How I Earn Free Theme Park Trips: Best Credit Cards, Apps, and Rewards Programs
If you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to plan a free theme park trip with credit card rewards, you’re in the right place! Over the years, I’ve learned how to combine the best credit cards, apps, and rewards programs for free theme park trips to places like Disney and Universal.
Ready to turn points, miles, and rewards into theme park tickets, hotel nights, flights, and meals? Here are my favorite credit cards and rewards programs to help you get there faster.
- Cash Back Credit Cards
- Flexible Rewards Credit Cards
- Brand-Specific Credit Cards
- Combination Rewards Programs
- Rewards Apps
- Shopping Portals
- Survey Sites
- Dining Rewards Programs
- More Rewards
Note: Welcome bonuses and terms can change. Please click each link to see the current offer and details directly from the issuer. (Some links are referral links. Thanks for supporting this site!)
Best Credit Cards for Theme Park Travel
Choosing the right credit card is one of the fastest ways to save for a free theme park vacation. I focus on cards that offer valuable welcome bonuses to jump-start rewards, along with cards with strong earning potential on everyday spending and flexible redemption options. In this section, I’ll share the cards I personally use or recommend — and show you how they can help you earn points, miles, and cashback for your next trip.
Cash Back Cards
Why cash back?
Cash back cards give you cash or cash-equivalent rewards you can use for anything — park tickets, food, flights, lodging, souvenirs, and more.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 3% cash back on grocery spending, online retail, and gas stations.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: $200 after $2,000 spent in the first 6 months
💳 Annual Fee: $0
🧡 Best For: People who spend regularly on groceries, shop online, and drive often — and want solid cash back without an annual fee.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 6% cash back on grocery spending and streaming, and 3% on transit. Includes $84 Disney Bundle Credit.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: $250 after $3,000 spent in the first 6 months
💳 Annual Fee: $95
🧡 Best For: People who spend more than $1,583 annually on groceries and streaming.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 2X points on travel and dining purchases, and 1.5X on other purchases. Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. Includes $100 Airline Incidental Statement Credit and $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points ($600 value) after $4,000 spent in the first 90 days
💳 Annual Fee: $95
🧡 Best For: People who want a nice cash welcome bonus. Preferred Rewards® members who want high everyday earning, especially on dining and travel.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 3% cash back in the category of your choice (from a list), and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members earn a 25%-75% rewards bonus on every purchase.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: $200 after $1,000 spent in the first 90 days
💳 Annual Fee: $0
🧡 Best For: Everyday spenders who want to tailor their top earning category — and especially valuable for Preferred Rewards® members.
Chase Freedom® Unlimited℠
🏆 Why it’s good: Earns 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on other purchases. Earns Ultimate Rewards® points.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: $200 back after $500 spent in the first 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $0
🧡 Best For: People who want a simple no annual fee card that earns Ultimate Rewards® points. Points can be worth more when paired with a premium Chase card.
Chase Freedom® Flex℠
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 5% back in rotating bonus categories (up to $1,500 per quarter), and 3% on dining and drugstores. Earns Ultimate Rewards® points.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: $250 cash back after $500 spent in the first 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $0
🧡 Best For: Maximizers who track categories and want strong rewards on rotating spending, dining, and drugstores — without an annual fee.
Flexible Rewards Credit Cards
Why flexible points?
Flexible rewards cards offer multiple ways to redeem points — including transfers to airlines or hotels — so you can choose what works best for your trip.
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 3X points on dining and online grocery, 5X on travel booked through Chase and 2X on other travel. Annual $50 Chase Travel hotel credit.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 spent in 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $95
🧡 Best For: Travelers who want a nice welcome bonus, strong redemption value, and flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
Chase Ink Business Cards (Unlimited, Cash, Preferred)
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 1.5% back on all purchases (Unlimited); 5% on office supplies, internet/cable/phone; 2% on gas and dining (Cash); 3X on travel, shipping, and advertising (Preferred)
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 100,000 points ($1,000 value) after $8,000 spent in 3 months (Preferred), $750 after $6,000 spent in 3 months (Unlimited/Cash)
💳 Annual Fee: $0 (Unlimited/Cash), $95 (Preferred)
🧡 Best For: Small business owners who want generous rewards and to build Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
American Express® Gold Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, $120 Uber Cash, $120 dining credit, $84 Dunkin’ credit, $100 Resy credit.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 spent in 6 months
💳 Annual Fee: $250
🧡 Best For: Frequent spenders on dining and groceries who can use dining and Uber credits to offset the fee.
