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Complete Guide to Costco Travel of 2026: How Members Save $500+ on Vacations
July 1, 2025
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Planning a vacation shouldn't mean emptying your savings account. Yet millions of travelers overpay every year simply because they don't know where to look. If you're a Costco member, or considering becoming one, you're sitting on one of travel's best-kept secrets.
Costco Travel is a members-only booking portal that leverages the warehouse giant's buying power to negotiate deals that consistently save travelers $500 to $1,000+ per trip. But here's what most people miss: pairing Costco Travel with the right credit card can double your savings through strategic rewards earning and hidden perks.
This guide covers exactly how to maximize every dollar through Costco Travel, including which credit cards earn the most, a step-by-step booking walkthrough, and the honest truth about when Costco Travel is (and isn't) worth it.
What Is Costco Travel? (And What's New in 2026)
Costco Travel is Costco Wholesale's dedicated travel booking division, available exclusively to Costco members. Unlike traditional travel booking sites that rely on advertising revenue and high commissions, Costco Travel operates on a straightforward model: use the company's massive purchasing power to negotiate bulk discounts, then pass those savings directly to members.
Here's what you can book through Costco Travel:
- Vacation packages (flights + hotel bundled, or hotel-only)
- Cruises with major cruise lines
- Rental cars from Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise
- Hotel-only bookings
- Theme park packages (Disney, Universal)
- Kirkland Signature curated experiences
Costco Travel is Costco Wholesale's dedicated travel booking division, available exclusively to active Costco members. Unlike traditional travel sites that rely on advertising and commissions, Costco Travel uses its massive purchasing power to negotiate bulk discounts and passes the savings directly to members.
What you can book through Costco Travel:
- Vacation packages (flight + hotel, or hotel-only)
- Cruises with major cruise lines
- Rental cars from Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise
- Hotel-only bookings
- Theme park packages (Disney, Universal)
- Kirkland Signature curated experiences
One important limitation: You cannot book standalone flights through Costco Travel. Airfare is only available as part of a bundled vacation package.
Membership Tiers: Which One Is Right for You?
There are two membership tiers: Gold Star ($65/year), which gives you full access to Costco Travel, and Executive ($130/year), which adds 2% cash back on eligible travel purchases (up to $1,250/year).
Break-even math for Executive: You need roughly $3,250 in Costco Travel spending per year to recover the $65 upgrade cost through the 2% reward alone — approximately one significant vacation per year. For most families, it pays for itself on a single trip.
Real example: A family books an 8-night Hawaii package for $6,500 with Executive membership → earns $130 back (2%) → upgrade already paid for, before counting any credit card rewards.
What's New in 2026
- Digital Costco Shop Cards are now standard inclusions on virtually all vacation packages, cruises, and many hotel bookings, redeemable at Costco warehouses or toward future travel bookings
- Disney Cruise Line partnerships have expanded with exclusive onboard credits and Shop Cards not available when booking direct
- Membership prices updated — Gold Star is now $65/year, Executive is $130/year. Factor this into your break-even calculation
- Price competition is increasing — always compare the full package value, not just the base price, as other platforms are catching up on headline rates
The Best Credit Cards for Costco Travel in 2026
Pairing the right credit card with your Costco booking adds a powerful second layer of savings. Here's what to know for each card.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Best for: Members who do most of their travel through Costco and want the highest combined return within the ecosystem.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "751", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Costco Members and Shoppers", "headerHint": "Generous Rewards"} ]]
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best for: Travelers who want transferable points and premium travel insurance on top of Costco's savings.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "510", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "High-Value Perks"} ]]
Best for: Travelers who want transferable points and travel insurance on top of Costco's savings.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for: Budget-conscious travelers who want strong protections without a high annual fee.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "509", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Saavy Travelers", "headerHint": "Top Travel Card"} ]]
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Best for: Travelers who want solid rewards and protections at a competitive annual fee.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2888", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Luxurious Travel Benefits" } ]]
One of the easiest ways to waste money on a car rental is buying the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) at the counter. At $20–$40/day, that's up to $280 on a week-long rental, and most travel credit cards already cover you. Kudos will tell you exactly what your card covers so you never pay for protection you already have.
How to Actually Book Through Costco Travel: Step-by-Step
Booking a Rental Car
Rental cars are the easiest entry point and a standout value — Costco consistently offers competitive rates that include one free additional driver, which typically costs extra elsewhere.
- Log in at CostcoTravel.com with your Costco membership credentials
- Select Rental Cars and enter your pickup/drop-off location, dates, times, and driver age
- Compare results from Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise side by side
- Select your vehicle — the free additional driver benefit is automatically applied to Costco member rates
- Enter driver details and confirm — no payment is required online; you pay at the counter
- You'll receive a Costco confirmation number AND the rental company's confirmation number — save both
💡 Tip: You can add your frequent flyer or loyalty number to the rental company's reservation after booking using their confirmation code.
