I’ll be real with you—I didn’t take Costco Travel seriously at first. Like, I always thought of Costco as the place I go for bulk snacks, toilet paper, and those random giant teddy bears you see near the entrance. But then a friend casually dropped, “Oh, we booked our Hawaii trip through Costco Travel and got a free Costco Shop Card plus breakfast included.” And I was like… wait, what? Costco does vacations now?
Turns out, yes. And it’s not just some side hustle—they’ve been running this travel service for years. If you’re a Costco member, you can book hotels, cruises, rental cars, and full vacation packages. Honestly, it feels a bit like stumbling into a hidden corner of the warehouse where all the travel deals are piled up.
Key Features That Stood Out to Me
So, I started poking around the site. It’s not flashy, but it’s straightforward. Here’s what caught my eye:
- Vacation Packages – These are probably the main attraction. Flights, hotels, sometimes rental cars all bundled together. And the perks are kind of sneaky-good: things like resort credits, free breakfast, or those Costco Shop Cards you can use later.
- Cruises – Not really my thing (I get seasick just watching Titanic), but if you’re into cruises, Costco Travel gives onboard credits and sometimes extras you wouldn’t get if you booked direct.
- Rental Cars – Honestly, I was surprised here. The rates were competitive, plus they often throw in an extra driver for free. I’ve paid like $12/day just for that before.
- Hotels – You can book hotels separately, but I think the magic is more in the bundles.
- Specialty Trips – Disney, Universal, guided tours… it’s all there. Makes sense, Costco families love Disney.
Why People (Including Me) Get Tempted
The big hook is value. Costco Travel is basically a “members-only” travel agency, and that exclusivity is what makes it feel like a deal.
- Transparency – Prices are listed clearly, no shady “surprise fees.”
- Extra Rewards – Executive members earn 2% back. If you’ve got the Costco Visa, you can grab another 3%. That actually adds up, especially on something big like a European trip.
- Convenience – Booking flights + hotel + car all at once saves the headache of juggling multiple tabs.
I kept thinking, “Is this too good to be true?” But nope, it’s just Costco being Costco. They’re obsessed with bulk value, and now they’re doing it with vacations.
But Hold On… It’s Not Perfect
Here’s where things get a little tricky.
- You must be a Costco member. No card, no deal.
- Customization is limited. Like, if you want to fly out on Airline A and return on Airline B, that’s usually a no-go.
- Loyalty points are… meh. Since you’re booking through Costco Travel, the airline or hotel might not give you full loyalty points or status credits. So if you’re chasing elite status, it could be a downside.
I remember trying to see if I could mix flights from two airlines—no luck. That kind of annoyed me, because I’m the type who chases weird flight combos to save time. But then again, not everyone travels like a puzzle-solver.
Best Day to Book Costco Travel Deals
Okay, this was a rabbit hole. Is there really a “best day to book Costco Travel”? From what I noticed (and after asking around in a Costco Facebook group), Tuesdays and Wednesdays seem to have the freshest updates. Not official, just word-of-mouth, but some people swear mid-week is when deals refresh.
Personally, I booked my test “dummy trip” (yes, I make fake bookings just to see prices) on a Wednesday evening, and the packages looked slightly cheaper compared to what I saw on Saturday. Coincidence? Maybe. But if you’re serious about saving, it doesn’t hurt to peek mid-week.
Have you ever noticed how sometimes you check flights one day, and the next morning the prices change completely? Same vibe here. Costco Travel isn’t magic—it follows the general travel market, but those member perks make the timing feel a bit less stressful.
Real-Life Example
A family I know went to Maui through Costco Travel. They got flights, a beachfront resort, plus a $250 Costco Shop Card thrown in. If they had booked separately, it would’ve cost more, and no Shop Card.
Me? I haven’t done a big trip through them yet, but I did use Costco Travel for a rental car in LA. Saved around $80 compared to booking direct, plus my partner was listed as a free second driver. That alone made me a fan.
So, Is It Worth It?
If you’re already paying for Costco membership, then yes—checking Costco Travel before booking anything is kind of a no-brainer. The savings, perks, and simplicity really do line up with what Costco is all about.
It’s not perfect for everyone—frequent flyers chasing airline points may roll their eyes. But for families, couples, or honestly anyone who just wants less stress and more value, it works.
Next time you’re in Costco grabbing that rotisserie chicken, maybe open the app or site and browse trips. Who knows—you might walk out with a vacation plan tucked between your 40-pack of water bottles and those muffins you didn’t really need.