American Express® Business Gold Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 4X points on top 2 eligible categories each billing cycle, $240 flexible business credit, $155 Walmart+ credit.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 70,000 points after spent $10,000 in 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $375
🧡 Best For: Business owners with high spend in rotating categories who’ll use the built-in perks.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
🏆 Why It’s Good: Premium travel perks: $200 airline fee credit, $200 hotel credit, $240 digital entertainment credit, $200 Uber Cash, Walmart+ membership, and lounge access.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 80,000 points after $6,000 spent in 6 months
💳 Annual Fee: $695
🧡 Best For: Frequent travelers who want luxury perks and premium travel protections.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 5X on flights and hotels through Amex Travel, airport lounge access, $400 Dell credit, $200 airline fee credit, $150 Adobe credit, and more.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 120,000 points after $15,000 spent in 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $695
🧡 Best For: Business owners who want top-tier travel perks and flexible points.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 1.25X miles on every purchase with no annual fee. Miles can be transferred to travel partners or used as a statement credit.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 20,000 miles after $500 spent in 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $0
🧡 Best For: Beginners who want simple travel rewards with no fee or complexity.
Capital One Venture Rewards
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 2X miles on every purchase. Transfer miles to over 15 travel loyalty programs. Includes travel insurance and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 75,000 miles after $4,000 spent in 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $95
🧡 Best For: Travelers who want easy earning and flexible redemptions without juggling categories.
Citi Strata Premier® Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 3X points on air travel, hotels, gas, and dining. Points transfer to travel partners or can be redeemed for gift cards or travel.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 spent in 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $95
🧡 Best For: Travelers looking for flexible points with solid earning categories and transfer options.
Brand-Specific Credit Cards
Why brand-specific points?
Brand-specific credit cards offer perks like free nights, discounts, or status with a specific airline, hotel, or brand — great if you stay loyal to one brand or have a specific redemption in mind.
✈️ Airlines
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 2X miles on American Airlines purchases and at restaurants and gas stations. Includes a free first checked bag and preferred boarding.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 50,000 miles after $2,500 spent in the first 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $99 (waived for the first year)
🧡 Best For: American Airlines travelers seeking travel perks and mileage earnings.
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® Credit Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 2X miles on AA purchases, telecommunications, car rentals, and gas stations. Includes a free first checked bag and preferred boarding.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 65,000 miles after $4,000 spent in the first 4 months
💳 Annual Fee: $99 (waived for the first year)
🧡 Best For: Small business owners who fly with American Airlines.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 2X miles on Delta purchases, restaurants, and groceries. Includes a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 15% off award redemptions on Delta flights.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 50,000 miles after $2,000 spent in the first 6 months
💳 Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $150
🧡 Best For: Delta flyers seeking travel perks without a high annual fee.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus/Premier/Priority Credit Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 2X-3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X on local transit, internet, cable, phone service, and select streaming services. Includes 2 EarlyBird Check-In® per year (Plus/Premier). Priority card includes 4 upgraded boardings and $75 Southwest credit each year.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 50,000 points after $1,000 spent in the first 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $69 (Plus), $99 (Premier), $149 (Priority)
🧡 Best For: Travelers who want to earn points toward flights, enjoy perks like free checked bags, and work toward a Companion Pass.
Southwest Premier Business Credit Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X on local transit and commuting. Includes 6,000 anniversary points each year.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points after $3,000 spent in the first 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $99
🧡 Best For: Business owners who frequently fly Southwest and want to earn rewards on business expenses.
🎢 Theme Parks
Disney® Visa® Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases. Includes special perks and discounts on select merchandise and dining.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: $150 after $500 spent in the first 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $0
🧡 Best For: Disney fans who visit the parks and want Disney-specific rewards and discounts without an annual fee.
Disney® Premier Visa® Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney locations. Includes special perks and discounts on select merchandise and dining.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: $300 after $1000 spent in the first 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $49
🧡 Best For: Disney fans who visit the parks and want Disney-specific rewards and discounts.
