Planning a vacation can be stressful. You have to find flights, book a hotel, arrange transportation, and more. But what if there was an easier way? Enter Costco Travel.
Costco’s travel site makes booking vacations a breeze. From cruise packages to rental cars and more, Costco Travel offers great deals to Costco members. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about using Costco Travel for your next getaway.
What Types of Travel Can I Book Through Costco?
Costco Travel offers a wide range of travel services, including:
Vacation Packages: Book bundled deals including flights, hotels, rental cars, activities and more. Packages to destinations like Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe and beyond.
Cruises: Choose from top cruise lines. Get exclusive member-only rates and onboard credits.
Hotels: Reserve hotel rooms and get the lowest price guaranteed. 5-star resorts to budget-friendly chains.
Rental Cars: Access great rates with top rental car companies. Coverage options and free additional drivers.
Theme Park Packages: Bundle theme park tickets with hotel and get extra perks. Disneyland, Universal Studios, and other parks.
Tours & Attractions: Book sightseeing tours, skip-the-line tickets, museum passes, and more.
Airfare: Find competitive rates for flights worldwide.
Travel Insurance: Protect your trip with comprehensive coverage options from Allianz Global Assistance.
No matter where in the world you want to go, Costco Travel has you covered.
How Do Costco Travel Prices & Deals Compare?
Costco Travel leverages the company’s buying power to get members-only rates not publicly available. You’ll often find Costco’s vacation packages priced lower than booking flight, hotel, and other components separately.
For example, a Hawaiian vacation package with airfare, hotel, and rental car could be $1,000+ cheaper than booking individually. Cruise rates also undercut direct bookings. Costco customers report saving hundreds per stateroom.
Even airfare and hotel rates booked through Costco Travel compare favorably to online travel agencies. You can expect to get competitive pricing, plus extras like resort credits, WiFi, and breakfast.
Bottom line – Costco Travel packages and rates regularly beat other sites. The savings really add up, especially for family or group travel.
Do I Need a Costco Membership to Book Through Costco Travel?
Yes, you must be a current Costco member to book vacations through Costco Travel. This is a members-only perk.
However, anyone can travel on the itinerary. You can book for yourself, family, friends, etc. The Costco membership holder just needs to make the initial reservation.
If you aren’t already a member, consider joining to access these exclusive low rates. The membership fee quickly pays for itself through the savings.
What are the Benefits of Booking Through Costco Travel?
There are many advantages to booking your next vacation with Costco Travel, including:
Exclusive Member Rates: As mentioned, Costco Travel offers special pricing not available to the general public. This can save you hundreds per trip.
Price Drop Guarantee: If Costco lowers the price after you book, you’ll automatically get the lower rate.
Earn 2% Back: You earn 2% back on eligible Costco Travel purchases to redeem for cash back.
VIP Service: Enjoy complimentary concierge service before and during your trip. Costco Travel agents can handle requests and changes.
Rental Car Perks: Get free additional drivers and upgrades through Costco Travel.
24/7 Support: Costco Travel agents are available to help anytime before and during your trip.
Flexible Cancellation: Many bookings allow cancellation with full refund within 48 hours. Vacation packages offer peace of mind.
One-Stop Shopping: Book the full trip in one place instead of wasting time piecing it together.
Booking through Costco Travel makes trip planning practically effortless. The perks add up to an excellent overall value.
What are Costco Travel Packages?
Instead of booking flights, hotels, and more separately, you can bundle it together as a seamless vacation package through Costco Travel.
Packages include some combination of:
- Airfare or car rental
- Hotel stay
- Airport transfers
- Activities and tours
- Travel insurance
- Dining and entertainment credits
You can build a customized package for many popular destinations. Costco Travel also offers pre-bundled packages with set details. Either way, you get everything needed for an amazing getaway.
Vacation packages simplify planning and offer savings over individual bookings. It’s a major time and money saver.
How Does Costco Travel Compare for Cruise Bookings?
Costco Travel gets members-only rates on cruises across every major cruise line. We’re talking savings of hundreds to even thousands per stateroom compared to booking directly.
Plus, Costco cruise bookings come with extra perks like onboard credits for free drinks, shore excursions, etc. You may also get cabin upgrades, prepaid gratuities, free internet, and more.
Costco makes the process smooth too. Shop different cruise options in one place instead of visiting multiple sites. Easily compare pricing and amenities for the best value.
Once booked through Costco, you still get full cruise line benefits and brand perks. There are no downsides to booking cruise vacations through Costco Travel vs directly.
Does Costco Travel Offer Hotel Deals?
Yes, Costco Travel has fantastic hotel rates worldwide. They negotiate directly with hotels and resorts to give members exclusive pricing and value-adds.
You can book major hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt through Costco Travel. Or stay at unique boutique properties and luxury resorts.
Costco Travel guarantees the lowest rates on hotels. If you find the room cheaper elsewhere within 24 hours, they’ll refund the difference.
Hotel perks through Costco may include daily breakfast, resort credits, free WiFi, spa discounts, and more. Expect an overall better deal than booking directly or via hotel comparison sites.
How Do the Rental Cars Through Costco Travel Compare?
Booking rental cars through Costco Travel lets you access member-exclusive rates with top rental companies like Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise.
The benefits stack up:
- No blackout dates
- Free additional driver fees
- Free loss damage waiver insurance
- Free upgrades when available
- No early return penalties
- 24/7 emergency roadside assistance
You can rent everything from economy cars to SUVs, minivans, and luxury vehicles. Costco Travel has the best car rental rates guaranteed.
