Best Credit Cards for a Magical Disney Vacation

All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by 10xTravel.

More often than not, the Place Where Dreams Come True is where wallets become empty. A trip to the House of Mouse is far from cheap, regardless of whether you’re a family of five or a couple.

However, equipped with the right credit cards, you can make a Disney vacation much more affordable, allowing rewards points to cover the cost of your flights and hotel stays. On top of that, you can earn points on those extra purchases made at Disney, from dining to entertainment.

Whether you’re headed to Orlando or Anaheim, here are some of the best credit cards to get you there for a fraction of the price, as well as some tips on selecting the best credit cards for your Disney vacation.

Discover the Enchantment of Credit Cards with Vacation Rewards

Travel rewards credit cards open up a world of possibility when it comes to lucrative redemption opportunities.

They typically come in three flavors: general travel rewards credit cards, co-branded hotel cards and co-branded airline cards.

General travel rewards credit cards earn flexible rewards currencies, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards points, American Express Membership Rewards points and Capital One Venture miles.

These points give you maximum flexibility when it comes to redeeming them for travel. They can be used to fund the cost of flights, hotels and vacation packages booked through your card issuer’s travel portal, typically at a fixed redemption rate. Alternatively, you transfer them directly into the rewards currency of partner airlines and hotels for award flights and hotel stays.

Co-branded hotel cards are co-issued by a hotel chain and bank/card issuer, and enable you to earn loyalty points with a specific hotel on your spending. Many hotel cards offer complimentary elite status benefits, in addition to free night rewards and other travel-related perks. Earning their welcome bonuses can typically be enough to cover several free nights at one of their properties.

If you’re a loyalist with a specific hotel chain, opening a co-branded hotel card can make your stays more luxurious and affordable.

Lastly, co-branded airline cards are co-issued by a specific airline and bank/card issuer, and allow you to earn frequent flyer miles with the airline on your spending. These cards often come with complimentary elite flyer status perks, as well as free checked baggage, priority boarding, status tier boosts and companion certificates.

If you fly often with a specific airline and want to boost the luxury of the experience as well as earn miles on your spending, a co-branded airline card is a great choice.

All travel rewards credit cards have two things in common: they allow you to earn points on your everyday spending, and they make point-funded travel a reality. For this reason, it’s key to select a credit card with bonus spending categories that match your typical everyday expenditure. That way, you’ll be able to maximize the number of points you earn by leveraging your everyday spending.

This is where the co-branded Disney credit cards fall short. Although it may seem counterintuitive, the Disney® Visa® Card and Disney® Premier Visa® Card aren’t the best when it comes to cutting the costs of a Disney vacation by earning Disney World rewards.

These two cards earn Disney Rewards Dollars which can be used for Disney-related redemptions only, at a fixed rate of 1 Disney Reward Dollar for $1. You can also redeem them to pay yourself back for airline purchases up to 90 days after the purchase. However, that’s all when it comes to redemptions—no transfer partners and no sweet-spot redemptions.

The rewards rates and additional cardholder perks are also scarce on both Disney cards, the best perk being a 10% discount on select Disney restaurants and dining purchases.

Therefore, if you’re looking to leverage award travel or to earn a significant number of points on a Disney vacation, stick to traditional travel rewards cards and skip the Disneyland rewards cards. They’re not worth a spot in your 5/24 count.

Maximize Rewards on Flights to Disney and Beyond

When selecting a travel rewards credit card for flights to Disney, your best choices will be between general travel rewards cards and co-branded airline credit cards.

If you want to access airline-specific perks while flying and earn loyalty points with the airline on your everyday spending, a co-branded airline credit card will be your best bet.

However, if you want to stay flexible and earn a rewards currency that can be transferred to a range of different airlines, a general travel rewards card is the better option.

Let’s look at the best credit cards for Disney flights.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers excellent opportunities when it comes to redeeming your points for flights to Disney, all for an annual fee of $95.

Chase has 11 airline transfer partners, including members from all three major airline alliances.

You can transfer your Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio to all of Chase’s airline partners.

The Sapphire Preferred’s lucrative welcome offer can often pay for your flights to Disney outright, depending on when and where you travel from.

JetBlue and Southwest Airlines are some of the most lucrative transfer partners for Disney enthusiasts, offering cheap award flights to Orlando and California for under 5,000 miles one-way off-peak.

