Disney Rewards card from Chase

[Brandie]

Here's a new (to me) Chase card that offers more rewards. This one comes with 2% back in Disney Rewards on some purchases, but is offset by a $49 annual fee.

There's a limited time offer of 5% back on gas, groceries, restaurants and Disney purchases for the first three months if you apply by April 30th.

Is this a better deal than the regular Disney Visa?

[Jenny]

I got that offer in the mail and tossed it. On the regular card, you get 1% on everything, no fee. (except interest, obviously) I would need to get an additional $49 in rewards to cover the fee. That would mean $4900 spent in the 2% categories just to break even.

My problem is, I buy groceries at Meijer, a large department store. On my credit card statement, my purchases are always listed "other", instead of "groceries", so I don't think I'd get the 2%.

I think I'd end up losing on the deal.

[Janine]

Yes, regular card is 1% back on everything (unless they're running a promo). I received the upgrade notice as well and will be upgrading in the next few weeks (want to make sure my late April trip is within the 3 months of 5%). I did the math, for me I'm ahead even considering the $49 fee - since I charge groceries, dining and gas on my Visa (which is what's included in the 2%)

[ke_page]

I just upgraded... very easy. Just need zip, last 4 digits of card, and last name. Took 2 minutes. We have a large trip bill coming up. 5% cash back will be VERY nice. We're also debating a second trip for Christmas and while it won't be as large or 5%, 2% is still nice. Especially since we do our gas and groceries on it as well.

[Brandie]

I put a lot of groceries on my card, but the problem is (like Jenny said) I'm not sure I get them from what Chase categorizes as a grocery store. Same for gas. I get it at my grocery store which is probably categorized as a department store. Can you just call and ask what a store is categorized as?

[Dennis]

I read the FAQ, and WalMart and Target are considered grocery stores. This will be a no brainer for me since half my disposable income goes to Wal-Mart..

[bnoble]

On the regular card, you get 1% on everything, no fee. (except interest, obviously) I would need to get an additional $49 in rewards to cover the fee. That would mean $4900 spent in the 2% categories just to break even.

This.

I could probably cover it, but not by a ton. I have other fee-based cards that provide me better values (either directly or indirectly). And, those sometimes offer competitive returns on these categories as well.

[Rhonda]

I was trying to figure that out too. Im not sure I would cover the fee and if so, probably not by much.

I really like the Chase Freedom. Every quarter has 5% categories and so far, each year has had groceries, gas, dept stores. Plus if you link to online shopping through the "rewards mall" you get extra points (like the ebates program but goes right to your cc).

I have matched what I earned in 3 years of Disney Visa in 1.5 years of Chase Freedom. It gives you cash back, so you can order a check any time.
I also bought, with points, one day tickets to Universal for the equivalent of $50 each.

[nobie47]

We've decided to got for it... from the estimations, we'll be at least $85 or more in the clear for the year.... who wants to throw away $85??? That's a character meal (almost!)

[052012]

Sometimes these rewards cards are worth it. My dh and I both applied for and got a Southwest Visa(Chase) when they were offering 50,000 rewards points on new cards. The 5 of us now have round trip FREE flights to Disney from Birmingham, AL for our May trip. Really helped us!

Susan

[clanmcculloch]

I looked over my category totals from last year (it's on the chase site) and some Wal-Mart was under groceries while some wasn't. Anyway, looking at my grocery category, I spend more than enough to make it worthwhile.

I didn't upgrade.

I've been thinking for a while about the fact that there are much better reward cards and frankly I'm getting kind of frustrated with the direction WDW is going right now and I'm also not sure we'll be going nearly as often in the future as we do now. Well, when that day comes, I'll definitely be wanting to use a different card and most likely I'll be wanting to start using a better reward card in the relatively near future. At that point, if I've upgraded then that means I'll still have the $49 annual fee for something that's not worthwhile. I want to keep this card for the card perks so I figure that means it's best to not upgrade. This might push me though to look at my cards and figure out my best option to start accumulating more rewards. They may not be rewards that are forced to be used for Disney, but I'm pretty good about earmarking specific money to specific purposes so I could still earmark rewards from another card to Disney and end up with more.

[bnoble]

frankly I'm getting kind of frustrated with the direction WDW is going right now

Free advice:

Stop reading internet message boards covering Disney. Stop listening to podcasts. Don't read the AllEars updates. None of it.

Honestly, the Disneyana community is one of the most entitled groups of people on the planet. For example, most other boards have threads going about how "disappointing" the Leap Day is, because there is "nothing special" going on. Seriously.

As another example, I was listening to a WDW Today podcast the other day to hear that Scopa, upon entering a park looks hard everywhere with a careful eye to see what's changed (i.e.: burned out lightbulbs) while Newell scours the room for imperfections when checking in.

Unless you are inoculated against whinge, it's hard not to let that get you down. I've been going annually for six or seven years, and honestly it's not all that different. Some things are better. Others aren't. It's still a fine vacation.

Note that it's also possible for (relative) newbies to go through the no-longer-blineded-by-pixie-dust phase, but you've been around the block enough times that I'm assuming that's not it.

