The 10 Best Credit Cards for Disney and Universal Vacations [2025]

Whether you’re traveling with kids or are a big kid yourself, you’ll inevitably consider taking a theme park vacation. Here at Upgraded Points, we’re big fans of theme parks and know how much work (and money) goes into planning a trip to one.

Parks such as Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Universal Studios have mastered the art of entertainment and transport guests into a world where fun and magic are an everyday occurrence. These experiences can create memories for a lifetime but come at a price that can be shocking to both first-timers and travel pros.

Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce the cost of your next trip to Disney or, at the very least, earn bonus points or cash-back on your spending.

Below, we’ve selected some of the best credit cards to add to your wallet that will save you some serious dough, whether you’re going to see Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter, or both. Let’s take a look!

Card Summary

What To Look for in a Theme Park Card

Applying for a credit card is a big deal, and we treat it that way around here. That is why we are very particular about what cards we have in our wallets, why we keep them open, and when we open them.

A few extra minutes of research can mean thousands of extra points (and dollars) toward your next trip. With Disney and Universal in mind, here are some things to look for in your next credit card.

Welcome Bonus Offer

A solid welcome offer is a must-have when choosing a credit card.

A welcome bonus offer is a fixed amount of points that the card issuer agrees to give you after you spend a predetermined amount of money on your new credit card.

These bonuses can range from 20,000 to 150,000 or more points, depending on the card and the type of points. A big welcome bonus could mean hundreds of dollars in savings for your next trip.

Hot Tip:

Not all points are created equally. Join our Facebook Group, Level UP Travel, to ask our community any questions you might have.

Perks

Travel credit cards nowadays come with a whole slew of perks to try and lure customers away from other banks, and they can be quite competitive.

With everything from free hotel nights to lounge access and travel insurance, almost every travel credit card on the market offers value.

When considering a trip to a theme park, what’s an important perk for you? A free flight to Orlando? A free Disney hotel room? An exclusive encounter with Kylo Ren? With the right credit card, these are all possibilities.

Category Bonuses

Even if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll probably need to pay for at least a few purchases at a Disney or Universal theme park. These parks have essentially made separating guests from their money a science. If you’re spending it, you might as well get rewarded for it.

Pulling the right credit card out of your wallet for theme park purchases can make a big difference. While some cards may earn a simple 1 point per dollar spent, others may earn 2x, 3x, or more, depending on the category.

Many of our favorite cards provide bonuses for dining, family travel, and entertainment, and those points start to add up! Here’s a quick chart to help you visualize how your spending is categorized.

Hot Tip:

Planning a Disney trip? Be sure to read our article on how to make your next trip to Disney as stress-free as possible.

The 8 Best Overall Credit Cards for Disney and Universal Vacations

It’s understandable if you’re already feeling overwhelmed. Many variables factor into choosing the right theme park card, but the most important is having a card you’re comfortable using without making the process too complicated.

While some of us love trying to squeeze every extra point out of every purchase, sometimes you just need a card that provides good overall value no matter what you spend on it.

Whether you’re looking for a premium credit card, an easy-to-use, no-annual-fee card, or a hotel-branded card to earn points at your favorite chain, we’ve got a little something for everyone.

With that in mind and the focus on theme parks and family trips, here are our favorite credit cards for Disney and Universal vacations:

Platinum Card^® from American Express (Top Pick)

+ NEW BENEFITS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 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 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points 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.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 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.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
• More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card^® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
• More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card^® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
• More Value! $209 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card^®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
• 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.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of as high as 175,000 points with the Amex Platinum. Welcome offers may vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

When it comes to premium travel cards, there is no card more famous than the Amex Platinum card. Packed with perks, this card has been a fan favorite for years and still continues to be one of ours.

We are big fans of American Express Membership Rewards points around here. With plenty of Amex transfer partners, access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts, options to redeem points for gift cards, and more, the options to redeem for travel seem almost limitless.

Factoring in 5x points when booking airfare (on up to $500,000 per year) and prepaid hotels directly with AmexTravel.com, building up a nice points balance could be easier than you think.

Of course, these perks don’t come cheap. With an annual fee of $895, this card isn’t for everyone. But when you break down the perks, it’s surprisingly reasonable. Here are some of the most popular benefits (some require enrollment):

• Up to $200 annual airline credit
• Up to $200 annual Uber Cash
• Access to over 1,550 lounges in the Amex Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (upon enrollment), 10 visits a year to Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta same day, plus the ability to unlock unlimited visits), and more
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Entertainment and event perks
• Travel insurance

If you get an Amex Platinum card before your trip to Disney, you’ll have plenty of ways to save some money. The welcome bonus offer alone could cover your airfare or hotel, and the lounges and Uber perks will make your trip more comfortable. Enrollment may be required for the benefits mentioned.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points 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.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Venture card is great if you’re looking for easy-to-use miles and a nice welcome bonus offer.