Rental car packages add even more value. Book a car along with your flights and hotel for maximum convenience and savings.
Does Costco Travel Offer Airfare?
You bet. Costco Travel allows you to book flights from all major airlines. Enter your route details to instantly compare hundreds of flight options by price, duration, airline, etc.
Airfares booked through Costco Travel include great benefits:
- Low price guarantee
- 24/7 travel assistance
- Complimentary upgrades
- Generous change policies
- Cancellation with full refund within 24 hours
You can also bundle flights with hotels, cars, and activities as part of a complete vacation package. This approach often has the lowest overall cost.
How Does the Costco Travel Insurance Work?
Booking travel insurance through Costco Travel ensures you’re protected before and during your trip. You have access to plans by Allianz Global Assistance.
Two key types of coverage are offered:
Vacation Package Insurance – Protects full package cost including flights, hotels, cars, etc. Get coverage for cancellation, interruption, delays, and more.
Airline Ticket Insurance – Covers airfare purchase price. Includes medical emergency benefits away from home.
Read through the policy details. Things like pre-existing conditions may affect coverage eligibility. Most plans let you cancel for a full refund within 10-15 days.
Adding travel insurance provides peace of mind from unforeseen issues. Consider the risks and benefits when booking a Costco trip.
What Happens if Something Goes Wrong with a Costco Travel Booking?
Costco Travel provides exceptional customer service before, during, and after your trip.
If any issues come up, you can contact their 24/7 travel assistance team. Costco agents are available by phone, email, and online chat.
Some examples of help available includes:
- Modify or cancel reservations
- Rebook missed or canceled flights
- Assist with lost luggage
- Schedule bridge accommodations for cruises
- Coordinate transportation if plans disrupted
- Help access emergency services while traveling
Additionally, comprehensive travel insurance provides financial coverage for unexpected delays, interruptions, cancellations, and other issues.
You have full support to handle anything that may go wrong when booking through Costco Travel.
Is Costco Travel Right for You?
In summary, Costco Travel is a great option if:
- You want exclusive member pricing and extra perks not available elsewhere
- You value customer service and financial protection from a trusted brand
- You like one-stop shopping to book full vacation packages
- You’re planning for a large group or family and need bulk value
- You want extra benefits like rental car perks, resort credits, etc.
However, you may prefer booking directly with individual providers if:
- You only need a single component like a flight or hotel room
- You want maximum flexibility to customize every detail
- You don’t mind spending time searching multiple sites for deals
Overall, Costco Travel simplifies booking amazing vacations packed with value. The convenience and savings make it worth exploring for your next getaway.
The Bottom Line
Booking your next vacation through Costco Travel means scoring exclusive deals, enjoying helpful service, and saving time and money. For an easy, affordable trip, look no further than Costco.
Some key takeaways:
- Costco Travel packages beat Costco’s already low individual pricing
- You don’t have to be a member to travel – just to book
- Enjoy perks and extras you can’t get through other sites
- Packages, cruises, airfare, hotels, cars, and more available
- 24/7 support before and during trip for peace of mind
Start planning your next hassle-free getaway with Costco Travel today! The savings will speak for themselves.
FAQs:
Q: What is Costco Travel?
A: Costco Travel is a travel service available to Costco members, providing vacation packages and travel deals, including flight and resort bookings, to various destinations around the world.
Q: How can Costco members benefit from Costco Travel?
A: Costco members can access exclusive deals and perks through Costco Travel, including discounted vacation packages, added amenities, and special offers only available to Costco members.
Q: What types of vacation packages does Costco Travel offer?
A: Costco Travel offers a wide range of vacation packages, including beach resorts, luxury getaways, theme park vacations, guided tours, and more, to destinations both domestic and international.
Q: Can travelers upgrade their vacation package through Costco Travel?
A: Yes, travelers can often upgrade their vacation packages through Costco Travel to include additional amenities, luxury accommodations, and special perks for an enhanced travel experience.
Q: How does booking through Costco Travel differ from other travel websites?
A: Booking through Costco Travel offers Costco members the advantage of additional benefits and added perks, as well as access to limited-time deals and exclusive offers not found on other travel websites.
Q: What are some of the destinations offered through Costco Travel?
A: Costco Travel offers a variety of destinations, from popular vacation spots like Maui, Oahu, and Cancun to exotic locations such as African safaris, guided vacations in Italy, and more.
Q: What are some of the additional benefits of booking through Costco Travel?
A: In addition to discounted vacation packages, travelers booking through Costco Travel may also receive extras such as trip insurance, shuttle service, and other added perks at no additional cost.
Q: How can travelers book a vacation package through Costco Travel?
A: Costco members can book vacation packages through Costco Travel either online at costco.com or by contacting the dedicated travel service to book one over the phone, ensuring a smooth and convenient booking process.
Q: What sets Costco Travel apart from other travel arrangements?
A: Costco Travel sets itself apart by providing top-notch service to book one’s vacation package, offering great things like wholesale pricing, package deals, and top-rated destinations at a great value.
Q: Are there any limitations or restrictions when booking through Costco Travel?
A: While Costco Travel offers incredible deals and benefits, it’s important to note that some offers may have limited time availability, and there may be some additional costs for certain add-ons or upgrades beyond the base package.