • 10% off select dining and recreation experiences at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
  • 15% off select guided tours and select spa and salon locations
  • Special Disney Cruise Line perks and discounts
  • Private character meet and greet with free photo download at Disneyland and Walt Disney World .

The bottom line if you are mostly in this for the perks and some Disney discounts, the debit card will get you those! Generally speaking, the debit card is a no brainer for a lot of regular Disney travelers who want some of the perks without any other strings attached. Of course, if you arent already a Chase checking customer, there are some startup hoops to jump through first.

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Average Mile Valuations Hint At What To Expect

While looking over award requirements and cash pricing for a flight, it can help to understand how much a reward mile is worth from each of the airlines in general. According to research undertaken by The Balance, you may be able to get more value from Southwest or JetBlue than from other airlines on domestic economy flights.

Also, it’s important to note that these flights are based on summer travel dates, and summer is the peak season for Orlando. This may result in higher award flight costs. If you want to maximize your savings, consider booking a trip at a different time of the year, preferably one that doesn’t coincide with school breaks.

Top Disney Rewards Credit Cards

Below you’ll find several cards that would be an excellent addition to your wallet for your trip to the happiest place on Earth or any other vacation spot that strikes your fancy. We offer a number of options depending on your level of Disney commitment and your personal credit card preferences.

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Other Perks & Discounts From The Disney Credit Cards

Although the signup bonus and rewards earnings are fairly weak compared to other rewards cards on the market, there is one field in which the Disney credit cards shine the extra perks! These cards offer discounts and special access that can really go a long way to making a Disney-loving familys Disney vacation even better. And these cards do that if used the right way.

Having either of the two Disney cards entitles the holder to the following additional perks and discounts:

  • 6 months 0% financing on Disney vacations and Disney Vacation Club purchases
  • 10% discounts on purchases at the Disney Store and shopDisney.com and on purchases over $50 at select merchandise locations at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Aulani, and Disney Beach Resorts when mentioning the offer
  • 10% off select dining and recreation experiences at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
  • 15% off select guided tours and select spa and salon locations
  • Special Disney Cruise Line perks and discounts
  • Private character meet and greet with free photo download at Disneyland and Walt Disney World and
  • Ability to redeem points for an airline statement credit .

The card sometimes has other unannounced perks. In the past, cardholders have been able to have early access to free dining promotions at Walt Disney World. Additionally, there are limited time promotions and discounts continuously announced to keep card holders coming back.

Do I Need The Official Disney Travel Insurance

Are Disney Credit Cards Worth It OR What to do Instead to SAVE BIG on Disney Vacations

If youre buying a theme park vacation , your agent might suggest the Disney Travel Protection Plan . Although you dont have to buy it, reviewing its coverage gives you a good idea of what could go wrong when youre on your Disney dream vacation.

The plan includes:

Luggage delay. If your airline loses your luggage and its delayed by more than 12 hours, you can get reimbursed for the purchase of necessary personal items.

Baggage loss. Youll get up to $2,000 for lost, stolen, or damaged bags or personal effects.

Emergency assistance. Youre eligible for 24/7 travel assistance, medical assistance and emergency services.

Emergency evacuation and repatriation. If youre injured, the policy covers emergency medical transportation and other expenses.

Emergency medical protection. The policy provides up to $25,000 of coverage for an illness or injury sustained while traveling.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption. Youll get reimbursed for up to the total of your prepaid travel arrangements if youre injured or ill. It also covers non-medical reasons like a job loss or a change in military orders.

Travel accident. It provides up to $25,000 in the event of accidental death or dismemberment.

Trip delay. The policy reimburses you for expenses related to a delay, up to $600 .

Rental car damage. The policy will reimburse repair costs of up to $25,000 for collision, theft, damage or vandalism to rented vehicles.

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Chase Disney Premier Visa Card

If youre a hard-core Disney fan, the Disney Premier Visa card is a great option. This card is designed to help you earn Disney Rewards Dollars. These rewards can be redeemed for a Disney Rewards Redemption Card and used to pay for eligible purchases at Disney properties. Disney Premier Visa cardholders can also redeem their Disney Rewards Dollars directly for a statement credit on airline purchases.

With this card, you earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney locations and 1% on all other purchases.

On top of providing you with these rewards, the Disney Premier Visa also offers 0% on select Disney vacation packages or purchase of a real estate interest APR for 6 months ) on selected Disney vacation packages. This is from the date of purchase, so as long as youre a Premier cardholder, you have access to this promotional financing.

Chase Disney Premier Visa features:

  • Annual fee: $49
  • Welcome bonus: Earn a $300 statement credit after you spend $1000 in the first 3 months
  • Special discounts: Save 10% on selected Disney and Star Wars purchases
  • Promotional APR: 0% on select Disney vacation packages or purchase of a real estate interest APR for 6 months ) on select vacation packages

Not Sure Either Disney Credit Card Is For You Consider An Alternative

If youre not interested in getting a Disney credit card for your upcoming Disney vacation, you might want to check out this other cash back credit card instead.

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    Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista

    The Embassy Suites is located really close to Disney World and has some wonderful amenities. Not only are the rooms larger than most hotels but they have a fun splash pad area if youre traveling with your kids. Here you will also enjoy a free daily breakfast and you dont have to pay for parking. Plus, they have a free shuttle to the Disney theme parks. If youre looking for the most bang for your buck, this is my top recommendation. You really cant beat the value this hotel provides.

    Here you can redeem your Hilton points at an average rate of 40k points per night. Just like the Hilton hotels at Disney Springs above, you dont pay a resort fee when you use your points to stay here. And with Honors status, you can get your 5th night free. If you need a few more points for your Disney vacation, or need status, take a look a the card recommendations above.

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