If you’re a Costco member and love traveling on a budget, you might be sitting on one of the best money-saving tools without realizing it: Costco Travel. From discounted vacation packages to low-cost rental cars and exclusive member perks, Costco Travel helps thousands of travelers save big every year.
But the real question is: How do you get the cheapest possible vacations using Costco Travel?
In this detailed guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know—step-by-step—to help you secure affordable, value-packed travel deals through Costco Travel.
What Is Costco Travel?
Costco Travel is an exclusive booking platform available only to Costco members. It offers:
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Vacation packages
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Hotels and resorts
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Cruises
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Rental cars
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Theme park packages
Costco negotiates directly with airlines, hotels, and cruise lines to offer lower prices and added perks—something regular booking websites can’t match.
Why Costco Travel Helps You Save Money
Costco Travel is designed on the same principle as their warehouse stores:
bulk buying = bigger discounts.
Here’s how it cuts costs for travelers:
✔ Wholesale pricing
Costco buys large amounts of rooms, cars, or cruise cabins and passes the savings directly to members.
✔ Extra perks included
Many packages come with free:
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Breakfast
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Resort credits
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Room upgrades
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Transfers
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Costco Shop Cards
These perks alone can save $200–$500 per trip.
✔ No hidden fees
Prices shown include taxes and fees, so you avoid the surprise charges many sites add later.
✔ Executive Member 2% Rewards
Executive Members get 2% cashback on all Costco Travel purchases—more savings.
How to Book Cheap Vacations Using Costco Travel (Step-by-Step)
1. Start With Flexible Travel Dates
Flexibility is your biggest weapon when looking for cheap vacations.
On Costco Travel, prices drop significantly when you:
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Travel on weekdays instead of weekends
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Choose off-season dates
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Book trips after major holidays
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Avoid school vacation weeks
Example:
Hawaii trip in February vs. June can differ by $300–$800 per person.
Pro Tip:
Use Costco’s date calendar to compare different days and choose the cheapest.
2. Compare Packages Instead of Booking Everything Separately
Costco Travel offers bundled vacation packages that usually include:
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Hotel
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Flights
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Ground transportation
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Resort perks
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Tax & fees
Booking everything in one package is usually cheaper than booking separately on Expedia or Booking.com.
This works especially well for:
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Hawaii
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Mexico
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Caribbean
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Europe
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Disney/Orlando packages
You can often save $200–$1000 per trip simply by bundling.
3. Use the Executive Membership for Extra Savings
If you’re an Executive Member, you earn:
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2% annual reward
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Costco Shop Cards on selected vacations
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Exclusive discounts on certain packages
If you spend ₹1000+ per year on travel (which most travelers do), the membership pays for itself easily.
4. Look for “Included Extras” Deals
Costco highlights special deals called:
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“Included Extras”
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“Member Value”
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“Costco Exclusive Perks”
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“Resort Credit Included”
These deals often include:
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Complimentary breakfast (saves $200/week)
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Room upgrades
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Free theme park tickets
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$50–$500 resort credits
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Free dining vouchers
These extras help reduce your total spending during the vacation.
5. Check Rental Cars—They’re Often the Cheapest Anywhere
Costco Travel is famous for having the cheapest rental car deals in the U.S. and Canada.
You automatically get:
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Free extra drivers
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No cancellation fees
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Price comparison from Avis, Budget, Alamo, Enterprise
Sometimes rental car savings alone can reduce your trip cost by $150–$300.
6. Book Cruises for Maximum Costco Value
Cruises are where Costco Travel truly shines.
Why?
Because you often get:
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Costco Shop Cards worth $50–$1000
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Onboard credits
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Discounted cruise rates
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Exclusive member benefits
Cruises to consider on Costco:
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Alaska
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Caribbean
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Mexico
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Europe
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Disney Cruises
If you’re planning a cruise, ALWAYS compare with Costco first—the savings are huge.
7. Always Compare with Other Travel Websites
Even though Costco Travel usually offers the cheapest prices, it’s smart to compare with:
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Expedia
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Priceline
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Booking.com
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Hotel official websites
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Airline direct websites
Sometimes airline-only bookings are cheaper outside Costco, but packages and cruises almost always win on Costco.
8. Book Early—But Don’t Forget to Recheck Prices
Booking early helps secure:
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Lower flight prices
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More hotel options
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Best cruise cabin choices
But here’s the trick:
Costco Travel allows free cancellation on most bookings.
So if the price drops later, you can:
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Cancel and rebook
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Get the updated lower price
This is one of the smartest ways to save extra money.
9. Take Advantage of Seasonal Deals
Costco Travel regularly offers seasonal promotions like:
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Black Friday deals
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End-of-summer discounts
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Winter holiday promotions
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Last-minute specials
These limited-time offers can lower package prices by 10%–30%.
Best Destinations to Book Cheap Using Costco Travel
Certain destinations are known for offering massive savings through Costco:
1. Hawaii
Packages often include breakfast, rental cars, and resort credits.
2. Mexico (Cancun, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta)
All-inclusive deals + bonus perks.
3. Caribbean Islands
Great for honeymoon and family trips.
4. Las Vegas
Cheap packages with luxury hotels.
5. Cruises
Probably the biggest savings of all.
How Much Money Can You Actually Save? (Realistic Examples)
Hawaii Vacation
Expedia Price: $3,200
Costco Price: $2,350
Savings: $850
Mexico All-Inclusive
Others: $2,000
Costco: $1,500
Savings: $500 + resort credit
Car Rental (1 Week)
Others: $550
Costco: $350
Savings: $200
Cruise Package
Regular: $2,800
Costco: $2,600 + $200 Costco Shop Card
Savings: $400 total
Most travelers can save $300 to $1,200 per trip.
Final Thoughts
Booking cheap vacations using Costco Travel is easy once you understand how to maximize the platform. With wholesale pricing, extra perks, and premium service, Costco Travel stands out as one of the most affordable and reliable travel booking services for families, couples, and solo travelers.