Universal Rewards Visa Signature® Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 2X points on qualifying Universal purchases, and 10% off select merchandise, food and beverage purchases at select locations at Universal Theme Parks and Universal CityWalk in Orlando and Hollywood.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: $150 after $500 spent in the first 3 billing cycles
💳 Annual Fee: $0
🧡 Best For: Universal fans who visit the parks regularly and will redeem their points there.
Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature® Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 4X points on qualifying Universal purchases, 2X on travel, gas, and dining, and 10% off select merchandise, food and beverage purchases at select locations at Universal Theme Parks and Universal CityWalk in Orlando and Hollywood. Includes access to theme park lounge. Earns a free park ticket with $6,000 annual spend.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: $300 after $1,000 spent in the first 3 billing cycles
💳 Annual Fee: $99
🧡 Best For: Universal fans who visit the parks regularly and will redeem their points there.
🏨 Hotels
IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns up to 26X points at IHG hotels, 5X on travel, dining, and gas stations. Includes a free night after each account anniversary and automatic Platinum Elite status.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 140,000 points after $3,000 spent in the first 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $99
🧡 Best For: IHG guests seeking a valuable welcome bonus and an annual free night certificate.
IHG® One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns up to 17X points at IHG hotels, and 3X on gas and dining.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 80,000 points after $2,000 spent in the first 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $0
🧡 Best For: IHG guests seeking rewards without an annual fee. Ongoing earning to keep points from expiring.
Hilton Honors Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 7X points on Hilton purchases, 5X at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 80,000 points after $1,000 spent in the first 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $0
🧡 Best For: Hilton guests seeking rewards without an annual fee. Ongoing earning to keep points from expiring.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 12X points on Hilton purchases, 6X at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Includes complimentary Gold status and 10 free Priority Pass lounge visits annually.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 130,000 points after $3,000 spent in the first 6 months
💳 Annual Fee: $150
🧡 Best For: Hilton guests who value elevated status and lounge access.
Hilton Honors Business Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 12X points on Hilton purchases, 6X on select business and travel categories. Includes Gold status and $240 annual Hilton credit.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 130,000 points after $6,000 spent in the first 6 months
💳 Annual Fee: $195
🧡 Best For: Business owners who stay at Hilton properties.
Marriot Bonvoy Business™ Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns 6X points at Marriott hotels, 4X on select business categories, and 2X on all other purchases. Includes a free night award every year and Gold Elite status.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 3 Free Night Awards, worth up to 150K points after $6,000 spent in 6 months
💳 Annual Fee: $125
🧡 Best For: Business owners who stay at Marriott properties and will use the free night award.
Marriot Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earns up to 17X points at Marriott hotels, 2X on all other purchases. Includes a free night award every year.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 3 Free Night Awards after $3,000 spent in the first 3 months
💳 Annual Fee: $95
🧡 Best For: Marriott loyalists seeking annual free night benefits.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: Free night each year, automatic Discoverist status, and solid earning on Hyatt stays and travel categories. No resort fees on award nights.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 30,000 points after spending $3,000 in 3 months, plus 30,000 additional points based on spending over 6 months
💳 Annual Fee: $95
🧡 Best For: Travelers who want valuable points and free night benefits at Hyatt hotels near theme parks.
Wyndham Rewards® Earner Plus Card
🏆 Why It’s Good: 6X points at Wyndham hotels and gas stations, plus automatic Platinum status and 7,500 bonus points annually.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 45,000 points after spending $1,000 in 90 days
💳 Annual Fee: $75
🧡 Best For: Families booking budget-friendly chains like La Quinta or Days Inn near theme parks.
Choice Privileges® Mastercard®
🏆 Why It’s Good: 5X points at Choice Hotels, 3X at grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plans. No foreign transaction fees.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $1,000 in 90 days
💳 Annual Fee: $0
🧡 Best For: Travelers who want a no-annual-fee option with strong value at affordable hotels near parks.
Combination Rewards Programs
Why combination rewards?
Earn points for everyday tasks — surveys, shopping, online searches, scanning receipts, and even playing games — and redeem them for cash or gift cards.