You can also take advantage of Oneworld alliance partnerships by transferring your Ultimate Rewards points to British Airways Avios, then redeem toward short-haul domestic flights with American Airlines. This enables you to avoid American Airlines’ dynamic pricing model during peak travel times by using British Airways’ distance-based partner award chart, saving you thousands of AAdvantage miles.

United Airlines is another valuable Chase transfer partner, offering cheap Saver award flights across the country.

Aside from its redemption opportunities, the Sapphire Preferred card earns a competitive rate of points across a range of bonus spending categories, including 5X points on travel purchased and booked through Chase TravelSM (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 annual hotel credit). This card also earns 2X points on all other travel purchases, with a generous definition of “travel.”

Overall, using Chase Ultimate Rewards for Disney redemptions is one of your best options, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card can help make that happen.

Pros

• $50 annual statement credit for hotels booked through Chase Travel
• 5X points on travel purchased and booked through Chase Travel (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 annual hotel credit)
• 3X points on dining, including eligible takeout, delivery services and dining out
• 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs)
• 3X points on select streaming services
• 2X points on all other travel purchases
• 1X points on all other purchases
• 25% value bonus when you redeem points for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Annual 10% bonus point boost based on total expenditure on your Sapphire Preferred Card in the previous year. Earned after you renew and pay your annual fee
• Complimentary 12-month membership for both DoorDash and Caviar—the DashPass—when you activate it by Dec. 31, 2024. Unlocks lower service fees and $0 delivery fees on eligible orders.
• 5X points on up to $5,000 in total purchases (for a maximum of 25,000 points) for Peloton equipment and accessories of at least $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5X total points on Lyft purchases through March 2025
• No foreign transaction fees
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Lost baggage reimbursement
• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Baggage insurance

Cons

• 5X points is on travel booked through Chase Travel only.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

If you want access to luxury perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® can be well worth its annual fee of $550.

It offers the exact same partner airline redemption opportunities as the Sapphire Preferred, making it a real asset for Disney fans.

However, it also offers a $300 annual statement credit for travel purchases, points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on purchases in the travel category, which could help take a sizable chunk out of your Disney holiday expenses. After that, you’ll be able to earn 10X points on car rentals and hotels (excluding The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection) when purchased through Chase Travel, as well as 5X points on flights purchased through Chase Travel.

So whether you’re traveling on an award or cash fare, the Sapphire Reserve can help you maximize your rewards.

When flying to Disney, you can enjoy a luxury airport experience with complimentary Priority Pass Select™ lounge access as well as access to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club with free entry for up to two guests. You’ll also be able to enjoy more time in the lounges, as the card offers up to $120 in statement credits for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership application fee.

If you can make the most of its perks, the Sapphire Reserve deserves a spot at the front of your wallet.

Pros

• $300 annual statement credit for travel purchases.
• 10X points on car rentals and hotels (excluding The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection) when purchased through Chase Travel (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
• 10X points on Chase Dining purchases
• 5X points on flights when purchased through Chase Travel (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
• 3X points on dining at restaurants, including eligible takeout, delivery services and dining out
• 3X points on all other travel purchases (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
• 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership as well as access to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club with free entry for up to two guests
• Up to $120 in statement credits for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus membership application fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfers with up to 14 airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Partner benefits with Lyft, Peloton and DoorDash

Cons

• High annual fee

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers great mile-earning potential on Disney vacations and flights.

If you book your Disney flight or hotel through Capital One Travel, you’ll have the first $300 you spend reimbursed as a statement credit. This is an annually recurring benefit, enabling you to cut the card’s $395 annual fee down to $95.

You can earn 10X miles on car rentals and hotels booked through Capital One Travel, as well as 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.

When it comes to redemption opportunities for Disney flights, the Venture X isn’t as lucrative as the Chase Sapphire cards given its lack of U.S. airline transfer partners. However, its extensive list of 15 international airline transfer partners includes British Airways. This enables you to book American Airlines flights to Disney using Avios, benefiting from British Airways’ distance-based award chart during peak travel seasons.

When flying to Disney, Venture X cardholders will enjoy complimentary access to Capital One, Plaza Premium Group and Priority Pass Select lounges, with up to two guests allowed. If you’re renting a car in Orlando or Anaheim, you’ll also benefit from complimentary Hertz President’s Circle® status.