Booking a Vacation Package or Hotel
- Log in and select Vacation Packages or Hotels
- Choose your destination and browse featured properties or search by date
- Select a property and enter travel dates, departure airport (if flights are included), number of travelers, and room type
- Review package details carefully — note what's included (meals, transfers, resort credits, Digital Shop Card) and what you'll pay at the hotel (resort fees, gratuities, incidentals)
- Enter traveler information and payment details
- Confirm — you'll receive a detailed breakdown of all inclusions and cancellation terms
⚠️ Important: Read the cancellation terms for your specific rate. Many hotel-only bookings can be canceled online up to 24 hours before arrival, but package rates involving flights often have much stricter policies tied to the airline's rules.
Booking a Cruise
- Select Cruises and filter by destination, length, and cruise line
- Browse packages — many include onboard credit, specialty dining, or a Digital Costco Shop Card not available when booking directly
- Review the payment schedule — cruise fares typically require a deposit upfront, with the remaining balance due closer to departure. Final payment dates and refund windows vary by cruise line
- Confirm — Executive Members earn a 2% reward on qualifying cruise purchases after travel is completed
How to Save $500+: The Stacking Strategy
The biggest savings come from combining multiple layers:
Layer 1 — Costco member pricing. Negotiated bulk rates below what individual travelers can access.
Layer 2 — Bundled extras. Digital Costco Shop Cards, resort credits, free breakfast, and included transfers that would cost extra if booked separately. On a Maui package, for example, the included extras can easily represent $500–$1,000+ in additional value over booking directly.
Layer 3 — Executive 2% reward. Calculated after travel and issued annually by Costco — separate from any credit card rewards.
Layer 4 — Credit card rewards. The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 3% back on Costco Travel bookings. Stacked with the Executive reward, that's up to 5% back on the same trip.
Layer 5 — Digital Shop Card recycling. Apply your Digital Costco Shop Card toward a future Costco Travel booking to effectively lower that trip's cost — and start the stacking cycle again.
Costco Travel vs. Booking Directly: The Honest Comparison
Costco Travel is often — but not always — the better option. Here's how to think about it.
Costco Travel wins when:
- The package includes a Digital Costco Shop Card or meaningful extras (free breakfast, resort credit, transfers)
- You're booking a hotel that isn't part of a major loyalty program — you're not giving up points you'd otherwise earn
- You want a bundled package that simplifies logistics
- You're booking a rental car and value the free additional driver
- You're booking a cruise where Costco has exclusive onboard credits
Book directly (or elsewhere) when:
- The hotel is part of a major loyalty program (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, IHG) and you'd earn elite night credits or have status benefits honored — third-party bookings including Costco typically forfeit these
- The hotel or airline is running a direct promotion that beats Costco's package value
- You need flexibility — packages tied to flights have strict change and cancellation rules
- You need a rental car from Hertz or another agency not partnered with Costco
- The property has minimum stay requirements that don't match your itinerary
💡 Always price-check. Even when Costco's base price looks competitive, compare the full value: add up the included extras and compare to booking each component separately — and separately running a direct promotion.
The Hidden Benefits Most Members Never Use
Digital Costco Shop Cards
The most underused Costco Travel perk. These function like a Costco gift card and are issued after booking (or after travel, depending on the product). You can use them for Costco warehouse purchases — groceries, electronics, pharmacy — or apply them toward a future Costco Travel booking, effectively reducing its cost.
Free Additional Driver on Rental Cars
Every Costco Travel rental car booking includes one free additional driver, a fee that typically ranges from $10–$15 per day at the rental counter. On a week-long rental, that's up to $100 in savings most travelers don't realize they're getting.
Phone Booking with a Travel Agent
Costco Travel's call center is genuinely useful — staffed by agents who specialize in Costco's partner products and can build custom itineraries, explain package terms, and help adjust bookings. If you're planning a complex trip, calling is often more efficient than navigating the website.
Limited-Time Deals
Costco Travel's deals section rotates frequently with narrow booking windows. These are often the highest-value offers — worth checking regularly if you have travel flexibility and aren't locked into specific dates or destinations.
Rental Cars, Cruises & Kirkland Signature Packages
Rental Cars
Costco partners exclusively with Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. While this limits your options (notably, no Hertz), the rates are consistently competitive and the free additional driver benefit alone can be worth more than the savings on the base rate.
Executive Members earn a 2% reward on rental car bookings through Costco Travel. No payment is required at the time of online booking — you pay at the counter per the rental company's policies.
Cruises
Cruises are arguably where Costco Travel delivers the most consistent added value. The platform partners with all major cruise lines — Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Norwegian, Disney Cruise Line, and others — and frequently includes exclusive extras like onboard credits, specialty dining packages, and Digital Shop Cards that aren't available when booking directly.
Key things to know about Costco cruise bookings:
- Payment schedules and cancellation windows are set by the cruise line, not Costco
- Final payment often triggers fully non-refundable terms — read these carefully before confirming
- Executive Members earn a 2% reward on qualifying cruise purchases after travel is completed
- Disney Cruise Line packages in particular have shown strong added value through Costco in 2025–2026
Kirkland Signature Travel Packages
Kirkland Signature packages are Costco Travel's curated, top-tier offerings — designed for travelers who want a higher-end experience with more hand-holding than a standard package. These typically feature premium hotels, more comprehensive inclusions (transfers, guided excursions, upgraded meal plans), and closer quality vetting by Costco's travel team.
