Williams Family--How Many "Loyalty" Accounts Does It Take to Make It Through A Summer Vacation?

After we arrived home from our 20 day summer vacation that took us to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, The Bahamas via the Disney Dream cruise ship, and Houston, Texas, I took stock of the number of "loyalty" accounts/clubs/cards that we used during our trip to either save money on the spot or in the future. The number varies on each trip, but the longer the trip, the more opportunities there are to save!

Flights:  We flew Southwest throughout our trip and all of us have Southwest Rapid Rewards Members.  Yes, even the boy!  While we haven't racked up enough flights/points for upgrades, we do get some perks.  Southwest has sent us free drink tickets for use in flight.  Southwest gift cards can be purchased with a 5% savings using Target Red Debit or Credit Card.

Credit Card:  Our "go to" credit card is our Disney Visa from Chase.  Just by having the card, we can get discounts while shopping on Walt Disney World property--10% off a $50 or more purchase.  Discounts of up to 15% can be had on tours and events.  There's also 6-months interest free for Disney vacation purchases including deposits on future vacations.  And, we get a percentage back in Disney Reward Points that turn into dollars that can be used towards Disney purchases!

Lots of designs to choose from!

We used our Disney Reward Points towards the purchase of our Walt Disney World Annual Passes and then used our Disney Visa for the balance.  Win/Win!

New card holders can get $50-$200 statement credits after making their first purchases.  Don't have a Disney Visa yet?  Click here to get started with the application!  (P.S. We have our Disney Visa since 2015 and haven't paid any interest, so it's the card that just keeps giving!)

We also have a Target Red Debit Card (a credit card is available, too) which saves us 5% on Target purchases including Southwest and Disney gift cards.  Know that if you purchase Southwest gift cards there is a limit to using 4 forms of payment when paying for the plane tickets so purchase in increments that allow you to maximize the savings.

Stocking up on travel essentials, even suitcases, can be done at a savings by using the Target Red Card at your local Target.

Dining:  In addition to getting dining discounts of 10% using Walt Disney World Annual Passes, additional discounts are available!  We joined Landry Select Club several years ago and it keeps paying off, year-after-year.  How it works?  Pay the one-time $25 fee to join Landry Select Club.  Members then get $25 to spend at any Landry restaurant.  Members also get $25 each year on their birthday.  And, each time members dine at a Landry restaurant, points accumulate to earn $25 rewards!  There are several Landry restaurants at Walt Disney World--Yak & Yeti, Rainforest Café, and T-Rex Café.

Don't have a reservation to dine at any of those busy restaurants?  No worries.  Flash your Landry Select Club membership card and get the next available table!  Merchandise discounts are also available as a club member.

We used our Landry Select Club rewards to take our family out to eat in Houston.  Used rewards and earned rewards simultaneously!  Click here to sign up today for Landry Select Club!  Note:  You can sign up at a restaurant BUT won't be able to earn points or the sign-up reward until your next dining experience.  So, if you even think you might dine at a Landry restaurant, go ahead and sign-up for Landry Select Club.

Shopping:  One of our favorite "loyalty" cards for shopping is our LEGO Vip card.  Membership is free.  The LEGO Vip card allows us to earn points for Lego purchases at any Lego Store.  These points turn into dollars for future purchases.  Having a LEGO Vip card also gets access to special purchases or gifts with purchases.  We combine the LEGO Vip card with our Annual Pass discount for extra savings!

While there isn't a Stein Mart in our area, I've shopped Stein Mart while in Houston and I do have a Stein Mart shopping card that gives access to special coupons and savings.

Our Walt Disney World Annual Pass allows us to get a 20% discount at Walt Disney World shopping locations.  But, what about while on the cruise ship?  Well, we are Disney Cruise Line Gold Castaway Club members which allows us a 10% discount on purchases made while sailing with Disney.

Entertainment:  You might be thinking that isn't Walt Disney World entertainment enough?  Well, mostly, yes!  And, when we travel to other destinations, like in this instance Houston, we enjoy seeing movies.  One of our favorite ways to save is joining AMC Stubs program.  There are two layers of the program--one is free--and the other is Premiere and has a fee.  We joined the FREE version.  It allows us to earn points that turn into dollars when we enjoy movies at AMC theaters.  There are also regular perks, such as free popcorn refills and special lines for ticket and snack purchases.  (I don't have an AMC card, although I could most likely get one.  Our account is attached to a phone number.)

I also used my affinity for MyCokeRewards to stock up on AMC rewards!  MyCokeRewards offered FREE movie tickets, popcorn, and drinks for entering MyCokeRewards codes.  So, we watched movies and ate snacks for FREE while earning perks for future movie going.

There isn't an AMC theater where we live, but there is an AMC theater in the middle of Disney Springs!

