Disney Visa Card vs. Universal Visa Card — What You Need to Know

So you might be thinking about getting a new credit card. Did you know you can get a credit card from Disney or Universal that will help you pay for your trips?

Well, you can! Now, there are two levels of cards you can get with each company, so what we’re going to do is lay out all the card perks, benefits, and everything else to help you decide which one to get.

Of course, if you plan on visiting Disney World the most, a Disney VISA might be your first choice. Likewise, if you plan on visiting Universal more, that card might be what would work best for you.

Both Disney and Visa have two cards available: one with a fee and one without a fee. Let’s take a look at the no-fee cards first.

Disney Visa vs. Universal Rewards Visa Signature Card

Signup Bonus

One thing the Disney Visa has going for it is a sign-up bonus. Currently, you can earn a $150 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from when you opened your new Disney Visa card account.

If you spend $100 within your first billing cycle (first month), you can receive a $50 statement credit with the Universal Rewards Visa Signature Card. So you earn less, but you earn the rewards faster.

Winner: Disney Visa

Rewards

Next up, let’s take a look at how rewards are earned. The Disney Visa allows you to earn 1 percent on all card purchases. You can then use those Rewards Dollars on Disney theme park tickets, hotel stays, shopping, dining, movies, Disney Cruise Line, and more.

On the other hand, the Universal Rewards Visa Signature Card gives you 2 percent  back in rewards on Universal purchases, and 1 percent on everything else. This means you could potentially earn  more rewards with the Universal card. Universal Rewards go towards a Universal FUNds Visa Prepaid Card that you can use throughout Universal parks and to book trips to Universal online.

Winner: Universal Rewards Visa Signature Card

Perks

Disney VISA cardholders get a lot of perks, including special vacation financing, 10 percent off select purchases on Disney Cruise Line, 10 percent off select purchases both in the parks and online, exclusive photo op opportunities in Disney Parks, and limited-time offers.

Universal Rewards Visa Signature Card perks include 10 percent off select merchandise, as well as 10 percent food and beverage purchases at select locations throughout Universal theme parks and Universal CityWalk in Orlando and Hollywood. Also, a special lounge for Universal Visa card members is coming soon inside Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida.

Winner: Disney Visa

Both cards come in a variety of designs, but Disney Visa offers way more options, including Marvel and Star Wars cards.

Winner: Disney Visa 

Disney Premier Visa Card vs. Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature Card

Annual Fee

Now let’s look at the cards with annual fees — a card with an annual fee will pay out more rewards and have more perks. But let’s look at the fees themselves. The annual fee for the Disney card is $49 per year.

What does the Universal card cost per year? Well, it’s almost double that: it’s $99 per year.  So if we’re looking at price alone, one of these cards is more inexpensive than the other.

Winner: Disney Premier Visa Card

Signup Bonuses

The signup bonuses for cards with an annual fee are generally better than the no-fee cards, but you are generally expected to spend more to get them. The Disney card has a $300 statement credit after you spend $1000 on purchases in the first three months after opening your account. That could equal up to almost two theme park tickets, depending on when you visit.

By comparison, the Universal card offers an anniversary bonus, which includes a single-day theme park ticket to Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida or Universal Studios Hollywood on or shortly after your card anniversary when you spend $6000 or more over a period of 12 months. However, you also can earn a $100 statement credit when you spend $100 within your first month.

Winner: Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature Card

Rewards

With the Disney card, you can earn 5 percent in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com. You’ll earn 2 percent in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney U.S. locations. Everything else will earn you 1 percent in Disney Rewards Dollars. Reward redemption works the same as the no-fee card, but you can also use rewards for a statement credit toward airline travel.

With the Universal card, you earn 4 percent in rewards on qualifying Universal purchases, 2 percent back in rewards on travel, gas, and dining purchases, and 1 percent back in rewards on everything else. Redeeming rewards works the same as it does for the no-fee card.

Winner: Disney Premier Visa Card

Perks

The Disney card has the same perks you’d get with the no-fee card PLUS you can earn back $14.99 per month for up to three consecutive months in statement credits on qualifying Disney Bundle streaming subscription purchases or other qualifying subscriptions or add-ons purchased at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com that total $14.99 or more when you use your card for payment for those subscriptions and add-ons.

With the Universal card, you don’t get any additional perks with the annual fee card. However, as previously mentioned, a special Visa lounge is coming soon inside Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida.

Winner: Disney Premier Visa Card

It’s pretty clear to see that you get a bit more mileage with the Disney Visa cards, but if you visit Universal Studios MORE than Disney parks, you  may find a Universal card is more suited to you. It ultimately comes down to your priorities and how you plan on using the card, but now you have a good idea of what each offers.

Check back with AllEars again soon for more.

A Complete Guide to Disney Visa Discounts

Do you have either or both of these cards? How have they worked out for you? Let us know in the comments!

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