One of the best parts of Capital One miles is that they are extremely flexible, easy to use, and never expire.

If you want to try to get a little (or a lot) more value out of your miles, you can transfer them to an airline or hotel partner and book a flight or hotel. This can easily yield more than 2 cents per mile worth of value, essentially doubling your welcome bonus offer.

Another decent option is to use your miles to book travel with Capital One Travel. This will get you 1 cent per mile in value, but you won’t earn any additional airline or hotel rewards points, so it may not be the most rewarding option.

Overall, the Capital One Venture card gives travelers an easy-to-use rewards program with plenty of redemption options, especially when booking a trip to visit Mickey.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Savor card is a great no-annual fee card for those who regularly spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Savor card is a great no-annual fee card for those who regularly spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).

Welcome Offer

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in welcome bonuses. Enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

$100 travel credit + $200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

Purchases: 0% intro on purchases for 12 months; 18.99% - 28.99% variable thereafter

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points 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.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Savor card is a phenomenal option when it comes to no-annual-fee cash-back credit cards. With popular bonus categories like dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), entertainment, and popular streaming services, and the ability to earn 3% cash-back on these purchases, it is easy to see why those who use the card can earn some serious cash-back throughout the year.

The card also allows you to take your rewards and experiences even further by offering access to Capital One Travel, Capital One Dining, and Capital One Entertainment.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• 5% cash-back on hotels, rental cars, and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply.
• 3% cash-back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)

Cons

• Rewards are purely cash-back, so there is no option for miles transfers to transfer partners for redemptions

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in welcome bonuses. Enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart^® and Target^®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
• Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.99% – 28.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 0% intro on purchases for 12 months; 18.99% - 28.99% variable thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

If you like the ease of the Capital One Venture card above, you will probably like its cash-back sibling, the Capital One Savor card*×Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One..

The Capital One Savor card earns an impressive 3% cash-back on entertainment, dining, and grocery purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) and 1% cash-back on everything else. A trip to the parks could earn you a nice chunk of change.

The big rewards on entertainment purchases — like pricey park tickets — and the ease of earning cash-back make this a very compelling card to have in your wallet when you want to go have some fun!

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Welcome Offer

Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points 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.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
• 1.5% back on all other purchases

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited^® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Sometimes, you just need a simple, no-frills card that provides solid value. For us, that is the Freedom Unlimited card.

The Freedom Unlimited card is a $0-annual-fee card marketed as a cash-back card, but when combined with a Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card, it can earn you valuable points.

This unique card earns cardholders 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores, 2% cash back on Lyft purchases (through September 30, 2027), and an unlimited 1.5% cash back on everything else. That’s a lot of cash back! This is outside of the introductory offer of a 1.5% cash-back boost available to new cardmembers.

New cardholders get a welcome bonus offer (which is great for no annual fee) on top of the card’s intro APR offer which is 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%

That means that you can apply your welcome bonus offer straight to your Disney or Universal trip, finance the rest of it for free, and earn points!

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

125,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,500

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.99% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points 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

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
• 5x points on Lyft rides
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

• $795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
• Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^® every 4 years
• Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
• Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

It’s hard to talk about travel credit cards without bringing up the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, and that’s for good reason. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card stormed onto the premium credit card scene a few years ago with a big welcome bonus offer, lots of perks, and even celebrity endorsements.

But now that the dust has settled, is it still worth a spot in your wallet if you’re planning a trip to Disney or Universal? We think so.

For starters, the welcome bonus offer, though not as high as it used to be, still offers many very valuable and flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Next is the staggering $795 annual fee, which can easily scare some people off right away. But the card comes with a $300 annual travel credit and $300 annual dining credt, a Priority Pass Select membership, up to a $120 Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck credit, DoorDash DashPass, rental car elite status, extra travel insurance, and more.

Most cardholders can get way more value from their Chase Sapphire Reserve card each year just from those perks alone. When you factor in 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct and 3x on dining worldwide, this could be a go-to card for your next trip.

Thinking specifically about a Walt Disney World trip, you could use the $300 toward airfare, enjoy some airport lounges and TSA PreCheck, grab a free upgrade when you pick up your rental car, and then check into a Walt Disney World Resort hotel that you booked with points — easy!

