3 Costco Vacations Reviewed: ‘Stunning,’ ‘Seamless,’ and 10 out of 10

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You can buy your groceries in bulk at Costco, but did you know you can also purchase travel? Read on for testimonials from a few satisfied Costco vacationers. 

Taking the occasional vacation is one of the best things you can do for your mental health, as it’s wonderful to get a change of scenery, have new experiences, and take a break from work. Unfortunately, vacations don’t come cheap. There are ways to save, such as by considering a road trip rather than flying and renting a car. But if you want a trip with all the bells and whistles with less hassle and perhaps at a lower price, you should consider Costco Travel.

Yes, Costco sells travel packages! They are exclusively for Costco members who live in the U.S., and come with upfront pricing and as Costco puts it, “the value you want with the quality you expect.” A few of my colleagues here at The Ascent were kind enough to share their experiences with Costco Travel, so let’s take a look at their vacations and see what kind of comparable trip you can take.

1. A five-star honeymoon in Greece

Destination(s): Athens and SantoriniDuration: Seven days (October 2022)Cost: $4,500 (covered hotel stays, transportation to/from airports and ferries, and complimentary arrival drinks at hotels)

Savannah Esworthy and her new husband booked their honeymoon through Costco Travel, and opted for five-star hotels for a luxury experience. They booked their own airfare separately, however, because they wanted to use travel rewards points for that cost.

Savannah called out the transport between airports and hotels specifically. “Our drivers were never late, they were always friendly, and they offered information to stay in touch with them during our stay in Santorini.” The hotels were also “absolutely stunning,” and a representative from Costco Travel had told them that this was a honeymoon trip, so the newlyweds truly had the red carpet rolled out for them.

Want to take a similar trip?

I took to Costco Travel to build a Greek adventure for two (including flights this time). For a week in September 2023, for two people and stops in Athens and Santorini, I came up with a price of $13,781. This trip includes airfare from New York, stays in three luxury hotels (two in Athens, one in Santorini), and land and ferry transport. This trip represents a hit to your checking account, but being able to sit back, relax, and let Costco handle everything might be just the ticket.

2. Eight wonderful days in Mexico

Destination(s): Playa del CarmenDuration: Eight days (June 2023)Cost: $5,230 (included optional insurance, airfare and transportation to/from resort, resort stay, concierge service, and room upgrade)

Mary Henderson took a trip to a resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico with the help of Costco Travel. The $5,230 charge included airfare, as well as travel insurance, which is optional but may be a good idea if you’re booking the vacation of a lifetime. Mary rated her trip a perfect 10/10, noting that “Costco travel makes everything seamless.” This extended to flight delays or cancellations, since “someone is working behind the scenes” to ensure all pieces of your vacation are adjusted accordingly. She’s glad she sprung for the travel insurance, as it provided additional peace of mind.

Want to take a similar trip?

If you want to spend eight days in Mexico, you could be looking at a cost of $4,612. This price included flights from New York to Cancun, Mexico and seven nights at an adults-only all-inclusive resort for two. It also includes travel to and from the airport when you arrive.

3. An Alaskan voyage that never was — but that came with an easy refund

Destination(s): Various places in Alaska, and both land and sea travelDuration: Two and a half weeksCost: N/A

Maurie Backman, a fellow writer here at The Ascent, had booked an epic trip to Alaska for her family of five for August 2020. Unfortunately, COVID-19 got in the way of those plans, as it did for so many aspiring vacationers. But she did get a refund, with the help of Costco Travel. Maurie noted that using the service was “like having my own personal team of travel agents.” This came in handy, especially since many cruise lines weren’t rushing to refund passengers for canceled bookings. As Maurie put it, “Costco got in touch with them on our behalf and made sure we got our money back.” She hopes to rebook this trip in the future, and plans to use Costco Travel again.

Want to take a similar trip?

To price this one out, I looked to Costco Travel’s cruise section. For a 14-day trip with Holland America that will take you from Vancouver to Fairbanks, with many enticing stops along the way (including a few days in the majesty of Denali, America’s tallest mountain), you’d be looking at $1,974 per person, with included taxes and fees. This doesn’t include airfare — for a flight from New York to Vancouver at the start of your journey and the trip home from Fairbanks to New York, I found Google Flights prices of $185 and $262 (not including baggage fees or other extras, and this is the economy fare).

If you already love Costco for groceries, gas, tires, electronics, and beyond, why not give Costco Travel a try? You’ll benefit from a team of travel professionals who know how to give you the worry-free experience of a lifetime.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet and Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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