Universal's new credit cards reward you with free theme park tickets and more
Whether you are headed to Universal Orlando Resort in Central Florida or Universal Studios Hollywood in Southern California, a few things are certain. One, you will be transported to exciting lands based on some of your favorite movies, TV shows and video games. Two, you will create lifelong memories. Three, the costs for theme park tickets, a hotel stay, restaurants and souvenirs will add up quickly.
This is why we are big proponents of using the best credit card for your Universal vacation here at TPG — one that lets you earn (and burn) valuable rewards, thereby making your travel budget a bit more manageable.
Now, Universal launched its own duo of credit cards that will make earning rewards from your theme park vacations even easier. As part of a partnership with First National Bank of Omaha and Visa, the Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature® Card and Universal Rewards Visa Signature® Card will provide Universal theme park guests with an all-new way to rack up theme park perks, including financing on Universal vacations, rewards on qualifying purchases and free theme park tickets.
The information for the Universal Rewards Plus and Universal Rewards cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: How to use points to save money at Universal Orlando
"By forming this partnership with Visa, we can offer unique theme park benefits to cardholders and further enhance our guest experience," said Alice Norsworthy, president of global marketing for Universal Destinations & Experiences. "Even more exciting is the launch of the Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature® Card with FNBO. This will put the thrills of Universal in the hands of our fans and provide a new way to earn rewards and get exclusive benefits."
The cards have individual benefits, but both come with access to perks like 10% off select merchandise and food and beverage purchases at Universal theme parks. You can apply for both cards now, but here is a bit more information about each to help you decide if these cards make sense for you.
Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature® Card
The Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature® Card has a $99 annual fee, which you can effectively wipe out in the first year since you can earn a $100 statement credit when you spend $100 within the first billing cycle after you open an account.
You can further justify the annual fee with the one single-day theme park admission ticket to Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida or Universal Studios Hollywood that you'll earn on your annual card anniversary when you spend $6,000 or more in a year. Soon, Universal parks on both coasts will also open a Visa lounge that cardholders will have access to when they visit the parks.
You can also offset the sticker shock of a theme park vacation with 0% annual percentage rate financing when you spend $1,000 or more on a qualifying Universal vacation purchase.
This card earns 4% rewards on qualifying Universal purchases; 2% on travel, gas and dining purchases; and 1% on all other purchases. You can redeem rewards via a Universal FUNds Visa® Prepaid Card, which you can use for Universal theme park purchases, and flights and hotel stays booked directly through the airline or hotel.
The information for the Universal FUNds Visa® Prepaid Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Click here to learn more and apply.
Universal Rewards Visa Signature® Card
The no-annual-fee Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature® Card has fewer benefits than its sister card but still earns 2% in rewards on qualifying Universal purchases and 1% on all other purchases, also paid out via a Universal FUNds Visa® Prepaid Card that you can use to offset the cost of your vacation.
Click here to learn more and apply.
Related reading:
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.