“Explore the world with Costco Travel! Discover exclusive deals on vacations, cruises, and more.”
Costco Travel is like finding a hidden treasure in the big world of Costco Wholesale. Based in places like Issaquah, Washington, and with other offices in places like Oklahoma City and near Dallas, Texas, it’s not just about planning vacations; it’s become a big deal. Let’s dive into what makes Costco Travel so cool and how it became a big thing.
1. What is Costco Travel?
1.1 What It’s All About
Costco Travel isn’t your usual travel agency – it’s like a special club just for Costco members. Doing its thing since 2000, it’s not only in the United States but also in Canada and the United Kingdom. What sets it apart isn’t just the trips it plans, but the whole vibe it brings – a vibe of stability, perks, career growth, and a friendly work vibe.
1.2 How to Book a Trip
To start a journey with Costco Travel, you first need to make your own Costco Travel account. This account is like your magic key to lots of travel stuff – vacations, hotels, cruises, rental cars, and tickets to theme parks. Anyone can look around the Costco Travel website, but only members get to see the special prices and make bookings.
2. Checking out Costco Travel’s Website
Going online with Costco Travel opens up a world of possibilities. The costcotravel.com website is where it all happens. Here, you can find out about Costco Travel’s main office in Issaquah, WA, when it started in 2000, and all the cool stuff it offers – cruises, theme parks, car rentals, hotels and resorts, vacation packages, regular travel, and guided trips.
For questions or bookings, you can call Costco Travel’s main customer service at 1-866-921-7925, open from Monday to Friday (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.) and Saturday to Sunday (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
3. How Costco Travel Makes Your Trips Happen
3.1 Cool Vacation Deals
Costco Travel works by using its power to get awesome deals in the travel market. The result? Fantastic vacation packages to cool places worldwide, bundling travel, places to stay, rental cars, and more. Every resort and thing you get is picked carefully to make sure it’s top-notch for Costco members.
4. Setting Up Your Costco Travel Account
4.1 Making Your Account
Getting your Costco Travel account is easy but super important. To sign up, you just need your Costco membership number, last name (like on your card), email address, and a strong password. Once you’re in, you can log in anytime to see your bookings and print out your plans.
5. Booking Choices with Costco Travel
5.1 Different Vacation Packages
Costco Travel has all kinds of travel plans, from vacations starting at different airports for places near and far. Whether it’s just a hotel and flight, flight plus hotel and car, just a car and hotel, or only a hotel, Costco Travel has your back. And they also do cruises, both in the country and around the world.
5.2 Fun Cruises
If you’re up for a sea adventure, Costco Travel is your go-to. They team up with 11 cruise lines, including big names like Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Princess. Keep an eye out for cool extras like free Costco shop cards, onboard credit, and drink packages.
5.3 Renting Cars Easily
Need a car for your trip? Costco Travel buddies up with Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise to give you car rental options. The website makes it simple with clear prices for each type of car, so booking is a breeze.
5.4 Having Fun at Theme Parks
For those who love thrills and all things Disney, Costco Travel lets you grab Disney and Universal Orlando vacation packages. These usually come with bonus stuff like rides to the park, early park access, discounted resort fees, or even a credit for food and drinks.
5.5 Awesome Vacation Packages
Costco Travel goes beyond the usual with special vacation bundles. From safaris in Africa to guided trips, they’ve got something for everyone. Whether you’re traveling with friends, looking for unique experiences, or wanting to connect with locals, Costco Travel has a package for you.
6. Special Goodies from Costco Travel
6.1 Upgrades for Rental Cars
One cool thing about using Costco Travel for rental cars is you can get a better car without spending way more money. Some places even give you an extra driver for free, making your road trip even better.
6.2 Travel Insurance Help
Safety is a big deal, and Costco Travel has your back with travel insurance. It covers things like emergency help, canceling your trip, and keeping your stuff safe. You can check out different insurance options to pick what works best for your journey.
6.3 Expert Advice When You Need It
With Costco Travel, you’re never alone in planning your trip. They’ve got travel experts ready to help with any questions or if something unexpected happens. Having a friendly voice on the other end of the line can make all the difference.
