By Most people think of Costco as the place for bulk groceries and $1.50 hot dogs. But millions of smart American travelers have discovered something much bigger hiding inside their membership card. Costco Travel is one of the most overlooked money-saving tools in the travel world today.
I want to walk you through everything you need to know about Costco Travel. By the end, you will know exactly how to use it, what to avoid, and how to squeeze maximum value out of every booking.
What Is Costco Travel?
Costco Travel has quietly grown into a major player in the vacation space over the past 25 years. U.S. members booked more than $100 million in travel in just the five days after Thanksgiving last year, and annual bookings now run into the billions. ConsumerAffairs
Costco Travel offers members exclusive deals on vacation packages, cruises, car rentals, and hotel stays, often bundled with additional perks like room upgrades. Upgraded Points It runs on the same bulk-purchasing philosophy Costco applies to everything else. Fewer options, but deeply negotiated prices with serious built-in value.
You must be an active Costco member to access it. There is no open booking portal for the general public.
Who Can Use Costco Travel?
There are two levels of Costco membership, and you must be a member to use Costco Travel. The Gold Star membership is $65 per year, and the Executive membership is $130 per year. Upgraded Points
Here is a quick breakdown:
| Membership Tier | Annual Cost | Costco Travel Access | 2% Reward on Travel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Star | $65 | Yes | No |
| Business | $65 | Yes | No |
| Executive | $130 | Yes | Yes (up to $1,250/yr) |
Costco finished fiscal year 2025 with about 81 million paid household memberships and nearly 39 million Executive members worldwide. The Traveler That tells you something. A huge portion of members have already decided the upgrade is worth it.
If you spend at least $3,000 per year on Costco purchases, including Costco Travel purchases, you will earn enough through the 2% yearly reward to negate the extra cost of the Executive membership. Upgraded Points
What Can You Book Through Costco Travel?
You can book hotels, cruises, rental cars, and vacation packages through Costco Travel. Vacation packages range from hotel-only offers to all-encompassing packages that include airfare, hotel stays, and rental cars. You can even build your own package. The Points Guy
One thing to note: you cannot book stand-alone flights via Costco Travel. There is an option to book flights through some vacation packages, but if you are only looking for airfare, you will want to head to Google Flights to check out your options. The Points Guy
Popular destinations include Hawaii, the Caribbean, Disney Parks, and Europe, with Costco Travel offering competitive rates across all of them. COI
7 Reasons Costco Travel Is Worth Using
1. Bundled Perks You Do Not Get Anywhere Else
This is where Costco Travel truly separates itself. Prices often include breakfast, resort credits, waived fees, free extra drivers, and Shop Cards that other sites charge for later. ConsumerAffairs
Take a real example. If you book a stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort through Costco Travel, your vacation package includes a daily breakfast buffet valued at $48 per person, a $300 resort credit, and waived daily resort fees valued at $55 per day. The Points Guy
These are tangible savings on top of an already negotiated price.
2. Digital Costco Shop Cards Add Instant Value
Usually, a trip booked through Costco Travel will also include a Digital Costco Shop Card of varying value. The Points Guy Think of it as a Costco gift card. It never expires and can be used in-store or online.
Book a $4,500 cruise and receive a $500 Costco Shop Card. That is an immediate 11% return before any credit card rewards or Executive member benefits. Join Kudos
3. Flexible Cancellation Policy
Costco Travel is unusually generous with changes and cancellations compared to most discount travel sites. With many of their packages, you can cancel or modify your plans up to a certain date with no penalty, or a fairly small 10% charge. ConsumerAffairs
This flexibility has real value. It is the equivalent of trip cancellation insurance that many sites charge $50 to $150 for. Join Kudos
4. Price Match Guarantee
If you find a lower price for the same package within 30 days of booking, Costco Travel will match it. This policy eliminates the risk of booking too early and missing a better deal. Join Kudos
You can book confidently. You are protected.
5. Executive Member 2% Reward Stacks Up Fast
Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward on Costco Travel purchases. Costco Travel Costco raised the ceiling on its Executive 2% reward from $1,000 per year to $1,250, signaling that it expects heavy users to continue putting significant spend through Costco Travel. The Traveler
That reward comes as a redeemable certificate. Use it back in the warehouse on groceries, electronics, or anything else.
6. Best Destinations for Real Savings
Costco Travel is best for Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, cruises, Europe packages, and Vegas-style trips. It is less ideal for multi-city, custom itineraries with lots of moving parts. ConsumerAffairs
Stick to its strengths and you will be very happy with the results.
