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Disney World: Our strategies for collecting points and saving money

To the point Here are our strategies for earning rewards points to save at Disney World with minimal effort!

In this article, a three-step plan is detailed to earn enough points for a week-long trip to Disney World for a family of four.

For beginners, we recommend starting with one or two credit cards, and then spacing out applications by at least 6 to 9 months. Then, once you become more comfortable with credit card management, you can increase the number of credit card applications, and move them closer together over time.

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Summary of the strategy

We have grouped up to four credit cards in the same table to better visualize the strategy for Disney World. However, it is advisable to take it slow with two rounds of two credit cards per year, especially for beginners. Travel hacking is a marathon, not a sprint!

Finally, also pay attention to the spending amounts required to unlock the bonuses. You should not take too many cards at the same time if you are not able to unlock the points.

  • Number of persons : 2 adults and 2 children
  • Planning period: 2 to 4 years
  • Disney Savings Account: $5,600
  • Airline tickets: 155,000 Aeroplan points
  • Accommodation: 215,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

It is important to note that this strategy to Disney World may vary in length from family to family depending on your points hoarder profile, annual spending volume and the amount required for your Disney savings account.

Planning Step One: Build a Disney Savings Account

Adult # 1

CREDIT CARD BONUS MINIMUM EXPENSES REWARDS ANNUAL FEES FINAL VALUE
TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card 100,000 TD Rewards points $5,000 40,000 points No annual fee
the first year + $100 Expedia credit
$800
HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® 110,000 HSBC Rewards Points $1 2 points $49
(thanks to the $100 credit )
$550
American Express Cobalt® Card 30,000 Membership Rewards $6,000
spread over the first year
30,000 Membership Rewards points $155,88 $600
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card 35,000 RBC Rewardspoints $0 0 points $120 $525
TOTAL 275,000 points $11,001 70,002 points $224,88 2 475 $

This strategy accumulates $2,250 in net worth ($2,475 – $225) on $11,001 in expenses.

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Adult # 2

CREDIT CARD BONUS MINIMUM EXPENSES REWARDS ANNUAL FEES FINAL VALUE
CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card $200 $2,000 over 4 months with no annual fee
the first year
$200
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card $100 1,000 over 2 months with no annual fee $100

TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card

 

$290 3 500 $ with no annual fee
the first year
$290
TOTAL 590 $ $6,500 590 $

This strategy accumulates $590 in net worth on $6,500 in expenses.

Balance sheet after the first stage: $2,840 net to put in the Disney savings account out of $17,500 in family expenses.

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Planning step two: Continue to replenish the Disney savings account

Flip! The same strategy is repeated with each adult asking for the other credit cards.

This strategy is based on the fact that you have $17,500 in purchases to make each year ($1,500 per month). If you can’t reach these amounts, don’ t invent expenses!

Instead, think about stocking up on gift cards for future expenses (for Disney World or other things like Netflix or gas) or paying your city taxes for example. Indeed, many expenses can be done indirectly by credit card for a fee; to unlock a bonus, it can be profitable!

Balance sheet after the second stage: + $2,840 net to put in the Disney savings account on $17,500 in family expenses = $5,680.

Third planning step: flights and hotels

The accumulation of points for flights and hotels is delayed because it is effortless to earn them quickly.

Indeed, the following points add up quickly!

You can apply for these cards earlier, but you must consider having the card active to benefit from free luggage or the Buddy passes.

Use Aeroplan Points or Reward Points on flights to Disney World? You have to calculate the number of points required versus the cost of other options to determine which is better!

Flights to Disney World

CREDIT CARD BONUS MINIMUM EXPENSES REWARDS ANNUAL FEES FINAL HARVEST IN AEROPLAN POINTS
TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite® card 70,000 Aeroplan points $7,500 7,500 Aeroplan points $139 77,500 points

Each adult could take this card and then combine the points through Aeroplan Family Sharing. The couple would therefore have :

Accommodation during the trip

CREDIT CARD BONUS MINIMUM EXPENSES REWARDS ANNUAL FEES FINAL HARVEST IN POINTS
Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points $1,500 over 3 months 3,000 points $120 53,000 points
Marriott Bonvoy™ Business American Express® Card 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points $ 1,500 over 3 months 4,500 points $ 150 54,500 points
TOTAL 100,000 points $3,000 7,500 points $270 107,500 points

Each adult could take these two cards and then combine the points into one Marriott Bonvoy account. The couple could therefore earn:

Balance: 115,000 Aeroplan points + 278,000 Marriott Bonvoy points + $140 annual fee

Bottom line

This strategy is one of many. It’s up to you to tailor them to your specific situation based on your spending habits, your credit rating and your expectations at Disney World!

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Aline
I'm Aline, an experienced traveller, a foodie at heart, an Avgeek, a photography enthusiast and an expert on credit card programs. I use Reward Points to travel on a budget and to save money on everyday life; writing about these topics allows me to share my passion and help you. ~ 7 continents and 75 countries ~

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