There are ways to combine the above offers for additional savings.  For example, we book our Disney Vacations through AAA and early AAA ExploreMore Rewards which pay off in $100 checks after so many vacations.  We use our Disney Visa to pay off the balance, earning Reward Points.  I told the husband the only other layer we could add would be to use our Target Red Debit Card to purchase Disney Gift cards at a 5% discount and then use those to pay off our Disney Visa balance.  Doable--just more steps.  (Click here to read more about AAA ExploreMore Rewards.)

Speaking of AAA, we can combine the 10% discount that being a member offers us at Landry Restaurants with Select Club for additional benefits.  AAA also offers at 10% discount on SuperShuttle, which we used for transportation to/from the airport in Houston.

Planning on saving on future vacations, too.  We booked our next Disney Cruise while onboard for a 10% savings.  Used our Disney Visa for the deposit, which is then interest free for 6 months, and earning Disney Visa Reward Points for the purchase.  When guests use their Disney Visa to pay for the entirety of their cruise vacation, additional perks apply such as merchandise discounts, photo, and spa purchase discounts.  The perks change from time to time so check to be sure.  Click here to see the savings onboard when using Disney Visa to pay for your vacation.

How many "loyalty" accounts did it take?  I lost track!  But no matter how many you use, savings can be yours.  And, we learn more ways to save with each trip so don't beat yourself up if you missed a savings opportunity.  There's always next time!

Related Posts You Might Enjoy:

When Does An Annual Pass Become "Worth It"?

How a "Couponer" Does Disney

Are There Coupons For Disneyland?

“Are there coupons for Disneyland?” was the question that came after inquiring about our summer vacation plans.  An innocent question given my penchant for saving money.  The short answer:  “No.”  The longer answer—there are many ways we have already saved money on our vacation.

AAA--Being a member allowed us to get a great price for our Disneyland package along with perks.  We also earned AAA Explore More Rewards for using AAA’s service to book our trip.

AAA also allows for additional savings while at Legoland, similar to the 10% savings on food and merchandise at Universal Resorts.

Speaking of Legoland, we got a great price—and great savings-- on the resort hotel by purchasing our stay in advance.  Because we are staying at the Legoland Resort, we get early access to the parks and free breakfast at Bricks, the buffet restaurant at the resort.  And, by purchasing our Legoland Park tickets on-line we were able to snag a buy one day get one day free deal.  We are also have a Lego VIP card which will allow for us to earn points on any Lego purchases and then redeem those points for free merchandise.

Food can be a big expense during a vacation.  We are saving money buy purchasing character dining vouchers as a part of our vacation package (and earning rewards).  These vouchers include tip and gratuity which is big savings.  Our Disney Rewards Visa also allows us to have 10% savings at select Disneyland dining locations.  We also used our Target Red Debit Card to purchase Disney Gift Cards.  A $50 Disney Gift Card costs $47.50 when I use our Target Red Card.  We’ve been stocking up on Disney Gift Cards since January—2 per month—and will be using those to pay for out of pocket meals.  We’ll also have $25 towards a meal at Rainforest Café due to Landry’s Select Club annual gift to members.

Because I pre-ordered Disney Photopass +  product, I saved $30 over purchasing the product once we arrived at the Disneyland Resort.  Click here to read more.

By making purchases ahead of time, I also saved money on trading pins--click here to read more, and Lego minifugres for trading--click here to read more.

 

The Disney Rewards Visa also allows us to earn reward points that can be spent on Disney products or services.  We also got a 20% discount on the Walt in Walt’s Footsteps Tour that we booked for our Disneyland vacation. 

While we used the Visa to pay off our trip and if we hadn’t then paid the balance in full, zero percent interest for 6 months would have been ours for using the Visa to pay for a Disney vacation.  But we earned reward points for the entire amount!  So, yes, we booked the vacation through AAA and earned Explore More Rewards, then paid using our Disney Rewards Visa and earned rewards!  Loyalty does pay!

A Disney vacation can be an investment in both time and money.  We’ve found the investment to be worth it.  And, we have found that savings can be had!

We Got $100 Towards Our December Disney Cruise!

Previously, I had written about AAA's Explore More Rewards--click here to read the post.  The idea is that as you book qualifying travel with AAA and make referrals who book qualifying AAA travel you can earn points.  When the points reach 10,000 clients can redeem the points for a $100 voucher.  The voucher can be used for cash or put towards your next qualifying AAA travel.

We have reached the point limit for $100 vouchers twice!  Once was last spring, as it took a while for the points to catch up with us, since the program didn't start until mid-2012.

This time, we actually surpassed the 10,000 point mark and hit over 17,000 points.  I "cashed out" 10,000 points for a $100 voucher that our travel agent is applying towards our December Disney cruise.  And, we have over 7,000 reward points left over. . . so we'll hit the 10,000 mark again after our cruise!

