Top credit cards for your Disney getaway

Let’s be honest: Disney vacations can really add up. Unfortunately, there’s no magic spell to lower those costs.

That said, there are tactics you can employ to save money and earn additional rewards during your journey.

Whether you’re traveling solo like a Lost Boy or with your entire Familia Madrigal, choosing the right credit card can help ease the burden of soaring expenses at the happiest place on earth.

Here’s a glance at the top credit cards for Disney vacations.

Top Disney credit cards

Chase and Disney offer two cobranded credit cards. However, these cards provide Disney Dollars, which limits how you can redeem them.

With the Chase Disney credit cards, you can earn and use Disney Rewards Dollars for stays at on-site hotels, park tickets, and meals on the property. These are significant (and costly) aspects of your Disney experience.

The Disney® Visa® Card has no annual fee and offers 1% back in Disney Rewards dollars on every purchase. It also includes a current welcome bonus of $200 statement credit after you spend $500 in the first three months of opening your account.

The Disney® Premier Visa® Card has an annual fee of $49 and is ideal for most families as it provides a wider range of earning and redemption opportunities. You earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com. It also gives 2% on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most U.S. Disney locations, and 1% on all other purchases. Additionally, it offers a $400 statement credit after spending $1,000 within the first three months of account opening.

The ideal Disney credit card varies for each person. In fact, the best option might not even be a "Disney credit card." For many people, earning a combination of points from different cards is more advantageous because of the flexibility it provides. There are far better alternatives to these co-branded Disney cards that can help you maximize your rewards for your next Disney trip.

Other top credit card options for Disney

When planning your trip, there are many factors to consider. Here's a guide to the best cards for Disney, depending on what expenses you're focused on:

• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: Ideal for those with Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program status looking to cover purchases with points
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Great for redeeming a travel credit on Disney hotel stays
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Perfect for using a travel credit on hotel stays or hotel-and-ticket bundles
• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: Best for accessing discounts on Disney hotels through CitiTravel.com (see rates and fees)
• Citi Prestige® Card*: Great for a complimentary fourth night on Disney hotel bookings through CitiTravel.com
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card*: Best for premium perks on stays at Hilton properties near Disney parks
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Best for stays at Hilton hotels and resorts near Disney parks
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Ideal for stays at IHG hotels and resorts near Disney parks
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Best for stays at Marriott properties near Disney parks
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Great for additional perks at Marriott hotels near Disney parks, thanks to Platinum status
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Ideal for using hotel credits and enjoying extra perks at luxury resorts near Disney
• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for stays at Hyatt hotels and resorts close to Disney parks
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card:* Perfect for stays at Wyndham hotels and resorts near Disney parks

*The details for these cards have been independently gathered by Dinogo. The information on this page has not been verified or provided by the card issuer.

Top credit cards for redeeming points at Disney hotels

The Disney Premier Visa and Disney Visa let you use your Rewards Dollars for Disney hotel and resort stays. One Rewards Dollar equals $1 off your total bill. If you don't have these cards, there are other options to pay for Disney hotels with points.

The Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are located within Disney World and offer a range of Disney perks. As part of the Marriott family, you can redeem your Marriott Bonvoy points and free night certificates for stays at these Disney property hotels.

The number of Marriott Bonvoy points needed for a night at these hotels starts at approximately 40,000 points per night. This makes the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card excellent options for booking Disney World accommodations using hotel points.

In addition to Disney World and Disneyland, some off-property hotels also provide Disney benefits. With these options, you can redeem Hilton Honors, Wyndham Rewards, and IHG One Rewards points for your stay, while enjoying perks like early park access and free shuttle service to the parks.

If you're more focused on using your hotel points without worrying about additional perks, there are plenty of great options near both Walt Disney World and Disneyland from programs like World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy.

Using points to book free hotel nights can greatly lower the cost of your Disney vacation. A generous sign-up bonus from credit cards within these programs could allow you to book multiple nights at a hotel near Disney, all using points instead of cash.

In addition to hotel loyalty programs, credit card points can also be used to cover the cost of Disney hotel stays.

Bilt Rewards points can be redeemed for 1.25 cents per point toward select Disney hotels via the Bilt travel portal. Check here for more details on rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard®. Although Bilt previously offered Disney World hotels, it now only features options at Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. It's a good idea to check for any updates on Disney World availability.

