DVC owners are well-acquainted with the annual dues invoice that arrives just in time for the holiday season. While these costs are a standard part of ownership, you don’t have to pay full price. Here at Vacation Club Loans, we want to save you money, so you can spend it on more fun stuff! By using strategic “hacks” involving retailer discounts and credit card rewards, you can save hundreds of dollars every year.
1. The Retailer Strategy: Discounted Disney Gift Cards
The most effective way to lower your bill is to purchase Disney Gift Cards at a discount and use them to pay your dues online.
Target Circle Card (Debit card or Credit card options)
This is a favorite among owners because it requires no membership fee, and you can even link it to a debit card.
- The Discount: You get a flat 5% off eligible Target purchases, including Disney Gift Cards.
- The Savings: Buying $2,000 worth of gift cards only costs you $1,900, putting $100 back in your pocket.
- Availability: You can buy physical cards in-store or digital eGift cards online in denominations ranging from $25 to $500.
Wholesale Clubs (Sam’s Club & BJ’s)
Wholesale clubs offer another layer of opportunity, though their discounts fluctuate constantly.
- Sam’s Club: Offers physical, eGift, and multi-pack cards. Typically, a $500 card sells for roughly $484.98 (about $15 in savings), but promotional deals can occasionally be much better than Target, these promos are seasonal.
- BJ’s Wholesale: Regularly sells cards below face value, with $500 cards typically costing around $479.99 (4% savings). During special promotions, these can drop as low as $474.
2. The “Stacking” Method: Double Your Rewards!
To truly maximize your savings, you can stack discounts. By using a rewards credit card to purchase your discounted gift cards at the wholesale clubs mentioned above, you earn the retailer’s discount plus rewards on your credit card statement. Note: Target Circle card is not the same as using a Disney Visa credit card.
Choosing the Right Disney Chase Visa
Chase now offers three tiers of Disney Visa cards that can help you accumulate Disney Rewards Dollars to put toward future dues!
| Feature | Disney® Visa® | Disney® Premier Visa® | Disney® Inspire Visa® |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $49 | $149 |
| Disney Rewards | 1% flat rate | 2% at Disney locations | 3% at Disney locations |
| One-time Welcome Offer | $150 credit ($500 spend) | $300 credit ($1,000 spend) | $500 credit ($1,000 spend) |
| Best For | DVC fans wanting $0 fees. | Regular DVC fans wanting double rewards | “Superfans” looking for high streaming rewards (10%). |
Summary Checklist for Maximum Savings
- Check for Promotions: Look at Sam’s Club or BJ’s first to see if they have a “much better” promotional rate than 5%. *Membership required.
- Pay with a Rewards Card: Use a credit card that earns rewards at the wholesale club to “stack” your earnings. THIS DOUBLES SAVINGS
- Use the Target Baseline: If no promotions are active, use your Target Circle Card for a guaranteed 5% off.
- Pay Online: Use your collected gift cards to pay your dues through the DVC member website.
By following these steps, you can turn a mandatory expense into a rewarding strategy that keeps more money in your Disney vacation fund!
**BONUS PERK: DVC owners through the RESALE industry, the Disney Chase Visa card DOES qualify for merchandise discounts.