Swagbucks
🏆 Why It’s Good: One of the most well-known rewards sites. Earn points for simple activities like searches, surveys, watching videos, and shopping. Redeem points for PayPal or gift cards.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: $10
🧡 Best For: Deal seekers who want the broadest range of earning options across devices and platforms.
Mypoints
🏆 Why It’s Good: Earn points for completing easy tasks. Similar to Swagbucks. Redeem points for PayPal or gift cards.
🎁 Typical Welcome Bonus: $5
🧡 Best For: Users who want to casually earn rewards during downtime or while shopping online.
Rewards Apps
Why rewards apps?
Earn rewards without much added effort — shopping, exercising, scanning receipts, and more!
Evidation
Why It’s Good: Earn money for exercise. Easy passive earner when you link it to a fitness app or device.
Typical Welcome Bonus: none
Best For: Those who track their activity.
Fetch Rewards
Why It’s Good: Earn points for your store receipts. Slow earner with little effort required. Typical Welcome Bonus: 2,000 points Best For: Everyone.
Shopkick
Why It’s Good: Earn points for visiting stores in person, scanning items, purchasing items, and watching short videos. Typical Welcome Bonus: Sign up with my code to get bonus kicks: WIN892191 Best For: Anyone willing to open the app while shopping.
Ibotta
Why It’s Good: Earn points for buying specific grocery products. Typical Welcome Bonus: varies Best For: Anyone that regularly spends on brand name products.
Shopping Portals
Why shopping portals?
Get extra points or cash back just for clicking through before you shop online — no codes, no fuss.
Rakuten
Why It’s Good: Easy to use. Also has an app with in-store offers. Typical Welcome Bonus: $30 Best For: Earning cash back from purchases. There’s also the option to earn Membership Rewards Points instead of cash.
Capital One Shopping
Why It’s Good: Sometimes offers elevated earnings. Typical Welcome Bonus: not always offered Best For: Earning gift cards from purchases.
Top Cash Back
Why It’s Good: Easy to use. Often has limited-time bonuses like an added $2.50 back on a $10+ purchase. Typical Welcome Bonus: not always offered Best For: Earning cash back from purchases.
RetailMe Not
Why It’s Good: Easy to use. Typical Welcome Bonus: $5 Best For: Earning cash back from purchases.
Survey Sites
Why survey sites?
Earn rewards for sharing your opinions. These sites are great for earning points while watching TV or waiting in line.
e-Rewards
Multiple redemptions options. Requires an invitation from the program.
Jet Opinions
Earns jetBlue TrueBlue points.
Miles for Opinions
Earns American Airlines AAdvantage® miles.
Opinion Miles Club
Earns United MileagePlus® miles.
Points for Thoughts
Earns Free Spirit® points.
Rewards for Opinions
Earns Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
The Opinion Terminal
Earns Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ miles.
Dining Rewards Programs
Why dining rewards?
Earn points or miles just for eating out. Link your credit card once, dine at participating restaurants, and rack up rewards automatically—no need to track or scan receipts. Note: if you link the same card to multiple dining programs, only one or possibly none will track the rewards, so stick with your favorite.
More Rewards
Why more rewards?
These loyalty programs offer points, discounts, or exclusive perks for everyday spending at popular stores and brands. Whether you’re picking up prescriptions, grabbing coffee, or shopping for essentials, it’s worth joining the programs where you shop most.
FutureCard
This debit card is good for accumulating cash by spending in certain categories, sometimes earning up to 10% back. Plus, your balance earns a competitive interest rate. Get $15 when you sign up for a FutureCard and spend your first $50 on the card.
AARP Rewards
Earn points for various activities and redeem for gift cards. Also offers travel and dining discounts.
CVS ExtraCare
Earn points from your drugstore purchases and use them to purchase items for your trip.
Dunkin’ Rewards
Earn points from your purchases and use them during your trip. Dunkin Donuts locations include airports.
myWalgreens
Earn points from your drugstore purchases and use them to purchase items for your trip.
Starbucks Rewards
Earn points from your purchases and use them during your trip. Starbucks locations include airports, hotels, and some theme parks.
Target Circle
Earn points from your purchases and use them to purchase items for your trip.