Magic Band Trick at Walt Disney World

One of the great ways to use Capital One Miles at Disney is by using them for Dining and Merchandise. But you need to use the magic band trick to make it work.

How it works

In order to use Capital One Miles and “erase” (basically get a statement credit) for purchases, the need to code as travel. Purchases like food and merchandise don’t obviously code as travel, BUT if you charge them to your room…then they become incidentals at your hotels, and Voila! They are now travel expenses!  Yippee!

Then after the disney resort has charged your final bill, you can go into your Capital One account and use miles for the charge.  We have a tutorial here if you need step by step instructions on how to erase on your Capital One account.

Just starting out using credit card points?  start here

What you can purchase with your magic band

Anywhere you can tap your magic band, you can use this trick.  Snack carts, quick service (but not mobile ordering), sit down table service meals, and any disney store for merchandise.  Sit down meals include Character meals, signature restaurants, and we’ve used it at Disney Springs for meals there also.

Details of Single Rider lines at WDW and DisneyLand

Why use your magic band instead of mobile order

This trick does not work with Mobile order (as you have to pay either with apple pay/samsung pay, gift card or a credit card). Mobile orders will not code as travel.

 

Restrictions

You can only charge to your magic band if you are staying at a Disney owned resort (this will not work while staying at the Swan, Dolphin, or Reserve).

You can charge starting the day you check-in, and also the full day when you check out.

Before your vacations starts

Make sure to combine all your miles into one account if you have two different cards, accounts, or a business cards.  You can do this with a simple phone call and the miles will be in your account immediately.

When checking in to your Disney resort online or on the app, make sure that your Venture or Venture X is the card connected to your reservation and your magic band.  Anyone in the room can charge ( and you can decide if children can charge to their magic band too).

 

How much are Capital One Miles worth

100,000 miles are $1,000 worth of dining and shopping. You can get a statement credit for purchases up to 90 days after purchase post your account. So you can continue to earn points and get statement credits for the next three months.