We evaluation the most effective bank cards for journey rewards that may be redeemed for flights, motels, or eating at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. For probably the most half, these similar playing cards may even be good choices for journey to any vacation spot on this planet–that features locations like Tokyo Disney Resort and Disneyland Paris, too! (Updated December 7, 2022.)
We perceive and admire that bank cards will not be for everybody, however that doesn’t make them inherently unhealthy. Between the 2 of us, Sarah and I’ve had ~25 bank cards, obtained tens of 1000’s of {dollars} in rewards, seldom pay money for flights or non-Disney motels, and by no means pay any curiosity on purchases.
Credit card debt is clearly unhealthy. It ought to go with out saying that you simply aren’t popping out forward with rewards in case you’re paying curiosity. That doesn’t change the truth that “debt” shouldn’t be an inherent ingredient of possessing a bank card. Nor does it change the truth that an inherent ingredient of bank cards is rewards and perks. We’ll cease with the preachiness, however felt a bit of of it was essential to beat the horrible stigma related to having bank cards.
Let’s flip to our methodology for figuring out which bank cards belong on this listing. Factors embody annual charges, sign-up bonuses, incomes and redemption charges, reward choices, redemption problem, and ancillary advantages (similar to free checked luggage).
One issue that’s notably omitted is APR. All of the advantages provided by bank cards are outweighed by paying any quantity of curiosity, and that goes for any bank card. While beneficial instruments in case you leverage their advantages and repay your steadiness in full every month, bank cards change into DANGEROUS WEAPONS OF SELF DESTRUCTION (too preachy? 😉 ) after they carry a steadiness.
Again, it’s because we use bank cards for his or her rewards and awards. If you may have good credit score, time to spare, the need to journey, and a few nice organizational expertise, we suggest that you simply do the identical. This is how we “pay” for a lot of flights, stays in ~$1,000/night time motels, and are in a position to make use of airport lounges, amongst many different issues.
Credit playing cards are an integral part of this. We was huge on “churning,” which includes concurrently opening new bank cards based mostly upon which perks are being provided, spending the suitable quantities to obtain these perks, redeeming stated perks, and shutting or downgrading the cardboard account after the primary full 12 months of getting it. (If you puzzled why we’ve gone by way of so many bank cards, that’s exactly the rationale.)
More lately, we’ve been nonetheless been rotating by way of some bank cards, however aren’t almost as diligent about it. Nevertheless, churning might be properly well worth the effort if you wish to get severe about journey hacking. There’s a slight studying curve concerned, however when you spend a couple of hours studying the ins and outs, you’ll overcome that and be rewarded with the data wanted for cheap or completely free journey.
With that out of the best way, listed here are the journey bank cards we suggest…
Disney Premier Visa Credit Card – Let’s begin with the obvious choice, on condition that it is a Disney weblog. Despite that truth, we’re not big followers of the varied Disney Visa bank cards. This is a bank card we now have, however not one we use with regularity.
This bank card is admittedly solely advantageous to make use of whereas at Disney locations, making it a strong specialised use card for Disney followers, however not among the many greatest playing cards on this listing–even for Disney followers. It’s a superb card to have as a 4th or fifth card, however undoubtedly not for on a regular basis use. We do a extra thorough job of this in our Disney Visa Credit Card Pros & Cons put up, however principally, it comes right down to rewards and perks.
The Disney Premier Visa card has a $49 annual charge and gives 2% rewards at fuel stations, grocery shops, eating places, and most Disney places, and 1% in every single place else. It’s additionally good for some reductions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland; generally Disney Visa holders additionally obtain benefits in the case of Free Dining.
We know lots of people who use this for on a regular basis purchases after which use the rewards to pay for parts of their Walt Disney World holidays. Flip the script on that: use this bank card whereas at Walt Disney World, and never for on a regular basis purchases. (Redeem the rewards for DisneyRetailer.com purchases.) Currently, there’s obtain a sign-up bonus of as much as $300 in rewards {dollars} after spending $1,000 inside the first 3 months with our referral hyperlink.
American Express Platinum – In the final 12 months, this has change into our go-to journey bank card. Thanks to its robust slate of journey advantages and reimbursements, it’s simply well worth the $695 annual charge. As steep as which will sound, it contains annual assertion credit that may whole roughly $1,500 and are comparatively straightforward to make use of.
There are actually too a lot of them to listing (see the Amex web site for a rundown previous to making use of), however these credit alone make the Amex Platinum Card beneficial sufficient for each of us to have in our wallets. (The perks differ, so Sarah has the private and I’ve the enterprise card so as to maximize our mileage, so to talk.)
