Everything you need to know about Costco Travel — and why I love it for saving money

Madison Blancaflor

Costco isn't just the place where you can buy toilet paper in bulk, inexpensive gas, cheap hot dogs and gift cards. You can also book great trips via the company's online travel agency, Costco Travel.

I know, I know: At TPG, we're often staunchly against booking travel through third-party sites , as there can be tradeoffs versus booking directly. But in recent years, I've become a big fan of the travel deals I can find via Costco Travel.

When planning our annual beach trip back in 2022, my best friend found a few options for Mexican all-inclusive resorts on Costco Travel and shared the links with me. I promptly told her we'd probably be better off booking directly and brushed off the idea of booking through Costco — neither of us even had a membership at the time.

However, comparing the prices and benefits at a few of the resorts proved my initial reaction wrong.

I actually got a Costco membership to book the deal since the cost of the membership was less than what we'd save by booking through Costco. We saved around $300 on a three-night stay at TRS Coral near Cancun (one of TPG's best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun ), not including the free hydrotherapy spa circuit and the $241 Digital Costco Shop Card included in the package.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Madison Blancaflor (@madison_ave18)

Our stay was fantastic, and I officially became a Costco Travel convert.

If you're curious about how to use Costco Travel to find deals, here's everything you need to know about Costco Travel — and why I love it for saving money on travel.

What is Costco Travel?

does costco book international travel

All Costco members have access to the Costco Travel booking platform, where you can find and book a wide range of travel — from vacation packages to hotels, cruises and rental cars. You can even book theme park vacation packages to Disney and Universal or specialty vacations such as an African safari.

Related: Costco cruise deals: How to save money booking travel at a warehouse club

Once you log in to Costco Travel, you can search for specific dates or destinations or browse through available deals and featured destinations. I personally love perusing the limited-time deals when I know I want to plan a getaway but don't have a specific destination in mind.

Trips booked through Costco Travel are often discounted and/or include perks and benefits you may not get by booking directly or through other booking portals. Usually, a trip booked through Costco Travel will also include a Digital Costco Shop Card (essentially a type of Costco gift card) of varying value.

What travel can you book through Costco Travel?

You can book hotels, cruises, rental cars and vacation packages through Costco Travel. Vacation packages range from hotel-only offers to all-encompassing packages that include airfare, hotel stays and rental cars. You can even build your own package.

does costco book international travel

However, one thing to note is that you can't book stand-alone flights via Costco Travel. There is an option to book flights through some vacation packages, but if you're only looking for airfare, you'll want to head to Google Flights to check out your options and book.

You can book Costco Travel offers both online and by phone.

Do you have to be a Costco member to use Costco Travel?

Yes. Costco Travel is an exclusive service for Costco members.

There are two personal membership levels: Gold Star and Executive. Gold Star costs $60 per year, while an Executive membership costs $120. The basic membership will give you access to all of Costco's services, including Costco Travel, while the Executive membership also comes with a 2% reward on all Costco (and Costco Travel) purchases.

I've found that the Costco Travel deals alone are worth paying the $60 Gold Star annual membership fee, even though I don't regularly use Costco for my grocery store runs.

Check sites like Groupon for discount Costco memberships, as you can sometimes save on that rate — or get an included gift card that helps offset the cost.

Is Costo Travel worth it?

Costco Travel has its pros and cons, but there are definitely times when it's worth it.

For example, let's look at a five-night stay in Maui in early April. At the time of writing, Costco is currently offering a hotel and rental car package for Hotel Wailea, a Relais & Chateaux affiliated property and one of TPG's favorite Maui hotels .

Here's one cost comparison breakdown of Costco Travel's deal versus booking directly:

does costco book international travel

Even without including the additional benefits, you're already saving more than $400 via the Costco deal. Add in the value you get from the card, daily breakfast and resort credit (which is more than $1,000 in value if you maximize all benefits), and you're looking at $1,442.45 in savings by booking through Costco Travel versus directly.

And since Hotel Wailea isn't a member of any major hotel loyalty program, booking through Costco Travel wouldn't mean missing out on elite night credits or other loyalty program benefits.

Here's another example — this time for a Universal Orlando theme park trip from June 4-6 for one adult and two children from Houston. The total cost when booking each part (hotel, tickets and airfare) individually came to $2,701.35, while booking it as a package via Costco saved just over $300.

does costco book international travel

That's a fair amount of savings you could use for some frozen butterbeer or even a new wand inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter .

When is Costco Travel not worth it?

Not every offer on Costco is worth booking.

For one, you won't necessarily find the same availability on Costco Travel. For example, flights booked through Costco may have some seats blocked off, and certain dates for hotel stays may be unavailable. Additionally, not all rental car companies are bookable through Costco Travel (such as Hertz*, which is my preferred rental car company due to the perks I get through my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ).

Plus, some hotel stays have a minimum stay requirement. If you're on the hunt for a long weekend getaway, you may not be able to take advantage of some Costco Travel deals.

does costco book international travel

Even when you do find availability, you should always price-check what you can find by booking directly or through your credit card travel portal and hotel programs.

After booking our fantastic stay at TRS Coral just north of Cancun through Costco, I looked at booking through Costco again in 2023 when planning our annual beach vacation.

While Costco had a deal available for the same resort, we happened to be booking when the resort chain was having a Mother's Day sale for anyone booking directly. We were able to try out a new TRS resort closer to Playa Del Carmen, TRS Yucatan; we saved more than $100 on an even nicer suite than Costco Travel offered by booking directly (even when considering the Digital Shop Card we would have gotten by booking with Costco).

Something else to consider when booking hotels through Costco Travel is loyalty program rewards and elite status. There are a lot of hotels available to book through Costco Travel that are part of major loyalty programs, from Hyatt Honors to Marriott Bonvoy to IHG One Rewards and more. But booking through Costco Travel — just like booking through most other third-party services such as Expedia — means you likely won't earn loyalty rewards, elite night credits or have any elite night benefits honored.

You'll also have to use Costco customer service if you run into any issues rather than going directly to the brand. This is especially important when considering booking a vacation package that includes flights, given the higher potential for delays or cancellations.

Why I love Costco Travel

I am typically a staunch proponent of booking directly, but Costco Travel is an exception. I've found that the benefits I can get by booking some trips via Costco outweigh the cons (some of which include having to go through Costco for any customer service help or occasionally losing out on elite night credits).

Digital Costco Shop Cards

My favorite thing about booking trips through Costco Travel is the Digital Costco Shop Card I get after booking. The card's value varies from trip to trip (generally depending on how expensive the package you book), but you can get hundreds of dollars back to use at Costco.

The Digital Costco Shop Cards can be used for Costco warehouse purchases (a game changer with grocery prices so high due to inflation), but you can also use them toward future Costco Travel bookings. And remember — Costco doesn't just carry bulk grocery items. You could use a Digital Costco Shop Card to buy a new flat-screen TV for movie nights and game days, a new outdoor patio setup ahead of summer or even Costco Pharmacy prescriptions.

I admittedly don't use Costco for groceries often (buying in bulk doesn't make a lot of sense for someone who lives alone), but I have used shop cards to help pay for Christmas presents and future Costco Travel trips. I've actually been looking into using my most recent Digital Costco Shop Card on a new pair of AirPods and a new TV mount for my living room.

Deals on non-points hotel stays and all-inclusive resorts

When I'm looking at booking a hotel stay at a brand like Hyatt or Marriott, I generally choose to book directly in order to earn elite night credits and points. However, when looking at properties not part of a major loyalty program, Costco Travel is often a go-to anytime I can find a deal.

Costco Travel has a nice deals section, and I usually look there first if I'm not sold on a specific destination for a getaway. While deals found on Costco generally have a narrow booking window, I've found that many offer a lot of flexibility for the actual trip dates.

A few examples of limited-time deals for January include Hotel Wailea from the example earlier in this guide, all-inclusive resorts in Mexico's Riviera Maya, and Disney and Universal theme park packages.

does costco book international travel

Simplifying group vacations

I'm often the travel planner in my friend group (which makes sense, considering what I do for a living), but not everyone is an avid points and miles user like myself. For group trips where we're splitting the cost of hotel rooms among multiple people, it often doesn't make sense to use points and miles to book.

Costco Travel vacation packages offer a way for all of us to save money, and it makes narrowing down potential destinations and hotels easier. Rather than everyone having to spend hours researching ideas and prices from across the internet — which might be my idea of a fun Wednesday night but isn't for some of my friends — I typically just send them to Costco Travel to see if any of the featured deals catch their eye.

Having reservation information for multiple aspects of a trip, such as a hotel and rental car package, makes sharing and saving the itineraries a breeze.

Bottom line

Whether or not you currently have a Costco membership, you shouldn't dismiss Costco Travel as just another online travel agency.

If you know where to look and are willing to price-check the deals you find, you can save a lot of money with Costco Travel deals. I've personally had a lot of success booking friends getaways to popular destinations like Mexico through Costco. Using the service has helped me save on other expenses with the Digital Costco Shop Card I've gotten with my bookings.

For me, the $60 annual membership fee to Costco has been more than worth it to utilize Costco Travel.

*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through Dec. 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

Related reading:

  • Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
  • The best travel credit cards
  • How my Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a workhorse when it comes to cash back
  • Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
  • 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
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  • 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

Costco Travel: 5 Things To Know Before You Book

If you’re anything like money expert Clark Howard , you’re probably used to getting almost everything — from clothes to food to tires and home goods — at Costco . But have you ever thought about booking your getaways through Costco Travel ?

In this article, we’ll take a look at how Costco Travel works and talk about the pros and cons of booking your trips through the warehouse giant.

This article was updated in April 2024 and I review it every 12 months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here .

Costco Travel: What You Need To Know About Travel Packages, Car Rentals, Cruises and More

Costco uses its bulk-buying power to negotiate discounted rates for its members on travel packages (including airfare and hotel), car rentals, cruises and more for members at CostcoTravel.com. You can also access the service by phone at 866-921-7925.

So just how much can the warehouse club save you on your trip?

Our in-house travel expert Clara Bosonetto compares Costco Travel to the AAA discount you may be familiar with. Members may see a 10% savings overall through booking with Costco.

With that in mind, here are some other things you need to know before booking a trip through Costco Travel.

1. Costco Travel Packages Offer a One-Stop Shopping Experience

does costco book international travel

Just like many other travel websites, Costco lets you book an entire vacation online. This appeals to people who like to have all the moving parts of planning a trip (airfare, accommodations, activities, etc.) handled in a neat, organized way.

But the cookie-cutter approach can have its downsides.

“Costco hotels and resorts tend to be the big box type vs. boutique or off-the-beaten-tracks properties,” Clara says. “Due to volume bookings, these preferred hotels often throw in a dining credit, an activity or a room upgrade: small perks that can mean a big difference to some.”

Clara also notes that you’ll probably never get the same Costco Travel representative twice if you’re booking over the phone. “Customers can call to speak with a rep, but they will get a different one each time versus working with a local agent,” she says.

Check out Costco Travel packages here .

2. Booking a Hotel With Costco Travel Is Easy

does costco book international travel

All the hotel prices at CostcoTravel.com provide upfront pricing — including taxes.

Costco works with a variety of brand-name hotels including:

  • Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
  • Hyatt Hotels and Resorts
  • IHG Hotels and Resorts
  • Swissôtel Hotels and Resorts

Book a hotel through Costco here .

3. Here’s What You Need To Know About Costco Travel Car Rental

does costco book international travel

You can rent a car through Costco Travel . The site works with popular rental car brands including:

In addition booking a car in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can rent a car through Costco Travel for use in Canada, France, Germany, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Spain, and England.

One of the nice features of renting a car through Costco is that the additional driver fee is waived.

While Costco Travel is a great resource to shop for deals, make sure you follow our step-by-step guide to finding a deal on a rental car .

4. Costco Travel Offers Great Last-Minute Deals on Cruises

does costco book international travel

Costco partners with a variety of mainstream cruise lines to offer deals to members. They include:

  • Celebrity X Cruises
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Holland America Line
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Royal Caribbean International
  • Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

According to Clara, Costco is a great place to book last-minute cruises because you’ll often get perks such as onboard credits.

And, here’s another nice feature: If you don’t use all the onboard credit you’re given, you can get a partial refund before disembarking.

Book Costco cruises here .

5. You Can Earn 5% Back on Costco Travel

costco travel executive membership 2% cashback reward

Costco Executive Members ($120 annual fee) earn an annual 2% reward on Costco Travel purchases (up to $1,000).

On top of this 2%, you can earn 3% back on travel expenses if you use the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi . So as both an Executive Member and Costco Anywhere Visa® Card-holder you could earn 5% back on purchases made through Costco Travel!

However, certain expenditures are excluded from this offer:

  • Trip protection
  • Travel purchased through a third-party such as activities and tours
  • Rental car equipment
  • Resort charges
  • Port charges
  • Resort and cruise line fees

Final Thought

If convenience is king for you, you may want to give Costco’s travel offerings a try.

However, if you’re the kind of person who enjoys boutique travel or hunting for travel bargains, you’re likely to be better off booking without the help of the warehouse club.