BILTREWARDS.COM

You can also redeem other points at a rate of 1 cent per point for stays at Disney hotels through various travel portals.

This includes the Citi Travel portal, which offers not only the Citi Strata Premier Card, but also no-annual-fee cards like the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) and the Citi Rewards+® Card (see rates and fees). Additionally, you can use miles at a rate of 1 cent each through Capital One Travel, with cards like the Venture X, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

Top credit cards for Disney tickets

There are various ways to earn bonus points when purchasing Disney tickets, but the method of purchase is important.

If purchasing tickets directly, the transaction should be categorized as entertainment. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, which has no annual fee, earns 3% back on entertainment purchases (see rates and fees), making it a great option to consider.

If you don't have these specific cards, take a look at the best credit cards for everyday purchases. They can still offer solid rewards on spending, even without the entertainment or theme park bonus categories.

*The value of rewards is based on TPG's October 2024 valuations and is not provided by the card issuer.

What if you don't purchase your Disney theme park tickets with your credit card, but instead use a gift card?

Disney gift cards can be found at many office supply stores, warehouse clubs like Sam's Club or Costco, Target, grocery stores, and even home improvement retailers. While these cards may not always be on sale, there are ways to make your purchases more rewarding, beyond just waiting for discounts.

With the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, you can earn 5% back on the first $25,000 spent at office supply stores, and on internet, cable, and phone services each year (then 1% back). Additionally, if you have a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can convert those earnings into Ultimate Rewards points.

Using the American Express® Gold Card, you'll earn 4 points per dollar on the first $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1 point per dollar). This translates to an 8% return on spending, according to TPG's October 2024 valuations.

No matter which method you choose, you'll earn additional points or cashback when purchasing Disney gift cards, which can then be used to pay for park tickets.

Top credit cards for dining at Disney

Fortunately, meals at on-property sit-down restaurants usually categorize as dining purchases, triggering the dining rewards category on credit cards that offer it.

If you use a card offering travel rewards, thinking it will apply to theme park purchases, you'll miss out on extra points. Instead, opt for a card that gives bonus rewards on dining expenses. Our top recommendation is the Amex Gold, which earns 4 points per dollar on restaurant purchases (up to $50,000 annually, then 1 point), making it an ideal choice for dining at Disney restaurants.

How to pick the right credit card for your Disney vacation

Selecting the ideal credit card for Disney isn't a straightforward decision.

Keep in mind that the best card for your Disney trip may change depending on what you're spending on and where you're making the payment during your trip.

Specifically, it hinges on how the transaction is categorized by your credit card. The most common categories for bonus rewards when buying theme park tickets are entertainment and travel.

However, there may be additional expenses that these cards don't cover. For example, consider your travel costs to Anaheim or Orlando, including flights, gas, or rental cars. You may not have enough Rewards Dollars to cover your accommodations, meals, and tickets.

The location where you purchase Disney tickets is important.

When buying park tickets directly from the theme park or Disney World annual passes, the transaction is typically categorized as an entertainment expense. In some cases, certain credit cards might classify entertainment purchases as travel charges, although this is not common.

Purchasing Disney tickets is categorized as entertainment.

Conversely, if you buy park tickets from a travel agency (like Undercover Tourist), charge them to your hotel room, or include them in a vacation package, it's likely that the transaction will be classified as a travel charge.

Why is this important? If you use the Chase Sapphire Reserve for a $500 ticket purchase that is categorized as travel, you'll earn 1,500 Ultimate Rewards points (3 points per dollar on travel). However, if it codes as entertainment, you'll only earn 500 points, as the card lacks a bonus category for entertainment purchases.

The coding of your card transaction is significant if you wish to apply some of its annual $300 travel credit towards this purchase.

On the other hand, a purchase for a reduce-the-wait Lightning Lane is classified as entertainment, so it's best to use your top credit card for entertainment expenses for that transaction.

Are you looking to utilize your credit card's travel credit at Disney?

If you want to redeem the annual $300 Chase Sapphire Reserve travel credit during a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, make sure to book your hotel or a hotel-and-tickets package directly with Disney or through a travel agent like TPG's partner Mouse Counselors.

If your sole focus is on obtaining Disney theme park tickets, consider using your travel credit for purchases made through a travel site like Undercover Tourist instead of buying directly from Disney. This approach should categorize your purchase as travel, allowing you to utilize your Sapphire Reserve's travel credit.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards card also provides a $300 annual credit, but you must make your booking through Capital One Travel to access this benefit. Fortunately, this site frequently lists Disney World hotels among its options.