For a mid-tier annual fee, the Venture X offers excellent travel perks and savings opportunities for the Disney fan.

Pros

• 10X miles on car rentals and hotels booked through Capital One Travel
• 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X miles on all other purchases
• Complimentary access to Capital One, Plaza Premium Group and Priority Pass Select lounges for you and up to two guests
• Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status
• $300 statement credit for travel purchases made through Capital One Travel
• 10,000 bonus miles (equivalent to $100 worth of travel redemptions) every account anniversary year
• Up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years
• No foreign transaction fees
• Transfer miles to 18 hotel and airline transfer partners.
• Baggage delay
• Lost luggage insurance
• Car rental insurance
• Trip delay
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Cons

• Not all transfers are at 1:1 ratios.
• Transfer partners exclude U.S. airlines.
• $300 travel statement credit can be used for purchases through Capital One Travel only.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Southwest offers cheap flights from across the U.S. to both California and Orlando, making it ideal for frequent guests at the House of Mouse. Its “two free checked bags” policy also makes it ideal for families or couples who need to check a bag or two.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offers you the opportunity to get a greater return on every flight taken.

You’ll earn 3X points on Southwest flight purchases, as well as receive 25% back on in-flight beverage and Wi-Fi purchases, given as a statement credit. You’ll also receive up to four upgraded boardings per year, subject to availability.

The annual $75 travel credit can easily cut down the cost of your flights to Disney, while cutting the annual fee of $149 in half.

Cardholders will also enjoy an annual 10,000 Companion Pass point boost. If you manage to score yourself the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, you can even have your designated companion fly to Disney for $5.60 each way, for an unlimited number of times within the remainder of the year you earn the Pass plus the following calendar year.

This could be ideal for couples, cutting the cost of flights to Disney in half. Alternatively, two parents who both managed to earn Companion Passes could have one kid per parent fly for $5.60 per way, reducing the cost of a family Disney vacation significantly.

Overall, the Southwest Priority Card offers excellent earning and cost-savings potential.

Pros

• 3X points on Southwest purchases
• 2X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
• 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
• 2X points on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming service purchases
• 1X points on all other purchases
• 7,500 bonus point boost each card anniversary year
• $75 Southwest annual travel credit
• Four upgraded boardings per year (subject to availability)
• 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent (with no earnings cap)
• 25% back on in-flight beverage and Wi-Fi purchases, given as a statement credit
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year
• Complimentary one year DashPass membership, giving you $0 delivery fees and lower service charges. Thereafter, you’re automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate (enroll by Dec. 31, 2024).
• Baggage delay insurance reimbursement
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• No lounge access perks
• No guaranteed companion certificate, as seen on other co-branded airline credit cards

United℠ Explorer Card

For an annual fee of $95, which is waived in the first year, the United℠ Explorer Card offers the Disney traveler cost-savings and luxury.

When flying to Disney with United, you’ll earn 2X miles on all purchases with United, including in-flight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, tickets, Economy Plus and other eligible purchases. While onboard, you’ll receive a 25% discount, given as a statement credit, for in-flight purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi. If you tend to check a bag when flying, the Explorer Card offers a free first checked bag for you and up to one companion.

Similarly, if you have MileagePlus Premier status and are traveling on an award ticket to Disney, you and up to one companion will be eligible for complimentary upgrades on select United- and United Express-operated flights, subject to availability.

The Explorer Card will also elevate your pre-Disney airport experience. You’ll enjoy two annual United Club one-time entry passes, as well as an up to $120 statement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. You’ll also benefit from priority boarding for you and all other travelers on the same reservation.

For a low annual fee, the United Explorer Card can get you to Disney in style.

Pros

• 2X miles on purchases with United, including in-flight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, tickets, Economy Plus and other eligible purchases
• 2X miles on dining, including eligible delivery services
• 2X miles on hotel accommodations purchased directly with the hotel
• 1X miles on all other purchases
• First checked bag flies free for you and up to one companion
• Up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry, Nexus or TSA PreCheck application fee, every four years, when charged to your card through an eligible enrollment provider
• Priority boarding for you and all other travelers on your reservation on United-operated flights
• 25% discount, given as a statement credit, for in-flight purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks
• No foreign transaction fees
• Two annual United Club one-time entry passes
• If the primary cardmember has MileagePlus Premier status and is traveling on an award ticket, they’re eligible for complimentary upgrades on select United- and United Express-operated flights, subject to availability (up to one companion traveling on the same reservation can also qualify for an upgrade).
• 25 PQP for every $500 spent in purchases (including purchases made by authorized users) up to a maximum of 1,000 PQP in a calendar year
• Complimentary one year DashPass membership, giving you $0 delivery fees and lower service charges. Thereafter, you’re automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate (enroll by Dec. 31, 2024).
• Rental car insurance
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Baggage delay insurance reimbursement
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Trip delay reimbursement

