What Is Costco Travel — And How It Works

Costco Travel is a travel booking arm for Costco members, offering bundled vacation packages (flights, hotels, car rentals), cruises, and special hotel deals. Because Costco has strong buying power, they negotiate special rates and include perks like upgrades, resort credits, or digital Costco Shop Cards.

One caveat: you usually cannot book standalone flights through Costco Travel (without a hotel or package). Also, some hotel offers may require a minimum stay (e.g. five nights) to access the discounted rates.

Why Travelers Use Costco Travel — The Upsides

1. Bundled Deals & Simplicity

Booking packages (flight + hotel + car) can save you time and often money. The bundled structure lets Costco negotiate and pass on volume discounts.

2. Perks & Added Value

Many packages come with extras — room upgrades, resort credits, or a Digital Costco Shop Card after booking. This card gives you Costco store credit to spend on groceries, electronics, or even future travel.

3. Trust & Member-Only Exclusives

Since Costco Travel is for members, there’s an aura of reliability. Their curated selection of travel offerings is narrower (but more vetted) than general OTAs.

Common Complaints & Risks in 2025

While many users are pleased, reviews reveal some recurring issues:

• Service & fulfillment failures — some travelers report mishandled logistics, especially for overseas trips (e.g., no airport shuttle despite promises).
• Rigidity & lack of flexibility — package constraints (min nights, locked itineraries) can be frustrating.
• Customer support gaps — in certain cases, travelers said Costco Travel didn’t handle refunds or issues responsively.
• Not always cheapest — occasionally, deals found via Costco are beaten by booking direct or via other travel platforms.

One review bluntly warns:

“Costco travel was nothing short of a nightmare … DO NOT BOOK FOR OVERSEAS TRAVEL.”

But elsewhere, satisfied users applaud pricing and service:

“Their pricing is terrific… I have used Costco Travel at least 10 times and I am always amazed at their quality of service.”

So experience is mixed — the right approach is to go in informed and cautious.

How to Get the Most Value from Costco Travel in 2025

Here are actionable tips:

1. Always price-compare
   Even if Costco shows a “deal,” check direct hotel, airline, or OTA rates. Sometimes you'd save more booking separately.
2. Leverage the Digital Costco Shop Card
   This gift card is like a cashback bonus you can use at Costco — effectively reducing your net trip cost.
3. Bundle smartly
   Opt for flights + hotel + car together to unlock deeper discounts.
4. Watch stay requirements & blackout dates
   Some deals only apply if you stay a minimum number of nights. Long weekends may not qualify.
5. Book early or last minute—but stay flexible
   Costco’s deals often have narrow windows. If possible, remain flexible with your travel dates.
6. Use travel insurance & cancellation safeguards
   Given complaints about claims and refunds, travel insurance can save you grief. Some travelers have noted that Costco refunded hotels and cars, but not flights.
7. Check reviews & experiences
   Explore member reviews for specific hotels, cruises, or packages via the Costco Travel site before finalizing.

What 2025 Changes & Trends Could Affect Costco Travel

• Disneyland package discontinuation
  In 2025, Costco quietly removed Disneyland Resort packages from its offerings. While trips to Disney World, Aulani, and cruises remain, the Disneyland bundles were pulled, likely due to shifting partnerships.
• Intensifying competition & consumer savvy
  As more travelers become adept at deal hunting, Costco needs to maintain transparency and flexibility to stay relevant.
• Premium & luxury package demand rising
  High-end cruise packages (e.g. multi-month world cruises) are gaining traction. Costco even sold a $293,000 global cruise in 2024, including huge perks and shop card credits.
• Greater scrutiny on consumer experience
  With social media and review platforms, negative service experiences spread quickly. Costco Travel must balance scale with quality control.