Those of you earning Disney GC's for Disney Vacations...

[mollyeilis]

The charge is the main reason that I don't get small ones.

But if you have small cards...each time you use a GC you get a receipt with the balance of the GC and the last 4 digits of the GC number on it. So you can just wrap the receipt around the GC you just used, and in that way keep track. Or bring a little sharpie with you and mark down the new balance on the back of the GC.

All are tricks I've used at DLR...

[secretmoney]

I usually cash out for $100 cards. I'm very paranoid about a large card being lost in the mail or me losing it. I bought a sheet of sticky back paper and cut it into strips, placing a strip on each card. This way I can keep track of balances, just crossing out the previous balance each time I but something. I know I'm obsessive, but it works for me!

[arob414]

I usually cash out for $100 cards. I'm very paranoid about a large card being lost in the mail or me losing it. I bought a sheet of sticky back paper and cut it into strips, placing a strip on each card. This way I can keep track of balances, just crossing out the previous balance each time I but something. I know I'm obsessive, but it works for me!

That's a great idea! I have cashed out for all sizes but went with PayPal, last time because I like to use traveler's checks. I know they are probably outdated but it makes keeping up with our money easier. We are on the dining plan so most of our spending will just be for souvenirs, etc. However, I do have a $250 gc so I will use the sticky paper idea, also.

[PSL1013]

The charge is the main reason that I don't get small ones.

But if you have small cards...each time you use a GC you get a receipt with the balance of the GC and the last 4 digits of the GC number on it. So you can just wrap the receipt around the GC you just used, and in that way keep track. Or bring a little sharpie with you and mark down the new balance on the back of the GC.

All are tricks I've used at DLR...

I do this too, wrap the receipt around the card and then when I use it again I wrap the new receipt and toss the old one...very simple system for me.

[elohcin76]

I usually cash out for $100 cards. I'm very paranoid about a large card being lost in the mail or me losing it. I bought a sheet of sticky back paper and cut it into strips, placing a strip on each card. This way I can keep track of balances, just crossing out the previous balance each time I but something. I know I'm obsessive, but it works for me!

I was wondering if anyone was worried about that! It's definitely a factor for me.

That's a great idea! I have cashed out for all sizes but went with PayPal, last time because I like to use traveler's checks. I know they are probably outdated but it makes keeping up with our money easier. We are on the dining plan so most of our spending will just be for souvenirs, etc. However, I do have a $250 gc so I will use the sticky paper idea, also.

We use travelers checks, too. LOL Except now our new bank charges for them...and our last one gave them for free with an account there...so that's kinda frustrating. But I figured we'd get as much in GC's as possible and do the rest in cash/TCs.

[PSL1013]

I was wondering if anyone was worried about that! It's definitely a factor for me.



We use travelers checks, too. LOL Except now our new bank charges for them...and our last one gave them for free with an account there...so that's kinda frustrating. But I figured we'd get as much in GC's as possible and do the rest in cash/TCs.

Tricia mentioned that she records the number on the $500 GC that she sends out, so if there is a problem with them getting lost she can get it cancelled. Makes me feel way better knowing that.

We still use TC too but not for Disney, AAA used to have them for free but charge for them now too and our bank charges more for them so I still get them at AAA.

[fourfoxesinpa]

I don't like the risk of carrying a huge card around all vacation long. For us, it works better to leave the room with a $50 or $100 card and use it for the day...it's usually burned out by the end of the day after meals, souvenirs, so we just toss them as we go. But, to each his own.

[elohcin76]

I don't like the risk of carrying a huge card around all vacation long. For us, it works better to leave the room with a $50 or $100 card and use it for the day...it's usually burned out by the end of the day after meals, souvenirs, so we just toss them as we go. But, to each his own.

See that's what I was thinking, too. I like the extra security of knowing I have some of it with me, some of it with DH, and some in our safe in the room.

[PSL1013]

I don't like the risk of carrying a huge card around all vacation long. For us, it works better to leave the room with a $50 or $100 card and use it for the day...it's usually burned out by the end of the day after meals, souvenirs, so we just toss them as we go. But, to each his own.

See that's what I was thinking, too. I like the extra security of knowing I have some of it with me, some of it with DH, and some in our safe in the room.

This is why you need to do what you feel comfortable doing and not what everyone else likes to do...we like having it with us because we don't like carrying tons of cash, then we have it when we need it as we never know how much we are going to spend that day.

[spring]

I have just started to cash out for $250 at a time rather than the $100 ones I was always doing. Yes, I still get charged the stamp fee, but I have no patience waiting for $500 before cashing out, lol. However, I use my gift cards towards down payments on my trip. Last year I handed my TA something like 11 Disney GC's. She was laughing, but it IS a lot of extra work for her to apply so many cards (not that she complained!) I had two $50 ones for extra expenses during the trip and once got the two confused by giving the waitress the empty one. It was very embarrassing and a one-time occurrence. I usually wrap my receipt with the balance around the card to keep me straight and throw the card away when it's empty, just like others have posted.

My advice is to go with what's most comfortable for you. We all have different ways we view using the cards.