Costco isn’t just the place where you grab bulk toilet paper, cheap gas, hot dogs, and gift cards. You can also plan amazing trips through Costco’s online travel agency, Costco Travel. If you’re a fan of travel deals, you may want to pay attention to this often-overlooked service that offers fantastic vacation options at competitive prices.
What is Costco Travel?
Costco Travel is a service available exclusively to Costco members, providing access to an array of travel options including vacation packages, hotels, cruises, and car rentals. You can book everything from a luxury resort vacation to a thrilling African safari or a family-friendly Disney park getaway.
Once you log in to Costco Travel, you can search for specific destinations, dates, or browse available deals. It’s especially useful for those who have a rough idea of when they want to travel but are still open to suggestions on the destination. Plus, many Costco Travel deals come with extra perks, such as free spa credits or gift cards.
Types of Travel You Can Book Through Costco Travel
Costco Travel offers a wide range of options for booking:
- Hotels: Choose from a wide variety of hotels, from budget-friendly options to luxury resorts.
- Cruises: Costco Travel offers exclusive cruise deals to destinations worldwide.
- Rental Cars: Rent a car for your trip, with Costco providing access to major rental car companies at competitive prices.
- Vacation Packages: Create a customized vacation package that includes airfare, hotel stays, and car rentals all bundled together.
One of the notable advantages of booking through Costco is that many vacation packages include a digital Costco Shop Card, which is essentially a Costco gift card. This adds extra value to your bookings, something you wouldn’t receive when booking directly or through other travel platforms.
Do You Need a Costco Membership to Use Costco Travel?
Yes, you must be a Costco member to book travel through Costco Travel. There are two membership levels: Gold Star, which costs $60 per year, and Executive, which costs $120 per year. The Executive membership comes with additional perks, such as 2% cashback on all Costco purchases, including travel bookings.
Even if you don’t shop at Costco regularly, the savings you can earn from booking travel deals could easily justify the cost of a membership. For example, the savings on a 3-night stay at a resort in Cancun, including a $241 Costco Shop Card, was enough to offset the $60 Gold Star membership cost.
Why Is Costco Travel Worth It?
While Costco Travel might not be ideal for every trip, it’s definitely worth considering when planning certain types of vacations. For example, on a recent trip, I saved nearly $300 by booking an all-inclusive resort in Cancun through Costco Travel. The resort, TRS Coral, is one of the top all-inclusive resorts in the area, and the savings were significant.
Additionally, Costco Travel often includes exclusive bonuses like spa credits, which can enhance your vacation experience without costing extra.
Tips for Booking Travel Through Costco
- Look for Limited-Time Offers: If you’re flexible on dates and destinations, Costco Travel’s limited-time deals are a great way to save money on your next trip.
- Consider Resort Packages: Costco Travel offers many resort packages that include flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. These all-inclusive packages often provide better value compared to booking each component separately.
- Check for Special Promotions: Some of the best deals come with extra perks, like discounts on spa services or Costco Shop Cards, so keep an eye out for those.
- Don’t Book Stand-Alone Flights: While you can book flights through some vacation packages, Costco Travel doesn’t offer stand-alone flight bookings. For flights, it’s better to compare prices using Google Flights or similar platforms.
Conclusion
If you’re planning your next vacation and want to save money while enjoying extra perks, Costco Travel is a great option. Whether it’s booking a cruise, an all-inclusive resort, or a family vacation package, Costco Travel can provide significant value for its members. Just be sure to compare deals and consider the perks that come with your membership to make the most out of your booking.
By using Costco Travel, not only do you get exclusive access to travel deals, but you also benefit from the added savings and rewards that make it a smart choice for savvy travelers.
Read More – The Ultimate Guide to Costco Travel and the Costco Visa Card for Eligible Travel