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Costco’s travel service is a wonderful program. Read on to see why.
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Many people rely on Costco as a source of savings on everyday items, from groceries to cleaning supplies. But there’s a whole other side of Costco many members know little about — its travel services. Here are some things you should know about booking a vacation through Costco Travel.
1. Bookings qualify for cash back with an Executive membership
A Costco Executive membership costs $120 a year, while a basic one only costs $60. In exchange for the higher annual fee, an Executive membership gives you 2% cash back on all Costco purchases. And while you might think trips booked through Costco Travel won’t qualify for that 2% back, you’d be wrong.
Not only can you snag cash back on Costco Travel purchases, but some packages come with a Costco Shop Card as an added perk. A Shop Card is Costco’s version of a store gift card.
Right now, for example, if you book a vacation through Costco Travel to AULANI, a Disney resort in Hawaii, you’ll qualify for a free Costco Shop Card. Think of it as having a reward waiting for you after your trip — or a way to cover your groceries after having spent a fair amount of money on a vacation.
2. Costco has exclusive vacation packages
You’ll see a range of vacation packages available through Costco Travel, from resort stays to cruises. But you should know that these deals are created specifically for Costco members.
You might find a similar package if you search outside of Costco Travel on your own or use an outside travel agent. But as you might imagine, Costco is able to negotiate deals with various travel partners so it can offer its members cost-effective vacation options. As such, you’re unlikely to find the exact same package elsewhere.
3. You can work with a Costco Travel specialist to book your trip
You might assume that if you’re going to book a vacation package with Costco Travel, you can only do so online. But actually, the Costco Travel team consists of specialists who will be happy to speak to you by phone and help you land on the right vacation package based on factors such as your family size, the ages of the people in your family, your desired activities, and, of course, your budget.
You should also know that you can call Costco Travel and get help from a specialist should a problem with your travel plans arise. During the pandemic, for example, when cruise lines were forced to shutter, Costco Travel worked to make sure that members who booked cruises were eligible for refunds. And if you need to change your itinerary, a member of Costco Travel will no doubt try to work with you to make that process as seamless as possible.
All told, there are many benefits to using Costco Travel, so it’s worth exploring your options if you’re looking to book a trip. To be clear, booking through Costco Travel doesn’t automatically mean you’re getting the best deal, and you might find a comparable package at a lower price elsewhere. But it does pay to see what offers Costco has, especially since you might find a great one.
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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.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
