Episode 6: Disney Park Ticket Savings

FastPass+ for Wishes may be on the chopping block, water-based challenges, and some ways to save dollars on Walt Disney World park tickets.  Thanks for listening!


SHOW NOTES

Message board thread "Wishes FP+ Ending" (DISboards.com)



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Using Target REDcard Online

In Episode 5, we read an email from Justin that included the following question:

I’m looking at the “Not Too Difficult” option and, if I understand correctly, you use Target Gift Cards (purchased at a discount) to purchase Disney gift cards on Target.com after getting to Target.com through a click-through site.  My question is – do you still get the 5% Target red discount even though you are not technically using the Target red card to purchase the Disney Gift cards?

As we stated in the show, the answer is is YES, you do still get the discount even though you aren't using the REDcard to make the purchase.

1) After creating a Target.com account, adding a REDcard to your profile as the default method of payment, and putting a Disney gift card in your basket, you arrive at the standard checkout page:

(select "proceed to checkout" red button)

2) When you arrive at the next screen (below), note that the payment method has automatically been made to the default REDcard.  Do *not* click "complete order,"  instead, select "Pay with a Target GiftCard" in blue font on the bottom right area of the page.

3)  After cliking "Pay with a Target GiftCard," you can apply Target GiftCards that have previously been saved in your account or choose to enter new GiftCards.

After applying Target GiftCards as payment, the REDCard area is now greyed out as no additional payment is necessary but the 5% off is still shown in the price breakdown. Click on "save & continue."

4) Click "complete order" to purchase Disney GiftCard at 5% off. (boom)

Episode 5: Trip Debriefing

Ticket price increases, falling out of ride vehicles, and a recap of the goods & bads encountered during our recent trips to Walt Disney World.  Thanks for listening!

To read show notes or leave us a voice message, please visit our blog at www.backsideofmagic.com

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Episode 4: Cheap Flights

Dance party utilization, park-banishment, and flying your family here and there for pennies on the dollar.  Thanks for listening!

SHOW NOTES

Link to James Rosemergy article mentioned in News

Summary of Southwest Companion Pass:

Lasts to December 31 of the year after you earn it. 

Earn it by getting 110,000 Rapid Reward points in a calendar year.

Three Chase Visa products:

Plus Card - $69 annual fee

Premier Card - $99 annual fee

Business Premier Card - $99 annual fee

The Premier Cards offer the 50,000 point bonus pretty much year round.

The Plus Card switches between offering 50,000 and 25,000 point bonus. (Wait for the 50k).

To get the bonus, you have to spend $2,000 in the first three months you hold the card.

So, get a Plus and a Premier, spend the $2,000 on each.  That gets you to 104,000 points.  Spend another $6000 before year's end (really, ASAP) to get you to 110,000 and earn the Companion Pass.

For each card that you get a 50,000 bonus, you (the primary cardholder) can't get another 50,000 bonus on that card product for 2 years after earning the bonus.  But... your husband/wife can... even if they were an authorized user on your account.  

So, after a year, your husband/wife can get the companion pass too.   

Questions? Comments?
Email: show@backsideofmagic.com
Twitter: @backsideofmagic

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Episode 3: Gift Card Savings 101

Dining reservation policy change, Skipper Canteen scuttlebutt, a previously bomb-sheltered park-goer, and saving lots o' cash at Walt Disney World.  Thanks for listening!

SHOW NOTES

The techniques for saving money on Disney Gift Cards discussed in this episode are listed below.  These gift cards can be used to fund the entirety of a Disney vacation, save for minor cash incidentals like bellhop or valet tips.

Super Easy 
1) Purchase at BJs or Sam's Club using an existing membership
SAVINGS: 4.04% or 4.60%, respectively

Easy
1) Obtain a Target REDCard, then use it to purchase in a Target store
SAVINGS: $50.00 per $1000 of Disney expenditures (5.0%)

Fairly Easy 
1) Link Target REDCard to your Target.com as primary form of payment
2) Enter Target.com via a click-thru site such as Ebates, MyPoints, or Swagbucks
- Save 1.5% (on average) via click-thru rebate
- Save 5.0% on the Disney Gift Cards purchased at Target.com
3) Enter Gift Cards into a Disney Vacation Account
- Save 2.0% on all pre-purchased aspects of Disney vacation paid via DVA.
TOTAL SAVINGS: $84.25 per $1000 of Disney expenditures (8.43%)

Not Too Difficult 
1) Link Target REDCard to your Target.com as primary form of payment
2) Obtain Target Gift Cards at discount through store promotions or online gift card resellers
- Save 10% (achievable year-round with a keen eye)
3) Enter Target.com via a click-thru site such as Ebates, MyPoints, or Swagbucks
- Save 1.5% (on average) via click-thru rebate
- Save 5.0% on the Disney Gift Cards purchased at Target.com
4) Enter Gift Cards into a Disney Vacation Account
- Save 2.0% on all pre-purchased aspects of Disney vacation paid via DVA.
TOTAL SAVINGS: $179.25 per $1000 of Disney expenditures (17.9%)

** It is important when buying online at Target.com that you remember to select Payment with Gift Cards before the final click or your default REDCard will be charged as the method of payment. **

Questions? Comments?
Email: show@backsideofmagic.com
Twitter: @backsideofmagic

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Episode 2: Trip Planning Challenges

We haven't quite yet mastered updating the blog in a timely fashion.  Episode 2 came out last Tuesday and covered the summer QS dining discount, hiding valuables in the parks, dealing with trip planning challenges, and slightly more!

Watch for Episode 3 tomorrow!

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SHOW NOTES
Summer Quick Service Dining Deal