Cons

• Free first checked bag covers you and one eligible companion only.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Delta Air Lines offers low-priced award tickets to both Orlando and California. If you hold the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, you can maximize your rewards and luxury, offsetting its $350 annual fee (see rates & fees).

You’ll earn 3X miles on direct purchases with Delta and receive a 20% discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases, given as a statement credit. If you’re booking Delta with miles, you’ll benefit from a 15% discount on award travel (not applicable to taxes, fees or partner-operated flights). You’ll also receive a $50 discount for every 5,000 miles you redeem for flights using Pay with Miles on delta.com. This makes it perfect for flying to Disney, whether on a cash or award fare.

One of the main perks of this card is an annual Delta Companion Certificate for Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean or Central American round-trip flights each year after renewal of your card. This can cut a significant chunk out of your Disney vacation expenses, particularly if you’re traveling during peak season when cash prices are high.

Once you’re at Disney, the annual $150 statement credit for prepaid hotel and vacation rental bookings through Delta Stays will cut another chunk out of your Disney vacation expenses.

With a range of other statement credit perks—including Global Entry application fees, U.S. Resy restaurant and U.S. Rideshare purchases—offsetting this card’s annual fee isn’t much of a challenge.

Pros

• 3X miles on direct purchases with Delta
• 3X miles on direct purchases with hotels
• 2X miles at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 2X miles on groceries at U.S. supermarkets
• 1X miles on all other purchases
• 15% discount on award travel booked through Delta (not applicable to taxes, fees or partner-operated flights)
• Main Cabin 1 priority boarding
• $150 annual statement credit when you book eligible prepaid Delta Stays hotels or vacation rentals on delta.com
• Hertz Five Star status (enrollment required)
• Either a $120 statement credit every four years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck application fee (when applying through a TSA official enrollment provider), in each case when charged to your eligible Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck
• $120 annual statement credit for U.S. rideshare purchases, given in $10 monthly credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required
• $120 annual statement credit for U.S. Resy restaurant purchases, given in up to $10 monthly credits (enrollment required) on eligible U.S. Resy purchases using your enrolled card
• Annual Delta Companion Certificate for Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean or Central American round-trip flights each year after renewal of your card
• 2,500 MQD boost each Medallion Qualification Year
• 1 MQD for every $20 in purchases charged to your card in a calendar year
• First checked bag flies free
• $50 discount for every 5,000 miles you redeem for flights, using Pay with Miles on delta.com
• 20% savings on Delta in-flight food and beverage purchases, given as a statement credit
• No foreign transaction fees
• Baggage insurance plan
• Cell phone protection
• Trip delay insurance
• Car rental loss and damage insurance

Cons

• No lounge access perks

Stay in the Heart of the Magic with the Best Credit Cards for Disney Hotels

Once you’ve equipped yourself with a card to cover your flights, you should consider opening a separate credit card to cover your hotel stay.

You want your hotel to be as comfortable and accommodating as possible, providing you with some much-needed R&R after a long day at the parks. Some of the best hotels also keep the kids busy in the evenings, with lagoon-style pools and waterslides, giving parents some well-deserved downtime.

Let’s look at the best credit cards for Disney hotels.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

With more than 7,500 locations across 22 different brands, the Hilton portfolio opens up a world of opportunity for award stays. The Disney fan can take advantage of Hilton properties in both Anaheim and Orlando.

For example, in Disney Springs, Orlando, three of the seven official Walt Disney World Hotels are operated by Hilton:

• DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando—Disney Springs® Area
• Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace—Disney Springs® Area
• Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista—Disney Springs® Area

As an official Walt Disney World Hotel, that means Extra Magic Hours for the whole family.

Likewise, the Hilton Anaheim is an official Disney Good Neighbor® hotel, offering a free shuttle service to the parks.

