Costco Travel is a biggest gem for members looking for exclusive deals on vacations, cruises, car rentals, and theme park packages. Unlike traditional travel agencies or booking sites, Costco Travel offers pre-packaged deals with added perks, such as discounted rates, complimentary upgrades, and extra travel benefits.
But is it really the best option for your next trip? While many travelers love the savings, others find certain limitations that might not make it the perfect fit for everyone. Before you book, it’s essential to understand how Costco Travel works, what deals and perks you can expect, and what potential drawbacks to watch out for.
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Here we’ll break down the best Costco Travel deals, the biggest advantages of booking through Costco, and the things you should avoid to ensure you get the best value for your money. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a luxury cruise, or a weekend getaway, knowing these key insights can help you make a smarter travel decision.
Best of Costco Travel Deals
One of the biggest reasons travelers turn to Costco Travel is the exclusive deals that are often more affordable than booking separately. Whether you’re looking for an all-inclusive vacation, a cruise, or a budget-friendly car rental, Costco offers several travel options that come with added perks.
1. Vacation Packages – Save More with Bundled Deals
Costco Travel offers vacation packages that bundle flights, hotels, and car rentals together, often at a lower price than booking each separately. These packages also come with exclusive benefits, such as:
✔ Resort credits for dining and spa services
✔ Complimentary room upgrades (subject to availability)
✔ Costco Shop Cards on select bookings
Popular destinations include Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, and the Caribbean, where all-inclusive resorts provide the best value.
2. Cruises – Extra Perks & Shipboard Credits
Costco partners with major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, and Norwegian, offering deals that include:
✔ Shipboard credits for dining, excursions, and shopping
✔ Free onboard WiFi or drink packages (depending on cruise line)
✔ Exclusive Costco Travel discounts on select sailings
Unlike booking directly through the cruise line, Costco Travel often bundles in extra perks at no additional cost.
3. Car Rentals – Best Rates with Extra Benefits
Costco Travel is known for offering some of the best rental car deals with major brands like Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. Benefits include:
✔ Free additional driver (which can save up to $15 per day)
✔ No cancellation fees on reservations
✔ Discounted rates compared to booking directly
For road trips or extended stays, Costco’s rental car deals often beat competitors like Expedia and Kayak.
4. Theme Park & Resort Packages – Disney, Universal & More
If you’re planning a Disneyland, Disney World, or Universal Studios trip, Costco Travel offers bundled packages that can include:
✔ Discounted hotel stays near the parks
✔ Exclusive theme park tickets or multi-day passes
✔ Costco Shop Cards on select packages
These deals aren’t always cheaper than booking directly, but the extra perks make them worth considering.
5. Hotels & Stays – More Value for Your Money
While Costco Travel doesn’t offer as many hotel choices as Booking.com or Expedia, the hotels it does list often include perks like free breakfast, parking, or resort credits. Many hotels partnered with Costco are four-star or higher, ensuring a premium experience.
Best for families, couples, and travelers looking for extra perks. But not ideal for solo travelers or those who prefer budget hotels.
Perks of Booking with Costco Travel
Costco Travel is not just about discounts—it’s about extra value that many travelers miss when booking through other platforms. Here are the biggest perks that make Costco Travel stand out:
1. Exclusive Member-Only Savings
Since Costco operates on a membership-only model, the travel deals are not available to the general public. This means:
✔ Specially negotiated rates that aren’t available on Expedia or Booking.com
✔ Extra perks like free resort credits, room upgrades, and Costco Shop Cards
✔ Some deals are even cheaper than booking directly with hotels, airlines, or cruise lines
If you’re a Costco Executive Member, you may save even more (see the next perk!).
2. 2% Cash Back for Executive Members
Costco Executive Members receive 2% cash back on most Costco Travel purchases. This applies to:
✔ Vacation packages
✔ Cruises
✔ Car rentals
✔ Theme park packages
💡 Pro Tip: If you book a $5,000 vacation package, you’ll earn $100 back—which alone can help cover your annual membership fee.
3. No Hidden Fees or Extra Charges
Unlike many travel agencies, Costco Travel offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
✔ No service fees for booking hotels, cruises, or vacation packages
✔ Taxes and fees included in the price upfront
✔ No surprise resort fees added at checkout
This makes it easier to compare total costs without worrying about last-minute charges.
4. Built-in Travel Insurance Benefits
While Costco Travel doesn’t offer a dedicated travel insurance policy, certain bookings include built-in coverage, such as:
✔ Trip cancellation protection (on select packages)
✔ Rental car insurance when booked with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card
✔ Emergency medical assistance through some travel packages
💡 If you want extra travel insurance, you can buy separate coverage from providers like Allianz or use a travel rewards credit card.