“I still believe in booking airfare and accommodations separately for the lowest vacation price,” Clara tells us. “But again, some don’t want to spend the time to do this. As you know, it’s a lot of work!”

Have you used Costco Travel to plan your vacation? Tell us about your experience in our Clark.com Community !

  • April 16, 2024: Updated the following. Fixed rental car links for Avis and Budget. Also added England, Scotland and Wales to list of places you can rent a car through Costco Travel.

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ULTIMATE Costco Travel Review [2024]: Who It Is & Isn’t For

* This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

TL:DR: After testing Costco Travel, we recommend it if you don’t like planning all of the details of your trip—Costco Travel makes it super simple to purchase a planned vacation package, even though it might not be the cheapest option. Here are the key takeaways from our Costco Travel review:

  • Costco Travel offers vacation packages to destinations worldwide, including resorts, cruises, theme parks, and guided tours.
  • Pricing can be 20-30% lower compared to other agencies (but you might be able to find cheaper bookings if you enjoy researching travel deals). Executive members get added value like credits and upgrades.
  • We had a positive experience booking a Costa Rica package but found extra fees, so make sure that you fully understand what’s included in your package—for example, are meals included in your resort stay?
  • You can purchase flights as part of a package, but not on their own. If problems arise with the flight, Costco directs you to the airlines (even if you have trip insurance).
  • Cancellations and refunds are available under specific circumstances. Travel insurance provides some protection.

I fell in love with Costco because of their famous $1.50 hotdog and soda combo. But these aren’t the only deals that they have.

When it comes to selling package deals, Costco knows how it’s done. You can’t find better deals than their Kirkland brand products, gas fill-ups, and travel packages!

That’s right; I said travel packages. Costco Travel is a leader in selling vacation packages available only to members.

Costco is different from your ordinary travel search engine. They offer bundles for your favorite theme parks and cruise lines. But is it worth the membership?

Keep reading to determine if the membership is worth springing for.

A pair of hands type on a keyboard in front of a monitor displaying the Costco Travel website sitting on a white desk.

Table of Contents

What is Costco Travel? 

A screenshot of the Costco Travel website 'About' page. 

Costco is a members-only wholesale company that opened its first warehouse in 1983. Their popularity snowballed from there. 

Costco was the first company to reach $3 billion in sales in its first six years. In 2000, they branched out and created Costco Travel . 

The funny thing is that to this day, many people still don’t know Costco also sells travel packages! These packages can include flights, hotels, cruises, cars, and more. 

They work with an individual tour company to sell you the same travel packages as the tour companies but with added benefits.

How Does Costco Travel Work?

A screenshot of the Costco Travel website page with instructions on creating an account. 

You’ll have to become a member to get a Costco Travel package. There are two levels of membership that both allow you to take advantage of these Costco Travel deals. 

The basic “Gold Star” annual membership costs $60. With this level, you’ll be able to receive the unique Costco offers at their warehouses and online. 

The “Executive” membership costs $120. As an executive member, you’ll enjoy all of the benefits of the Gold Star membership and extra perks such as:

  • Exclusive deals and benefits on Costco services
  • 2% cash back on Costco and Costco Travel purchases

Both membership levels are great deals and help you save money. 

Search for a Travel Package

Start by clicking the travel service you’re looking for on the Costco Travel website. To find a vacation package from there, enter your destination, region, and dates. 

You can adjust the dates in each city for your Costco Travel vacation packages. It’s possible to add flights, but many Costco members book flights separately. 

There’s also no separate search engine for booking flights. You can get a better price and have more control over which flight you take by doing it yourself. 

I suggest creating a Costco Travel account to manage your vacation packages, rental cars, and hotel rooms.

Costco Travel Review: My Experience With Using Costco Travel

A view over an man's shoulder as he types on a keyboard in front of a monitor displaying the Costco Travel website sitting on a white desk.

Costco Travel Vacation Packages

One of the biggest perks of these travel packages is the convenience of booking your vacation through Costco. I used Costco Travel on one of my recent trips to Costa Rica.

The package I purchased was around $6,000 for two weeks at a resort, which is a reasonable price. 

While searching, you’ll notice that each of the vacation packages provides a list of benefits. 

Some resorts give you breakfast for free and food credits per day. Others won’t include any food at all. Pay close attention–it’s frustrating when you expect everything to be paid, but it’s not.

Costco Travel doesn’t automatically include airport transportation either. When clicking through, you have to choose from multiple transportation options.

Executive members can use their 2% cashback reward on any vacation package. 

Costco Flights

I like to book directly when purchasing a flight. However, Costco Travel airline tickets don’t exist for purchase separately. These flights always come as part of a package.

You can choose from a few options under the packages section that come with a flight: flight + hotel,  flight + hotel + car, and the total vacation package. 

Even if you have trip insurance, that won’t help with flight issues. If a problem arises, they’ll send you to the airline instead. 

Costco Hotels

When booking a hotel room through Costco Travel, you should know a few things.

If you’re looking for a hotel in certain cities, you’ll need a Costco membership to see the total price. 

Some popular cities worldwide aren’t available on Costco Travel, so you’ll only see travel packages without hotels for those cities. 

To book a hotel for New York City, for instance, you’ll have to book the hotel directly. 

Costco Rental Cars

Costco Travel has an easy interface for booking a rental car. However, they show only a select few car rental companies.

When I was looking for car rentals in Italy, I got only four different car rental companies to choose from. Those were Alamo, AVIS, Budget, and Enterprise. 

Car rentals can be expensive, so I suggest comparing prices with other companies before purchasing from Costco Travel. 

Costco Travel Cruises

Costco Travel offers its Costco members the ability to purchase a cruise through their easy-to-use search engine. Most other travel booking sites don’t provide this feature. 

You can choose the destination you want and even a specific cruise line. There are also options to look specifically for Alaskan cruises only.

Depending on how many days you choose for your cruise, several different options will appear. You’ll get the same Costco value when you’ve booked through Costco. 

There will be many reviews for each route, and select cruises are up to 30% off. Below are the different cruise lines you can choose from (not including Alaska cruises):

  • Carnival 
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Disney Cruises
  • Holland America Line
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Even with Costco Travel’s alleged 30% savings, the price still seems the same as booking directly. 

Others are getting certain benefits like a Costco gift card and onboard credit. It’s worth booking through Costo Travel if you get these perks.

Other Deals Through Costco Travel

Theme parks & speciality vacations.

If you look further into the Costco site, you’ll find that they offer even more vacation packages. 

These range from Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood resort packages to an African safari. Costco Travel has it all!

These packages aren’t cheap but are some of the most sought-after bucket list trips. You can choose from many adventures if you want a family-friendly experience.

Going on an African safari has been on my list for many years. Costco Travel has full trips planned for you already. It’s absolutely amazing–like having your own travel agent.

These guided vacations might not have lower prices, but having your trip booked through Costco Travel is more straightforward than other travel sites.

A pair of hands type on a keyboard sitting on a white desk in front of a monitor displaying a Costco Travel website page about Disneyland Resort.

Unique Deals

Costco Travel works with other travel agencies to get travel deals for its members. Executive members enjoy extra perks like free upgrades, food/spa credits, and more.

Costco Travel also offers upgraded Kirkland Signature vacations. It’s the same brand you know and love but with travel. Costco Travel offers deals on these trips for up to 20% off. 

Kirkland Signature has featured deals that last only a short time. You can scroll through pre-built vacation packages with set dates.

These deals often offer other perks and services, making Kirkland Signature deals impressive ways to kick back and relax. 

Cash Back on Purchases

As an executive member, you can enjoy up to 2% cash back on purchases through Costco and Costco Travel. 

There’s also a credit card called “Costco Anywhere Visa,” which gives you 3% cash back. Having their credit card is helpful if you know you’ll purchase from Costco Travel often.

Different Payment Options

When using Costco booking, you’ll be happy to hear there’s a flexible payment option. You’ll only have to pay a small percentage (in comparison) upfront. 

If you’re using Costco Travel booking services, you can also choose a payment plan to spread it out. Who doesn’t love a good payment plan?

A computer monitor on a white desk displaying the Costco Travel website landing page.

Membership is Necessary 

To get Costco Travel exclusive deals, you must be a member. 

This downside might not be a big deal to Costco members who pay the membership solely for Costco Wholesale. And, considering what you get from it, the membership cost isn’t that steep. 

The extra price you’ll pay for a travel agent will cost you more. Plus, you don’t get the other services that Costco offers.

Hidden Extra Expenses

When I chose my vacation package to Costa Rica, I noticed that these resorts didn’t always offer free food and beverages. Instead, some gave you “credits.” 

If you don’t read closely, you might think the food and drinks are free (especially given the prices). 

I saw this less often when purchasing my Costco Hawaii package, but you should still keep an eye out.  

Costco Travel Cancellation & Exchange Policy 

A screenshot of the Costco Travel website Cancellation & Exchange Policy page.

Canceling your vacation package is easy. You can get a refund if you cancel within 48 hours of departure. Each scenario is different, though.

Log into your Costco Travel account. Click ‘bookings,’ then ‘upcoming,’ and ‘cancel.’ There, you’ll see your upcoming trip and how much you’re eligible for in return.

Costco Travel insurance can help if any unforeseen circumstances arise. 

FAQs About Costco Travel

A close-up, angled shot of a computer screen displaying the "Helpful Tips and FAQs" page on the  Costco Travel website.

Is Costco Travel the same as Costco?

Costco owns Costco Travel, but they are different business sectors. Costco Wholesale is what most people know Costco for, and Costco Travel is strictly for travel. 

Can Costco save you money on flights?

Costco won’t save you money on flights, but you can get many of the same flights as you usually can find on other websites.

Looking for cheap flights? Read our detailed reviews of Hopper , Skiplagged , Scott’s Cheap Flights (Going) , SnapTravel , Dollar Flight Club , and Momondo .

How far in advance should I book Costco Travel?

When booking a travel package through Costco Travel, purchasing it between three and six months in advance is best. 

Do you get two percent back on Costco Travel?

Purchases through Costco Travel are eligible for 2% cashback. This is a massive perk of an executive membership . Members receive up to $1,000 cashback. 

Do you have to be a Costco member to use Costco Travel?

You must be a Costco member to purchase vacation packages through Costco Travel. One of the downsides to Costco Travel is the entry barrier, but it’s worth the cost. 

Conclusion: So, is Costco Travel worth it?

A view over an man's shoulder as he types on a keyboard in front of a monitor sitting on a white desk displaying the Costco Travel website.

Using Costco Travel discounts is a no-brainer if you’re already a Costco member. At the very least, it’s worth a search to see if they have any deals that you fancy. 

Costco Travel is a good deal for those who love having someone plan everything for them and do it often. 

Spending $6,000 a year on travel pays for the executive membership solely from the cash back. 

Costco Travel isn’t great for budget travelers. It’s also not the best option for you if you don’t like a strict plan when traveling. 

But, even so, there’s still some value in having Costco Travel car rentals. 

A Costco membership alone is so valuable for most people that it’s worth factoring the travel perks into the equation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phillip Anderson Profile Pic

Phillip Anderson

Phillip Anderson is a freelance travel writer, personal trainer, and adventure enthusiast. With years of travel experience under his belt, Phillip is an expert in finding the best deals through travel apps and websites. He knows how to find cheap domestic and international flights, like a flight to Peru for as low as $350.

When looking for cheap accommodations, Phillip combines his knowledge of websites like Airbnb, Booking.com & Hostelworld with more unique sites like TrustedHousesitters, for even more savings. Whether it’s flights, accommodations, or local experiences, he teaches travelers to make informed decisions, ensuring their adventures are both memorable and economical. For more from Phillip, check out his website, JaywalkTheWorld.com.

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Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

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7 things to know about booking travel through Costco

does costco book international travel

Costco, America’s beloved wholesale behemoth best known for its bulk goods and Kirkland Signature™ private label, has long been one of the country’s favorite one-stop shops. Here, you can get high-end perfume and camping gear. Although most people know that Costco has great deals on household paper goods, they may not realize that Costco has been in the travel business since 2000. Costco Travel offers members discounted rental cars, cruises and guided group trips, as well as domestic and international vacations.

Because Costco Travel is a division under the regular Costco umbrella, its users can expect the same benefits shopping for a vacation as they would shopping for chicken. Here’s how it works: Costco Travel is made up of buying teams, just like the dealmaking foot soldiers who work for regular Costco. These buyers work with travel vendors to negotiate lower prices on a limited number of goods (i.e., hotel rooms or cruise fares), then offer those discounted rates and packages to the many millions of Costco members. Buyers don’t work on commission or incentives; their job is simply to secure the best value.

Other wholesale stores like Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club also sell discounted travel experiences, but Costco’s cult-like following and robust vacation package options make the company stand out from the pack.

Perhaps the nicest part of booking with Costco Travel is that it’s straightforward. The prices advertised on the website already include taxes, so you don’t end up with a completely different estimate at the end of the process, unlike other online travel agencies (like Booking.com or Hotels.com).

