Disney Issues Visa - Now with Rewards!

[Sarangel]

From Yahoo! finance:

The Walt Disney Company, Bank One Corporation and Visa announced June 4, 2002 two multi-year, strategic alliances that will create the first ever Disney-branded Visa card with Disney rewards, as well as provide Visa with joint marketing opportunities across Disney's various business units. The alliances will begin January, 2003, with both the card and cooperative marketing initiatives expected to be launched in the first half of 2003.

The Disney-branded Visa card with Disney rewards, to be issued and managed by Bank One's credit card subsidiary, will have global acceptance like all Visa cards, and enable consumers to earn rewards that may be used toward the purchase of Disney theme park vacations, videos and other Disney-related merchandise.

Visa's strategic alliance with Disney will provide Visa with the ability to create marketing programs with one of the world's leading entertainment brands, benefiting Visa's worldwide member financial institutions. Visa and Disney will work together on a global basis to create exclusive Visa card promotions with Disney's theme parks and resorts in the United States and Europe, The Disney Stores, Walt Disney Studios and Disney stage productions. As part of the relationship, Visa will continue to be a major advertiser on Disney's media properties, such as ABC Television Network, ESPN, ABC Family, SoapNet and ABC Radio Networks.

"We're pleased to join forces with Bank One and Visa, two market leaders that share our commitment to quality and customer service," said Robert A. Iger, president and COO of The Walt Disney Company. "These alliances create significant new business opportunities for all three companies."

Added Peter E. Murphy, Disney's senior executive vice president and chief strategic officer, "With Bank One, we are creating an exciting and unique credit card that will offer families and other Disney fans special rewards combined with quality service and competitive terms. Disney will be able to reward our guests and customers for their loyalty and help many others experience the magic of Disney, both key principles of our on-going customer relationship management strategy. And with Visa, we are creating a wealth of global cross-promotional opportunities across various Disney businesses."

Philip Heasley, chairman of Bank One's credit card division, said, "Creating a Disney-branded Visa card with Disney rewards delivers on Bank One's strategy of associating with the world's best brands. We will help provide Disney families and fans with the opportunity to enjoy Disney vacations and merchandise as their reward for using the card. We believe the Disney-branded Visa credit card, with its world-renowned branding and attractive Disney rewards, will be immensely popular with families and other Disney fans when it is launched next year."

Said Carl Pascarella, president and CEO of Visa U.S.A., "This strategic alliance positions Visa alongside the world's number one entertainment brand and allows Visa to help its member banks and merchants reach a key demographic -- families -- in new and entertaining ways. The Disney relationship perfectly complements our strong leadership property portfolio, and we expect this alliance to do for us through entertainment what the Olympic Games have done for us through sport: create unrivaled benefits for our membership."

Initially, the card will be offered only in the U.S., and The Walt Disney Company will promote and reward its usage through its domestic businesses. Customers may accrue rewards from all purchases on the card at any of Visa's 24 million acceptance locations worldwide. Monthly statements will provide special Disney promotions for card members, and the latest Disney news and updates on rewards earned.

Sounds like someone finally figured out that we Disney fans spend a lot on our vacations & this might be a way to reward loyalty (any bets that it replaces the Disney Club?)

Sarangel

 

[airlarry!]

Hmm...American Express is supposedly the Official Card of Disneyworld in Florida.

Wonder if we will see an announcement on a change?

 

[DisDuck]

What about The Disney Credit Card? Is that going the way of the Do-Do?

 

[Bob O]

I wouldnt hold my breath expecting any discounts other than the ones that are already available. Now if they would give me free fastpasses as a discount i might consider it. Disney is just banking on the fact people who like the comapny will want a disney card, it will be a must have for car #1 people!!!

 

[disneycub]

Sign me up!

 

[Eeyore2U]

Originally posted by Bob O
I wouldnt hold my breath expecting any discounts other than the ones that are already available. Now if they would give me free fastpasses as a discount i might consider it. Disney is just banking on the fact people who like the comapny will want a disney card, it will be a must have for car #1 people!!!

Only if I can get a Platinum and move my balance!!!

 

[Planogirl]

I'll only be interested if it has a reasonable interest rate and no fee. Otherwise, it'll go the way of all the other credit card offers we get.

 

[Schmeck]

Gee, didn't know you had to pay for fastpasses...

Target Stores have changed their store credit cards to Target Visa cards. I'd bet that Disney is planning on doing the same.

Schmeck

 

[larry_poppins]

Amazing! Finally a Disney Visa card with rewards after all these years! I, personally, wanted a card like this for the last ten years.
But that was before Pressler and Eisner came in and started neutering the magic. Now I barely shop at all at the Disney Stores and although I still go to WDW I also visit Universal and Sea World on days I used to spend in the World.

Still if the number of reward points for a WDW pass is reasonable you can count me in!

According to the Orlando Sentinel (I think) the card will be fee free!

Larry

 

[Lesley]

Hmm...my platinum card is a Bank One card. Very low rate....wonder if I can keep my rate and switch to the Disney version. I already get rewards anyway! Just not Disney!

And maybe if the rate is low I'll switch my business credit card to this too...I don't get rewards on that one and my inventory orders would be earning me a lot!

We'll just have to see. I bet I'll be one of the first to get an offer

 

[Barb]

I'll sign up for this one, too. However, I would be very curious to see the "rewards". I wonder if this was the rewards program talked about a few years ago?

 

[Janet2k]

If I can get a card with a photo of Minnie Mouse on the front of it, I will gladly trade in my Elvis credit card.