Seemingly every type of business has a co-branded credit card these days. But for a surprisingly long time, one of the largest theme park operators didn’t. That changed in 2024, when Universal fans finally gained the ability to earn rewards directly tied to the parks. While the Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature® Card didn’t make a huge mainstream splash, it definitely caught the attention of die-hard theme park regulars — especially those who loved the idea of earning rewards toward tickets, merch, on-site hotels, and even an annual free theme park ticket after meeting a yearly spend threshold.
Now Universal has sweetened the deal with a better sign-up bonus — the best we’ve seen since the card launched. And honestly, this offer may even appeal to people who aren’t Universal superfans.
Current Offer (limited-time):
Earn $250 as a statement credit when you spend just $500 in the first three billing cycles after opening your Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature® Card.
Apply via this offer link by April 7, 2026.
Here’s a full look at the benefits and why this card can make sense for both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood fans.
Earning Points
Universal Rewards Plus earns:
- 4X points per dollar on qualifying Universal purchases
- 2X points per dollar on travel, gas, and dining purchases
- 1X point per dollar on all other purchases
Universal spending is where the card shines — if you’re planning a trip or buying tickets anyway, the rewards stack up fast.
What Counts as a Qualifying “Universal Purchase”?
To earn 4X points on Universal Rewards Plus, your purchase must be made at one of the following:
- Any of the main parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Universal Epic Universe, Volcano Bay or Universal Studios Hollywood
- Universal-owned venues: CityWalk (Orlando or Hollywood), on-site Universal hotels, or Universal airport stores
- Parking at the two resorts (parks + CityWalk)
- Online at UniversalOrlando.com or UniversalStudiosHollywood.com — including tickets, vacation packages, and Universal Express
- Through official mobile apps for Universal Orlando or Hollywood (food, beverages, merchandise)
The full list of qualifying locations is subject to change. See FAQ for details. View FAQ
Redeeming Rewards
Rewards are loaded onto a Universal FUNds Visa® Prepaid Card, which you can use for most on-site purchases at:
- Universal Studios Florida
- Islands of Adventure
- Universal Epic Universe
- Volcano Bay
- Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal FUNds can be used toward tickets, Universal Express passes, select dining and merchandise, CityWalk purchases, and vacation packages booked through Universal’s websites. You can also use your Universal FUNds for flights and hotel stays booked directly with airlines and hotels.
Anniversary Bonus
Each year you spend $6,000 on your Universal Rewards Plus card, you’ll receive:
- One complimentary single-day theme park ticket to either:
- Universal Studios Florida + Islands of Adventure (1-park-per-day ticket)
- Universal Studios Hollywood
The ticket will be issued shortly after your card anniversary once the spend requirement is met. Restrictions apply.
A one-day ticket to Universal can cost $159–$189+ depending on date and park.
Since the annual fee is $99, the anniversary ticket alone can outweigh the cost of keeping the card.
Park Perks
- 10% off select merchandise, food, and beverage purchases at participating locations throughout the Universal theme parks and CityWalk (Orlando and Hollywood). Just mention the discount and pay with your card.
- Visa® Everywhere Lounge access
Relax in an exclusive lounge space located inside Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Open daily from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Card Designs
The Universal Rewards Plus card allows you to pick from several fun designs to match your fandom:
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – Featuring the Minions front and center.
- Universal Destinations & Experiences Skyline – A stylish design with silhouettes of the iconic park attractions.
- Jurassic World Velociraptor Blue – Showcasing the thrilling Velociraptor from Jurassic World.
(There are also special edition designs available, including seasonal themes.)
Final Thoughts
Universal Rewards Plus is one of the very few theme park credit cards that offers real, ongoing value — not just a one-time perk. The new sign-up bonus is the best version of the offer we’ve seen so far, and the low spend requirement makes it easy to earn.
One more thing worth calling out: the sign-up bonus is a statement credit, not points. That means you don’t have to redeem it at Universal — it simply reduces your bill, just like cash back. Use it for anything: groceries, gas, or to offset trip expenses.
If you visit Universal at least once a year, the combination of:
- $250 statement credit for $500 in spend (limited-time offer)
- 4X earnings on park purchases
- 10% discounts in the parks and CityWalk
- Anniversary theme park ticket after $6,000 annual spend
- Access to the Visa Everywhere Lounge
…can easily exceed the card’s $99 annual fee.
Even if you aren’t a die-hard Universal fan, the current bonus makes the card appealing — especially if you’re planning a trip and want to reduce out-of-pocket costs on tickets, food, or merch. Apply here to see the current offer.
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