Why use Costco Travel for bookings?…Pluses and minuses…Is a membership required?…

Note: We do not receive compensation for mentioning Costco Travel

Recently, we booked four cruises through Costco Travel for several reasons, including:

  • Pricing, plus the benefit of price reductions before the final payment is made
  • Complimentary Costco Shop Cards are provided for certain bookings including cruises.
  • Annual shopping credits for spending money using membership
  • Perks acquired on Costco Citibank card
  • Ease of booking (they’ve greatly improved their phone response time).
  • Reliability with the Costco brand

See more below:

Booking travel through Costco Travel can be a great option, especially if you’re already a Costco member. Here’s why:

1. Exclusive Member-Only Deals

Costco negotiates discounts on hotels, rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages, often bundling in extras like resort credits, free breakfast, or complimentary room upgrades. These deals are only available to members, making them a great perk.

2. Added Value & Extras

Many Costco Travel packages include Costco Shop Cards, which can be used for future Costco purchases, as well as perks like free airport transfers, daily resort credits, or waived resort fees.

3. Transparent Pricing (No Hidden Fees)

Unlike some third-party travel sites, Costco Travel prices are straightforward. Taxes and fees are typically included upfront, so you won’t get hit with surprise charges later.

4. Bundled Convenience

Costco offers vacation packages that include flights, hotels, and sometimes even rental cars—saving you the hassle of booking everything separately. This can also mean better pricing than booking each component individually.

5. Rental Car Discounts

Costco Travel offers some of the best rental car rates, often including a second driver for free (which is usually an extra charge with other providers). They work with brands like Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise, giving you flexibility.

6. Strong Customer Service

Costco is known for good customer service, and its travel department is no exception. If something goes wrong with your booking, you have Costco’s backing, which can be helpful compared to dealing with an online booking site with limited support.

7. Luxury Hotel & Cruise Benefits

For those booking higher-end travel, Costco Travel often includes perks like room upgrades, late checkout, onboard cruise credits, or specialty dining packages—sometimes matching or exceeding what you’d get by booking directly with a hotel or cruise line.

8. Trust & Reliability

Costco has a reputation for vetting its vendors carefully. If a travel deal is offered through Costco, you can generally trust that it’s a good value.

Potential Downsides to Consider:

  • Limited Flight Options: If booking flights, Costco’s travel packages may not offer the same flexibility as booking directly with an airline.
  • No Loyalty Program Benefits: If you frequently earn points with hotels or airlines, you may not receive full rewards or elite status perks when booking through Costco.
  • Must Be a Costco Member: You need a Gold Star or Executive Membership to book through Costco Travel, though the savings can often justify the membership cost.

If you value simplicity, bundled deals, and extra perks, booking travel through Costco can be a fantastic option! Would you like recommendations for specific destinations?

In the past, we frequently used VacationstoGo.com, an excellent cruise booking service. However, when comparing overall benefits and pricing, Costco was a winner for us, even factoring in the price of their annual executive membership.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, January 29, 2015:

The colors in the tunnels at Tunnels Beach at Napali Beach are varied. For more photos, please click here.

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