6.4 Limited-Time Awesome Deals
Costco Travel sweetens the deal with special offers that don’t last forever. From getting free meals daily to credits at the resort and waiving certain fees, these exclusive deals make your trip even better. Check out the specials page and sign up for Costco newsletters to stay in the loop.
6.5 Yearly Rewards for Top Members
Costco Executive Members get an extra treat – up to 5% back on their travel costs. This reward is capped at $1,000 every year, adding extra savings. If you use a Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, Executive Members can even earn an extra 3% back on selected trips.
7. Things to Keep in Mind Before Booking
7.1 You Need a Costco Membership
To get all the cool stuff from Costco Travel, you’ve got to have a Costco membership. The yearly fees range from $60 to $120, depending on what level you pick. Executive Members get a bonus – 2% back every year on certain purchases through Costco Travel.
7.2 Some Rules on Booking
Even though Costco Travel has a lot of options, not all airlines are in on the deals. You can’t just buy flights by themselves; they have to be part of a travel package.
7.3 Checking Prices Smartly
Costco Travel is all about good deals, but smart travelers know to compare. Take some time to see if prices match up, especially if you have specific things you want in airlines or where you stay.
8. How to Make Bookings with Costco Travel
8.1 Getting Hotel Stays
Costco Travel lets you book hotels, but here’s the catch – you might not find stand-alone hotels unless they’re part of a vacation package. Some places might not even have stand-alone hotels through Costco Travel. Keep in mind that booking hotels by themselves might not earn you hotel points or special credits.
8.2 Planning Cruise Trips
With different cruise lines on board, Costco Travel is your buddy for cruise reservations. While the website might only let you search one month at a time, the extra stuff like onboard credit and free shop cards make it worth checking out.
8.3 Renting Cars Easily
For renting cars, Costco Travel teams up with Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. The simple grid format on the website makes it easy to see the best prices for each type of car. It’s a good idea to check out prices from other car rental places too.
8.4 Having Fun at Theme Parks
Costco Travel brings the magic to theme park lovers too. Costco members can grab Disney (for US spots only) and Universal Orlando vacation packages. These often come with extra cool things, making your theme park adventure even more awesome.
8.5 Awesome Vacation Packages
Costco Travel’s vacation packages, including places to stay, transportation, and/or flights, can save you money and throw in extra perks like shop cards. But it’s important to think about whether these extras match up with what you want and need.
9. Conclusion
To wrap it up, Costco Travel is a fantastic resource for travelers who want great prices and special experiences. Whether you’re booking hotels, cruises, or rental cars, Costco Travel gives you lots of discounts and perks. While it’s super convenient, savvy travelers might find extra savings by exploring different options. Make the most of your savings by combining offers and enjoying the exclusive perks Costco Travel brings to the table.
10. Questions People Often Ask (QFP)
10.1 What Exactly is Costco Travel?
Costco Travel is like a travel planner made just for Costco members. It hooks you up with deals on vacation packages, hotels, cruises, rental cars, and recommended tours.
10.2 Do I Need a Costco Membership?
Yes, only Costco members get to use Costco Travel. Even though non-members can check out the website, you need a membership to book a trip.
10.3 Where Do I Log in on the Costco Travel Site?
To log in on the website, look in the top right corner. Put in your Costco Travel membership number and password to get into your account.
10.4 Is Costco Travel Worth It?
Costco Travel can give you good prices, but it’s smart to compare. While it’s affordable, there might be limits on options and availability.
10.5 Can I Cancel Bookings from Costco Travel?
Every reservation has its own rules, so make sure to read them carefully. Knowing the cancellation or refund options is important.
10.6 Can Non-Members Book Through Costco Travel?
Nope, you’ve got to be a Costco member to book through Costco Travel. When you’re booking, you’ll need to put in the traveler’s name.
10.7 Can I Book for Someone Else?
Sure thing, as long as you’re a Costco member. When you’re booking, just enter the name of the person who’s traveling.