Intrigued? Before you book a trip with Costco Travel, here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. There’s something for everyone

There isn’t one kind of Costco Travel vacation. The most popular itineraries usually involve Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and cruising, but there’s much more out there to book. Costco Travel has trips for adventure-seekers , for young people ages 18 to 35 who want to travel with fellow young people, or people who want to drink a bunch of wine in a new place.

The prices vary, too. Travelers can hunt for packages around $300 in the Under $499 category or splurge on one of the “Costco Vacations of a Lifetime.”

You don’t have to book a big blockbuster vacation to reap the Costco Travel benefits, either. You can use the service to book an individual hotel room, or a hotel and flight. And according to insiders, one of the best-kept secrets is its rental-car business.

2. Look for Buyer’s Choice vacations or cruises, or Kirkland Signature vacations

Costco Travel insiders say that where the real savings lurk are in Kirkland Signature vacations , Buyer’s Choice vacations and Hot Buys, or limited-time deals that are advertised online and in Costco email newsletters. These trips will offer added value and amenities beyond what regular Costco Travel experiences already deliver.

3. Take advantage of flexible payment options

Costco members have options when it comes to how to pay, like setting up recurring payments to cover the whole cost. You’ll probably have to pay a deposit on packages or pay for your airfare upfront, and some payment requirements may depend on the time of year. People who are able to pay early may be eligible for bigger savings .

4. Do your research on airfare before you book

Shalen Fairbanks, a Costco member who lives in Silver Spring, Md., first started using Costco Travel six years ago. She has booked five trips for her family to Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. Her advice to potential Costco Travel users would be to shop around for flights before booking a trip, because she has occasionally found better airfare deals than what Costco offered.

“You pick where you want to go, [Costco Travel] gives you a bunch of different options of hotels and packages, and then I do look at airfare separately,” Fairbanks says. “Sometimes it’s cheaper to go buy your own flight and then book the rest of the package” through Costco Travel.

If you do go with Costco Travel’s airfare option, which often comes with airport transfers, make sure you book any upgrades ahead of time. Charleston, S.C., resident Michael Fanning booked an African safari through Costco Travel when he noticed that it cost drastically less than what he had seen elsewhere.

“The trip was fantastic,” Fanning says. “I mean, it really was extraordinary.”

But one thing he would’ve done differently: “The one part that was not as fun was the 14-hour plane ride on South African Airways from JFK to Johannesburg,” Fanning says. “That’s a tough trip. We would have preferred to have upgraded our seats, but we weren’t allowed to do that through the package.”

Already thinking about summer travel? Good. It’s time to book flights now.

5. Get cash back on your vacation purchase

Depending on your membership level, you may be able to get even better deals on a vacation when you book with Costco Travel. Executive Members (whose annual fee is $120) earn 2 percent cash back on their Costco Travel purchases.

Members who book their travel with a Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi credit card (a card with no foreign transaction fees, by the way) earn 3 percent cash back.

6. Costco Travel trips come with perks

Executive Members are treated to benefits like food and beverage credits, spa credits, room upgrades and more for the primary cardholder booking the trip. The extras that get thrown into vacation packages are one of Fairbanks’s favorite parts of using Costco Travel.

“They’ll give you a $250 Costco Rebate Card,” she says. “The [trips] we’ve been on have a $100 or $200 spa credit per room. The one to Jamaica, we had a spa credit per room, plus we got $200 to use toward the local activity” company.

That Jamaica trip also included access to a VIP departure experience at the airport that got the Fairbankses through customs quicker. Accounting for the perks her family of five earned, Fairbanks estimates she saved the cost of one person’s trip.

7. Costco can’t control everything

While the planning and booking can be seamless, keep in mind that Costco Travel trips can have hiccups, like any travel experience. For example, the Fairbankses’ airport transfer didn’t show up for their scheduled pickup. “But that’s a problem on the company that made this transfer,” she says — not Costco’s. “Their driver didn’t show up that day.”

In the event that anything goes awry, pick up the phone and contact a Costco Travel representative to assist with any issues.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misnamed the airline flown by Michael Fanning. He used South African Airways. This article has been corrected.

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Here's what you need to know about using Costco to book your next vacation

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Did you know that in addition to being able to shop in bulk for peanut butter and toilet paper, your Costco membership also grants you access to a travel agency?

It's true. Costco has an extensive travel program for its members, focusing heavily on packaged hotels, cruises and rental cars. And before you say that those types of vacations are not for you, consider that they can offer a really good value.

"It's a big world out there, and if travelers can't find the time to plan their perfect trip, packaged tours or vacations are a great way to ensure you hit all the highlights," Alex Howard, lead editor of Lonely Planet's homepage and interests, tells CNBC Make It .

In fact, if you're on a budget, Costco offers a rotating selection of "$499 and under" deals , where you can get an entire vacation for under $500 per person. Right now, Costco is offering a four-night cruise to the western Caribbean aboard the Norwegian Pearl in an ocean-view stateroom for $449 per person .

But before you hit the "book now" button, here are eight things you need to know about planning your next trip through Costco Travel.

1. You need to be a member

You can browse Costco's travel deals, but to book one though the website or call center, you'll need to provide your Costco membership number. A basic membership to the wholesale club will set you back about $60 a year, according to the retailer's site.

If you plan to shop and travel with Costco frequently, then you may want to consider an executive membership, which is $120 a year. Executive members get 2% cash back on all Costco travel purchases. That's a benefit worth up to $1,000 a year.

Executive members also get access to exclusive travel deals and perks. For example, if you were to book a nine-night Moselle and Rhine river cruise that starts at $3,999 per person, executive members get a $50 per person shipboard credit.

2. Vacation packages can save you a lot of money

For budget-conscious travelers, vacation packages are usually a "very good deal," Pauline Frommer, of travel-guide company Frommer's , tells CNBC Make It. When Frommer's was recently researching Cancun, Mexico and the Mayan Riviera, the team found people were saving, on average, 30-40% by booking a package for that destination.

Packages work best if you're travelling to a resorts, theme park destinations or a tourist-friendly capital city that has a huge number of hotels, Frommer says. But if you're going somewhere like Cleveland, you probably won't save as much with a package because there's less competition between the local hotels.

3. Bigger companies may offer better rates and options

When it comes to getting the best rates on vacation packages, size matters, Frommer says. "Discounts are based on the clout of the middleman," she says. Negotiating rates usually comes down to how many rooms or airline seats or cabins the travel operator can guarantee it will move if it gets a good discount.

So in this regard, Costco may be at a disadvantage, since the wholesale club may not have the scale of companies like Expedia. "I have not seen any evidence that the packages are better at Costco," Frommer says.

Costco only works with a select number of airlines, cruise lines, hotel chains and rental car companies. So if you're looking to rent a car with Hertz, for example, you may be out of luck. Or if you want to book an airline with a low-cost carrier like Norwegian Air Shuttle, you'll need to do that separately.

4. You may not get all your loyalty points

If you collect loyalty points for airlines and hotels, you may not get to collect them when you book through Costco Travel. Costco's site notes that you can enter loyalty numbers only for Avis, Budget and Enterprise.

5. Look for extras and other valuable perks

The most valuable part of Costco's packaged vacation deals may be the extra freebies that it throws in, Frommer says.

These perks can include free breakfasts, activities and resort or shipboard credits. An extra like "kids eat free" could be worth several hundred dollars for a family, depending on the duration of the trip and the destination, Frommer says.

For car rentals, Costco really shines. The wholesale club offers one free additional driver at U.S. locations of Alamo, Avis, Budget and Enterprise for any car rental booked through Costco . Plus, if you make your reservation through the Low Price Finder, you can cancel without any penalty fee.

6. Traveling to theme parks can be a challenge

It's more difficult to score a budget-friendly vacation at theme parks these days. "The problem is Disney, and to a lesser extent Universal, have made it harder and harder to catch a break," Frommer says.

Frommer recommends that if you're booking a packaged vacation to a theme park, read the itinerary very closely. You may be signing up for a trip that includes admission to the theme park every day you're in Orlando, even on your first day when your flight doesn't land until 4 p.m.

"You really have to look very carefully at what you want to see and do, so you make sure you're not paying for things you're not using," she says. And if you want to visit both Disney and Universal in Orlando, it may be more cost-effective to book things separately, since the majority of vacation packages do not include admission to both parks.

7. Compare before you buy

You should shop around to guarantee that you're getting the best price. Frommer recommends checking flight costs for your travel dates and destination on Momondo and Skyscanner , which Frommer's found typically offer the best prices . For hotels, she recommends checking out prices on Booking.com . For cruises, usually CruiseCompete is the biggest online travel agent in the game.

If the Costco package comes in below the total cost of booking all the trip components separately — or fairly even, but provides extra amenities — then you can feel good about reserving it.

8. Check back often

Costco's vacation deals change frequently, so if you don't see any that tempt you, you can customize your own package or check back for other offers. Chris Hendrix, who oversees the buying division at Costco Travel, told CountryLiving.com that the booking "sweet spot" for these trips is usually three to six months ahead of time.

There's weekly rotating deals that include vacation packages, shipboard credit offers on cruises and prepaid gratuity events. This week, members can save on trips to destinations such as Puerto Vallarta , Antigua and Tahiti .

Don't miss: 5 things you need to know about booking a budget airline ticket, according to experts

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How To Use Costco Travel To Save Money

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How To Use Costco Travel To Save Money

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Costco travel, price comparisons, vacation package included activities, costco travel cruise deals, searching and booking, costco theme parks and specialty vacations, final thoughts.

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When you hear “Costco,” chances are the first thing that comes to mind is the big-box warehouse, a gigantic market where you can get wholesale prices on groceries, cheap home goods, affordable gifts, clothing, and alcohol. Did you also know Costco has an in-house travel agency?

Costco Travel offers vacation packages, hotel rooms, cruises, and rental cars to Costco members.

By taking advantage of the same bulk-purchasing power that it uses in retail, Costco can secure group rates when putting together vacation packages and bundles.

In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about Costco Travel and whether or not it can save you money on your next vacation.

There are 2 levels of Costco membership, and you must be a member to use Costco Travel .

  • Gold Star: $60 per year
  • Executive: $120 per year

Costco Executive members receive 2% back annually on qualifying Costco purchases, including Costco Travel purchases, up to $1,000 per year. This 2% reward comes as a certificate that can be redeemed for most Costco in-store purchases.

If you spend at least $3,000 per year on Costco purchases, including Costco Travel purchases, you’ll earn enough through the 2% yearly reward to negate the extra cost of the Executive membership.

A Costco membership is required to book vacations through Costco Travel. Costco Executive members can earn 2% in rewards on qualifying Costco purchases, including Costco Travel.

Costco Travel is an online travel agency available to Costco members only. It offers vacation packages, hotels, cruises, rental cars, and theme park and specialty bookings . Interestingly, you can’t book a flight through Costco Travel unless it’s included in a vacation package.

You can access Costco Travel by selecting Travel on the Costco website or by visiting costcotravel.com .

Costco Travel

To view prices, you must be a Costco member, and you need to create a Costco Travel account, which is separate from your Costco.com account, before you can book anything. To do this, you just need your Costco membership number and an email address.

Create a Costco Travel account

Costco Vacation Packages

A Costco Travel vacation package includes a hotel stay with a flight and/or a rental car. Searching for a vacation package works like any other online travel agency you may be familiar with. First, you need to input your travel destination, number of travelers, dates, and departure city.

The search results list, which defaults to Costco recommendations first, is easily filtered and sorted to find exactly what you’re looking for.

The total package price is displayed along with any included extras, such as a Costco digital shop card.

Costco Travel vacation packages

After choosing a package, click on View Deals & Customize . You can see what’s included in the package and select different flights or choose an upgraded room. The cost of your package automatically adjusts based on your choices. Remember that the price and extras, such as the Costco shop card that comes with many travel packages, may change as you alter your options.

Upgrading hotel room on a Costco travel package

Once you finalize the details of your Costco Travel package, you can select whether you want just to pay a deposit or pay for the entire trip. Payments can be made with a Visa or Mastercard . American Express cards aren’t accepted.

While only Visa cards are accepted in Costco stores, you can pay for a Costco Travel package using a Visa or a Mastercard.

We wanted to see how Costco Travel vacation package prices stacked up, so we checked out a few options. These examples include a 7-night package for 2 people, including hotel accommodations and flights.

Costco Travel offered the best packages for the first 2 examples. Not only was the package price the lowest, but Costco’s packages also included airport transfers and Costco shop cards, making them an even sweeter deal.

However, the third package illustrates that Costco Travel isn’t always the best option. In this example, Costco Travel was the most expensive. However, it included a daily breakfast buffet and a walking food tour. The cheapest option was Expedia, but that package was completely nonrefundable, which may not be worth the savings for some travelers.

One thing to look out for when booking a vacation package through Costco Travel is that they sometimes include extras that you don’t really want . If you remove these extras, the price drops, but some packages require you to add an activity.

For example, this European vacation package included a walking food tour in the quoted price.