There are many other Hilton properties surrounding both Disneyland and Disney World.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card earns 14X points on direct purchases with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio, giving you a massive return on Disney cash stays.

You’ll benefit from a $400 annual statement credit for eligible direct purchases with participating resorts in the Hilton portfolio. This perk is given in biannual $200 increments, so you’ll need to stay in a Hilton at least twice a year to benefit from it.

This card also comes with an annual free night reward, as well as the opportunity for a second free night reward after charging $30,000 to your card within a calendar year and an additional third free night reward after charging $60,000 to your card within a calendar year. This can offer massive savings during your Disney vacation.

As a cardholder, you’ll benefit from complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond Status, elevating the luxury of your stays as well as earning you a 100% bonus on base points earned during your stays.

If you can maximize its perks, offsetting the card’s annual fee of $550 should be easy enough.

Pros

• 14X points on direct purchases with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
• 7X points on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies
• 7X points on dining purchases at U.S. restaurants including takeout and delivery
• 3X points on all other purchases
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond Status
• $400 annual statement credit for eligible direct purchases with participating resorts in the Hilton portfolio, given in biannual $200 increments. Eligible purchases include direct bookings made with Hilton and incidentals charged to your room and paid using your card.
• Annual free night reward. Receive a second free night reward after charging $30,000 to your card within a calendar year and an additional third free night reward after charging $60,000 to your card within a calendar year.
• $199 annual CLEAR Plus membership statement credit
• $200 annual statement credit for eligible airfare purchases made directly with an airline or through amextravel.com, given in quarterly $50 increments
• Complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status (enrollment required)
• Receive $1 in credits per dollar spent, up to $100 per property, when you use your card to book through HiltonHonorsAspireCard.com or by calling Hilton Honors at (855) 292-5757, for a minimum stay of two nights at Waldorf Astoria® Hotels & Resorts and Conrad® Hotels & Resorts.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Car rental loss and damage insurance
• Baggage insurance plan
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Baggage delay insurance

Cons

• $200 flight credit is issued quarterly, making it difficult to maximize.
• Narrow bonus spending categories

The Platinum Card® from American Express

While not a co-branded hotel card, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers excellent opportunities for hotel award stays. With an extensive list of benefits, the frequent traveler should have little problem offsetting its annual fee of $695 (see rates & fees).

Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and Choice  Privileges at the following rates:

• Marriott Bonvoy (1:1)
• Hilton Honors (1:2)
• Choice  Privileges (1:1)

This opens up a world of redemption opportunities, including lucrative transfers not only to Disney Hilton properties, but also to Disney Marriott Bonvoy hotels including but not limited to:

• Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve
• Orlando World Center Marriott
• SpringHill Suites Orlando at Flamingo Crossings Town Center
• Delta Orlando Lake Buena Vista
• JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa
• Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

The Amex Platinum offers Gold Elite Status with both Marriott and Hilton (enrollment required), elevating the luxury of your stays. It also offers more than $1,500 worth of statement credits, making it one of the most lucrative travel rewards credit cards on the market.

On your way to Disney, you’ll benefit from access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection with more than 1,400 lounges worldwide.

Pros

• 5X points on flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel®, on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year (earn 1X points thereafter)
• 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com
• 1X points on all other eligible purchases
• $100 annual statement credit for Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com (enrollment required) given in up to $50 in statement credits on a semi-annual basis
• $240 annual digital entertainment credit (enrollment required).  Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card for eligible purchases at select streaming providers
• $300 annual Equinox credit (enrollment required). Receive up to a total of $300 in statement credits each calendar year on membership fees for U.S. eligible Equinox memberships (subject to auto-renewal)
• $12.95 in statement credits per month for an annual Walmart+ membership (enrollment required)
• $200 annual hotel credit. Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on select prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel for prepaid bookings at the Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection (minimum stay of two nights required) through Amex Travel (enrollment required)
• $199 annual statement credit for CLEAR® Plus membership fees(enrollment required)
• $200 statement credit for airline incidental fees (enrollment required). Get up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits after incidental fees are charged by your one selected, qualifying airline
• $200 annual Uber cash credits (enrollment required). Amex Platinum cardholders can get $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December
• $120 statement credit every four years for Global Entry or $85 every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Amex Platinum Card. Card members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost
• Access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection (1,400+ lounges) (enrollment required)
• Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton (enrollment required)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Baggage insurance plan
• Car rental loss and damage insurance

Cons

• Limited bonus spending categories
• High annual fee

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

As already mentioned, access to award stays with Marriott Bonvoy properties is hugely valuable for a Disney vacation. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers the best of the best when it comes to earning and redeeming your Marriott points, making the $650 annual fee well worth it (see rates & fees).

