Workaround to Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to Book Disney Resorts
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Update: In September 2018, things changed again for Disney and Chase Ultimate Rewards, and as of now you cannot use Ultimate Rewards points to book anything that is directly Disney.
A vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is simultaneously a magical experience for your family and a mind-bogglingly painful experience for your wallet. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the Disney experience and stay at an on-property Disney resort, all-in estimates for the price of a four-night Disney vacation can range from about $5,000 - $10,000 for a family of four. Naturally, there are ways to shave some cost off of those estimates, but if you are spending your cash for a Disney vacation, Mickey Mouse is going to expect to be well-paid in exchange for your lifetime of memories.
Save Money at Disney World Using Ultimate Rewards Points
One easy way that many savvy families save money at Walt Disney World is to use their Chase Ultimate Rewards points to cover the cost of their Disney Resort Hotel. Historically, you could go online to the Chase Travel site and use points from your Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card to book one of the over 25 on-site Disney properties.
The number of points required per night varied based on the going rate of the hotel and which Ultimate Rewards card you held. To book a deluxe Disney property, such as Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, when it was selling for about $433 per night would cost you around 29,000 points from the Chase Sapphire Reserve at a value of 1.5 cents per point. That will not set the world record for the best points redemption in terms of value per point, but it is still a great option for families who want to use some of their points to go to Disney World.
However, at some point in July 2018, the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel site stopped displaying true Walt Disney World Resorts for bookings with points or dollars. The Chase Travel site still displays options such as the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, but those are not true Disney resorts that convey all of the Disney perks, such as the Magical Express Bus to and from Orlando International Airport (MCO). Thankfully, there is still a way to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book Disney Resorts — including park tickets!
Call Chase Cruise and Vacation Packages to Book Disney Resorts With Points
To use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book Walt Disney World Resort properties and theme park tickets, you must now call the Chase Cruise and Vacation Packages line at 1-855-234-2542. I know this is a major pain for those who love to do everything online, but there is a silver lining to this change.
Previously, when you booked a Disney Resort on the Chase Travel site, you were not given a true Disney confirmation number that you could use to immediately link the booking to your online My Disney Experience account, select Magic Bands, make FastPass+ reservations and more. It was possible to track down that real Disney confirmation number when booking through Chase, but it was far from quick or easy. Now when you use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points over the phone to book with the Chase travel agents, they are booking directly with Disney and can give you a true Disney confirmation number immediately.
When I called to price out some example trips last week, I was told that their prices over the phone match up with exactly what Disney offers directly on their website, and that was indeed accurate in my test searches.
Other Ways to Use Points to Book Disney World
If you only want to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to purchase park admission tickets to Disney World, you can also do that over the phone via the Chase Cruise and Vacation Packages department. If you wanted to plan a budget-friendly trip to Disney World, you can secure your park tickets with Chase Ultimate Rewards points then use your Hilton or Wyndham hotel points to stay at nearby properties, such as those in the Disney Springs area. As of 2018, those properties now convey many of the Disney perks and can help to stretch your vacation budget.
If you're looking for alternative ways to book Walt Disney World Resorts with points, there are other options. To give an example, you can book your rooms directly with Disney, pay with your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard, and then use the points from those cards at a rate of 1 cent per point to cover the charges. Note that booking Disney Resorts or purchasing a Disney Vacation Package directly from Disney historically codes as a travel charge, however purchasing just Disney Parks tickets directly from Disney does not. To purchase Disney Park tickets by themselves and have that purchase code as travel for the purposes of earning or using points, you will want to purchase the tickets through a travel company such as Undercover Tourist.
Bottom Line
It is still possible to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a value of up to 1.5 cents each to secure your desired Disney Resort reservations and admission tickets as long as you are willing to pick up the phone. As an added bonus, when booking over the phone you should get a confirmation number that will let you immediately link your new reservations to your My Disney Experience online account.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.