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Chase offers multiple Disney Visa Cards, and the card art doesn’t stop at Mickey, either You can request a castle, Darth Vader, Baby Groot, and loads of other options. But are Disney credit cards worth a spot in your 5/24 lineup (more on what that is below)? Let’s compare and contrast the cards to answer the question of whether Disney fans should have a Disney credit card.
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Disney® Premier Visa® Card
- 5% on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com
- 2% on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most other Disney U.S. locations
- 1% on all your other card purchases
- *Rewards are issued as Disney Rewards Dollars
I opened the Disney Premier Visa years ago. The card's $400 Statement Credit, low minimum spend (earn the welcome bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening), and puny $49 annual fee enticed me.
Because I frequent Disney parks, I thought I should have a card that earns unlimited Disney Rewards Dollars on all card purchases. Disney Rewards can be redeemed at U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts, on Disney Cruises, and watching Disney movies at AMC theaters. Additionally, they can be used for purchases at ShopDisney.com or for airline travel. Cardholders also can take advantage of The Disney Bundle and earn $14.99 per month back in statement credits (for up to three consecutive months), on qualifying Disney Bundle subscription purchases totaling $14.99 or more.
Eventually, I found it hard to earn points spending on my Disney Premier Visa. Sure, I could earn 5% back on purchases made at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com. Other than that, however, I’d earn only 2% on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most other Disney U.S. locations. And on all other card purchases, I'd earn only 1%. Because plenty of other cards in my wallet offered better multipliers, when my next annual fee hit for keeping the card another, I called Chase to discuss my options.
Disney® Visa® Card
- 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all card purchases
Chase suggested I downgrade to the no-annual-fee Disney® Visa® Card. The representative explained that it offers the same discounts and perks, including 10% off select merchandise and dining locations most days at the Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort, as well as select merchandise purchases at shopDisney.com.
As a result, I accepted Chase’s offer to downgrade to the no-annual-fee Disney Visa Card. Yet it really had nothing to do with those discounts. I just wanted to keep the exclusive park photo ops.
Disney parks photo opportunities
In order to meet characters, fans have to either book expensive character breakfasts or splurge for after-hours events, only to wait in long lines. That makes the U.S. Disney Parks Photo Ops my favorite Disney Visa Card perk. Four locations offer the photos: EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Disneyland, and California Adventure.
Simply show the cast member your physical or digital Disney Visa Card to gain entry. You'll meet with classic Disney or Star Wars characters, depending on the park. No need to purchase PhotoPass — a cast member will take photos and provide you with a card. Scan the card into your Disney app and download the photos for free!
The Disney Debit Card
I recently learned that a Disney debit card provides all the same discounts and perks of the no-annual-fee Disney Visa Card! Luckily, anyone with a Chase checking account can request a Disney debit card, unlocking a whole new world of savings and experiences. If you don’t already have a Chase checking account, open one today at Chase.com. If you follow the instructions in the fine print, you might earn a new customer bonus — regularly offering $200. Once your account is open, send Chase a secure message requesting the Disney debit card of your choice.
Perks Worthy of Honorable Mentions
Twice this year, Chase targeted me to earn 5% back on groceries on my Disney Visa Card. We don't have another card offering 5x on groceries, so we happily purchased groceries on the card during those promos. If you already have a Disney credit card from Chase in your wallet, check your Chase Offers regularly. You might get targeted with the same promotion.
Once I reached the minimum threshold of $20 in Disney Rewards, I ordered a Disney Rewards Card. Truth be told, it was a hassle to order and took a couple of weeks to arrive in the mail. On the other hand, using the card proved painless: It operates exactly like a Disney gift card. I took it to Disneyland and used it for purchases at the park.
For the holidays this year, Disney offered Disney Visa Card members 20% off select purchases of $50 or more at shopDisney.com. Additionally, Disney seems to offer cardholders up to 35% off at select Disneyland and Disney World resorts nearly every year. I don’t need those discounts, because I always book lodging with points, but for someone who regularly books expensive Disney resorts with cash, 35% off results in significant savings.
Related: Disney Dreams for a Dime: Tips for Saving Money at Disney World With Points and Miles
Bottom Line
If I could time travel, I probably wouldn't open the Disney Premier Visa again. I'd just get the Mickey Mouse debit card. While I do enjoy the targeted 5% back on groceries on my no-annual-fee Disney Visa Card, I don't think the card is worthy of a 5/24 slot with Chase for anyone getting into points and miles. You can only get five cards before becoming ineligible, and other, more valuable cards deserve those places in your wallet.
Show me how
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