Whether you’re looking to stay directly in Disney World at the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin or Swan Reserve, the luxurious JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort at Disneyland or the more affordable Four Points by Sheraton Anaheim, the Brilliant Card has you covered.

You’ll earn 6X points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. You’ll enjoy an annual free night reward valid for use at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy with a maximum redemption value of 85,000 points, as well as complimentary Platinum Elite Status—perfect for a Disney vacation.

When you book a consecutive stay of five nights using points, you’ll get the lowest point-value night free of charge. This would cut the cost of your five-day Disney vacation hotel stay by 20%.

Cardholders also enjoy a luxury pre-flight experience, with complimentary Priority Pass Select membership up to $120 statement credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees, every four years.

If Marriott Bonvoy Disney World hotels are on your mind, the Brilliant Card can help make award stays with them possible.

Pros

• 6X points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
• 3X points on restaurants worldwide
• 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
• 2X points on all other purchases
• $300 annual dining statement credit for restaurant purchases worldwide, given in $25 monthly increments
• $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a minimum stay of two nights
• Annual free night reward valid for use at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy with a maximum redemption value of 85,000 points
• Complimentary Platinum Elite status
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
• Spend $60,000 within a calendar year and receive one Earned Choice Award benefit, including: five Nightly Upgrade Awards, an additional free night reward with a maximum equivalent redemption value of up to 85,000 points or $1,000 off a bed from any Marriott Bonvoy retail brand.
• 25 complimentary Elite Night credits issued to your account annually
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck application fee (when applying through a TSA official enrollment provider), in each case when charged to your eligible American Express card. Card members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost
• No foreign transaction fees
• Cell phone protection insurance plan
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Baggage insurance plan
• Car rental loss and damage insurance

Cons

• High annual fee
• Earned Choice Award has a high minimum spending requirement

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

For a reasonable annual fee of $95, The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers ample opportunities for affordable award stays around both Disney World and Disneyland.

Hyatt uses a dynamically priced award chart, making it easy to predict the number of points needed for its hotel stays. For standard rooms at Category 1-4 hotels, the award chart is as follows:

Around Orlando, properties such as the Hyatt Place Orlando Lake Buena Vista and Hyatt Place Across From Universal Orlando Resort™ offer off-peak award stays for as little as 6,500 to 9,000 points per night.

In Anaheim, the Hyatt Place at Anaheim Resort-Convention Center, Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort-Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Orange County offer off-peak award stays starting at 12,000 points per night.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers 4X points on purchases at Hyatt hotels. It also includes an annual free night award at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort after your cardmember anniversary. You can receive a second free night award at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.

This makes it more affordable to stay at a Hyatt property during your Disney vacation.

With complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status, you can benefit from 2 p.m. check-out, elite check-in and preferred room upgrades (subject to availability).

If affordability is what you’re after, Hyatt hotels should feature in your Disney vacations, and The World of Hyatt Credit Card will be a solid complement to this strategy.

Pros

• Up to 4X points on purchases at Hyatt hotels
• 2X points at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting, fitness club and gym memberships
• 1X points on all other purchases
• Annual free night award at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort after your cardmember anniversary. Receive an extra free night award at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
• Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status
• Receive five qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every year. Earn two additional qualifying night credits every time you spend $5,000 on your card.
• Complimentary 12-month membership for both DoorDash and Caviar—the DashPass—when you activate it by Dec. 31. Unlocks lower service fees and $0 delivery fees on eligible orders.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Lost baggage reimbursement
• Auto rental collision damage waiver

Cons

• Discoverist Status is the lowest status above Member status.

Choosing Your Disney Accommodations

Official Walt Disney World Hotels offer exclusive benefits, including Extra Magic Hours, character experiences, Disney-themed rooms, discounts on tickets and vacation packages, and savings on Disney Dining plans.

They also provide an array of transport options to the parks, from water taxis to shuttle services.

These hotels are found within the parks on Disney properties, within walking distance of many popular attractions and amenities.