Included activities in a Costco Travel vacation package

After tour was removed, the price dropped by $582.44 ! That’s a huge price to pay for a walking tour, and it would have been easy to assume it was a part of the package when, in reality, it cost a lot extra.

Savings from removing included activity

The bad news is that some vacation packages don’t let you to opt out of an activity . In this example, there were 5 activity options available ranging in price from $582 to $1,590.

This can add a lot of unnecessary costs to a Costco Travel vacation package.

Costco Vacations travel packages include a hotel plus a flight and/or rental car. These packages often offer tremendous savings over booking through other websites or booking each element separately. However, Costco Travel won’t always offer the lowest price, so it’s good to shop around a bit before booking any vacation package.

Costco Hotels

Searching for a hotel through Costco Travel works just like any other online travel agency you may be familiar with. However, the options for booking a hotel without a vacation package are limited .

To begin, click on the Hotels tab on the Costco Travel website and then enter the city, dates, number of people, and the number of rooms.

Results appear on the next screen, with options to filter the list by a specific hotel, hotel chain, area, amenities, member reviews, and ratings. The results list can be sorted by price, but you only see prices if you enter your Costco number.

Costco Travel Hotels

Remember that when you book a hotel through Costco Travel, you aren’t eligible to earn hotel loyalty points, nor will the hotel recognize any elite status you have . If you’re loyal to a particular hotel chain, such as Hyatt , Hilton , or Marriott , it’s important to weigh any savings against the benefits and points you’d give up.

After selecting a hotel, you can choose a different room, and the price will adjust automatically.

Costco Travel hotel room options

Payment options and cancellation policies can vary based on the hotel and rate you choose, so be sure to read the fine print carefully before you book.

We priced out a couple of hotel stays to see if Costco Travel offered competitive pricing. We found examples of Costco’s price being both higher and lower than the hotel website’s price. You may be able to find a great deal, but it’s not guaranteed.

There are a limited number of hotels you can book through Costco Travel unless you’re booking a package. You may find there are no options even in popular cities and vacation spots, so it can be frustrating to book a stand-alone hotel through Costco Travel.

Costco Cruises

Like many online travel agencies, Costco offers deals, perks, and specials when booking cruises. Sometimes, these can be quite valuable, but as always, it pays to shop around.

If you know more or less what you want, it’s easy to search for cruises on Costco Travel. Just go to the home page, click the Cruises tab, and enter your destination, departure month, specific cruise line (if you have a preference), and duration.

Costco Travel Cruises

You can also select an option to search for Alaska cruise tours, which combines a cruise voyage and a guided land tour before or after the voyage.

The results page lists every matching available cruise, with options to filter and sort the results. Each result shows the available room types and any included extras, such as a Costco Cash Card (gift card), onboard credit, or discount.

The price listed in Costco Travel’s cruise search results is per person and doesn’t include taxes and fees.

One of the downsides of using Costco Travel to search for a cruise is that you can only search for 1 month at a time . While other cruise booking websites allow you to search by year or any combination of months, Costco Travel requires you to pick a specific month to travel.

When you find the right cruise, you can select your stateroom type, the number of people joining, and even the specific room location. You can also choose to add flights and pre- or post-cruise hotels to a package.

Some cruise lines offer their own credit card with cruise rewards, but a more general travel rewards card like The Platinum Card ® from American Express almost always offers a better value. For more information, check out our full guide to the best credit cards for booking cruises .

You can browse available deals, packages, and popular options if you aren’t set on a specific cruise, date, or region. You find these options by scrolling down on the Costco Travel cruise page, where you can explore by destination, category (such as last-minute cruises or luxury cruises), departure port, or cruise line.

Costco Travel cruise categories

We priced out cruises on Costco Travel and the cruise lines’ websites and found that the cost was usually lower with Costco Travel, especially considering they all came with Costco shop cards.

However, getting accurate pricing on a cruise can be tricky . For example, for the Norwegian cruise, the cost was higher on Norwegian’s website initially, but that’s because it included Free at Sea promotions. With those removed, the cost was the same. Booking through Costco came with a $70 shop card but didn’t give you the ability to add the Free at Sea promotions (which could be very valuable for some guests).

In our research, we’ve found that most cruise booking websites offer the same (or very similar) pricing. The difference is in the extras offered, like a Costco shop card, drink packages, or shipboard credit.

It’s always smart to price out a cruise on multiple websites, and Costco Travel could be a great place for Costco members to start.

Costco Car Rentals

Costco Travel also includes a stand-alone car rental booking feature in addition to letting you rent a car as part of a vacation package.

Unlike some other online travel agencies that offer just about everything under the sun, Costco sticks with 4 big car rental agencies: Alamo , Avis , Budget , and Enterprise.

If you would prefer to get your rental from another company like Hertz or Dollar , you should book directly or use a more inclusive portal like AmexTravel.com or Orbitz .

When renting a car, be sure to use a credit card that comes with car rental insurance . You’ll need to decline the rental company’s collision or loss damage waiver (CDW/LDW) for the credit card insurance to be active. Some of our favorite options, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card , include primary coverage.

To search for a rental car, input the pickup and drop-off locations, dates, and times, and then click Search .

Search results are shown in a grid, with the 4 companies as the columns and the various classes of cars available as the rows. The lowest prices for each type of car are shown in red , and the price includes taxes and fees. You can click on any price to see the terms and conditions for that rental.

Costco Travel car rental search results

We did some price comparisons using the metasearch engine Kayak , and we always found lower prices on rental cars through other websites .

That doesn’t mean that Costco will never have the best price, however. Car rental prices fluctuate, so it’s always best to price out your rental on multiple websites before booking.

Costco Travel also offers the ability to book select theme parks and specialty vacations .

  • Adventures by Disney
  • Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa
  • Brendan Vacations Ireland & Scotland
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Disneyland (vacation packages)
  • Evan Evans Britain’s Finest Sightseeing Tours
  • Insight Vacations
  • Lion World Travel (African safaris)
  • Luxury Gold
  • Trafalgar Worldwide Guided Vacations
  • Walt Disney World (vacation packages)

To book a theme park or specialty vacation package through Costco Travel, you first choose the package type you’re looking for.

Costco Travel Specialty Vacation Packages

Then, you can see each package’s inclusions and details. Each vacation package includes different components, so it’s important to read the details carefully.

Pricing information isn’t displayed until all package components are selected, so it can be a bit tricky to search based on your vacation budget .

For Costco members , using the retailer’s travel service can present an opportunity to save some cash on an incredible vacation. Through negotiated rates with hotels, tour providers, and more, Costco can sometimes offer generous discounts or great added perks.

As always, make sure to compare prices and read all terms. While Costco may offer a price advantage for one service, another portal might win for something else, while direct booking may be the best option for yet another aspect of your travel.

Lastly, if you plan to book a vacation package through Costco and have a Gold Star membership, you might want to consider upgrading to an Executive Membership for an extra $60 a year. The extra 2% rewards could make the upgrade well worth it.

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Consumer Review & Guide - Costco Travel

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is costco travel.

Costco Travel is a travel booking service exclusively for Costco members. It offers great deals on vacation packages, hotels, cruises, rental cars, and guided tours.

How does Costco Travel work?

The platform can offer competitive prices the same way it offers deals on retail products, and the same way that organizations like AAA can offer lower rates. By leveraging the size of its membership, Costco can ask travel service providers to offer lower prices for its members, driving business toward them in exchange.

Is Costco Travel a good deal?

That depends — it’s always smart to compare prices on your own to see. In some cases, Costco offers a better rate than other travel booking services or booking directly.

However, in other cases, Costco is more expensive or offers fewer options. For example, many hotels can’t be booked unless they are part of a package, and vacation packages won’t offer flights on some airlines, such as Southwest.

Can you cancel Costco Travel bookings?

Sometimes. Just like with any other travel service (or booking directly with a hotel or airline), each reservation can have different terms and conditions. Make sure to read the terms carefully every time you book to see if something can be canceled or refunded.

Can you book Costco Travel without a Costco membership?

No. You must sign up for a Costco membership ($60 to $120 per year) to book services through the Costco Travel portal.

Can I book on behalf of someone else?

Yes, as long as you hold a Costco membership. Just enter the other person’s name when prompted for traveler information.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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You Can Use Your Costco Membership to Score Major Vacation Deals

Here’s what you need to know before booking with Costco Travel.

does costco book international travel

What is Costco Travel?

Do you have to have a membership to use costco travel.

  • Ways to Book With Costco Travel

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Shopping at Costco probably conjures up visions of a crowded store with larger-than-life packages of household essentials and snacks. While booking a vacation may not come to mind, in reality, you can purchase travel — and often get great deals — through Costco using its in-house travel agency called Costco Travel.

Let’s take a look at what you can expect when you use Costco Travel to book your next vacation.

Costco Travel is Costco’s in-house travel agency.  It’s open to all Costco members, but a separate Costco Travel account must be made before booking. While anyone can look at the Costco Travel website, only members can see pricing and book travel.

It acts like other online travel agencies, allowing Costco members to book vacation packages, hotels, cruises, rental cars, and theme park tickets. You’ll notice that flights can’t be booked separately through Costco Travel (they must be part of a travel package).

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Lines

Yes, you must have a Costco membership to use Costco Travel. There are two levels of Costco memberships, and either one will work. Gold Star membership costs $60 per year, while an Executive membership costs $120 per year.

The Executive membership may make sense to those who spend a lot at Costco because it earns 2% back each year, up to $1,000 per year, on qualifying Costco purchases, including Costco Travel. 

That means if you spend at least $3,000 per year at Costco (including in-store, online, and Costco Travel purchases), the Executive membership works out to be a better deal than the Gold Star membership.

Executive members are also eligible for extra benefits on select vacation packages. You’ll find these offers by going to the Costco Travel website and navigating to Deals>Member Specials>Executive Member Benefits . The benefits vary by package but can include things like a $100 spa credit, a $100 resort credit, a $100 shipboard credit, a private beach lunch, and more. These bonuses can easily be worth more than the price difference between Gold Star and Executive membership.

Related: The Best Budget Travel Tips — From Saving Money on Air Travel to Spending Less on Hotels

Ways to Book With Costco Travel 

George Tsamakdas/Getty Images

While you can book a hotel stay through Costco Travel, the options are limited unless the hotel is part of a vacation package. In fact, you’ll find some vacation destinations, including Maui, Cancun, and Punta Cana, that don’t offer any stand-alone hotels through Costco Travel.

If you do find a stand-alone hotel to book through Costco, remember that if it is part of a hotel loyalty program (like Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, or IHG), you likely won’t earn hotel points or elite night credits, and any status you have won’t be recognized. This makes booking these types of hotels through online travel agencies like Costco Travel unappealing for many travelers.

Costco Travel offers cruises on 11 cruise lines, including some of the industry’s most popular brands like Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, and Princess.

There are so many cruise booking websites out there, and they all offer relatively similar pricing. The differences come in the extra perks like drink packages, onboard credit, and, in the case of Costco Travel, complimentary Costco shop cards. The value of the shop card varies based on the cruise and room type but usually falls somewhere between $25 and $95 for shorter cruises and can be as high as $425 for longer cruises.

While Costco Travel can offer great deals on cruises, one of the downsides is that you can only search one month at a time. This could add some extra work for those who have flexibility in their travel dates and want to search for a wide variety of dates at one time.

Theme Parks

Costco members can also purchase Disney (U.S. locations only) and Universal Orlando vacation packages through Costco Travel. These packages include hotel accommodations and theme park tickets and will usually come with extras like early park admission, transportation, waived resort fees, or a food and beverage credit.

Related: Splurge or Save? Here's How to Build the Perfect Walt Disney World Vacation for Your Budget

Katie Rice/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Rental Cars 

Booking a rental car through Costco Travel is straightforward with four rental car companies to pick from — Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise.

The search results are displayed in an easy-to-read grid format with the least expensive price for each car type shown in red. While this is excellent for someone who prefers simplicity, Costco Travel won’t necessarily always have the lowest price since it excludes so many car rental companies. 

Vacation Packages 

A Costco vacation package consists of a hotel with a flight and/or rental car. Packages are available for destinations all over North America as well as the South Pacific, Europe, and Africa. There are also specialty vacation packages available through a small collection of companies, including Contiki, Lion World Travel, Adventures by Disney , and Trafalgar Worldwide Guided Vacations.

Costco Travel vacation packages can offer tremendous savings over booking a hotel and flight separately, and they often come with extras like airport transfers and Costco shop cards. 

These shop cards vary in value and generally increase based on the cost of your vacation. We saw offers for Costco shop cards from about $150 all the way to over $900 for a one-week vacation package.

Some packages come with activities included in the price. While that might be a great deal for some, keep in mind that these activities may increase the price over what you’d pay by booking through another website or booking separately. 

Costco Travel can save you money, especially on vacation packages, but it’s smart to price out your vacation on multiple websites to ensure you’re getting the best price and package for your needs.

What travelers should know about booking a trip with Costco Travel

does costco book international travel

When Cathi White books a trip, she always checks Costco Travel first. For over a decade, she has booked a range of vacations with the wholesale retailer, from theme parks to island getaways with her family.