7. Trusted Customer Service Backup
This travel portal could save you hundreds of dollars, highlight last-minute getaway deals, or offer resort benefits like on-property credits or waived booking fees. The Points Guy Beyond pricing, having Costco’s customer service team behind your booking gives you a reliable escalation point when things go wrong.
Real-World Example: How Much Can You Actually Save?
When planning an annual beach trip, a Points Guy writer found a deal at TRS Coral near Cancun through Costco Travel. They saved around $300 on a three-night stay, not including the free hydrotherapy spa circuit and the $241 Digital Costco Shop Card included in the package. The Points Guy
The cost of the membership was less than the savings from that single trip alone. That is the math that converts skeptics into believers.
Common Mistakes People Make With Costco Travel
Booking with a low-reward card. The cost of booking Costco Travel with a debit card or low-reward credit card means missing out on 2 to 5% cash back, travel insurance, rental car coverage, and other protections. Join Kudos Always use a high-reward travel card or the Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi.
Forgetting to use resort credits. Receiving a $200 resort credit but never redeeming it during your stay means losing $200 in value you already paid for. Screenshot all package inclusions before your trip and add reminders to your phone to use credits for spa services, dining, or activities. Join Kudos
Staying on Gold Star when you travel often. If you book one vacation package of $3,250 or more annually, the Executive upgrade pays for itself. Join Kudos Run the numbers before your next trip.
Not reading the fine print. Payment options and cancellation policies can vary based on the hotel and rate you choose, so be sure to read the fine print carefully before you book. Upgraded Points
What Costco Travel Does Not Offer
It is fair to acknowledge the trade-offs. When booking through Costco Travel, you are not typically eligible to earn hotel loyalty points, nor will the hotel recognize any elite status you have. If you are loyal to a particular hotel chain such as Hyatt, Hilton, or Marriott, it is important to weigh any savings against the benefits and points you would give up. The Points Guy
Also, if your vacation goes wrong, such as a flight being canceled, you will likely have to chat with the customer service team at Costco Travel first instead of the airline directly. The Points Guy
For frequent flyers chasing elite status, Costco Travel may not always be the right fit. But for most American families planning one or two trips a year, it consistently delivers real savings.
Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of Costco Travel
Use these strategies before you book your next trip:
If you have a Costco Executive membership or a cashback travel card like the Costco Anywhere Visa, you can layer rewards on top of Costco Travel prices. When you combine these, that is potentially hundreds of extra dollars back. ConsumerAffairs
Also, check Costco Travel’s official website regularly for limited-time deals, especially around major holidays and long weekends. Prices and bonus Shop Card values shift frequently.
Always compare Costco Travel pricing against at least one other source like Expedia or the hotel’s direct website. Sometimes Costco wins by a landslide. Other times, it is close. The comparison takes five minutes and could save you hundreds.
Costco Travel vs. Other Booking Platforms
| Feature | Costco Travel | Expedia | Booking Direct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bundled Perks | Strong | Moderate | Varies |
| Loyalty Points | No | Varies | Yes |
| Price Match | Yes (30 days) | Yes | Rarely |
| Cancel Flexibility | High | Moderate | Varies |
| Shop Card Bonuses | Yes | No | No |
| Membership Required | Yes | No | No |
This table makes the trade-off clear. Costco Travel wins on value bundles. Direct booking wins on loyalty. For most family vacations, the Costco column looks very attractive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Costco Travel only for Executive members?
No. Both Gold Star and Executive members can access Costco Travel and book vacations, cruises, rental cars, and hotel stays. However, only Executive members earn the 2% annual reward on qualifying Costco Travel purchases, up to $1,250 per year. If you travel frequently, upgrading to Executive membership can pay for itself with a single booking.
Q: Can I earn hotel loyalty points when booking through Costco Travel?
Generally, no. When you book a hotel through Costco Travel, you are booking through a third-party platform. Most hotel brands like Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott will not credit you loyalty points or recognize elite status for stays booked this way. If earning hotel points is a priority for you, weigh that against the savings and perks Costco Travel includes before deciding.
Q: Does Costco Travel offer a price match?
Yes. If you find a lower price for the same vacation package within 30 days of booking, Costco Travel will match it. This protects you from buyer’s remorse and removes the pressure of trying to time the perfect deal. It is a significant advantage over most other travel platforms.
Q: Is Costco Travel good for international trips?
Yes, especially for popular international destinations. Costco Travel regularly features strong packages for Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It works best for straightforward round-trip packages to well-known destinations. It is less suited for complex multi-city international itineraries where you need full flexibility and custom routing.