One of the most popular articles I've written for this site so far is the piece about using credit card perks, points and miles to travel-hack Disney trips. Long story short, there are lots of ways to do it across various card issuers like Capital One, Delta and BILT, but the question I got the most was: why didn't you spend more time on the actual Disney credit cards?
Issued by Chase, Disney has two co-branded credit cards that, at first blush, seem like the right way to book a Disney trip. You sign-up for a Disney card, spend it on Disney things and then boom, your Disney dreams come true for 10% less than everyone else in the park. But is that actually true?
From discounts on Disney merchandise and vacation packages to exclusive experiences in the parks, these cards promise a magical experience both during and after your Disney adventures. In this detailed review, we’ll dive into the key features, benefits, and drawbacks of the Disney Visa Credit Cards—both the Disney Visa Card and the Disney Premier Visa Card—to help you decide if they fit your lifestyle and financial goals, and to see if they can dethrone some of the methods I highlighted earlier this year.
Related: All Things Disney
Disney Visa Credit Card Overview
There are two versions of the Disney Visa Credit Card offered by Chase: the Disney Visa Card and the Disney Premier Visa Card. While both cards provide unique Disney-related benefits, the Premier version has a few added perks, such as higher reward rates and additional redemption options. Let’s explore the key aspects of both cards.
Annual Fee and Card Issuer
• The Disney Visa Card has no annual fee, making it a budget-friendly option for Disney superfans who want access to special perks without the added cost.
• The Disney Premier Visa Card charges a modest $49 annual fee, but it compensates with better earning potential and rewards on non-Disney purchases, including groceries and gas stations.
Both cards are issued by Chase, one of the top financial institutions, known for its range of travel rewards cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve. As Chase is a trusted card issuer, cardholders benefit from robust customer support and access to financial products like balance transfers and intro APR offers (that YOU SHOULD NOT BE USING if you know anything about credit cards.).
Welcome Offer and Bonus Points
At time of writing, these cards are actually offering some pretty aggressive sign-up bonuses.
Upon account opening for the Disney Visa Card, you'll receive a statement credit of $200 after spending $500 on card purchases within the first three months. The Premier Visa Card is even more aggressive, earning you a $400 statement credit if you spend $1,000 in the first three months.
These welcome offers makes the Disney Visa Cards somewhat competitive compared to other rewards cards like the Citi Double Cash and the Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Earning Disney Rewards Dollars
Now we're getting to it. Here is where these Disney Visa cards are meant to shine, but kind of fall flat unless you are the most diehard fan of all things Mouse.
Both cards earn Disney Rewards Dollars, the form of rewards specific to the Disney Visa Credit Cards. The Disney Visa Card earns 1% back in rewards on all purchases, while the Disney Premier Visa Card offers higher earning rates:
• 5% back on any purchases made at Disney Plus, Hulu or ESPN Plus
• 2% back on select categories, including grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and Disney locations.
• 1% back on all other purchases.
While the earning rate on non-Disney purchases may seem lower than some other rewards cards, the Disney Premier Visa Card provides a competitive edge for Disney purchases and related categories, such as travel rewards and groceries.
Now, notice above that I said "percentage back" and not "percentage cash back." That's because these cards have a secret: you don't get cash back. You get Disney Rewards Dollars back, which may as well be Monopoly dollars for all the good they do you outside of the parks. Let's talk about it.
Disney Rewards Redemption Card: What Can You Use It For?
Once you accumulate Disney Reward Dollars, you can redeem them using a Disney Rewards Redemption Card. The great thing about this redemption option is its versatility: you can use your rewards for nearly any Disney-related expense, including:
• Disney theme park tickets at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland.
• Disney cruises through Disney Cruise Line.
• Disney vacation packages and resort stays.
• Select merchandise purchases at Disney-owned stores or shops within the parks.
• Disney purchases for food, souvenirs, or entertainment.
• Disney vacation club payments.
While many travel rewards cards allow redemption toward airline travel or hotel stays, Disney Visa rewards are uniquely targeted toward the needs of Disney superfans. However, the Disney Premier Visa Card has an added advantage: you can redeem rewards for a statement credit for airline tickets on any airline (with no blackout dates), making it a more flexible option if you need to cover flights for your next Disney trip.
