In a Nutshell
If you’re going to Disney World, you might be wondering if it’s worth getting a Disney credit card. A Disney credit card could help you save up for your trip. But finding the best Disney credit card depends on how often you take Disney vacations.Disney® Visa® Card vs. Disney® Premier Visa® Card
| Disney® Premier Visa® Card | Disney® Visa® Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $49 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | Good | Basic |
| Rewards rate | 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com. 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on qualifying purchases at Disney locations, gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants. 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all other qualifying purchases. | 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all qualifying purchases |
| Redemption options | Redeem for airline statement credit. Plus, certain Disney experiences and purchases. | Redeem for certain Disney experiences and purchases. |
| Disney discount | 10% off select Disney merchandise purchases at select locations and 10% off qualifying select dining purchases at Disney locations | 10% off select Disney merchandise purchases at select locations and 10% off qualifying select dining purchases at Disney locations |
What you need to know about each Disney credit card
There are two Disney credit cards, both issued by Chase.
You might be wondering, “Is it worth getting a Disney credit card?” or “Which Disney credit card is the best?” That all depends on how often you visit Disney theme parks.
Both cards let you earn Disney Rewards Dollars on every qualifying purchase. Rewards dollars can only be redeemed for Disney goods and services at certain Disney locations. That means no cash back and no using the rewards for anything unrelated to the House of Mouse. There’s one exception. With the Disney® Premier Visa® Card, you can redeem Disney Reward Dollars for a statement credit towards airline travel. Bottom line: You should be committed to a Disney vacation before considering these cards.
The Disney credit cards have three unusual benefits in common.
- You’ll be eligible for exclusive photo shoots with Disney and Star Wars characters.
- You’ll receive 10% off select purchases at select Disney locations, including dining and merchandise purchases. Sadly, this discount does not apply to ticket purchases.
- Disney fans will love being able to pick one of their favorite Disney characters to be featured on their credit card.
Let’s take a closer look at each Disney credit card to find out which one may be a good fit for you.
Disney® Visa® Card: Best for celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime experience
For many people, a Disney vacation is a once-or-twice-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you’re planning a vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland for the first time, the Disney® Visa® Card might be your best bet, because it comes with no annual fee. So you won’t be charged an annual fee year after year for a card you may not use much after the trip.
The Disney® Visa® Card comes with a $200 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You’ll also receive 1% back in Disney Rewards Dollars on every qualified purchase you make.
Disney® Premier Visa® Card: Best for frequent Disney visitors
Compared to the Disney® Visa® Card, the Disney® Premier Visa® Card will help you save up more quickly for your next Disney vacation.
The Disney® Premier Visa® Card features a $400 statement credit after you spend at least $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. In Disney-speak, that’s almost enough to pay for two tickets to Disney World or Disneyland.
You’ll earn 5% back in Disney Rewards Dollars on qualifying purchases you make directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com and 2% back in Disney Rewards Dollars on qualifying purchases you make at most Disney locations, restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores. You’ll also get 1% back on all other qualifying purchases.
But the Disney® Premier Visa® Card also comes with a $49 annual fee. So if you don’t visit Disney on a regular basis, you might be better off with the Disney® Visa® Card.
What to consider when applying for a Disney credit card
Here are a few things to consider before you apply for a Disney credit card.
Is it worth getting a Disney credit card?
If you’re a die-hard Disney fan who visits the parks often, then maybe the Disney® Premier Visa® Card is worth it.
But if you’re trying to save up for a Disney vacation or you want the ability to use your rewards for non-Disney things, you may actually earn more cash back with another credit card.
Which Disney credit card is the best?
Finding the best Disney credit card depends on how often you visit Disney locations.
If you’re absolutely set on getting a Disney credit card and you don’t visit the parks often, the Disney® Visa® Card could help you save up for your Disney vacation without incurring an annual fee every year after your trip.
On the other hand, if you visit Disney on a regular basis, you might get more value out of the Disney® Premier Visa® Card.
Can you use a Disney credit card anywhere?
You might be wondering whether your Disney credit card will work outside of Disney.
That’s a good question, because some credit cards only work at the store they’re named after. But that’s not the case with the Disney credit cards. Both Disney cards are open-loop credit cards, which means you can make purchases anywhere Visa cards are accepted, not just Disney.
Not sure either Disney credit card is for you? Consider these alternatives.
If you’re not interested in getting a Disney credit card for your upcoming Disney vacation, you might want to check out these other cash back credit cards instead.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: You’ll earn cash back at a steady rate with this card, without needing to maximize bonus categories.
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Good for people who plan to spend all day at Disney.