The Amex Platinum additionally gives distinctive journey insurance coverage for delays, interruptions, cancellations, and even emergency evacuation. On prime of that, concierge customer support–amongst many different issues–is out there with this card.
The Amex Platinum additionally gives 5x factors on flights and motels, plus airline credit and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. That’s earlier than even attending to the American Express Membership Rewards factors, that are among the many most respected–and transferrable!
With that stated, the rationale we love the Amex Platinum greater than every other bank card is the lounge entry. We fly between Los Angeles and Orlando, sometimes on Delta. This card provides us entry to American Express Centurion Lounges (there’s one in LAX) plus Delta Sky Clubs (additionally nice ones at LAX, MCO, and ATL, which is a frequent layover for flights out of MCO).
Currently, you’ll be able to obtain a sign-up bonus of 120,000 factors in rewards {dollars} after spending $15,000 inside the first 3 months with our referral hyperlink.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card – This was our main bank card for journey purchases earlier than getting the Amex Platinum playing cards. One cause we suggest this card is due to its redemption flexibility, as its rewards will not be tied to any single airline or resort chain. Another is that it earns at the next price (throughout the board) than virtually every other card.
The largest balking level on this card goes to be that $550 annual charge. If you journey in any respect, knock that quantity right down to $250, because the card features a $300 annual credit score for journey. Still, $150 is so much in case you don’t journey a lot. You additionally obtain a $100 utility charge credit score for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which might make that charge much more palatable. Another perk which will appear beneficial is the touted entry to 900+ airport lounges, however there are rising exclusions as many of those lounges are extra crowded than ever.
It’s the incomes and redemption charges that make this vital for any frequent traveler. You earn 5 factors for each $1 spent on airfare, 3 factors for each $1 spent on journey and eating at eating places worldwide, and 1 level per $1 spent on all different purchases. Add to {that a} 50% bonus whenever you redeem these factors for journey by way of Chase Ultimate Rewards.
To illustrate that in sensible phrases, you’ll be able to usually redeem 100,000 factors by way of the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for $1,000 in journey. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card, your 100,000 factors are price $1,500. There are a number of different perks, together with no international transaction charges and a blackout date/seat waiver.
Currently, you’ll be able to obtain a sign-up bonus of 60,000 factors in rewards {dollars} after spending $4,000 inside the first 3 months with our referral hyperlink.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – Think of this because the “lite” model of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card. It has the identical upsides by way of flexibility, however with scaled again incomes and redemption charges, and lacks a couple of of the opposite perks. It additionally lacks that $450 annual charge (but it surely has a $95 one, which is waived for the primary 12 months). We suggest this bank card in case you journey a couple of instances per 12 months or much less, and don’t want or need the Sapphire Reserve.
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you earn 2 factors on eating and journey per $1 spent and 1 level per $1 spent on every part else. Points are price 25% extra when redeemed by way of Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; you can even switch them at a 1:1 price to a number of loyalty applications.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card – The subsequent two playing cards are airline and resort loyalty ones that we expect will most profit Disney vacationers. The Southwest card is our airline choose for a pair causes. First, we all know Southwest is the preferred airline for Walt Disney World and Disneyland followers (it’s a preferred and handy service at each MCO and SNA). Second, this card makes incomes and redeeming factors simpler than most different airline-specific playing cards. On a private notice, it’s not our most popular airline card.
For most Disney vacationers, the Southwest card is the most effective airline-specific choice. The $99 annual charge would possibly sting a bit, however you obtain a 6,000-mile anniversary bonus every year. Standard level price is 1 level for each $1 spent, besides Southwest purchases, which earn at a 2:1 price. There are additionally no international transaction charges, and the power to earn a Southwest Companion Pass (which is a big one).
Currently, you’ll be able to obtain a sign-up bonus of fifty,000 factors in rewards {dollars} after spending $1,000 inside the first 3 months with our referral hyperlink.
Bonus Hack: Open two Southwest Chase bank cards, one private card and one enterprise card (one thing as pedestrian as promoting on eBay qualifies you for a enterprise card). You’ll instantly earn 80,000 factors, which is almost sufficient to make you eligible for a Southwest Companion Pass. With the Southwest Companion Pass, each time the first traveler flies, their designated companion flies free.
Sarah and I had a Southwest Companion Pass, and through the almost 2 years that we had it, I believe we took almost a dozen “weekend getaway” journeys to Walt Disney World. With airfare that averaged lower than $100 roundtrip for every of us, plus our Annual Passes to Walt Disney World, it was an excessive amount of to move up fast journeys for…actually, no matter excuse we might make. (So, I suppose, “be careful” as this card might be harmful.) It was simpler to qualify for the Companion Pass then because the sign-up bonus was increased, that means you’ll now must put $30,000 on the playing cards to earn the move.
