Hi disboards credit card community, newbie here looking for some advice (TLDR- I’d like to get the Disney Visa but want to make sure I’m putting the right charges on it). I’ve been reading the current pages for a little bit, searched Disney Visa, and I studied the posts on the first pages, so I think I understand the format of how I should phrase my question.
Current cards/only personal credit cards I’ve ever had (I had several in my name from an old job but those would have been canceled by them over 2 years ago)-
2001- Bank of Americard Rewards Visa Signature: no balance, used a couple times a year at most because it auto-refills my Starbucks card only
2018- Bank of America Travel Rewards Visa Signature: no balance, used randomly whenever I decide to switch from the Chase
2019 Chase Sapphire Preferred- sometimes carries a balance, used primarily, but with no thought process behind it or the BOA
Travel- infrequently for work (right now 1-2x year), frequently for fun. I have every airline loyalty number but always pick whatever is cheapest, therefore currently trying to book with my Frontier Annual GoWild Pass (or Southwest because I appreciate their cancelation policies but they are rarely the cheapest these days). I use WAS as my airport code, though DCA is definitely the most convenient. I book most non-Frontier/SW travel through Orbitz and use their rewards for hotel stays, though I try to go places with friends I can stay with so I don’t book that many hotels. I have no hotel allegiance, just whatever is cheapest. I travel alone so there’s no other input necessary to consider.
Spending- outside of travel, mostly utilities, groceries and random
Amazon purchases. I have no car (and don’t rent them so never buy gas) and no pets. I have had all the streaming services in the past, but currently just HBO. I have no anticipated large expenses coming up (outside of significant dental work, haven’t thought through the best way to do that yet).
Goals- in general spend smarter, but more specifically I’d like to use my rewards for Disney! I’ve done 5 trips, and knees willing aim to keep going to WDW once a year for the marathon weekend in January staying on property. Last year I also made two 1-day trips to the Food and Wine Festival to eat all the things and it was perfect (stayed off property). I’d love to do that again, and other race weekends staying on property, but the park tickets always get me since I can’t use points on them (that I’m aware of with my current setup). Someday I’d love to be an AP but right now I’m only averaging 3 park days/year.
Impression: Though I read a bunch of articles saying how bad the Disney Visa is compared to other reward cards, I think it makes sense for me. Even if I only use it for the discounts on race merchandise it’s huge benefit, since that is stuff I’m buying at full price already. I also eat at some of the restaurants listed.
Question: so I guess my overall question is, assuming I apply for and get the Disney Visa, how can I best maximize my use of it? Between the two other CCs (ignoring the old BOA one since the others have better rewards) and discounted DGCs I know I need to play the game better of what charges go where. I think the Chase should get the travel and groceries, and Disney anything that codes as entertainment? Or other? I got the newer BOA just to have a backup when my first and only card at the time was stolen out of my hand. Should I use it less so my rewards get funneled to the other spots where I can accumulate them more efficiently?
I really appreciate this community and the opportunity to learn from you! Thank you!