"Places like Disneyland are very, very expensive, but they've always got some kind of deal going," said White, 50, who lives in Indianapolis.

On a trip she booked through Costco to Grand Cayman in 2019, she estimated she saved $2,000 by using the service.

Much like packs of paper towels or jumbo jars of mayonnaise, Costco Travel can offer shoppers deals on everything from cruises to rental cars. But travelers and travel experts say the service has some limitations as well.

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How does Costco Travel work?

Costco Travel offers a range of options for travelers looking to book a trip. "We use our buying authority to negotiate the best value in the marketplace, and then pass on the savings to Costco members ," the service said on its website .

Those include curated vacation packages to select destinations around the world, which may include combinations of flights, hotel stays, car rentals and more, according to Assistant Vice President and General Merchandise Manager Chris Hendrix.

"In these bundled packages, our buyers vet and hand pick each resort and component. … We limit our selection to ensure the best quality and value," he said in an email.

Sign up for a Costco membership

What can you book through Costco Travel?

Travelers can also book cruises, rental cars and build their own trips to various U.S. cities, booking hotel stays or bundling them with flights and car rentals, according to Hendrix. Those making bookings can do so online or by phone, and the service has reservation agents that can assist travelers before, during and after their trip, he said.

Can Costco Travel replace a travel agent?

Brian Ayers and his wife booked a Costco Travel package for their honeymoon in Greece in part because of the convenience. The 2019 trip, which took them to Athens, Santorini and Mykonos marked his first time out of the country, and he said it "was going to be much too complex for us to measure it out, just because booking ferry times and hotels, there were just so many choices."

Even when their plans hit a snag after a ferry was canceled, leaving them "hanging out at the ferry station for a couple of hours," the 29-year-old said, Costco Travel was a helpful intermediary. Ayers, who lives in Lewisville, Texas, and works for a semiconductor chip   manufacturer, called the service, which confirmed with the ferry provider that their tickets would be valid on the next one available.

However, Kerry Mooneyham, owner of Midwest Travel Solutions said booking through Costco Travel is not the same as working with a travel agent that can offer more personalized guidance.

"You're going to have the same cruise whether you book it directly with Carnival, you book it with Costco, or you book it with me," she said. "The cruise is exactly the same. ... It's behind the scenes that we do things to make it better."

She said booking with Costco Travel may make more sense for some trips than others.

"I think maybe when you're not exactly sure what is the best option for you is really a time when you should be reaching out to an expert that understands the differences between cruise A and cruise B," Mooneyham said. "But if you know exactly what you want, that's a time where you might only be looking at, you know, 'What's the best value for me?'"

However, Hendrix said the company has more than 1,000 Costco Travel employees with experts in various focus areas, including cruises, Hawaii and Europe.

But travelers may not always find what they are looking for. Hendrix said Costco only offers car rentals with Avis, Alamo, Budget and Enterprise, for example, and it has a limited selection of hotels and hotel brands. Certain destinations may also not be available for their vacation package and build-your-own-trip options.

Can you book flights with Costco Travel? 

"Flights are available as part of our vacation packages or our build-your-own options," Hendrix said. However, travelers cannot currently purchase flights alone through Costco Travel.

Do you have to be a Costco member to use Costco Travel?

Yes. Travelers must be active Costco members to use the service. Depending on the tier, Costco memberships cost between $60 and $120 per year – before any applicable sales tax – according to its website .

"Many of our programs offer Costco Travel members an exclusive Costco Shop Card for their travel purchase, which they receive once their travel is completed, and can be used in the warehouse or online at Costco.com," Hendrix added.

Costco Executive members also get an annual 2% reward – up to $1,000 – on qualifying purchases made through Costco Travel.

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Is Costco Travel a good deal?

Some travelers have found significant savings using the service. Ayers booked a 2022 trip to Spain with Costco Travel after pricing the trip out themselves. 

"The cost for just the airline tickets would have been the cost for the entire Costco package," he said, which included flights, hotels and more.

White also noted that resort fees  have always been included when she has booked through the service. When possible, Hendrix said Costco Travel's buyers work to include those fees "or negotiate the waiving of those fees."

And despite its budget-friendly reputation, White has booked luxury hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton through the service.

When she doesn't book with Costco, she said it's usually just because they don't have what she's looking for. "But they do have an amazing selection," White said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

beach chairs on a sandy beach with costco travel logo over the image.

The Complete Guide to Using Costco Travel to Save Money

Janice Moskoff

Janice Moskoff

August 7, 2023

11 min read

You may already be familiar with Costco for rock-bottom pricing on favorite bulk grocery items, household goods, and gas. However, you may not be aware that Costco offers equally great deals on car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages.

What does Costco know about travel? It turns out a lot. They have been in the travel space for over 20 years, since 2000, bringing the same highly selective group purchase practice to vacations that they deliver to their warehouse aisles. 

Think of Costco Travel as an easy-to-use online travel agent offering a limited selection of quality trip options with enviable rebates and perks—depending on your membership level. While it's not typically the best deal for independent travelers, those looking for one-click booking on package trips will get value out of it. And it's hard to beat Costco's rates on car rentals.

And yes, you must be a Costco member to use Costco Travel.

How much does a Costco membership cost?

Costco has two membership categories with two levels of perks and pricing under each. 

The first membership type is a Personal Membership. Anyone can purchase either the Gold Star Personal Membership ($60) or the Executive Personal Membership ($120) with a 2% annual reward. 

The second type of membership is a Business Membership. The two levels within the Business Membership are the Business ($60) and the Business Executive ($120). 

Costco membership types.

Which membership should you buy? The one that best fits your budget. However, the Executive Membership with its 2% reward, maxing out at $1000 each year, could save you a lot of money. 

Consider one $3,000 trip booked with Costco Travel using an Executive Membership at 2% generates a $60 reward. Additionally, Executive Members are eligible for extra travel perks and upgrades, depending on the trip. And keep in mind the 2% reward applies to all Costco purchases—except gas and a handful of other items. 

View a sample earning table for the 2% Executive Membership reward below to see how your savings might build. 

Costco rewards earnings.

Costco Travel flights

Costco Travel does not sell standalone flights. Costco members can only purchase flights when bundled with a lodging or travel package purchase. There are a few benefits to doing this.

  • ‍ Time savings and less hassle. Find and book all of your travel needs, including your airfare, in one place. Receive one itinerary, including flight details, to keep track of it all ‍
  • Accrue frequent flier mileage. Continue to earn frequent flier mileage on your favorite carriers. Enter your mileage membership numbers during booking.
  • ‍ Rewards. Executive Members earn a 2% reward on all non-taxable Costco Travel, including airfare.

Alternatively, there are a handful of downsides to buying your flight from Costco Travel. They are: 

  • Cancellation fees. Your flight may be subject to cancellation fees. View the example below to see cancellation fees set to $200 per person for a Costco Travel roundtrip flight from Chicago to Cancun. This same flight booked directly with the carrier is not subject to these fees. 
  • Pricing: Compared to the prices Going finds, Costco's fares are pretty average. In comes cases, the price might be lower if you book your flights independently of the package deal you find on Costco. ‍
  • Limited choice. Costco Travel does not work with all airlines. A notable exception for US travelers is Southwest Airlines.  ‍
  • Seat selection hassle. Costco Travel users regularly report seeing limited seating choices or finding seating maps unavailable when booking flights. As a workaround, enter your flight confirmation number from your Costco Travel booking into the carrier’s website to pick from a wider selection of non-discounted seats.  ‍
  • No frequent flier mileage redemption. You cannot purchase flights with frequent flier mileage on Costco Travel.  ‍
  • Costco Travel is your customer service. If an issue arises with your flight, you must contact Costco Travel for changes or resolution. Many Costco members report frustration with recent overly long hold times.

How to book a flight with Costco Travel

To book a flight with Costco Travel, go to the Costco Travel homepage to use the main search form. 

If using the form to search for a Vacation Package, enter the Destination and Region you would like to travel for your dates.  Alternatively, you can also search for a flight with a hotel stay or cruise. Keep in mind, you can only buy a flight from Costco Travel when bundled with a travel package.

selecting a vacation package search on costco.

Next on the form, select your departure airport in the Flying From field, as well as your flying class. Also, if you are traveling with kids, enter the ages of all children to get accurate package pricing. Click Find My Vacations to view your travel options. 

Based on the search terms in this example, there are 16 matching packages. The lowest price is Occidental at Xcaret ($4,968). This package includes four roundtrip flights from Chicago to Cancun, lodging, and other extras.

package on Costco travel.

To book the package, click View Details & Customize. And then review, checkbox, and click I Understand on the Travel Advisory. Now you can view your flight options. You will see Included Flights at the top of the page. These are the flights Costco Travel selected as the most convenient and affordable for your package.

Scroll down the page to view Additional Flights Available or use the filter to narrow your search. For this trip, there are more than 200 matching flights. 

If a cheaper flight appeals to you, click Select and then Accept when Costco Travel displays a notification screen confirming the price change and your new flight selection. 

price info on Costco travel.

However, if you want to stick with the included flight, click Continue to Hotel in the upper right-hand corner of the screen to complete your booking.

Are Costco Travel Flights a good deal?

Avid Costco Travel fans swear they get better deals on flights bought as part of a Costco package. However, it is best to research comparable flight prices before you book. 

Because Costco Travel does not itemize travel package pricing, it is hard to know how much a flight costs without extra effort. To compare your Costco Travel flight, you need to compare package pricing with and without the flight. Unclick the Flying From box to do this.

For example, from our Xcaret trip from above, the cost for a weeklong Costco Travel package that includes airfare to Cancún for a family of four to stay at an all-inclusive resort is $4,968. This same Costco Travel package without the airfare costs $2,849.

The price difference is $2,119, or the cost of the airfare. 

Can you get a better price for a similarly well-timed roundtrip non-stop flight to Cancún? Most likely. 

A search on the carrier’s website for the same flight showed the cost for four tickets at $2,305, or $186 more than the Costco Travel price. But a week later on the Google Flights page , a similar flight was down to $1,924. That works out to $481 roundtrip per person, which is roughly the average airfare for a flight to Cancún. 

flight search on google flights.

But Going doesn’t find average airfares. In fact, we’ve frequently found deals under $200 roundtrip to Cancún like $170 roundtrip from Chicago, $157 roundtrip from Austin, or $189 roundtrip from Denver—all on nonstop flights. 

Going deal to Cancun.

How to use Costco to book flights with Going

The best way to use Costco Travel and Going together is to receive Going alerts to stay informed on the best fares. When you see a flight price you love, go to Costco Travel’s website to explore packages to that location. 

Once you find a package you like, price it for the dates you can travel—with airfare and without—to know your flight cost. 

If the price looks better on Costco Travel and you are okay with the potential cons of booking your ticket through them, then jump on the deal. Otherwise, you can book the flight directly with the airline or an OTA and still buy the land-only package from Costco Travel.

What airlines does Costco travel use?

  • Aegean Airlines
  • Air New Zealand
  • Air Tahiti Nui
  • Air Transat
  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Bahamas Air
  • British Airways
  • Cayman Airways
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Fiji Airways
  • Hawaiian Airlines 
  • Olympic Air
  • Sky Express
  • United Airlines 
  • Virgin Atlantic

Costco Travel car rentals

Costco Travel regularly offers some of the best deals on rental cars. Expect better models for lower prices from the industry’s most reputable car rental agencies. 

The pros of renting a car with Costco Travel are many. They include: 

  • Pricing. Costco Travel generally offers the lowest prices from the highest quality vendors.
  • Booking a car with a reputable agency. Costco Travel does not work with low-cost carriers.
  • Free additional drivers. Additional drivers, which can often cost $10 or more per day, are included with every booking. 
  • No upfront payment. Reserve Costco Travel rental cars with no deposit or prepayments.
  • Free cancellation. Cancel a car rental with zero penalties.  
  • No hidden fees. Costco Travel rental car pricing includes taxes. Expect no surprises at the rental counter.
  • Easy comparisons. The Costco Travel website shows car rental options in an easy-to-view grid, making it simple to find the best deal across vehicle types.
  • Earn loyalty program points . Enter your preferred loyalty program number at booking to earn points.
  • Rebates. Some rentals include a Costco Shop Card.
  • Rewards. Executive Members earn a 2% reward on all non-taxable car rental bookings.

There is one major con to renting a car through Costco, it is:

  • Limited choice. Costco Travel only works with four rental car agencies. You will not be able to rent from major players like Hertz, or discount agencies like Sixt, Fox, or Payless, among others. 

Are Costco car rentals a good deal?

How do Costco car rentals stack up against other booking sites? Let’s compare a springtime week-long car rental in Honolulu to find out. 

The cheapest car available on Costco Travel from the Honolulu airport costs $610 for a week, including all taxes and an additional driver. This price and same vehicle type are available from both Alamo and Enterprise. 

A quick search on CarRentals.com tells us the cheapest car in Honolulu for the same period is from ACE Rent a Car and costs $577, including tax. 