You would possibly’ve seen above that we had the Companion Pass for almost two years. A ultimate tip with that is that the Southwest Companion Pass is sweet for the total calendar 12 months after the 12 months you earn it. Meaning, a Companion Pass earned in December 2022 expires December 31, 2023, however a Companion Pass earned in January 2023 would expire December 31, 2024–a full 12 months of additional use. Plan strategically to have that Companion Pass longer!
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card – Following the Marriott-Starwood merger, there are actually a ton of motels the place you’ll be able to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy factors. At Walt Disney World, your solely choices are Swan and Dolphin motels, that are situated proper subsequent to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and are inside strolling distance of each Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
In addition to the sign-up bonus that’ll earn you a number of free night time awards, the Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card gives as much as 6 factors per $1 spent at Marriott Bonvoy motels, 2 factors per $1 spent on all different purchases, and one free night time per 12 months. There are three totally different bank cards (two through Chase, one through Amex) which are Marriott Bonvoy-branded, however we suggest the middle-tier “Boundless” card. Sign-up bonuses differ, but it surely’s at present 100,000 factors–which is superb! Sign-up for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card through our referral hyperlink!
United MileagePlus Explorer Credit Card – We bounce forwards and backwards between Delta and United as our most popular service relying upon the 12 months (by no means American Airlines) as we’ve had success with each airways and wish a main service that has precise worldwide routes (sorry, Southwest).
The perks offered by this card (free checked luggage, precedence boarding, free United Club passes) are additionally good. The sign-up bonus is at present 40,000 miles, which is sweet sufficient for 2 round-trip flights to Walt Disney World!
World of Hyatt Credit Card – Hyatt is our favourite resort chain on this planet (undoubtedly extra so than Hilton, Marriott–and even Disney), and we keep at their varied manufacturers each time and wherever potential. The present sign-up bonus is 50,000 factors, which is sufficient for a number of nights.
There are not any Hyatts on-site at Walt Disney World, however the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is a superb resort that’s solely ~5 minutes from Walt Disney World (an affordable Uber experience). At Disneyland, there are literally 3 motels inside strolling distance–Hyatt Place Anaheim, Hyatt House Anaheim, and Hyatt Regency Orange County.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card – While Hilton is not our most popular chain (as famous above, that’s Hilton), we often keep on the Hilton Tokyo Bay–a monorail loop resort at Tokyo Disneyland–for every week or so per 12 months, and that alone is sufficient for us to justify having this card. At Walt Disney World, there are additionally three on-site Hiltons which are eligible for Early Entry!
With a large 150,000 level sign-up bonus, you’ll be able to keep a number of nights at any of those properties. Other perks of this Hilton Honors Amex embody giant class spend bonuses, Hilton property credit, airport lounge entry, an airline charge credit score, and Diamond Status–which implies concierge lounge entry, free breakfast, and room upgrades.
BankAmericard Travel Rewards Credit Card – Okay, let’s say you wish to pay no annual charge in any respect. This is fairly widespread sentiment, and we will respect not desirous to spend cash on bank cards. However, we might warning in opposition to being anti-annual charge earlier than doing the maths to see if the advantages (based mostly in your spending habits) don’t offset the charge. In any case, if this describes you, this card gives a reasonably good reward price, good redemption choices, and a good sign-up bonus.
The BankAmericard Travel Rewards card earns a flat 1.5 factors on each $1 spent. It’s that flat 1.5 price that makes this card our final suggestion for the “no fee” class. Points might be redeemed as an announcement credit score for journey purchases. If you may have a Bank of America account, you obtain a ten% bonus; in case you’re a Preferred Rewards shopper, that bonus is as much as 75%.
Okay, that covers it for our abstract of the most effective bank cards for journey (with an emphasis on Disney journey). Note that none of those bank cards will not be one-size suits all. Our main airline and hotel-specific playing cards are for Delta, United, Marriott and Hyatt, however these are simply what occur to work greatest for us.
Also, journey playing cards will not be the identical as main, on a regular basis use bank cards–it is best to look to totally different playing cards for that. That’s a entire different subject, and one that’s not related to this weblog. There are additionally a pair different bank cards which are tangentially good for Disney journey in case you’re profiting from the hacks in our Money-Saving Tips for Buying Disney Gift Cards put up.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about motels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To get monetary savings on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips put up takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every part you have to know!
Your Thoughts
What’s your favourite bank card for Disney? Do you favor paying a excessive annual charge and receiving higher perks and rewards, or staying fee-free? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we might help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!