Off-site from the parks but often in close proximity, you’ll find Disney Good Neighbor® Hotels. While these hotels may not offer Extra Magic Hours, they are in partnership with Disney and can offer you information about the parks as well as a shuttle service to them.

Aside from Disney-affiliated hotels, there are also a range of other hotels surrounding Disney parks in both Orlando and Anaheim with affordable award nights and cash prices. Some offer complimentary shuttle services to the parks, while others may charge a fee.

Offset Disney Park Tickets with Credit Card Rewards

Can you buy Disney park tickets using credit card rewards?

Yes.

Should you?

It depends.

Generally speaking, using any credit card rewards currency to purchase Disney tickets is a poor redemption option. Compared to a value of 2 cents per point or more you could get by transferring your points to a partner hotel or airline loyalty program, buying Disney tickets often nets you a value of less than 1 cent per point.

Likewise, when buying Disney tickets through a card issuer’s portal, such as Chase TravelSM, they’re often overpriced compared to buying them directly.

However, one option for at least earning points on Disney tickets is to buy them through Undercover Tourist using a card that earns elevated rewards on travel purchases. Disney tickets don’t typically code as travel when bought directly from Disney or through a portal. However, if you buy them as part of a larger vacation package or through Undercover Tourist, they will code as travel, earning you a greater return on cards with travel as a bonus category.

Disney park tickets are often cheaper on Undercover Tourist, making this an even better deal.

Another option would be to purchase your Disney tickets through the Citi Travel portal using the Citi Strata PremierSM Card. It earns 10X points on attractions, including theme park tickets, and usually sells Disney tickets at a fair price. You can then use your Citi ThankYou points for award travel redemptions or redeem them as a statement credit to reduce the cash cost of your ticket purchases.

Maximizing Rewards for the Complete Vacation Experience

The cost of a Disney vacation doesn’t end with the flights, park tickets and hotels. However, neither does your potential to earn points.

Dining, entertainment and miscellaneous (read: non-bonus category) purchases will make up a large part of your spending while at Disney, so it’s a good idea to have a credit card at the ready to earn rewards on your spending.

Here are some of the best credit cards for entertainment, dining and non-bonus category spending.

Earn Rewards on Dining and Entertainment at Disney Parks

American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card is one of the best cards when it comes to dining rewards. For an annual fee of $325 (see rates & fees), you can get a significant return on your spending.

It earns 4X points at restaurants worldwide, as well as on takeout and delivery purchases in the U.S. (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x). It also includes up to $120 annual statement credit for dining at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and Five Guys (enrollment required).

When dining at restaurants in Disney World and Disneyland, you should be able to rack up 4X points per dollar on your spending. However, do keep in mind some stalls and carts may not code as restaurants, meaning you’ll earn only 1X points per dollar spent.

The Amex Gold Card is fantastic when it comes to earning on everyday purchases, earning 4X points on grocery shopping at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year (earn 1X points thereafter). This means you can rack up your Membership Rewards points throughout the year on everyday spending, enabling you to redeem them toward hotel and airline award travel for your Disney vacation.

Pros

• 4X points at restaurants worldwide, as well as on takeout and delivery purchases in the U.S. (up to $50,000 per year, 1X points thereafter)
• 4X points on grocery shopping at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year (earn 1X points thereafter)
• 3X points on flights booked through amextravel.com or directly with the airline
• 1X points on all other eligible purchases
• $120 annual Uber Cash credit for Uber Eats orders and Rides. Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., up to $120 per year. You must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex benefit may only be used in United States.
• $120 annual statement credit for dining at select locations (enrollment required). Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with your card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys
• $84 Dunkin’ Credit: With the $84 Dunkin’ Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin’ locations
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. 
• $100 experience credit when you book a minimum stay of two nights with The Hotel Collection through Amex Travel, Eligible charges vary by property.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Trip delay insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Car rental loss and damage insurance

Cons

• 4X points on grocery shopping is capped at $25,000 per year.

Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is excellent for earning on dining and entertainment purchases at Disney.

This card earns 4% cash back on dining and entertainment purchases.

Capital One has a generous definition of both dining and entertainment purchases. Dining purchases include:

• Restaurants
• Cafés
• Bars
• Lounges
• Fast-food chains
• Bakeries

Entertainment purchases include:

• Movie theaters
• Sports promoters
• Theatrical promoters
• Amusement parks
• Tourist attractions
• Aquariums and zoos
• Dance halls
• Record stores
• Pool halls
• Bowling alleys

That covers you for a range of potential extra purchases while at Disney, including Disney tickets.