[breezy2]

I got the same offer, but refuse to pay an annual fee for ANY credit card.

[bnoble]

refuse to pay an annual fee for ANY credit card.

I pay a (very) hefty one for my AmEx Platinum card. But, it delivers good value. The two most important ones: access to Delta, American, and USAirways airport lounges (and something in most any international airport) plus they will rebate a chunk of fees for the airline of my choice. Lots of other little things (e.g. comped status in several different hotel and rental car loyalty programs, they'll comp my Global Entry enrollment fee for streamlined returns to the US, etc.) This is all for about the same that it would cost me to enroll in just one airline's lounge program.

[clanmcculloch]

The direction stuff isn't about the rants over fastpasses and stuff like that. Change happens and while I take time to get comfortable with change, I am able to get used to it and even find the positive in much of it (not all because lets be honest, not all change is positive but I am generally willing to give things a try before just assuming they sky is falling). There's some very specific stuff that's bugging me regarding changes in special needs handling (some I've ranted about but some I haven't and much of it is my own personal experiences and not based on blogs; I do realized some of my issues are caused by Disney having to react to idiots who take advantage but there are still many changes that have happened which have been very frustrating and difficult for some of us with special needs) coupled with my own observations about the rate of pricing increases drastically exceeding price increases of basic cost of living. The changes are definitely enough to have me reaching outside of my comfort zone to other destinations which frankly is probably a good thing since there is such a big world out there to explore. I know I've allowed myself to become somewhat lazy (or more accurately allow some of my anxiety over new places with our allergies and DD14's autism to get the best of me) so we keep focussing so much on WDW. It really would be best for us to branch out. We won't stop going to WDW but the changes I've been experiencing are certainly enouraging me to look elsewhere because if our trips are going to be as much more work as they're becoming then I might as well do the work figuring out other locations.

[bnoble]

the rate of pricing increases drastically exceeding price increases of basic cost of living.

That is happening in every leisure segment. I've never figured out how that works out, but it's not just WDW. Broadway shows, college sports, you name it. I keep meaning to dig into the economics behind it, but never have the time.

But, yes, there is a big fun world out there. Less than half of our vacations are to a Disney park. All of them are just as much fun though.

[clanmcculloch]

Very good point Brian. It is extremely frustrating and it's also why we have trouble with live theatre; for most we just don't feel like we're getting our money's worth especially with how quickly prices have increased. In general we're re-evaluating how we're spending our recreation dollars and decisions about WDW does go along with that.

[bnoble]

I hate to admit it, but it hasn't really led me to reconsider much of anything. In fact, I was thinking that I had so much fun at the two Michigan hockey games my son and I went to this year that I might get a partial season package next year...

[Brandie]

I didn't upgrade.

I've been thinking for a while about the fact that there are much better reward cards . . . I'll definitely be wanting to use a different card and most likely I'll be wanting to start using a better reward card in the relatively near future.

I've considered moving to a different reward card. We were getting some pretty good deals on Southwest flights on another card but they've changed the way rewards are issued so I don't know where else to go. Let us know if you find a better deal out there!

[clanmcculloch]

Each person really does need to evaluate their own needs as to which reward card makes most sense for them (Brian's example demonstrates that well; his option makes a lot of sense for his needs but wouldn't make any sense for me). I'll share what I find when I get around to looking; maybe it'll make sense for others as well. I really do need to start looking around soon. It won't happen until probably at least a month after I get back from this upcoming trip.

Brian, don't get me wrong about my comment regarding my recreational spending. I'm just saying that the price jumps all over the industry have me taking a second look at where we do spend the money and is getting me to think about where do feel like I'm getting my money's worth (which adds to my appreciation of those activities and is very much based on my enjoyment of those activities) and is getting me to explore more options I hadn't considered while cutting back on or dropping other activities all together. Re-evaluating doesn't mean cutting off my nose despite my face. It really does mean taking a harder look and making more concious decisions rather than just always going with what we've always done. I honestly think this is a good excercise for most people to do from time to time and the prices happen to be what's spurring it in a lot of cases right now (with Disney it's prices coupled with a lot of frustration over changes to special needs handling I'm having to deal with).

[DisneyAddict]

Sometimes these rewards cards are worth it. My dh and I both applied for and got a Southwest Visa(Chase) when they were offering 50,000 rewards points on new cards. The 5 of us now have round trip FREE flights to Disney from Birmingham, AL for our May trip. Really helped us!

Susan

We did the same thing, and the three of us will be flying free on Southwest in May. We also took advantage of an offer from Disney Visa and got a $200 Disney gift card for starting a Disney Visa card. Those two things have saved us A LOT! The Southwest card does have an annual fee, but being able to fly free very year with the amount we spend makes that $49 fee worth it!

[Mossy1]

I would not be one to steer someone away from the Disney offer but I just can't get it to make sense for me. Like others have said I use the Chase Freedom (got the $300 cash back after $500 purchase offer) and also signed up for the Southwest deal. Even at $99 for the initial 50,000 points its a no brainer for me. Chase is not in anyway my favorite, but I will gladly take their money!!