Costco Travel: Honest Review, Deals, Packages, and FAQs (2025 Guide)
Planning a vacation often involves comparing dozens of websites, prices, and reviews. Costco Travel offers a simpler alternative by providing curated travel packages, cruises, and rental cars exclusively for Costco members.
This guide explains how Costco Travel works, what it offers, its advantages and limitations, and whether it is a reliable option for travelers in 2025.
What Is Costco Travel?
Costco Travel is the official travel booking service of Costco Wholesale. It focuses on value-driven travel options rather than overwhelming users with thousands of listings.
Instead of acting as a typical online travel agency, Costco Travel negotiates deals with trusted hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and rental car companies to provide competitive pricing and added benefits.
Who Can Book Through Costco Travel?
Costco Travel is available only to active Costco members:
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Gold Star Members
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Business Members
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Executive Members
Executive Members may earn 2% annual rewards on eligible Costco Travel purchases, which can significantly reduce overall travel costs.
Types of Travel Offered by Costco Travel
Vacation Packages
Costco Travel vacation packages often bundle:
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Round-trip airfare
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Hotel or resort stays
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Airport transfers
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Select extras such as resort credits
Popular destinations include Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, and Asia.
All-Inclusive Resorts
Costco Travel is well known for its all-inclusive resort deals, particularly in:
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Cancun
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Punta Cana
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Jamaica
These packages usually include meals, drinks, entertainment, and transportation, making budgeting easier and more predictable.
Cruises
Costco Travel partners with major cruise providers such as:
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Royal Caribbean
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Princess Cruises
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Norwegian Cruise Line
Many cruise bookings include Costco Shop Cards or onboard credits, which add extra value without increasing the upfront price.
Rental Cars
Rental cars are one of the most competitive areas of Costco Travel. The platform works with trusted brands like:
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Alamo
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Enterprise
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Avis
There are typically no booking or cancellation fees, and prices can be rechecked anytime.
Is Costco Travel Reliable and Safe?
Costco Travel is widely regarded as a safe and trustworthy booking platform. It uses established travel partners and provides clear pricing with minimal hidden charges. Customer support is handled through Costco, which is known for strong service standards.
Pros and Cons of Costco Travel
Advantages
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Competitive pricing with added perks
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Trusted hotels and travel providers
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Transparent costs
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Good value for families and groups
Limitations
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Requires a Costco membership
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Limited customization options
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Fewer hotel choices compared to open marketplaces
Is Costco Travel Worth It in 2025?
For travelers who prefer convenience, value, and reliability, Costco Travel is often worth it—especially for all-inclusive vacations, cruises, and rental cars. While it may not suit highly customized or ultra-budget travel styles, it offers strong overall value when benefits are considered.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Costco Travel cheaper than Expedia or Booking.com?
Costco Travel is often competitive, especially when perks like resort credits, upgrades, or Costco Shop Cards are included. The final value is frequently better, even if the base price is similar.
Do I need a Costco membership to use Costco Travel?
Yes. An active Costco membership is required to book any travel service through Costco Travel.
Can I cancel Costco Travel bookings?
Cancellation policies depend on the specific booking. Rental cars often allow free cancellation, while vacation packages and cruises follow supplier policies.
Does Costco Travel include flights?
Many vacation packages include round-trip airfare. However, flights can also be excluded depending on the package selected.
Is Costco Travel good for international trips?
Yes. Costco Travel offers international vacation packages, cruises, and hotels in Europe, Asia, and other regions.
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