5. 24/7 Customer Support for Travel Issues
One major perk of booking with Costco Travel is having access to their customer support team if something goes wrong. Unlike Expedia or Priceline, which often rely on third-party vendors, Costco Travel:
✔ Helps resolve travel issues directly with hotels, airlines, and cruise lines
✔ Has U.S.-based customer service representatives
✔ Can assist with cancellations, rebooking, and refunds
Many travelers prefer Costco’s customer service over online travel agencies because it’s easier to get help when needed.
Best for families, group travelers, and Costco members looking for extra savings. But not ideal for travelers who want extreme flexibility or airline/hotel loyalty rewards.
What to Avoid When Booking with Costco Travel
While Costco Travel offers great deals and exclusive perks, it’s not always the best option for every traveler. Here are some common drawbacks and limitations you should consider before booking.
1. Limited Flexibility on Cancellations & Changes
Unlike booking directly with airlines or hotels, Costco Travel bookings may have stricter cancellation policies.
- Flights are often non-refundable or come with heavy change fees.
- Vacation packages may have limited modification options once booked.
- Cruise bookings might have longer cancellation windows compared to direct booking.
💡 Pro Tip: Always check the cancellation policy before finalizing your booking, especially for flights and vacation packages.
2. Airfare Limitations – No Mix-and-Match Airlines
When booking flights through Costco Travel:
- You can’t mix airlines for the best route or price.
- Budget airlines (like Southwest) aren’t included in most packages.
- Costco may not always offer the cheapest flight options, especially for international travel.
💡 If you prefer more flight flexibility, consider booking airfare separately.
3. Fewer Hotel Choices Compared to Other Sites
Unlike Expedia or Booking.com, Costco Travel only works with select hotel partners.
- If you prefer boutique hotels or budget accommodations, options are limited.
- The focus is mostly on higher-end or brand-name hotels.
- Many budget travelers find better deals on other platforms.
💡 Best for: Travelers who prefer premium hotels with extra perks over a wide range of choices.
4. No Airline or Hotel Loyalty Points
One major downside for frequent travelers is that Costco Travel bookings usually don’t earn airline miles or hotel loyalty points.
- If you book a hotel, you won’t earn points or elite status benefits.
- Airline tickets may not qualify for frequent flyer miles (depends on the airline).
💡 If you value loyalty rewards, compare Costco’s price with direct booking to see if the savings outweigh the lost points.
5. Executive Rewards Cap – Limited Cash Back
While Executive Members earn 2% cashback on travel purchases, there’s a yearly limit of $1,000.
If you spend more than $50,000 on travel per year, you won’t earn beyond the cap.
💡 If you travel frequently, you might earn more rewards using a travel credit card instead.
When Costco Travel is Worth It
🔹 Booking a Vacation Package: If you’re planning a trip to destinations like Hawaii, Mexico, or the Caribbean, Costco’s bundled deals (flights + hotels + extras) often save money compared to booking separately.
🔹 Going on a Cruise: With perks like shipboard credits, free WiFi, and specialty dining, Costco Travel cruise deals often offer better value than booking directly.
🔹 Renting a Car: Costco Travel provides consistently low car rental prices with benefits like a free additional driver and no cancellation fees.
🔹 Staying at High-End Hotels: If you’re looking for luxury hotels or all-inclusive resorts, Costco’s deals often include extras like free breakfast, resort credits, or Costco Shop Cards.
🔹 Executive Members Booking Big Trips: If you’re an Executive Member, you can earn 2% cashback, which adds even more value to expensive trips.
💡 Best For: Families, couples, or anyone booking premium travel with extra perks.
❌ When to Skip Costco Travel
🔸 You Want the Cheapest Flight: Costco doesn’t always offer the lowest airfare, and you may find better deals on Google Flights, Skyscanner, or by booking directly.
🔸 You’re a Frequent Flyer or Hotel Loyalty Member: Costco Travel doesn’t always allow you to earn airline miles or hotel loyalty points. If you value elite status perks, it may be better to book directly.
🔸 You Need Full Flexibility: Costco’s strict cancellation policies may not be ideal if your plans are uncertain.
🔸 You Prefer Boutique or Budget Hotels: Since Costco Travel focuses on four-star and luxury hotels, it’s not the best for travelers looking for hostels, small boutique hotels, or budget-friendly stays.
💡 Best Alternative: If Costco Travel isn’t right for your trip, compare deals on Expedia, Google Flights, or directly with airlines and hotels.
Costco Travel is a fantastic option for travelers who want:
✔ Great vacation packages with bundled savings
✔ Cruises with extra perks like onboard credits
✔ Reliable car rental discounts
✔ Exclusive hotel deals with added benefits
However, it’s not always the best for those who need extreme flexibility, prefer budget hotels, or want to maximize airline and hotel loyalty points.
Before booking, always compare prices to make sure Costco Travel offers the best deal for your trip!