On the surface, the ACE rental looks like a better deal. 

However, the ACE rate does not include an additional driver. The fine print on the ACE Rules and Restrictions page tells us that adding a driver costs $11 per day. Across eight days, this fee increases the ACE rate by $88, making the Costco rental the better deal for those who plan to have more than one person drive. 

Which car rental companies work with Costco?

Costco Travel only works with four rental car agencies. They are:

  • Enterprise 

How to book a car rental with Costco

On the Costco Travel homepage, start a car rental booking from one of two places—the Rental Car tab in the main search box or from Rental Cars in the main menu. 

selecting rental cars on Costco travel.

To search car rentals, enter your Pick-up and Drop-off Locations, Dates, and Times. For roundtrip rentals, your Pick-up and Drop-off Location will be the same. For one-way rentals, click Drop-Off At a Different Location to enter a different Drop-off location.

Once you set your search details, click Find My Car to view your rental options. See below for a search results table for a one-way rental from LA to San Diego in April. The cheapest rental costs $621.

example search results for car rental on costco.

From the search results grid, click on any price to show more detail for the rental car, as is shown above.

Once you see a price and vehicle you like, click Continue to book it. You will now have a chance to select optional equipment for your rental, such as booster seats, Wi-Fi, and more. After making your selections, click Continue at the bottom of the screen. 

You now have one more chance to upgrade your vehicle. If you like your original price and vehicle, skip the upgrade and click Continue.

After this step, you must log in to book the rental. Once logged in, enter contact information and accept the terms and conditions. Then click Finalize Booking.

Costco Travel Packages

Costco travel packages typically include lodging and may also include airfare, airport transfers, and car rental, as well as activities—depending on the trip—for some of the best pricing in the industry. 

Costco separates travel packages into four main categories. They are: 

1. Vacation Packages which include stays at resorts or hotels, as well as airport transfers and some extras. Package pricing usually defaults to include airfare, though you can buy a package without the flight. Or you can build your own package by selecting any combination of hotel, airfare, or car rental. 

2. Specialty Vacations are for African safaris and guided vacations booked with outside providers that are priced exclusively for Costco members. 

3. Cruises are available on 12 different cruise lines for some of the best value and rebates in the industry.

4. Theme Parks include discounted stays bundled with admission tickets at Disney or Universal properties.

Costco Travel will sometimes assign one of three value labels to their travel packages. These labels are: 

Kirkland Signature. Expect the most extras and the best rooms at the lowest prices. View Kirkland Signature Vacations here . 

Buyer’s Choice. Typically one tier below Kirkland Signature trip value. Find Buyer’s Choice trips on the Costco Travel home page or here .

Limited-Time Deals. Members must book these trips by a set date to take advantage of savings and perks. Find Limited-Time deals here . 

There are many pros to booking a travel package with Costco Travel. They are: 

  • Pricing. Costco Travel's package bundling can save hundreds of dollars on your vacation.
  • Time savings. By shopping for pre-vetted vacation providers and entering all of your traveler details only once in one place, you will simplify your trip planning and save time. 
  • Travel advisories. Costco Travel will alert members to travel advisories and important visitor information during the booking process.  
  • Partial payments. To secure your booking, Costco may require only a partial payment.
  • Price reductions. If you see a price reduction on the land portion of your Vacation Package, you can call Costco Travel customer service to ask them to pass on the savings. 
  • Rebates. Earn rebates on many packages in the form of a Costco Shop Card valued at 5-8% of lodging costs.
  • Rewards and extras. In addition to earning a 2% Reward on all non-taxable travel spending, Executive Members are eligible for perks, such as room upgrades or resort credits—depending on the trip.

The main con to booking a Vacation Package through Costco Travel is:

  • Limited choice. Costco only works with a limited number of lodging vendors to set destinations. If you do not see a hotel or resort you like for a place you want to visit, you will need to search elsewhere.

Are Costco vacation packages a good deal?

Like with flights or car rental bookings, it is best to research pricing to ensure your Costco Travel package offers the best deal. 

Let’s consider the same Xcaret package we used above. The total cost for this package, which includes roundtrip airfare for a family of four to stay at an all-inclusive resort, is $4,968. 

Pricing this same trip without airfare, we discovered tickets cost around $1,900 when bought from the carrier at an average price. Add this to the room bought directly from the resort, which costs $2,422.

comparison shopping.

How does this stack up? The total for our independently booked trip is $4,336, or $622 less than the Costco Travel package. Also, considering the resort offers free airport transfers for stays longer than six days, there is no added value to this extra in the Costco package.

But, when you add the $229 Costco Shop Card that comes with this package and the 2% Executive Member rewards, higher-tier members can expect to see a return of over $300, making the price difference only $300. For some travelers, the convenience of being able to book everything at once may be worth it. For more price-conscious travelers, booking separately—especially if you can score a deal from Going that cuts your airport in half—it's smarter to book everything on your own.

Cruises on Costco Travel

Some of the most experienced travelers who love cruises claim Costco Travel is their first and last stop when planning a cruise due to its hard-to-beat pricing, rebates, and rewards.  For example, the cost for a five-night Western Caribbean Disney cruise for a family of four in the most affordable room on Costco Travel is $7,303, including tax and a $595 Costco Shop Card.

This same trip costs $7,358 on the Disney Cruise website. Considering the rebate and 2% Executive Member rewards—Costco Travel offers a better deal. 

Costco Travel works with 12 cruise lines. They are: 

  • Carnival Cruise Line
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Holland America Line
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruises 
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

The pros of booking a cruise with Costco Travel include: 

  • Pricing. You will find Costco Travel offers highly competitive pricing on cruises, even before taking rebates and rewards into account.
  • Value labeling. Kirkland Signature and Buyer’s Choice cruises offer the best value for members.
  • Price reductions. Members can track cruise price drops to get a better deal and contact Costco to honor price reductions.
  • Rebates . Most cruises offer a 5-8% rebate on non-taxable cruise costs in the form of a Costco Shop Card. 
  • Rewards and perks. Executive Members earn a 2% reward on all non-taxable cruise spending and are eligible for extras such as room upgrades, shipboard credits, and more—depending on the trip.

The cons of booking a cruise with Costco Travel are:

  • Limited choice. Costco does not work with all cruise lines, including many higher-end ones, such as Windstar, Viking, and Oceania, among others. 
  • Rebates instead of shipboard credits. Instead of offering shipboard credits as most travel agents do, Costco offers cruisers rebates on a Costco Shop Card. Although the cards generally offer a higher value, cruisers have to wait four to six weeks after the trip to receive them.
  • No one is tracking price drops for you. Costco does not proactively track cruise prices and share price reductions in the way a travel agent might. Cruisers must do this themselves and request Costco Travel for the adjustment.
  • Less hand-holding. Costco Travel customer service agents are not cruise specialists. First-time cruisers with questions may prefer booking directly with a dedicated specialist.

Theme parks on Costco Travel

Costco works with the following theme parks: 

  • Walt Disney World
  • Universal Orlando
  • Disneyland Resorts

For example, a one-week trip for a family of four that includes five-day Park Hopper tickets staying at The Art Of Animation in Walt Disney World costs $5,139 on Costco Travel. This same package booked directly on Disney's Art Of Animation website costs $6,985. The Costco Travel savings here are huge. 

The two major benefits of booking a theme park package with Costco Travel are better pricing and reward earnings for Executive Members.

The significant con in buying from Costco Travel is that theme parks visits can be confusing. Inexperienced or first-time visitors may find it helpful to book with a dedicated theme park travel agent who can answer questions, such as how to reserve rides, make dinner reservations, or get tickets to special events.

Costco Travel hotels

Costco Travel works with a limited number of pre-selected hotel brands so expect only a few lodging choices for any given destination. 

However, if it turns out Costco Travel has lodging that you like for a place you plan to go, expect to get a better price, as well as perks, rebates, or rewards unavailable elsewhere. 

The pros of booking a hotel through Costco Travel include: 

  • Time savings. For travelers who suffer decision fatigue, sorting through a smaller list of pre-vetted options is a welcome change.
  • Pricing. Costco Travel nearly always offers a better price for rooms with their vendors. Even before considering potential extras. 
  • Partial payment. Costco Travel may only require a deposit to secure a hotel booking—depending on the property and travel date. 
  • Price reductions. If you see a price reduction on your hotel booking, you can call Costco Travel customer service to ask them to pass on the savings.
  • Rebates . For some bookings, Costco Travel may offer a rebate valued at 5-8% of lodging costs in the form of a Costco Shop Card.
  • Extras. Regardless of membership level, extras—such as airport transfers or late checkout—may be included at no cost. Executive Members may be eligible for additional perks. 
  • Rewards . Executive Members earn a 2% reward on all non-taxable hotel spending.

The cons of booking a hotel through Costco Travel are: 

  • Limited selection. Costco works with four major hotel brands, some of which only have middling ratings. Travelers looking for exemplary service or boutique lodging may have to look elsewhere. 
  • Not many family-friendly accommodation options . Many families appreciate having space to spread out while traveling, such as separate bedrooms within one unit. Costco generally does not provide this kind of lodging, nor does it offer an easy way to search for properties that have it.

Are Costco hotels a good deal?

Even before assigning a value to the rebates, rewards, and extras, Costco Travel will nearly always offer a better price on hotel stays for the properties it sells.

For example, Costco Travel prices a 7-night stay in a San Juan, PR hotel for a family of four at $3,621. This room for the same period costs $3,900 on the hotel website. 

Coming in nearly $300 less, Costco Travel offers better hotel pricing.  And Costco further sweetens the San Juan hotel package by providing complimentary roundtrip airport transfers, a $235 Costco Shop Card, and an Executive Member benefit of a $15 resort credit per day.  

Which hotel companies work with Costco?

Costco Travel works with four major hotel brands. They are: 

  • IHG Hotels & Resorts. This includes 15 different hotel brands like the Holiday Inn, the InterContinental, and the Kimpton Hotel, among others.
  • Hyatt. This includes 11 Hyatt brands across North and South America.
  • Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
  • Swissotel Hotels & Resorts

How to book a hotel with Costco

To book a hotel with Costco Travel, use the main search form on the Costco Travel home page. Click on the hotel icon to conduct a hotel-only search.

selecting hotel search on Costco.

Or, browse hotel brands from Costco Travel’s main menu dropdown. Select your preferred brand, and you will arrive at a page with the same search box, though you can scroll down to view that brand’s featured properties.

When using the main search box to query hotel stays, fill in your destination, travel dates, number of rooms requested, and number of travelers. If you are traveling with children, enter that here. Their ages may affect lodging pricing. Once you submit your travel details, click Find My Hotel to view options.

hotel search info on costco.

From this hotel snapshot, you can see several things, including the total price for your stay, included extras, property photos, and reviews from other Costco Travel members. To continue with the booking, click View Details & Customize. Read through and agree to the Travel Advisory.  You will now arrive on your hotel detail page. On this page, you can click to Learn More about the property, including the on-site dining options, room types, and member reviews. You can also review rate details, cancellation policies, and additional information regarding included extras. 

room details on Costco.

You can also explore other room options from this page by clicking Modify Room. If you want to keep your original room, click Keep Current Selection. 

Also, note the Total Price of your hotel package in the upper right-hand corner of your screen, as well as the Amount Due Today—the deposit required to secure the reservation and make the booking. 

Once you have reviewed all details and are ready to book, click Continue To Transportation—if transportation is part of your package. Otherwise, select Continue to Recap to log in and the booking.

The perks of booking with Costco

  • Pricing. Costco Travel will offer the most competitive pricing on many of the products it sells, even before considering rebates and rewards.
  • Rebates. Many Costco vacation packages and some hotel bookings include a complimentary Costco Shop Card, or gift card, calculated up to 5-8% of the lodging value. Members receive the card in the mail four to six weeks after the trip.
  • Rewards. Executive Members earn an additional 2% reward on all non-taxable trip costs. All 2% Rewards accrued for the year are paid in one certificate approximately three months before membership renewal. 
  • Credit card savings. Pay for a trip with a Costco Anywhere Visa card and get an additional 3% cashback on travel. Combine this benefit with a Costco Shop Card and an Executive Membership, and you could tally a 10% return on your travel spending. 
  • Extras. Some trips sold on Costco Travel offer extras such as late checkouts or complimentary airport transfers regardless of member status. However, Executive Members get additional perks that could include complimentary meals, spa credits, room upgrades, or VIP airport experiences, among others. 
  • Price reduction pass-through. Costco Travel will pass on lodging price reductions . Travelers who see a price drop on the land portion of their trips can call Customer Service to request the savings.
  • Stay informed . Booking on Costco Travel will keep you informed about travel advisories, as well as government taxes and fees for international trips. 
  • No surprises. Costco Travel package pricing includes all taxes and fees—except for departure taxes and other local taxes and fees collected by local governments.
  • Convenience . All of your travel documents and bookings will be from one vendor in one place. 

Costco Travel insurance

Costco Travel does not directly sell travel insurance. Instead, it offers member-only rates through their preferred travel partner, Zurich Travel Insurance. 

