Amelia Brooks
Costco is known for offering unbeatable deals on a variety of items in bulk, from groceries to household goods. But did you know that Costco can also be your ticket to affordable and convenient travel planning? Whether you’re looking for vacation packages, cruises, or car rentals, Costco Travel could be a valuable resource for finding great deals. Here’s how you can make the most out of Costco Travel to save money on your next trip.
Understanding Costco Travel
Costco launched its travel services in 2000 and has since been acting like an online travel agent offering curated packages at competitive rates. However, it’s important to note that Costco Travel is most beneficial for travelers looking for package deals—it’s not usually ideal for those booking flights independently.
For more tips and essential information on staying protected during your travels, be sure to check out our posts about Travel Insurance.
Membership Requirements and Benefits
To use Costco Travel, you must be a Costco member. There are two types of memberships available:
- Personal Memberships: Gold Star Membership costs $60, while the Executive Membership costs $120 and offers a 2% annual reward.
- Business Memberships: Both the Business and the Business Executive memberships are available at the same prices as the personal memberships.
The Executive Membership could be particularly appealing for frequent Costco shoppers, as the 2% reward applies to Costco purchases broadly (except certain items like gas).
Consider a $3,000 trip booked through Costco Travel with an Executive Membership. The 2% reward rate means you’ll earn a $60 reward on this booking. Moreover, Executive Members can qualify for additional travel perks and upgrades depending on the specific trip. Remember, this 2% reward also applies to all other Costco purchases, excluding gas and a few select items.
Check out the sample earning table below to get an idea of how your savings can accumulate with the 2% Executive Membership reward.
Booking Flights through Costco Travel
Costco Travel doesn’t offer standalone flights, which means you need to buy them as part of a travel package. This has several benefits:
- Convenience: Book your entire trip, including flights, in one go.
- Frequent Flier Mileage: Continue to earn miles on your usual airline.
- Rewards: Executive Members can earn a 2% reward on these packages as well.
However, there are also some downsides, such as limited airline choices (notably excluding Southwest Airlines), potential cancellation fees, and seating selection hassles. Also, dealing with customer service might require patience due to long wait times.
How to book a flight with Costco Travel
To book a flight with Costco Travel, simply head over to the Costco Travel homepage and use their main search form.
If you’re looking for a vacation package, type in your desired destination and region along with your travel dates. You can also search for flights bundled with hotel stays or cruises. Just remember, you can only purchase flights through Costco Travel as part of a travel package.
Also read: Top 10 Destinations Costco Travel Offers for Your End-of-Year Holiday Vacation
Next, choose your departure airport in the “Flying From” field and pick your flying class. If you’re traveling with kids, make sure to enter their ages to get the most accurate package pricing. Then, hit “Search” to see your travel options.
For example, with the search criteria we’ve used, there are 17 matching packages. The most affordable one is the Kauai Shores Hotel Package, priced at $3,348.05. This package includes flight, hotel, accommodations, and some additional perks.
Which airlines does Costco Travel partner with?
- Aegean Airlines
- Aer Lingus
- Air Canada
- Air Europa
- Air France
- Air New Zealand
- Air Tahiti
- Air Tahiti Nui
- Air Transat
- Alaska Airlines
- Alitalia
- American Airlines
- Bahamas Air
- British Airways
- Cayman Airways
- Delta Air Lines
- Fiji Airways
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Iberia
- Lufthansa
- Olympic Air
- Sky Express
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- WestJet
Discover the exciting cruise trips offered by Costco Travel by checking out our collection of the incredible Cruises available.
Booking Car Rentals
Renting a car through Costco Travel can be one of the best deals in the industry. Highlights include:
- Low Prices: Typically, the lowest prices from reputable agencies are offered.
- Free Additional Drivers: Extra drivers are included at no extra charge.
- No Hidden Fees: Taxes are included, and there are no unexpected charges.
- Rewards: Executive Members earn a 2% reward on non-taxable car rental bookings.
However, choices may be limited as Costco partners with only a few select rental agencies.
How to rent a car through Costco Travel?
On the homepage, click on the “Car Rentals” tab to access the car rental search form.
Enter Your Rental Details:
Fill in the fields with your rental details:
Pickup Location: Enter the city or airport where you’ll pick up the car.
Drop-off Location: If different from the pickup location, specify where you’ll return the car.
Pickup Date and Time: Choose the date and time you plan to pick up the car.
Drop-off Date and Time: Select the date and time you’ll return the car.
Then hit the Search button.
Tips for Finding the Best Deals
- Compare Package Prices: Always compare flight-inclusive packages with land-only packages on Costco Travel. This will help you evaluate whether it’s cheaper to book flights separately.
- Receive Alerts: Use services like Going to receive flight deals alerts. These can help you identify the best times to book packages through Costco Travel.
- Check Airline Costs Directly: Use airlines’ websites or platforms like Google Flights to compare the prices with those offered by Costco Travel.
- Be Flexible with Your Choices: If a cheaper flight or rental becomes available, consider adjusting your preferences.
Conclusion
Costco Travel offers an easy way to book travel packages with additional benefits associated with membership. Whether you’re booking a family vacation or securing a rental car, Costco might help you save money and earn rewards. Always compare and consider all your options to ensure you’re scoring the best deal possible.
By leveraging your Costco membership effectively, you can find excellent deals that make your travel planning not only affordable but also streamlined and stress-free. Enjoy your trip!
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