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.74% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points 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.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.74% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers 5x Ultimate Rewards points on all travel booked via Chase Travel. This includes theme park tickets, tourist attractions, tours, and more. Although the travel portal doesn’t sell tickets to U.S. Disney theme parks, you can find them for overseas locations.

Add the ability to redeem points at a rate of up to 1.75 cents each via Points Boost offers in the Chase Travel portal, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is one of the best options out there.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$960

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% to 27.99% Variable APR

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• $100 annual hotel benefit

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
• Earn 10X points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations.
• Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% to 27.99% Variable APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Citi Strata Premier Card is a great overall card, not just for your Disney or Universal vacation but for travel in general.

With a generous welcome bonus offer, a relatively low $95 annual fee, and 3x points on air travel, hotels, gas stations, EV charging, dining, and supermarkets, it’s easy to see why this card is so popular.

But what really makes this card shine for theme park lovers is the 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com.

Citi ThankYou Rewards is often overshadowed by Chase and American Express, but this often overlooked program can provide excellent value, especially since bonus points is so easy.

These ThankYou Points can be quite versatile when it comes to planning your next trip to Disney. You can choose to transfer them to one of Citi’s airline partners to help pay for your family’s flights down to Orlando (hello, JetBlue!), book your trip through Citi Travel at 1 cent per point, or cash out your points for gift cards to use during your trip.

Either way, you will be able to save some serious money just by applying the welcome bonus to your trip. Many of your purchases during the trip will code as travel and dining, so you will earn 3x to 10x points that you can redeem for future travel!

Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card

Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

2% back Disney Rewards Dollars at Disney, gas stations, grocery stories, and restaurants means more rewards dollars for Disney fans.

Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card

2% back Disney Rewards Dollars at Disney, gas stations, grocery stories, and restaurants means more rewards dollars for Disney fans.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $400 Statement Credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

$400

Annual Fee

$49

APR

17.99% - 26.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points 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.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

Mickey and his friends are like part of the family. Your kids can recite the words to everything from Aladdin to Toy Story. And there’s no question where you’re going on Spring Break (Space Mountain, anyone?).

As a premier Disney fan, you always have the Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card on hand. It earns you cash back and discounts at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Save 10% on select purchases at shopDisney.com when you use your card
• Earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com
• Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney U.S. locations

Cons

• Does not earn transferrable rewards
• Has a foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a $400 Statement Credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com. Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney U.S. locations. Earn 1% on all your other card purchases. There are no limits to the number of Rewards Dollars you can earn.
• Redeem Rewards Dollars for a statement credit toward airline purchases.
• 0% promo APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase, after that a variable APR of 17.99% to 26.99%
• 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations and 10% off select dining locations most days at the Disneyland^® Resort and Walt Disney World^® Resort.
• Save 10% on select purchases at DisneyStore.com
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.99% - 26.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

Rewards Center

Disney Rewards

We couldn’t write about the best credit cards for a Disney vacation without mentioning the Disney Premier card … or could we?

While there are certainly some perks to be had, most consumers will be able to get better value out of one of the cards mentioned above. That said, if you already have some of our favorite cards and have an available Chase 5/24 slot, the Disney Premier card could be a decent choice.

New cardholders receive a welcome bonus offer and 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney locations.

If you’re a big Disney fan, you can probably get some outsized value from cardholder perks, which include:

• 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com
• 0% promo APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase, after that a variable APR of 17.99% to 26.99%
• 10% off select purchases at Disney and Disney.com
• 15% off select guided tours at Disney parks
• 10% off select Disney dining locations

This card isn’t for everyone, but if you can take advantage of those discounts and special experiences, the Disney Premier card offers plenty of value. Read our guide to find out more about the Disney credit card benefits.

Hot Tip:

Ready to book your trip? Don’t miss the ultimate Disney vacation packing list and our best tips.

The 2 Best Credit Cards for Disney and Universal Hotel Stays

While the cards that we listed above can earn you rewards good for hotel stays (and a plethora of other options), none of them are specific to a Disney or Universal hotel or even a hotel chain in general.

Below are some of our favorite hotel-branded credit cards that can be quite useful when booking your trip to Orlando.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

Welcome Offer

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/14/2026.