If you also hold a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Spark Miles for Business, you can transfer your cash back earnings on the Savor Rewards card to miles, enabling you to access Capital One’s full list of airline and hotel transfer partners.

For an annual fee of $95, you can ensure you earn an extra return on purchases made at Disney.

Pros

• 4% cash back on dining & entertainment
• 2% cash back at grocery stores
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• No access to transfer partners unless you hold an eligible Venture or Sparks miles card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid option for earning a return on purchases at Disney that fall outside of typical bonus spending categories.

It earns 2X miles on non-bonus category spending, making it perfect for merchandise purchases, food stalls and carts. You can transfer your miles to any of Capital One’s 18 transfer partners for lucrative redemption opportunities.

It also comes with up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit every four years, plus Hertz Five Star status—perfect for making your Disney travel a breeze.

For an annual fee of $95, the Venture Rewards card is a reliable one to keep in your wallet.

Pros

• 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
• 2X miles on all other purchases
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit every four years
• No foreign transaction fees
• Miles can be transferred to 18 hotel and airline transfer partners.
• Hertz Five Star status
• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Baggage loss insurance
• Travel accident insurance

Cons

• Capital One doesn’t have any U.S. airlines as transfer partners
• Certain transfer partners don’t use 1:1 ratios

Finding the Perfect Credit Card Match for Your Disney Vacation

When trying to select the best credit cards for your Disney vacation, you need to consider your wider credit card strategy.

While you may be a Disney-fanatic, chances are that you still plan on traveling to other places. Therefore, it’s important to select cards that will serve you beyond the purpose of a Disney vacation.

For this reason, there is no single best credit card for Disney.

Start by considering which airlines offer the best rates when it comes to getting to Disney. You’ll want to determine whether you’ll reap more value from a co-branded airline card or a general travel rewards card with a points currency that transfers to one specific airline.

If you already fly a few times a year with the same airline, opening a co-branded airline credit card would be a solid way of maximizing your miles and perks. However, if you possess little in the way of airline loyalty, sticking to a general travel rewards card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, will be a better option.

Part of this decision should take into account where else you plan on flying within the next few years. When considering the option of a co-branded airline card, think about where the airline flies to and which alliance it belongs to. That way, you’ll know where your points and miles can get you.

Then consider which cards will serve you best when it comes to staying at Disney. Again, the decision boils down to a general travel rewards credit card vs. a co-branded hotel credit card.

If you select a general travel rewards credit card, you might be able to secure lucrative hotel and airline partner redemptions through one card—be it the Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve—meaning you won’t need a separate card to cover your hotel stay in Disney.

However, if you want access to premium perks and elevated earning rates while staying at your prospective hotel, a co-branded hotel card could serve you better, especially if you’re a frequent guest with a specific hotel chain.

The benefit of opening a separate card to cover your Disney hotel stay is earning and using its welcome bonus. Depending on the card you open, the hotel and the season, you could have enough points to cover your entire stay at Disney—even for the whole family.

Similarly, it’s a good idea to have a card that covers non-bonus category spending. When it comes to purchases such as food stalls and merchandise, a card that earns a lucrative rewards rate on non-bonus category spending can help squeeze more value out of your expenditure. Of course, if you already have a card that earns a high rewards rate on dining, entertainment and non-bonus category purchases, make sure you bring it to Disney with you.

Lastly, consider annual fees. While you may be reluctant to pay an annual fee, it’s important to understand that as long as you’re getting a greater return than what you’re paying in fees, it can be worthwhile to hold the card.

It’s important to select a card that earns a high rewards rate on the things you spend the most on and has perks that you’re most likely to use. That way, you’ll get the greatest return on your investment in the card, offsetting its annual fee with ease.

Start Planning Your Magical Vacation Today

Just like with a wedding, the magic can quickly disappear when you find out the cost of your Disney vacation.

However, if you have the right credit cards in your wallet, you can cut the cost of your Disney vacation by leveraging their perks, maximizing their bonus spending categories and utilizing their transfer partners.

With an effective credit card strategy, the whole family can enjoy a Disney vacation—including the one paying for it.

Hertz: Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

American Express Insurance Benefits: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.