Members have the option to buy plans through Zurich that could include any of the following coverages: 

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Travel Delay
  • Baggage Loss or Delay
  • Emergency Medical Expense, including those related to Covid-19
  • Rental Car Damage, including due to accidental collision, theft, and vandalism

Costco Travel contact info

  • Main Customer Service For Questions Or Bookings: 1-866-921-7925
  • Main Customer Service Hours: Mon - Fri: 7A to 7PM; Sat - Sun: 8A to 5PM (PST)
  • Customer Service While Traveling: 1-866-317-4711

Frequently asked questions about Costco Travel

Can i use costco travel without being a member.

Unfortunately, you cannot use Costco Travel without being a member. You can browse the Costco Travel website as a non-member. However, you cannot book any travel unless you log in. 

How does Costco Travel work?

Similar to their warehouse stores, Costco Travel offers a limited selection of travel products from a small number of pre-vetted providers. Costco members can book travel at resorts, on cruises, at theme parks, as well as reserve car rentals, all at significant discounts. 

Members reap savings in terms of lower prices, generous rebates, Executive Member rewards, and other extras that regularly exceed the value of what the competition can offer.

Should I book my flight with Costco?

You can only book your flight with Costco Travel when you purchase it in combination with a travel package.  

The major benefit to buying your flight with Costco is that if you are an Executive Member, you will earn a 2% reward on the non-taxable portion of your fare. The biggest downsides to purchasing your flight with Costco are that you may be subject to cancellation fees, and you must resolve all issues with Costco Travel customer service, which has recently suffered from extended hold times. Plus, you may find cheaper rates elsewhere.

What are the Costco Visa travel benefits?

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card provides excellent cash back rewards, including 3% on travel. See the table below to view cash back percentages earned across different spending categories

Where can I login to Costco Travel?

Log in on Costco Travel from any booking login prompt or the Login icon in the upper right-hand corner of the site. Enter your Costco Travel membership number and password.  Your Costco Travel membership number is different from your Costco membership number. You can create your Costco Travel account from the link on this screen using your membership number.  If you do not have a Costco Travel account and still want to book a trip, select Continue without an account during the booking process, where you can enter your Costco membership number to book the trip.

Janice Moskoff

Freelance Writer

Published August 7, 2023

Last updated December 21, 2023

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When something goes wrong on your trip, having travel insurance protects you personally and covers eligible travel expenses.

Many travelers rely on credit card travel protections, but those benefits generally have lower limits and only cover reservations made with that card.

If you’re considering buying Costco travel insurance, here’s what you need to know, including what it covers, how much it costs and which plan is right for you.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

What does Costco travel insurance cover?

Members tend to love Costco and often look to see if it offers products and services before looking elsewhere.

When planning a trip, members might ask, "Does Costco sell travel insurance?" so they can protect their vacation. Costco offers several different types of travel insurance coverage based on the type of trip you are taking.

Insurance policies are offered by Cover-More Inc., a company of Zurich. To simplify coverage and premiums, Costco only offers one insurance option for each type of vacation.

International vacation packages

For vacation packages outside of the U.S., Costco members can choose an international travel policy. These policies generally offer the highest coverage limits and are designed for trips to all eligible countries around the world.

Domestic vacation packages

Travelers staying within the U.S. can get a travel insurance policy from Costco to cover their trip. Coverage limits are substantial enough to cover most domestic travel needs.

Whether your cruise is within the U.S. or visiting destinations abroad, cruise travel insurance protects you and your finances. A cruise insurance policy from Costco Travel covers all of your trip, not just the actual cruise.

Rental cars

Instead of buying expensive travel insurance from a rental car company, Costco trip insurance offers coverage to protect your rental car. It covers damage to the rental vehicle and post-departure trip interruption benefits. Rental car protection covers up to the actual cash value of the car. Additionally, it covers rental charges imposed while the car is being repaired.

This coverage is primary, which means that your personal auto insurance is not involved if there are any claims. However, it does not cover injuries or damage to other property.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

Howver, many travel credit cards include similar coverage and benefits — so you might already have travel insurance on a card in your wallet.

You should consider skipping Costco Travel Insurance coverage if you have a credit card that includes complimentary rental car protection, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

This card includes primary coverage for physical damage to or theft of a covered rental vehicle.

» Learn more: How rental car insurance works on your credit card

Upgrade options

When buying your policy, there are two upgrade options to increase your benefits.

Cancel For Any Reason: When you cancel at least three days before departure, you’ll receive up to 50% of your insured trip cost (maximum trip cost of $10,000).

Rental Car Damage Upgrade: Protect your rental car against collision damage, vandalism, windstorm, hail, fire or flood. Coverage is up to $50,000.

Comparison of Costco travel insurance plans

This chart highlights the coverage limits and benefits you’ll receive from the different Costco travel insurance plans.

How much does Costco travel insurance cost?

The price for travel insurance policies varies based on your destination, trip length, where you live and how much you spend per person. To lower your insurance premium, only include the prepaid, nonrefundable portion of your trip.

In this chart, you’ll find sample quotes for different types of trips. The scenarios vary by destination, length of trip and cost to highlight how premiums can change.

* Quoted rates as of July 2023.

When pricing out vacation package travel insurance, the primary factor in determining the premium is the covered amount. In these scenarios, a domestic trip offered a 10% discount compared to an international trip with the same trip cost. The length of the trip did not affect premiums, except when buying rental car coverage.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Which Costco travel insurance plan is best for me?

Since Costco travel insurance doesn’t offer different levels of coverage, the best policy for you depends on what type of vacation you’re planning. Travel insurance from Costco has one level of benefits and coverage limits for all members.

What isn’t covered by Costco travel insurance?

Travel insurance offers numerous protections that cover you, your travel companions and your nonrefundable, prepaid reservations. Before buying your policy, it’s important to understand what isn’t covered.

Pre-existing conditions. Injuries and illnesses that travelers already had before buying their policies are generally excluded from travel insurance. You may be eligible for a waiver of this exclusion, depending on your policy and travel details, as long as you buy coverage within 21 days of your initial trip payment.

Refundable reservations. Reservations that you can cancel and get a refund for are not covered. Simply contact the airline, hotel or other travel provider and cancel directly with them.

High-risk activities. Activities that take an unreasonable amount of risk of injury or death, like bungee jumping or parachuting, are excluded.

Intentional acts. Injuries, illness or losses resulting from self-inflicted actions, like drug use, intoxication or self-harm, are not covered.

Specifically designated events. Natural disasters, war, epidemics and similar events are excluded.

Is Costco travel insurance worth it?

While many travelers rely on their credit card travel insurance benefits, buying a separate travel insurance policy can be worth it.

Costco travel insurance offers higher coverage limits than what’s available through your credit card. The policies are reasonably priced, and you can easily get a free quote online in minutes.

If you’re ready to purchase, you can buy your policy online without speaking to an agent.

Costco is known for selling a variety of products and services at discounted prices. Like many of its services, Costco travel insurance is also sold through an established partner. Cover-More, a division of Zurich North America, issues all policies and is backed by Zurich Insurance Group, which has an A+ rating by A.M. Best and AA- rating from Standard and Poor’s.

Yes, travel insurance is available to all Costco members for any of your vacations. It is available whether you booked through Costco, directly with airlines or hotels, with a travel agent or through an online travel agency. Costco members receive preferred rates on Zurich products and services.

Yes, you can buy travel insurance from Costco online. Visit the Costco Travel website , then select the type of policy you want to buy. Enter basic trip details, including your destination, travel dates, your state of residence and how much you’re spending per traveler, to receive a quote. Select your policy and complete your payment to buy your insurance.

Yes, you can buy travel insurance from Costco online. Visit the

Costco Travel website

, then select the type of policy you want to buy. Enter basic trip details, including your destination, travel dates, your state of residence and how much you’re spending per traveler, to receive a quote. Select your policy and complete your payment to buy your insurance.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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What are the Travel Benefits of the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi?

Exclusively for Costco members, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers cash back on all purchases and additional cash back on categories such as eligible gas and EV charging, restaurants and eligible travel and purchases from Costco and Costco.com. Cardholders also enjoy access to Citi Entertainment ® .

These benefits and more can make the Costco Anywhere Visa a great card for travel. Let’s look at how it works.

Cash back rewards on travel

Cardholders earn unlimited 3% cash back at restaurants and eligible travel purchases. This can include airfare, hotel stays, car rentals, travel agencies, cruises and Costco travel.

Cardholders can also make the most of road trips and vacation car rentals with 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging transactions for the first $7,000 every year. After the first $7,000, cardholders continue to earn 1% cash back in these categories.

Other travel benefits

Cardholders can also get access to services and benefits like:

  • Travel and emergency assistance
  • Worldwide car rental insurance
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Roadside assistance dispatch service
  • Zero foreign transaction fees 1

Terms, conditions and exclusions apply, please see here for more information.

These services and benefits help take the stress out of travel so you can enjoy a worry-free, relaxing vacation.

Access to Citi Entertainment

Citi Entertainment opens the door to popular experiences, such as concerts, sporting events and dining.

With the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, cardmembers can get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences for some of the most anticipated concerts, sporting events and dining experiences.

Whether you want to attend a local event while on vacation or plan a trip around a concert, your Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi can enhance your travel with special entertainment experiences.

1 Important Pricing & Information

Disclosure : This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.

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Alaska Cruise Tours:

A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

Rental Car FAQs

Renting a car through Costco Travel’s Low Price Finder™ is a fast and easy way to save money on your next car rental. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from Costco members.

For additional rental car FAQs, click here.

Know Before You Rent a Car

Before you sign the contract at the counter.

  • Make sure you read the Rental Agreement
  • Ask about any extra charges, for example insurance, optional equipment, tolls, gas, etc.
  • If you see anything you don't understand, ask the rental car representative assisting you
  • Be aware that any changes to your reservation can affect pricing

Refueling Options

  • Pay in Advance: You can pay in advance for a tank of fuel at the counter when you check in. This is the most convenient option as you are then free to bring back the car empty. Credit is not given for unused fuel
  • Self Refueling: Plan to stop for gas on the way back. You will need to keep your receipt and provide upon drop off to avoid any refueling charge

Change or Cancel Rental Car Reservation

Q: how do i change or cancel my rental car reservation.

To make a change online:

  • Book and confirm a new reservation.
  • Cancel the previous reservation.

To cancel online:

  • Log in to your Costco Travel account in top menu bar.
  • Select the Current booking you wish to cancel.
  • Near the top click on "Cancel".
  • Click yes, when the pop-up message asks to confirm cancelation.
  • Confirmation of your cancelation will be emailed to you.
  • There is no charge for canceling an online rental car reservation.

Q: Do cancelation fees apply?

No. Reservations made online at Costco Travel may be canceled by logging in and selecting “Your Account” or by calling the car company directly. Please note if you reserved a car via the phone and it is a prepay rate you may be subject to a cancelation fee.

Q: Can I change or cancel my vacation package or cruise?

To change or cancel your vacation package or cruise reservation, please call Costco Travel and provide your booking number. Cancelation fees may apply to vacation packages and cruises.

Costco Travel Account

Q: why am i having problems logging into my costco travel account.

There could be many reasons why you are unable to log in. Please check the following:

  • Make sure you are using your Costco Travel account password. (It may be different than your Costco.com password.)
  • Verify you’ve entered your membership number correctly (your spouse will have a separate number).
  • If your Costco membership number changed recently please call 1-866-921-7925 to have your Costco Travel account updated. Re-issued credit cards sometimes create new membership numbers.
  • If you continue to have issues try logging in without an account. We will save all your booking and trip information for the next time you log in to your account.

Q: Can I use the same account that I use when shopping on Costco.com?

Your Costco Travel account is different and requires a separate registration. After you’ve registered, you can log in to your profile at any time to view your bookings and print itineraries.

Q: Can I purchase without logging into my account?

Yes. You may purchase without logging in by providing your valid membership number and last name. Just select “Continue Without an Account” on the login page.

Low Price Finder Search

Q: why do i get this error message “for the time and/or date searched, all locations are either closed or all cars are sold out.”.

Most likely you’ve entered in a time that is too early or late for that location. Some city locations and smaller airports are not open 24 hours.

Q: I’m looking for a minivan or a full size van and it is not listed, what are my options?

The location might be sold out or not carry that type of vehicle. You can try different times/dates or another location. Some vehicles (like pickup trucks) must be booked directly with the rental car company, please call 1-866-921-7925, option 1.

Q: If there is a specific color/make/model of car I want, can I request it?

The color, make, and model are based on availability at the time of pickup and cannot be guaranteed at the time of booking. If there are multiple models under the same car classification, car companies will state the most popular model followed by “or similar.” For example, an intermediate car with Avis will be a “Chevrolet Cruze or similar.”

Applicable Discounts

Q: how do i know if my costco member discount is included and if i’m receiving the best rate possible.

All prices will reflect applicable Costco member discounts and coupons, plus any taxes and fees. Our Low Price Finder will automatically calculate the best applicable coupon combinable with the Costco member discount, based on the length of rental, car type, location, reservation and travel dates.