175,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $875

Annual Fee

$550

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points 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.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
• 7x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants
• 3x points per $1 on all other eligible purchases

Cons

• High annual fee of $550 (rates & fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/14/2026.
• Card Members can earn 14X Points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Card Members can earn 7X Points on purchases of Flights booked directly with airlines or flights booked through American Express Travel, Car rentals purchased directly from select car rental companies, and purchases at U.S. Restaurants.
• Card Members can earn 3X Points on all other eligible purchases.
• Enhance your hotel stay with complimentary Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status and enjoy a world of hotel privileges and benefits. Get exclusive perks at any of Hilton's 24 hotel brands, like a 100% Bonus on Base Points earned on every stay, Premium Wi-Fi and space-available room upgrades at select properties, and more.
• Enjoy an Annual Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors in your first year of Card Membership and every year upon Card renewal.
• $400 Hilton Resort Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on your Hilton Honors Aspire Card. That's up to $400 back annually.
• $200 Flight Credit: Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with an airline or through amextravel.com using your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
• Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you can earn an additional Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend an additional $30,000 (for a total of $60,000) in purchases on your Card in the same calendar year.
• $209 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: You can receive up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you sign up and pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your eligible Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
• $100 Property Credit: How it Works: To receive up to $100 in credits for qualifying hotel charges, book a 2-night minimum stay at participating Waldorf Astoria^® Hotels & Resorts and Conrad^® Hotels & Resorts with your Card through hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com and select the Aspire Card Benefit rate option on the booking page or call Hilton Honors at (855) 292-5757 with the proper booking reference. See Terms & Conditions for further details.
• Hilton Honors Aspire Card Members can enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status, including perks like Executive Area Access (for full-size reservations and above) in the USA and Canada. Card Members must enroll in the National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status through their American Express online account using their Card. Terms apply.
• $550 annual fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Hilton Aspire card is a fan favorite for many reasons. If you like to stay at Hilton properties, this is the only credit card that will give you automatic top-tier Diamond status just for having the card — which is huge.

Diamond status alone could be worth the $550 annual fee (rates & fees) for some, but the card also comes with up to $400 Hilton Resort annual statement credit, up to $200 airline annual fee credit, and a Free Night Reward good at almost any Hilton property worldwide. With a handful of other great perks, it’s easy to get your money’s worth with this card.

A hefty welcome bonus offer combined with 14x points on Hilton stays and 7x points on travel and dining will have you with more than enough points for a nice stay near the parks.

If you’re headed to Orlando, there are dozens of redemption opportunities, including some awesome Hilton Vacation Club properties and even a luxurious Waldorf Astoria in Disney Springs!

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $700

Annual Fee

$650

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points 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.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• Steep annual fee of $650 (rates & fees)
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Earn 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• A Marriott Bonvoy^® Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member.
• Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®, such as Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Paris. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy^® Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton^® or St. Regis^® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck^® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
• With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,200 airport lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• Trip Cancelled or Interrupted? If you purchase a round-trip entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, we may be able to help. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

If you are looking for some Disney magic by staying on property and really close to the parks (without spending a fortune), consider the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is a premium card with a $650 annual fee (rates & fees), but anyone staying at a Marriott property should easily be able to come out ahead of that fee with some simple planning.

In addition to the Marriott Bonvoy points offered as a welcome bonus offer, the card comes with up to $300 annual credit (up to $25 each month) to use at restaurants (enrollment required), a free night award (up to 85,000 points), Priority Pass lounge access (enrollment required), and much more.

Disney fans are surely familiar with the Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Dolphin, and Walt Disney World Swan Reserve right near EPCOT, but did you know that they are Marriott hotels? That means you can redeem your credits, points, and free night awards there. Rates start at 50,000 points (but can get lower) or $150, so from the perks we mentioned above, new cardmembers would have enough for 4 free nights at a Disney hotel!

Hot Tip:

To make sure you don’t miss any deals, download the Official Universal Orlando mobile app (iOS, Android) and search for active offers. 

Final Thoughts

No matter how long you’re planning to visit Disney or Universal, it can get expensive quickly.

A family of 4 means 4 flights, a rental car, a decent hotel room, multiple park tickets, meals, and more. If you pay cash for all of that, the total can easily reach thousands of dollars.

With some intense planning, it’s certainly possible to reduce many of those costs. You can easily reduce a big chunk of them (flights and hotels) by simply using credit cards to your advantage.

Of course, for this to make sense, it needs to be done responsibly. If you think you may carry a balance and pay interest on your credit card, it will almost certainly not be worth it. But if you can maximize credit card benefits and reduce your costs simultaneously, you will find yourself taking your family on the best kind of vacation: a free one!

The cards listed above are just some of our favorites that we use daily. If you have any questions about a specific card or a specific trip, let us know in the comments or join our Facebook Group!

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For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa^® or Mastercard^® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.