This option is the one valuable perk of this card. The one.
Cardholder Perks at Disney Locations
One of the key selling points for Disney superfans is the exclusive cardmember perks at Disney locations. These perks include:
• 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at Disney-owned shops, including stores in Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and other Disney U.S. locations.
• Special financing options with 0% promo APR for six months on select Disney vacation packages. This includes Disney cruises, resort stays, and theme park tickets, making it easier to spread out payments for your next Disney trip.
• Exclusive experiences like private character meet-and-greets and special photos with beloved Disney characters, such as Mickey Mouse or Star Wars characters, available only at private cardmember locations.
• Dining discounts at select restaurants within the parks.
While these benefits are limited to Disney-branded credit card holders, they can add significant value to any Disney vacation. However, it’s important to note that these discounts only apply to select purchases, so make sure you read the card details before relying on them for every purchase in the parks.
Disney Visa vs. Other Travel Rewards Cards
When comparing the Disney Visa Cards to other rewards cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express options, it’s important to consider how much of your spending goes toward Disney-related expenses. The Disney Visa Cards are best suited for frequent Disney travelers who will maximize the perks within the parks and redeem rewards toward Disney purchases. The reward options here are extremely rigid, and you have to LOVE Mickey to really justify these rates.
If you prefer a more flexible travel card that earns bonus points on a wider variety of travel purchases, cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Venture Rewards Credit Card might provide more value. These cards offer points that can be redeemed for airline travel, hotels, or other travel-related expenses, whereas Disney Visa rewards are largely limited to Disney locations.
Foreign Transaction Fees and APR Considerations
Neither Disney Visa Credit Card is ideal for international travel, as both charge a foreign transaction fee of 3%. If you’re planning to use your card abroad or for non-Disney trips, a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which has no foreign transaction fees, would be a better choice.
Additionally, both cards have a variable APR, which can fluctuate based on your credit score and the date of purchase. While the intro APR on Disney vacation packages is a helpful perk, carrying a balance beyond the promotional period can result in high-interest charges. Be sure to review the card issuer’s terms regarding credit approval, promo APR, and ongoing interest rates.
Card Designs and Disney Themes
One fun feature of the Disney Visa Cards is the ability to choose from a variety of card designs featuring iconic Disney characters, from Mickey Mouse to Star Wars themes. This personalization is a fun bonus for fans, and the unique card designs often draw attention when used in everyday transactions.
Is the Disney Visa Card Worth It?
The Disney Visa Card is a great no-annual-fee option for casual Disney fans who want discounts on merchandise and exclusive park perks. However, the Disney Premier Visa Card is where you can unlock more much value—especially if you spend heavily on groceries, gas stations, and Disney-related expenses.
For frequent Disney travelers, the ability to earn Disney Reward Dollars on everyday purchases and redeem them for resort stays, Disney cruises, and theme park tickets adds up quickly. Combine that with the exclusive in-park perks, and these cards are hard to beat if you regularly visit Disney locations.
However, for those who want a broader travel card or prefer to earn rewards toward flights and airline purchases, a different card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Venture Rewards Credit Card may offer more flexibility for airline travel and non-Disney-related expenses.
Final Thoughts
The Disney Visa Credit Cards by Chase offer a magical array of perks for fans who frequently visit the parks or make Disney-related purchases. With low fees, exclusive Disney experiences, and easy reward redemptions for Disney superfans, these cards are a great addition to any Disney lover’s wallet.
However, as I've stated several times throughout this article, these cards cannot be justified for any spending outside of the Disney ecosystem. The earning rates, while seemingly pretty good at first glance, are just not usable for someone that isn't visiting Disney two or three (or more) times per year.
If you're looking for a card that is extremely powerful in the world of Disney, as well as outside of it, I'd recommend the Capital One Venture X card. The Venture X nets you 2x points on all spend, plus 10x spend on hotels booked through the Capital One Travel Portal, which you can redeem for statement credits, transfer out for flights, or even use towards booking a Disney hotel.
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