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You already know Costco as the place to score bulk toilet paper and jumbo-size everything. But here’s what might surprise you: That membership card can unlock serious travel savings — if you know how to use it.
I spent hours digging through Reddit reviews from travelers sharing actual experiences with Costco Travel. Some people saved big on cruises and resort packages, while others found cheaper trips elsewhere.
The verdict? Costco Travel isn’t universally the best deal out there, but for specific trips and travelers, it’s hard to beat. Here’s how to know if it’s worth it for your own trip.
Planning a road trip? Seeking sips on the beach? Or maybe you’re looking for upscale without the upcharge. You could be just the type of traveler for Costco.
Car rentals are where Costco Travel consistently shines. And the benefits go beyond competitive pricing.
Redditors rave about free second drivers that save up to $15 a day, plus free cancellation and rebookings at lower rates without penalty.
“Always for rental cars. It’s usually the cheapest option,” a redditor shared in r/Costco, while another said they stick to Costco for not only “great prices” but also free cancellations, calling it an “excellent perk.”
That said, others say you can find better deals directly through Budget, National and other booking sites.
Don’t skip shopping around — it’s the only way to know whether Costco’s offering the best deal (and perks!) for your needs and budget.
Getty Images | Costco
Get $100 off $200 or more at Costco.com with your new Costco Gold Star or Costco Executive Membership through October 27, 2025.
While members rave about all-inclusive trips, Costco Travel rarely wins on price alone. Still, it could be worth it for the extras.
One traveler saved $800 on a Cancun resort compared to their travel agent’s quote — and scored a $335 Costco Shop Card on top of that. Another found Universal resort packages more than $1,000 cheaper than booking directly through Universal.
The real value often comes from the perks over base price alone, with Costco frequently tossing in:
Free airport transfers
Free room upgrades
Free breakfast for all travelers
Free resort credits worth hundreds
Costco Shop Cards
As one redditor put it: “It’s hard to beat Costco when they throw in the Shop Cards.” Another loved the warehouse giant’s rewards stacking: “It’s like we’re getting double points by getting our 2% back with Costco plus our credit card perks.”
🛒 What’s a Costco Shop Card?
One of Costco’s signature perks: Costco Shop Cards. These gift cards give you back a percentage of your trip cost — like a rebate you can spend on anything within those warehouse walls. Book a $6,000 vacation package, and you might get a Shop Card worth hundreds to use on groceries, gas or household goods. It’s essentially cash back on your holiday.
Costco Travel partners with upscale hotels, resorts and properties that can have you staying somewhere nicer than you’d expect — and at better rates. Take it from this traveler: “Costco curates the best of the area, and what you see on their list is in the best locations.”
Redditors consistently mentioned scoring five-star hotels they’d normally skip due to cost. One example: A hotel in Paris that would cost “$500 a night if we had booked independently,” but at Costco’s negotiated rates was downright affordable.
It’s a trade-off: If you’re looking for rock-bottom budget hotels, it might not be your best bet. But if you’re ready to without paying luxury prices, Costco’s your shortcut.
🔍 Read more: 10 insider Costco hacks you can’t afford to miss
After sifting through traveler experiences, Costco members report finding the best value on prices and perks for these trip types:
Cruise packages. Redditors consistently report prices competitive with booking direct, but with Shop Cards and onboard credits that tip the value scales. “Every cruise I have purchased from Costco has been the same price as the cruise line plus a bonus Shop Card and my 2% Executive rebate,” one cruise enthusiast said.
Complex international trips. Multiple travelers praise Costco for handling the logistics on multicity European trips and exotic destinations like Bora Bora or French Polynesia, where it’s tricky to bounce between islands. As one traveler gushed, “We would have been absolutely lost without Costco.”
Hawaii all-inclusive deals. This emerges as a Costco strength, especially for trips including rentals where cars are scarce and expensive. “We’ve done a couple Hawaii trips,” says one redditor, “and they were much cheaper through Costco.”
Disney World and Disneyland vacations. Mouseheads report significant savings on Disney packages including theme park tickets, hotels and dining. “I did it for a Disneyland Package, and it was at least 35% cheaper than buying the hotel and tickets straight from Disney,” a redditor shared, “and there was a $200 gift card that we used for meals.”
🔍 Read more: This warehouse club is quietly beating Costco for retirees (Hint: it’s not BJ’s)
Costco Travel probably isn’t the best choice if you’re a free-range traveler who likes to wing it, book last-minute deals or roam destinations at will:
Limited options. Costco Travel’s selection of hotels can be limited. If your heart’s set on a specific hotel, you might need to book it elsewhere.
No loyalty points. You won’t earn points or elite benefits with most hotel loyalty programs when booking through Costco. One major exception: Costco partners with Hyatt hotels and resorts on member-exclusive deals that qualify for World of Hyatt points.
Premium properties. Multiple travelers point out Costco packages that lean premium, which might not meet the needs of all budgets.
Dated website. What doesn’t cost you money might cost you time, with several redditors griping about Costco’s clunky and hard-to-navigate booking site.
🔍 Read more: Is Costco or Sam’s Club worth it for empty nesters? We did the math
The most successful approach to Costco Travel is one that maximizes the extras. That “more expensive” Costco package might actually save money when you:
Stack your rewards. The savings can add up fast: Executive Membership’s 2% back, Costco Anywhere Visa’s 3% travel rewards, Shop Cards, resort credits and free transfers or car rentals among them
Use a travel rewards card. Don’t have (or want) a Costco Visa card? Some of our favorite travel credit cards offer higher rewards rates. Just keep in mind that American Express isn’t accepted.
Leverage trip protections. Many travel credit cards offer trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance, plus primary rental collision damage waiver. Just pay for at least enough of your booking to meet the card’s coverage requirements to activate this coverage.
Lock in rates, then watch for drops. Choose refundable rates and note when your free-cancellation window ends. Check weekly and rebook if prices fall — especially for car rentals and packages.
Read the fine print. Confirm all resort and parking fees, taxes and actual coverage for transfers or resort activities so you aren’t surprised later.
🔍 Read more: As gold hits new records, you can now buy it at Costco — but should you?
Costco Travel isn’t magic, but it’s a legitimate tool that can deliver real savings — especially when you factor in the perks. Car rentals consistently win on price. Vacation packages offer strong value if you like upscale hotels and bonuses like resort credits and transfers.
Planning a Hawaii honeymoon or need a weekend rental car? Costco Travel is worth the look. It might not be the cheapest, but the extras can make it your best option overall.
Note: Comments edited for length and clarity.
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Kat Aoki is a finance writer who’s written thousands of articles to empower people to better understand technology, fintech, banking, lending and investments. Her expertise has been featured on sites like Lifewire and Finder, with bylines at top technology brands in the U.S. and Australia. Kat strives to help consumers and business owners make informed decisions and choose the right financial products for their needs.
📩 Have thoughts or comments about this story — or ideas on topics you’d like us to cover? Reach out to our team at finance.editors@aol.com.
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