How to Book a Disney Vacation with Miles and Points

Picture it now. You’re rounding the corner of Main Street, and you see the castle for the first time. The smell of popcorn and mini corndogs is wafting through the air. You check your phone, and the line at Space Mountain says 25 minutes… Yeah, it’s gonna be a good day. 😎

Now that I’ve got you excited for the parks, let’s talk about how you’re going to get there for less than the lottery jackpot.

If you’ve ever been to Disney, you know it takes some serious strategy, time, and moolah (and well… patience). And while miles and points can definitely help, they’re not a free golden ticket to Disney. The truth? Disney is expensive, y’all.

But with the right cards, programs, and booking tips, you could potentially knock a decent chunk off the total cost. Here’s exactly how to make points and miles work for the most magical place on earth (apart from Costco, of course).

Pros and Cons of Booking a Disney Trip with Points

✅ Pros:

• Flights and hotels can be partially or fully covered with points

• Flexible rewards cards can offset park tickets, dining, and transportation costs

• Certain points hotels on or near the property still give you Disney perks (like early entry and free park transport)

❌ Cons:

• Disney park tickets almost never code as “travel,” meaning you can’t usually book them directly with points

• On-property hotels bookable with points are limited and often pricey in points

• You might still need to pay out of pocket for big expenses like the Genie+ add-on, food, and Mickey Ears

How to Book Flights to Disney

Whether you’re headed to Orlando (Disney World) or Anaheim (Disneyland), your flight is the easiest part to cover with miles. Major airports near Disney World include Orlando International Airport (MCO) and, for Disneyland, John Wayne Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

You can transfer points from Chase, American Express, Capital One, and Citi to airline partners, or book directly through travel portals. Southwest, JetBlue, and Alaska often have decent award rates to Orlando, and United and Delta can sometimes offer sweet spots if you book early.

Booking Hotels at Disney World

If you want to stay “on property” and still use points, your best bet is Marriott’s Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve, which are all bookable with Marriott Bonvoy points. These are technically operated by Marriott but are considered Disney Deluxe Resorts, which means early park entry, extended evening hours, and free transportation (yay!).

Off-property but still nearby, you’ll find plenty of Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and IHG options that are easy to book with points. Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Buena Vista, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, and the Holiday Inn Orlando-Disney Springs are all solid choices with free shuttles to the parks.

Disney World Hotels You Can Book with Points

How to Book Tickets with Points

Okay, fam. This is where things get tricky. Disney tickets purchased directly don’t code as “travel,” so you can’t just swipe your travel card and cover the purchase later. Instead, buy your tickets through a third-party travel site like Expedia, Priceline, or Hotels.com, where the purchase codes as travel.

Once the charge hits your account, you can redeem miles for a statement credit (with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, for example) or book them through your bank’s travel portal. Just keep an eye on any added fees, because sometimes these third-party sellers tack on service charges, and that is not magical.

Best Credit Cards for Booking Disney

If you’re serious about covering a chunk of your Disney vacation with points, flexible rewards cards will give you the most options.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Strong travel partners and the ability to transfer to airlines and hotels or redeem through Chase Travel^SM

  Venture X: Great for covering “travel-coded” Disney ticket purchases from OTAs.

• American Express® Gold Card: Solid for earning points on Disney dining, both in-park and off

Cards like American Express Platinum Card®, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Venture X come with annual travel credits that can offset costs like flights or hotels. Stack these with points redemptions, and you’ve got a much smaller bill to pay.

Best Credit Cards for Each Disneuyy Expense

Reality of Using Points and Miles for Disney

Here’s the truth: Disney is always going to cost you something. Miles and points can take the edge off, but this isn’t like booking an all-inclusive resort where you can cover everything with points. Expect to still pay for food, Lightning Lane passes, and any of those “must-have” souvenirs.

That said, with the right strategy for flights on points, hotels on points, and tickets via a travel credit redemption, you can easily knock a good bit off your total cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use points to buy Disney park tickets?
Yes, but not directly from Disney. Buy tickets from a third-party travel site that codes as travel, then redeem your points for a statement credit.

What’s the best hotel to book on points at Disney World?
The Marriott Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are the best options. While they aren’t the only on-property resorts you can book with points while keeping Disney perks, they offer the most bang for your buck.

Is it worth getting the Disney Visa card?
It’s only worth getting the Disney Visa if you want the perks (not for earning rewards). Flexible rewards cards will generally give you better value.

Do Disney restaurants earn bonus points on dining cards?
Yes, in-park restaurants usually code as dining, so bring a card like the Amex Gold or Sapphire Preferred.

When’s the cheapest time to go to Disney?
Late August, mid-January, and even weekdays in September typically have lower prices and fewer crowds, making those the cheapest times to visit the Disney parks.

Bottom Line

Disney vacations booked with miles and points aren’t free, but they can be much less painful on your wallet. Focus on using points for the most expensive parts (flights and hotels), get creative with third-party sellers for tickets, and choose credit cards that give you lots of flexibility. Oh, and have the best (and most magical) time! 💛