5 Best Credit Cards for Disney Fans to Consider
As I’ve mentioned before, I never like to tell people how to spend their money. It’s an uncomfortable subject since everyone’s financial situation is so diverse. That’s not the purpose of today’s article, though. Instead, we’re going to look at various credit cards that can help you save money on your Disney trip. We’ll ignore any offers that require exceptional credit, instead focusing on offers that most people can get to make their vacation more affordable. Here are five credit cards for Disney fans to consider.
Citi AAdvantage
First of all, let’s talk about the purpose here. You want to cut expenses on all phases of your travel budget. When you spend less money on the basic stuff, you get to splurge more at Disney. You may even save enough money to get to return to Disney a lot quicker than expected.
So, what are the unavoidable expenses of a Disney vacation? Well, you must pay travel costs, park admission, hotel charges, and dining bills. The six cards listed here will mitigate some of these expenses, giving you more money to spend on what really matters: Disney stuff!
Regarding the City AAdvantage card, I defer to the Points Guy for my travel credit card decisions. I’ve read his site for years and subscribe to his YouTube channel, too. He recently gave seven good reasons to apply for this card. The highlight is that you’ll receive 60,000 bonus miles for signing up for this card.
Photo Credit: TravelSort.com
The caveat is that you must spend $3,000 during the first three months after opening the account, which is a larger number. As long as you are disciplined enough to use the credit card for your mortgage/rent and other bills and then pay off the balance, it’s not a problem. I understand that this one might not be for everyone.
Assuming that you are okay with the bonus point rules criteria, it’s enough for at least one free flight. You’ll also receive one free checked bag for you and up to four others in your traveling party. Those savings add up quickly! This card also rewards two rewards point per dollar spent at restaurants and gas stations plus American Airlines purchases. Presuming that you eat out regularly, you can use this card to stockpile points for a Disney vacation flight. Savvy, disciplined travelers will discover a lot of benefits with this card.
Delta SkyMiles
The area of the country where you live will play a key factor in which airline travel card you should get. Several of the major air carriers in this oligopolistic industry dominate a set region of the country. Since I live in the south near Atlanta, the ultimate Delta hub, the Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card makes the most sense for me.
This card isn’t the best for longtime ownership. It’s all about the upfront bonuses. When you sign up for a Delta SkyMiles card, you will receive at least 30,000 bonus miles after spending a modest amount during your first three months. At time of publication, it’s only $1,000. What does 30,000 miles get you? Generally, it’s enough for one free flight to a lot of places.
Occasionally, American Express expands the bonus offer to 50,000 or 60,000 miles. Should you get that lucky, you’ll definitely have enough miles for one flight, possibly even two. At a minimum, you can get upgrades to better sections of the plane.
You’ll also receive a $50 account credit for your first Delta purchase, which will further reduce the cost of a plane ticket to Orlando/Anaheim. Plus, you get one free checked bag per person in your traveling party. It’s a bonus of at least $25 per trip, $50+ if you always travel as a couple or family. So, it’s a really good card as long as your preferred airline has plenty of flights to and from Disney.
Disney Premier Visa
This is the common sense card out of the entire group. No matter which other cards you want, the Disney Premier Visa is the one that every frequent Disney guest should own. This card gives you a $200 reward credit after spending $500 during the first three months. It has several other amazing bonuses that Disney fans will love, also.
For starters, you get to choose the appearance of your credit card. Whether you prefer Sorcerer Mickey, Darth Vader, or Elsa from Frozen, your card will reflect your favorite Disney character. As such, you’ll smile every time you pay for something. You will simultaneously earn two percent in cashback bonuses at “gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney locations.”
The bonuses will come in the form of Disney Rewards. When you’re ready to spend your points, Disney will send you a special card that you can use at ShopDisney or a Disney Store in your area. It’s also good at the parks, something I’ve verified on MANY occasions.
The genius of this card is that you’ll earn Disney Rewards DURING your Disney trip. Think about the expenses I listed above: park admission, hotel costs, and Disney dining. When you make your Disney Premier Visa the default card on your account during your trip, you will be shocked by how many Disney Rewards you get.
I’ve come back home with more than $400 in rewards before. That’s a strong start toward paying for my next trip! If I’m honest, I generally spend most of it at the Disney Store, though. If you get a Disney Premier Visa, you should be a bit more judicious than me.
Photo Credit: Finder.com
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
In my area, Southwest Airlines is like an urban myth. My friends from other parts of the country swear by their cheap prices and high-quality flights. We don’t have a hub here, and so I have never flown Southwest Air. I’m painfully aware of its glowing reputation, though.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier aptly reflects the glowing customer service reputation of Southwest, a rarity in the airline industry. This card wants you to feel special and appreciated. First, you’ll receive 40,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 during your first three months.
A year from now, the card will automatically reward you with 6,000 bonus points as a showing of gratitude for your loyalty. Yes, you get 6,000 bonus miles annually as long as you’re a cardholder! I have a similar hotel rewards account that has given me the equivalent of $200 in gift cards every year for a decade. These are the sorts of tricks that people should employ in maximizing their credit.
Southwest rewards two bonus miles for every dollar spent on their airline services. They also give two miles for purchases at qualifying Rapid Rewards hotels and Car Rental Partners. Those two options really only help frequent travelers, which makes this a basic dollar spent/reward dollar earned for most people. But the love is real on the 6,000 annual bonus points!
Photo Credit: MightyTravels.com
Plus, these points never expire as long as your account is active. You could feasibly get the card now and then spend the points far down the road when you live near a Southwest Rewards hub or have need of one. Sure, it’s kind of a long term play, but it merits consideration. If you’re already in a region serviced by Southwest, you probably have this card anyway. It’s extremely popular due to the loyalty that consumers show to the brand.
Target Red Card
Okay, this one just caused you to do a double-take, I know. Well, there are a couple of reasons why you should get a Target Red Card. As you likely know, you can pay for your room, meals, and other Disney expenses using a Disney gift card. You simply go down to the hotel lobby and ask the desk clerk to let you make a payment. Then, you hand them a Disney gift card, and it reduces the balance on your account for your stay.
Target Red Card gives a standard five percent discount for all purchases. When you go through self-checkout at a Target store and purchase a Disney gift card, you can get this discount. Target no longer enables it on their website, but it still works in the store. This strategy stretches your Disney vacation budget by five percent, and you can add to that.
A few times each year, Target puts certain gift cards on sale. Generally, it’s a discount of 10 percent. When this happens, you can use your Target Red Card to get even better savings on Disney gift cards. This bit of forethought prior to your vacation will either save you quite a bit of money or buy you a better vacation or both. Do a google search for updated tips on the best ways to save money on Disney gift cards. You’ll find several invaluable resources on the subject.
Please remember that you always have another terrific way to save money. You should ask MickeyTravels to book your trip. They’ll find you the best deal on park admission, hotel accommodations, and Disney dining. By using their free service, you’ll have the best possible trip at the most affordable price.
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