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You probably already know Costco as the place to score bulk toilet paper and jumbo-sized everything. But here's something that might surprise you: that same membership card could also unlock significant travel savings, though the details matter more than you'd expect.
I dug through countless Reddit threads where actual travelers shared their real experiences with Costco Travel. The results were mixed, with some people finding great deals while others came up empty-handed. Costco Travel isn't always the universal money-saver some make it out to be. But for certain types of trips and travelers, it can be worth it.
Here's what I discovered after diving into each booking and trip type.
There are three types of bookings for which Costco Travel can deliver meaningful value.
Many Redditors agree that Costco Travel consistently delivers value on car rentals. The benefits go beyond the competitive pricing as you get several perks. These include a free second driver, which can save you $10 to $15 per day, plus free cancellation and rebookings at lower rates without penalties.
"Always for rental cars. It's usually the cheapest option," one traveler in r/Costco shared, while another mentioned they always stick to Costco for rental cars because of the "great prices" and called the free cancellation policy, which they used twice, an "excellent perk.”
That said, others mentioned finding better deals through Budget membership and other booking sites. Ultimately, your mileage may vary (YMMV) based on your specific needs and the perks that matter to you — so always shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Learn more: Is Costco or Sam's Club worth it for empty nesters? We did the math
For vacation packages, Costco Travel isn't always the cheapest option — but it might still be worth it depending on what you’re looking for.
Several travelers found significant savings on all-inclusive trips. For example, one traveler saved $800 on a Cancun resort compared to a travel agent's quote and scored a $335 Costco Shop Card on top of that. Another mentioned getting a great deal at Universal resorts that was over $1,000 cheaper than through Universal itself.
The real value often comes from the extras rather than the base price alone. Costco packages frequently include:
Free airport transfers
Free room upgrades
Free breakfast for all travelers
Free resort credits (can be worth hundreds)
Costco Shop Cards (exact amount calculated at booking)
As one Redditor said, "It's hard to beat Costco when they throw in the Shop Cards.” Another praised Costco’s flexible cancellation policies and stacking rewards, writing, "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?
When you book travel through Costco, they often throw in Shop Cards as a bonus. These are basically Costco gift cards worth a percentage of your trip cost as a bonus. So if you spend $6,000 on a vacation package, you could get a Shop Card worth hundreds to use on groceries, gas or anything else at Costco. It's basically like getting free money when you book your vacation.
These include the hotels and resorts that Costco offers through its travel booking platform. Because Costco tends to partner with higher-end properties, you might find yourself staying somewhere nicer than you'd expect. As one person put it, "Costco curates the best of the area and what you see on their list is in the best locations."
Several people mentioned staying at five-star hotels they never would have considered due to cost, but Costco's negotiated rates made them affordable. One traveler booked a hotel in Paris that would have been "$500 a night if we had booked independently," but got it for much less through Costco.
This means if you're looking for budget accommodations, Costco might not be your best bet. But if you want to upgrade your experience without paying full luxury prices, it could be a great option.
After analyzing dozens of traveler reviews and experiences, certain trip types consistently come out ahead with Costco Travel. These situations tend to maximize both the savings and the extra perks that make Costco packages worthwhile:
Cruises. People consistently report the same prices as booking direct, but with extra Shop Cards and onboard credits. "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 noted.
Complex international trips. Multiple travelers praised Costco for handling logistics on multi-city European trips or destinations like French Polynesia, where transfers between islands can be tricky. As one traveler said, “we would have been absolutely lost without them (Costco).”
Hawaii packages. This came up repeatedly as a Costco strength, especially for trips with included rental cars when car rentals were scarce and expensive. As one Redditor said, “We’ve done a couple Hawaii trips and they were much cheaper through Costco.”
Disney trips. Several families reported significant savings on Disney packages. “I did it for a Disneyland Package, and it was at least 35% cheaper than buying the hotel and tickets straight from Disney, and there was a $200 gift card that we used for meals,” said one happy Redditor.
Costco Travel probably isn’t the best choice if these are a no-go for you:
Limited selection. Costco Travel’s selection of hotels can be limited. If you have your heart set on a specific property, it might not offer it.
No loyalty points. Hotel frequent guests pointed out that you won't earn hotel loyalty points or get elite benefits when booking through Costco. However, the World of Hyatt loyalty program is one exception.
Higher-end focus. Multiple travelers noted Costco's packages typically lean toward premium options, which aren't always budget-friendly.
Website issues. Several people complained about Costco's booking website being clunky and hard to navigate.
Free-range travel. If you're the type who likes to wing it, book last-minute deals or roam destinations at will, Costco Travel likely isn’t a good fit for you.
The most successful approach to Costco Travel is one that maximizes all the extras. That "more expensive" Costco package might actually save money when you:
Stack the math. Combine the Executive membership’s 2% back, Costco Visa’s 3% travel rewards (if you have it), Shop Cards, resort credits and included transfers or car rentals in your total. Treat the Shop Card as a rebate that lowers your real cost, not just a nice-to-have.
Use a travel credit card for more rewards. If you don’t have the Costco Visa, use a travel credit card to pay for your bookings. And even if you do, some travel cards offer higher rewards rates. But keep in mind that Costco doesn’t accept American Express.
Lean on trip protections. Use a travel credit card with trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance, plus primary rental collision damage waiver. Make sure to activate these protections by meeting the coverage requirements, such as paying for a portion or the full fare using your card.
Book flexible travel, then reprice. Choose refundable rates and mark your free-cancellation window. Check weekly and rebook if the prices drop, especially on car rentals and packages.
Watch for fees and inclusions. Verify resort and parking fees, taxes, and what transfers or resort activities actually cover.
Learn more: Here's how to decode prices at Costco — and see if you're getting the best deal possible
Costco Travel isn't a magic wand for travel savings, but it's a legitimate tool worth considering that can save you money on trips when you factor in the overall perks. Car rentals are often a win. Vacation packages can offer great value if you appreciate the included benefits and don't mind the higher-end focus.
So if you're planning a honeymoon to Hawaii or just need a rental car for the weekend, give Costco Travel a look. Don't just assume it's the cheapest, but calculate the value of the extras that might make it the best overall option.
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📩 Have thoughts or comments about this story — or ideas on topics you’d like us to cover? Reach out to our team.
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