Q: I selected a specific coupon to price, but I’m receiving a different one. Why did it change?

Costco Travel ensures the best value for every rental car. If, for example, a “Free Single Upgrade” coupon is selected, then a five-day rental period is specified, another coupon will override the upgrade if the price is lower per car category.

Q: Does my rental waive the additional driver fee?

Yes. For Alamo and Enterprise, the additional driver fee is waived for rental in the U.S., Canada, UK, France, Germany, Ireland and Spain. For Avis and Budget, the fee is waived for rentals in the U.S.

The additional driver must meet all renter requirements, appear at the rental counter with the primary renter, present a valid driver's license and present a major credit card in their name at the time of rental (they do not need a valid membership card).

Payment Options

Q: do i need any payment information to reserve the car.

No, a credit card is not required to reserve a car online at Costco Travel.

Q: What credit card is required at time of pickup?

A major credit card must be presented at time of rental pickup. Occasionally during pickup, monetary holds are placed on credit cards for rentals above a certain price. For specific types of cards accepted and inquiries regarding hold amounts, it is suggested that you contact the car company location directly. (The phone number is listed on your invoice.)

Q: Can I rent with a debit card instead of a credit card?

Debit cards are accepted at some locations with specific terms. Please contact the rental location for all information.

Q: Do I have to verify my membership to reserve a car?

Yes, as with everything Costco sells, only Costco members are entitled to the savings and value. You will need a valid membership number to book online or when calling to speak to a rental car representative.

Q: Does the primary driver have to be a Costco member?

Yes, at the time of car pick up the rental car agent may ask to see the primary driver’s Costco membership card.

Q: Can I reserve a car for a friend or family member?

Yes, if the primary driver has a valid membership card to show at time of pickup. (Note: The primary driver is not required to be the member who logged in and reserved online, but they must have their own membership card to present at time of pickup.)

Q: Do I receive emails from Costco Travel after I reserve a car?

Yes. Immediately after the car is reserved, a confirmation email is sent to the email address provided during the booking process. In addition, a final confirmation is sent four days prior to pick up. If no email is found in your inbox, check the junk or spam folder for a message from [email protected].

Q: Can I view my reservation on the rental car company’s website?

Yes. After making the reservation, you will receive an email with a confirmation number in the upper right-hand corner. This will be the number you use to view your reservation on the car company’s website.

Q: When I call Costco Travel and select a rental car company from the automated menu, am I speaking to a Costco employee?

Once you select a specific rental car company, your call is directed to a dedicated representative from that rental company. The representative may state, “Welcome to Budget for Costco members,” for example. That representative is an expert on their company’s inventory and policies, and also has been thoroughly trained on all applicable Costco member discounts and benefits. You might be offered prepaid rates from Avis and Budget, but those are not required to finalize the reservation. (To be directed back to Costco Travel, dial 1-866-921-7925.)

Q: Are car rental prices based off of a 24-hour rental period?

No. Rates fluctuate based on demand, availability and marketplace forces. There is no exact method to determining a rate. However, rates generally revolve around daily (up to four days, Monday through Wednesday); weekend (up to four days, Thursday through Sunday); weekly (five to 20+ days); and monthly rates (28 days or more). To find the best rate, you should select based on travel needs, and then adjust different pick up/drop-off days and times accordingly. Please note: Any change to pick up/drop-off time or date could increase the cost of the rental.

Q: Can prices be lower for a higher car category (e.g.: full-size versus intermediate)?

Just as there is no set method in determining a rate due to demand, availability and marketplace forces, the same applies to car categories. A certain location may have less inventory of an intermediate car due to demand, thus making a full-size car more reasonably priced.

Q: I am younger than 25 and want to book a car with Costco Travel, but the website shows an error message and will not allow me to see rates. How do I confirm a reservation with the Costco member discount?

Drivers younger than 25 still receive the Costco Member Discount, but may incur an Underage Driver Fee and must book directly with the rental company at 1-866-921-7925, option 1. The fee varies by company and location, and Costco Travel does not have the ability to determine the underage driver fee for each location.

Q: Does my rental include unlimited miles?

Many locations provide unlimited mileage; however, it depends on the specific location and rental car company. To view mileage or geographic restrictions, please refer to the “Geographic Restrictions/Mileage Rule” bullet to the left of the selected car on the rental car grid.

Q: What types of rentals are not supported through the Costco Travel website?

For all car companies, Costco Travel does not support picking up at a neighborhood location and dropping off at a different neighborhood location. If this type of rental is needed, call 1-866-921-7925, option 1 for car rentals, and then select the rental car company you’re interested in.

Q: Are there extra fees for one-way rentals?

There are drop fees or a higher rate for one-way rentals, but they are included in the base rate. A breakdown is not provided. You will not have to pay an extra fee at the location itself.

Q: Can I rent a car for longer than 30 days?

Avis and Budget: Yes you can rent a car for longer than 30 days. For more information please refer to the terms and conditions of the rental or speak with the location agent or manager.

Enterprise and Alamo: Yes, you can rent a car for longer than 30 days. For reservations that exceed thirty (30) days, the renter may be required to return the rental vehicle to a location for a vehicle inspection.

Q: Can my rental price change once it is reserved?

Base rates do not change, but taxes are subject to change. Since there is no payment at the time of booking, taxes can fluctuate until the car is picked up. Any tax fluctuations are outside the control of Costco Travel.

Q: Are prepay rates available?

We do not offer prepay rates online as they require payment at the time of booking and change or cancel fees may apply. Prepaid rates are available through Avis and Budget directly. The Costco member discount and/or coupon codes must be applied, and members are subject to the prepay terms listed by the rental car company at time of booking. The Costco member discount and coupons are not combinable with Alamo prepaid rates

Q: Is there a drop-off grace period?

Yes, as determined by the rental company. Please check directly with the location to know all rental parameters.

Q: Can I add a loyalty number?

Loyalty numbers can be entered for Avis, Budget, and Enterprise on Costco Travel’s website before finalizing the reservation.

Q: Can insurance be added to the rental?

Optional insurance through the car rental company is available. It is the same price whether it is prepurchased by phone or added at the time of pickup. For information, you must contact the car company directly. Some credit card companies offer rental insurance, including the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, so check with your credit card company for terms and conditions. For questions about the rental car insurance benefit from Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, you can call 1-866-918-4670 24/7/365 or call collect internationally at 1-312-356-7839.

Q: How can I speak to a Costco Travel representative?

Reservation experts are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time. For rental cars, call 1-866-921-7925.

Q: Can I rent a car anywhere in the world through Costco Travel?

Rentals are offered in Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S., including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Digital Costco Shop Card Terms

Q: what are the digital costco shop card terms and conditions.

One Digital Costco Shop Card per booking. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your trip. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

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IMAGES

  1. Costco Travel Packages, Deals

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  2. Costco Travel Packages: How Much You'll Save

    does costco book international travel

  3. Costco Travel Packages: How Much You'll Save

    does costco book international travel

  4. Costco Travel Packages: How Much You'll Save

    does costco book international travel

  5. How Does Costco Travel Work? (Plus Insider Tips to Save BIG)

    does costco book international travel

  6. Are Costco Travel Discounts Worth It?

    does costco book international travel

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  1. On the Road to Costco

COMMENTS

  1. Home

    Costco Travel offers everyday savings on top-quality, brand-name vacations, hotels, cruises, ... International Canada ... There's Still Time To Book Summer Travel. Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean and More; Included Extras or Digital Costco Shop Card;

  2. Everything you need to know about Costco Travel

    There are two personal membership levels: Gold Star and Executive. Gold Star costs $60 per year, while an Executive membership costs $120. The basic membership will give you access to all of Costco's services, including Costco Travel, while the Executive membership also comes with a 2% reward on all Costco (and Costco Travel) purchases.

  3. Costco Travel: 5 Things To Know Before You Book

    One of the nice features of renting a car through Costco is that the additional driver fee is waived. While Costco Travel is a great resource to shop for deals, make sure you follow our step-by-step guide to finding a deal on a rental car. 4. Costco Travel Offers Great Last-Minute Deals on Cruises. Costco Travel cruises.

  4. When You Should (and Shouldn't) Book Your Travel Through Costco

    A Costco membership is one of the most reliable ways to save money on rental cars, with up to 30% off base rates. Bookings made through Costco also include a second driver and free cancelation at ...

  5. ULTIMATE Costco Travel Review [2024]: Who It Is & Isn't For

    The "Executive" membership costs $120. As an executive member, you'll enjoy all of the benefits of the Gold Star membership and extra perks such as: Exclusive deals and benefits on Costco services. 2% cash back on Costco and Costco Travel purchases. Both membership levels are great deals and help you save money.

  6. Costco Travel: 5 Things You Need To Know

    Here are five things you should know about Costco Travel and why you might look at your wholesale retailer membership before booking your next getaway. 1. You Can Book Hotels, Rental Cars, Flights ...

  7. Europe Vacation Packages

    Choose Your European Adventure. Click for Deals. Choose your own European adventure; discover secret beaches in Greece, explore ancient castles in Ireland or hunt down the best wine in France. Explore the museums of Madrid, sip espresso by the canals of Venice and witness the Changing of the Guard in London. Europe has something to offer everyone.

  8. 7 things to know about booking travel through Costco

    The most popular itineraries usually involve Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and cruising, but there's much more out there to book. Costco Travel has trips for adventure-seekers, for young people ...

  9. What you need to know about using Costco to book your next vacation

    But before you hit the "book now" button, here are eight things you need to know about planning your next trip through Costco Travel. 1. You need to be a member. You can browse Costco's ...

  10. Does Costco Travel Save You Money? [2024]

    Costco Membership. There are 2 levels of Costco membership, and you must be a member to use Costco Travel. Gold Star: $60 per year. Executive: $120 per year. Costco Executive members receive 2% back annually on qualifying Costco purchases, including Costco Travel purchases, up to $1,000 per year.

  11. What to Know About Costco Travel

    Costco Travel is Costco's in-house travel agency. It's open to all Costco members, but a separate Costco Travel account must be made before booking. While anyone can look at the Costco Travel ...

  12. What is the benefit of Costco Travel?

    Yes. Travelers must be active Costco members to use the service. Depending on the tier, Costco memberships cost between $60 and $120 per year - before any applicable sales tax - according to ...

  13. What airlines does Costco Travel sell?

    Air Transat. British Airways. Delta Airlines. Fiji Airways. Hawaiian Airlines. Iberia. United Airlines. West Jet. Please note, depending on the destination, pricing, or availability, you may not see all of these airlines offered for your package.

  14. The Complete Guide to Using Costco Travel to Save Money

    Consider one $3,000 trip booked with Costco Travel using an Executive Membership at 2% generates a $60 reward. Additionally, Executive Members are eligible for extra travel perks and upgrades, depending on the trip. And keep in mind the 2% reward applies to all Costco purchases—except gas and a handful of other items.

  15. Costco Travel Review: Luxury Bundled With Value

    To book one of these vacation packages, you need to provide a Costco membership number at checkout. Memberships start at $60 a year, plus tax. With the Gold Star Executive membership, which costs ...

  16. 10 Things To Know Before Booking Your Trip With Costco Travel

    To use Costco Travel, you must be a Costco member. If you're not already a member, you can apply for a membership online or in-store. Once you become a member, you can start booking your trip. Discounts. Costco Travel offers discounts on airfare, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and more. You can get up to 30 percent off your purchase when you ...

  17. Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

    Helpful Tips and FAQs. "Per person, double occupancy" means that the price is per person, based on two people sharing the room or stateroom. Airfare from most major cities throughout the United States can be added to nearly all of the vacations or cruises shown. Look for Executive Member benefits associated with select travel products.

  18. Do I need my passport number to book?

    Costco Travel always recommends that you have your passport with you anytime you book international travel to ensure that your name, date of birth, and expiration date are entered accurately. (Fees may apply for corrections to your reservation.) Please note, we currently only require your passport number if you're booking a vacation package to ...

  19. Costco Travel Insurance Review

    Instead of buying expensive travel insurance from a rental car company, Costco trip insurance offers coverage to protect your rental car. It covers damage to the rental vehicle and post-departure ...

  20. Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Travel Benefits

    Cardholders earn unlimited 3% cash back at restaurants and eligible travel purchases. This can include airfare, hotel stays, car rentals, travel agencies, cruises and Costco travel. Cardholders can also make the most of road trips and vacation car rentals with 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging transactions for the first $7,000 every ...

  21. Guided Vacations

    Travel with ease, all the details are covered. Guided vacations make traveling to a new city or country a breeze. Planned itineraries, group tours, organized transportation, and arranged hotels allow you to really sit back and enjoy your trip without worrying about the details. Create new friendships with travel companions and discover hidden ...

  22. Rental Car Frequently Asked Questions

    Drivers younger than 25 still receive the Costco Member Discount, but may incur an Underage Driver Fee and must book directly with the rental company at 1-866-921-7925, option 1. The fee varies by company and location, and Costco Travel does not have the ability to determine the underage driver fee for each location.