Two Citi credit cards can also help reduce the costs of your next Disney adventure: the Citi Prestige (which is no longer accepting new applicants) and the Citi Strata Premier. Holders of the Citi Strata Premier card enjoy a $100 credit for hotel bookings of $500 or more each year, excluding taxes and fees, when booked on CitiTravel.com.

Citi Prestige cardholders can take advantage of the fourth-night-free benefit twice annually for hotel bookings through Citi's travel portal. Fortunately, most hotels at Disneyland and Walt Disney World are available in this portal.

Lastly, holders of the Amex Platinum can benefit from up to $200 in hotel statement credits each year for reservations made through Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection (note that The Hotel Collection requires a minimum stay of two nights). Selected Disney properties near Disney World and Disneyland qualify, including the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Disney World, and the Westin Anaheim Resort. Enrollment is necessary; terms apply.

Are you interested in redeeming points for Disney tickets?

Let's get the bad news out of the way: not all credit card points are suitable for a Disney trip.

Points from American Express Membership Rewards are not very effective for purchasing Disney tickets. However, Bilt Rewards Points, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and Citi ThankYou points can be very useful, though each in different ways.

With Bilt Rewards, you can book Disney tickets directly through its portal in the "Activities" section.

Using Capital One Travel, you can book Disney hotels and pay with miles at a value of 1 cent each. TPG senior writer Tarah Chieffi successfully utilized her Capital One miles from the Capital One Venture X to fund three nights at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.

Since your miles can offset any travel expense on your card, you have the option to book directly with Disney or other providers (as long as it qualifies as travel) and redeem points at a rate of 1 cent per mile to reimburse yourself. This also applies to using Bank of America rewards points for travel purchases.

If you hold Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can exchange them for Disneyland tickets, but not for Disney World tickets. The value of your points can range from 1 to 1.5 cents each, depending on your card type, with the Sapphire Reserve offering the highest value.

You can also rent Disney Vacation Club points from platforms like David's Vacation Club to reduce your lodging costs at Disney and utilize credit card points to help cover the expenses. Furthermore, most programs enable you to redeem points for a statement credit to reimburse purchases made where points couldn't be applied.

Clearly, Disney credit cards are important in this scenario.

With the Disney Premier Visa Card, you earn 2% back in Disney Rewards Dollars at Disney locations throughout the U.S.

You can use your Rewards Dollars for park tickets, hotel stays, and at stores and restaurants within Disney properties. It's also possible to redeem your rewards to offset flights booked with your Disney Premier Visa. Note that this card comes with a $49 annual fee.

Can you use your Disney credit card anywhere?

Disney credit cards are accepted wherever major credit cards are welcome, including at Disney locations.

Creating your own Disney credit card strategy

Disney Rewards Dollars can significantly help in reducing expenses for your enchanting vacation. However, credit card sign-up bonuses offer the quickest way to accumulate substantial points and miles—types that can facilitate travel to Disney parks in ways that Rewards Dollars cannot.

If you have the time and wish to maximize your benefits, it might be wise to earn various types of credit card rewards to fund your Disney getaway.

By considering these questions, you can identify the ideal credit card for a Disney trip that your family will appreciate while being mindful of your budget:

• What additional travel costs will you incur besides theme park tickets? The more diverse your expenses for a Disney vacation, the more useful transferable points will be.
• Are you open to staying off-site? If it’s essential to stay in a Disney-managed hotel, your approach will need to adapt. You can use points for your accommodation if that isn’t a strict requirement.
• Which expenses can you cover with points in advance?
• Which expenses can you pay for and later offset with points?

In summary

There are numerous options for utilizing credit card points and miles to fund different aspects of your Disney vacation. This is encouraging news given the high costs of these trips.

If your goal is to significantly reduce the cost of your trip, you might be searching for the best credit card for Disney, rather than just the top Disney credit card. Utilizing a mix of points, complimentary nights, and discounts from the strategies mentioned above can help lower expenses as you plan your family's next adventure to Disneyland or Walt Disney World, adding an extra layer of magic to your experience.

• The best credit cards for families
• How and why to earn transferable credit card points
• These 11 apps and websites simplify award redemptions
• Getting started with points, miles, and credit cards for travel