How to Use Points for Disney World Tickets in 2025 | Save with Rewards

2025 Guide: How to Use Credit Card Points to Pay for Disney Tickets

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If you’re planning a magical trip to Disney World but want to save money on those pricey tickets, using credit card rewards points can be a fantastic way to reduce or even eliminate the cost. While you can’t usually redeem points directly for Disney tickets, there are several clever ways to use your points to get them. Many credit cards offer flexible travel rewards that can be applied toward travel expenses, allowing you to offset your ticket costs. For example, you could redeem your points for travel-related purchases or statement credits, freeing up cash to use for Disney tickets. Additionally, certain travel portals allow you to use points for Disney tickets, making your dream vacation even more attainable.

Note that many of the options below will require the purchase to be coded as travel. Tickets purchased directly from Disney will be coded as entertainment, not travel. If the option you’re going towards requires your Disney Tickets to code as travel, consider buying from a third-party site such as Undercover Tourist or Getawaytoday.

Here’s How to Get Free Disney Park Tickets Using Reward Points:

American Express Membership Rewards points can be used in the Pay with Points option at PayPal checkout. Purchasing Disney Theme Park tickets directly from Disney will not offer this PayPal option, but some third-party sites do (Expedia and Undercover Tourist).  Using points for PayPal checkout is not the most efficient way to redeem your travel points for Disney World Tickets. While it can help limit out-of-pocket expenses for your trip, better value can typically be achieved by transferring points to partner hotels or airlines. However, if limiting cash spent for your Disney trip is important, this is a good way to use credit card points to offset the cost of Disney park tickets. For more on American Express Membership rewards check out our Step by Step Guide to Using American Express Membership Rewards for Disney Park Tickets.

If you have a Bilt Rewards credit card, you can purchase Disney World Tickets through the Bilt travel portal. Another option is a statement credit for travel purchases is available on the Bilt credit card, so long as your Disney ticket code as travel (third-party site for purchasing your tickets). Now, the Bilt credit card does not have a welcome bonus like other travel reward cards, but it does allow you to earn travel points for your rent payments.

You can redeem Capital One Miles at a fixed rate of $0.01 per mile towards travel purchases on your Capital One Venture X and Venture Rewards credit card. While this again is not the highest redemption rate, it will cover a part of your ticket costs. As with many of the options discussed, your ticket purchase must code as travel to be covered by your Capital One miles.

Another trick to save on other travel expenses related to your trip is to buy enough Disney gift cards to cover your tickets for the theme parks at stores that earn bonus points on your travel rewards card. So let’s say your Disney tickets will cost $1,000, you can buy $1,000 worth of Disney gift cards at a grocery store and charge it to a card that earns bonus points in grocery stores. Note that this option will not save you cash on your Disney World Tickets, but will earn you lots of travel reward points for that ticket purchase.

Another way to get Disney gift cards is through cash back apps like Top Cash Back. At Top Cash Back you can buy Disney gift cards typically earn around 5.67% cashback. You can also earn cash back rewards for other everyday spending, and use those rewards for Disney gift cards. To learn more check out How to Use Cashback Apps to Save for Your Disney World Vacation.

Note that we did not discuss the Disney Premier Visa Card. The Disney Visa credit cards earn Disney rewards dollars which can be used at Disney Parks and towards park tickets. However, the Disney visa card generally does not earn great rewards on your purchases. It will take some significant spending on these cards to earn enough to cover the cost of your Disney tickets.

Earning enough travel rewards to cover the cost of Disney Park tickets takes time and planning. However, by using several sign-up bonus points, you can save big on tickets to the most magical place on earth. Saving cash on Disney World Tickets is not nearly as simple as getting your hotel or airfare for free. Still, with a little planning and the right credit card strategy, you can significantly reduce the cost of Disney World tickets using points.

If you’re looking to stay close to the magic, you can use Marriott Bonvoy points and free night certificates to book on-property hotels like the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. For a more budget-friendly option that doesn’t sacrifice comfort, check out the best Hyatt hotels near Disney, which often offer great amenities and convenient access to the parks.

You can also explore Hilton Honors to earn free nights at Hilton properties near Disney World. Many of these hotels are eligible for bonus point redemptions or fifth-night-free stays.

To supercharge your points, consider applying for co-branded credit cards that earn Marriott, Hyatt, or Hilton points directly. By strategically using your loyalty programs across hotel, flight, and ticket costs, you can enjoy an incredible Disney trip without the hefty price tag.

In April 2024, my family and I traveled to Disney World using points. Using option 1 above, we spent $1414 on our trip, including a seven-day park hopper plus tickets, airfare, and a hotel, using Amex reward points. The experience was truly unforgettable, filled with magical moments and cherished memories. We managed to enjoy all the attractions and character meet-and-greets without breaking the bank, making our Disney World vacation for $1,414 a remarkable success. Everyone in the family agreed it was one of the best trips we had ever taken together.

Whether you’re using travel portals, redeeming points for cashback, or statement credits there are plenty of ways to make your Disney vacation more affordable. So, enjoy the magic of a Disney family vacation without breaking the bank! Consider booking during off-peak seasons when prices drop and crowds thin out, allowing you to experience more of the magic without the long waits.