AAA's Explore More Rewards cannot be found on AAA's website.  Clients can learn about it through their AAA travel agent.  I also learned that the points are good for 3-years.  A third party handles the rewards program for AAA so communication with that company can be frustrating.  It took 2 phone calls and several e-mails to get our point total straightened out and redeem the points for the voucher, but it was $100!  I know some folks wouldn't got to the trouble.

As my travel agent puts it, she is hesitant to tell people about it as not everyone will benefit and the program can be a hassle.  But, she knows for us, AAA Explore More Rewards will pay off!

If you and your family either are frequent adventurers or considering becoming frequent adventurers, find a reward program that works for you.  Typically, loyalty pays.

Great News For Our Summer Disney Vacation!

The news just keeps getting better and better for our upcoming Disney vacation!  Let me share some with you. . .

AAA has a travel rewards program which started in 2012.  AAA members earn points for their travel and/or by referring others to purchase travel—click here to read more.  Our travel agent emailed and said that we had enough points for a $100 voucher.  We could either use it towards our current vacation or our next one.  I voted to shave $100 off our current vacation.  Yippee!  Even more savings—we had saved $88 just last week—click here to read more.

Just yesterday, Walt Disney World announced that they will be allowing guests to pre-select up to 3 Fastpass + experiences prior to their vacation and then a 4^th Fastpass+ while at the park after the previous Fastpass+’s have been used.  I’m liking that idea!  And, guests with Park Hopper will be able to select Fastpass + at another park prior to Park Hopping.  No date as to when these options will be available, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be in time for our summer trip.

And, the last bit of good news is that our cruise is paid in full.  I will be staying up late tomorrow night to book our shore excursions and other reservations s they come “on-line” at midnight Eastern Time. 

So many things to look forward to and smile about!

AAA's ExploreMore Rewards Program

Just recently a Williams Family Blog reader asked about why we use a Travel Agent or Agency to help us with our travel needs.  In the world of websites, apps, and Smartphones why would we go to a person and/or an agency to book our travel?

It may seen old fashioned, but the real answer is the service.  And, now there are rewards!

As far as service goes, our travel agent is wonderful.  Emails and telephone calls are responded to promptly.  Even as much as I like to be “in control” of our travel plans, our travel agent is great at making flight reservations, booking ADR’s for Walt Disney World, and changing plans if necessary. 

A family of frequent “do it yourself” travelers told me how they accidentally booked flights using an on-line website for February instead of March as they had intended because the month layout was exactly the same.  Their change fees to get the flights they wanted and needed for March cost them way more than any travel agent’s fee, times 20 trips!  And recently it was reported that airline change fees are netting the airlines millions.

We have had to change flights—when the airline changed our flight times considerably and due to storms.  We have never had to pay a change flight fee.  Our travel agent has taken care of everything for us.  What she can’t control are delayed or canceled flights, though I have called her when our pre-Adventure’s by Disney flights were delayed and I knew the tour group was waiting for us in Phoenix.  She called Adventures by Disney and reassured us that they would wait for us, or make other arrangements if we were going to be significantly delayed.

Since our travel agent and I work as a team, it is comforting knowing that I am not alone in making travel decisions that can be quite costly.  I also appreciate how she keeps track of all of our “numbers” for us.  Do we have multiple frequent flier and hotel rewards accounts?  Yes!  And she keeps track of all of them for us and puts the appropriate ones on reservations.  The only time I see the frequent flier numbers actually is when they appear on our AAA Invoice. 

And, now, I am being rewarded for using an independent AAA travel agent with AAA’s ExploreMore Rewards program.  ExploreMore came out in mid 2012 to not a lot of fanfare.  The program awards members with points for every dollar spent on qualified AAA travel (I think this means packages, tours, and cruises, but not flights.)  When the balance reaches 10,000 points, members receive a $100 voucher off their next AAA qualified travel reservation.

My favorite part of the program are the referral vouchers.  When referrals book qualified AAA travel, I get 500 points added to my ExploreMore Rewards account.  Guests can check their ExploreMore accounts on-line—click here to read more and check your points.  Just enter your AAA member number. (I'll post later on how we get a discount on our AAA Membership.)

Since the program started in mid-2012, points were only earned for travel booked in 2012.  So even though we traveled to Walt Disney World in March of 2012, the trip was booked in 2011, so we did not get points.  Also, we sailed with Disney in March of 2012, but alas, the trip was also booked in 2011 and did not qualify for rewards.  I did protest a bit and remind that the Walt Disney World portion of our December 2012 trip was added on later. . . in 2012.  We did receive the points after some checking.  We have yet to receive any points for our upcoming trip.  There is still confusion as to whether the points are added when you are paid in full or after your travel.  I will know more very soon!

With our trip to Walt Disney World just handfuls of days away and our Disney Cruise next summer, it is not going to take us very long to earn the $100 travel voucher.

As of right now, the points don’t expire.  Our AAA agent can also check our ExploreMore Rewards balance on-line, which is another benefit.