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.
🌟 Pro Tip: If you’re bringing the whole fam, look for cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card and time your trip with a Companion Pass (if that promo is running or you already have one). That’s basically a 2-for-1 deal on airfare for up to two years.
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.
💡 Another Pro Tip: Staying off-property can save you points and cash, but make sure you factor in parking fees and travel time to the parks.
Disney World Hotels You Can Book with Points
Hotel | Points Program | Estimated Points/Night | Key Perks |
Marriott Bonvoy | 40k to 85k | Early park entry, extended evening hours, free Disney transport | |
Marriott Bonvoy | 45k to 85k | Same perks as Swan; slightly larger convention-style property | |
Marriott Bonvoy | 60k to 85k | Modern, boutique-style feel with Disney Deluxe Resort benefits | |
Hilton Honors | From 55k | Free shuttle to parks, walk to Disney Springs | |
World of Hyatt | 6.5k to 9.5k | Free breakfast, short drive to parks | |
IHG One Rewards | 16k to 40k | Official Disney Springs hotel perks and free transport | |
Marriott Village Orlando (SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn, & Courtyard) | Marriott Bonvoy | 15k to 30k | Family-friendly, free breakfast at some properties, 5-minute drive to Disney Springs |
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 TravelSM
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 The Platinum Card® from American Express, 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.
💳 For the Real Disney Fans: The Disney® Premier Visa® Card isn’t great for general points earning, but it does offer perks like 10% off select dining, and merchandise in the parks, plus special cardmember opportunities. If you’re a die-hard Disney fan, it could be worth having in your wallet for the discounts alone.
Best Credit Cards for Each Disneuyy Expense
Disney Expense | Best Credit Cards | Why They Work | Example Redemption |
Flights | Flexible points can be transferred to airline partners or redeemed through travel portals for good value | Transfer Chase points to Southwest for nonstop flights to Orlando (10k to 15k points per person each way) from cities like Nashville (BNA), Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), and more. | |
Hotels (On-Property) | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Can book the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve with Marriott points and keep Disney perks | 50k to 70k Marriott points per night vs. $400+ cash rate |
Hotels (Off-Property) | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, The World of Hyatt Credit Card | Book nearby Hilton or Hyatt properties for fewer points and free breakfast | 15k to 20k Hilton points for Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista or Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Buena Vista, starting at 6.5k points per night |
Park Tickets | Buy tickets through a travel-coded site, then cover with miles or points | Buy a four-day park hopper from a third-party site, and then redeem Capital One miles for a statement credit | |
Dining in the Parks | Most Disney restaurants code as dining, earning bonus points on every churro and Mickey ice cream bar | Earn 4x Amex points at EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival vendors (up to $50k per year, then 1x points after) | |
Souvenirs and Extras | Disney® Premier Visa® Card | 10% off select dining and merchandise in the parks | Save on merch at Disney stories, both online and in the parks |
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.
😄 Other Tips: Follow creators like DisneyFoodBlog to keep up with park happenings and hacks. And, it’s always a good idea to pack the essentials (like sunscreen, water, rain poncho, etc), ahead of time to avoid premium park prices.
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! 💛