They're not the cheapest option in any given destination, but they represent a strong value for travelers who would otherwise piece together a premium trip independently — and who prefer having Costco's customer support as a backstop if anything goes wrong.
Who Should Use Costco Travel?
Costco Travel is a great fit if you:
- Are already a Costco member (or the travel savings justify getting a membership)
- Travel 1–3 times per year to popular resort destinations, theme parks, or cruise ports
- Value simplicity — bundled packages reduce the planning burden
- Don't have deep loyalty status with hotel or airline programs (or are booking properties outside major loyalty networks)
- Use the Costco Anywhere Visa and/or have an Executive membership to stack rewards
Costco Travel is less ideal if you:
- Have meaningful loyalty status at hotels or airlines and would lose elite benefits by booking through a third party
- Need a highly customized or boutique itinerary
- Prefer booking through your credit card's travel portal to maximize points
- Need maximum flexibility on cancellations and changes
- Travel to destinations where Costco has limited inventory
5 Costly Mistakes Most Costco Travel Users Make
Mistake 1: Not checking the cancellation terms before confirming. Package bookings involve multiple suppliers, each with their own policies. Airlines in particular can make packages largely non-refundable once tickets are issued.
Mistake 2: Forgetting to compare the full value — not just the base price. A trip that looks $200 more expensive on Costco might include a $300 Digital Shop Card and free breakfast, making it the better deal overall.
Mistake 3: Booking loyalty hotels through Costco and losing status benefits. If you have Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, or any meaningful elite status, booking through Costco typically forfeits elite night credits and may result in your status benefits (like room upgrades and late checkout) not being honored.
Mistake 4: Missing the free additional driver benefit on rental cars. Most travelers don't know this is included — and don't add a second driver at the counter even when they want to, assuming it will cost extra.
Mistake 5: Not recycling Digital Shop Cards into future bookings. Applying a Shop Card toward your next Costco Travel booking effectively compounds your savings trip over trip.
Use Kudos to Maximize Every Costco Travel Booking
While Costco Travel handles the trip, Kudos helps you make sure you're using the right credit card for every booking — and never leaving rewards on the table.
What Kudos does for Costco Travel users:
- Identifies which card earns the most on each Costco Travel category (packages vs. rental cars vs. cruises)
- Tracks your Costco Anywhere Visa gas cap ($7,000 combined limit) so you know when to switch cards
- Monitors your Executive reward estimate alongside your card rewards to show true net savings
- Sends pre-trip reminders about which cards to bring for on-trip spending
- Discovers unused card benefits — Kudos users find an average of $624 in unused card benefits annually
Sign up free with code GET20 and earn $20 back after your first eligible Kudos Boost purchase of $30 or more.
Frequently Asked Questions + Bottom Line
Do I need a Costco membership to use Costco Travel?
Yes. An active Costco membership — either Gold Star ($65/year) or Executive ($130/year) — is required to book through Costco Travel. Your membership must also be active at the time travel begins for Executive rewards to apply.
Is Costco Travel always cheaper than booking directly?
Not always. The value often lies in bundled extras — Digital Shop Cards, resort credits, free breakfasts — rather than a lower base price. Always compare the full package value, not just the headline number.
Can I earn hotel loyalty points when booking through Costco Travel?
Generally no. Like most third-party booking services, Costco Travel bookings typically do not earn loyalty points or count toward elite night credits at major hotel programs (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, IHG). If you have meaningful status, factor this into your decision.
Can I book flights separately on Costco Travel?
No. Standalone flights are not available. Flights are only bookable as part of a bundled vacation package.
What is a Digital Costco Shop Card and how do I use it?
A Digital Costco Shop Card functions like a Costco gift card. It's issued after booking (or after travel, depending on the product) and can be used for warehouse purchases or applied toward a future Costco Travel booking. It is not issued as a statement credit to your credit card.
What happens if I need to cancel or change a package booking?
Cancellation and change policies vary by the suppliers involved (airlines, hotels, cruise lines). Packages that include flights are often subject to the airline's non-refundable fare rules once tickets are issued. Always review the specific terms before confirming. Contact Costco Travel's call center — not the hotel or airline directly — for changes to package bookings.
Which rental car companies does Costco Travel partner with?
Costco partners with Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. Hertz and other companies are not available. All partner bookings include one free additional driver for Costco members.
Can I book Costco Travel by phone?
Yes. Costco Travel has a dedicated call center available Monday–Friday 5 a.m.–7 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday 6 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific Time. Phone booking is particularly useful for complex itineraries, cruise questions, or making changes to existing reservations.
Bottom Line: Is Costco Travel Worth It?
For most Costco members who take at least one vacation per year, the answer is yes — with the right expectations. Costco Travel consistently delivers competitive pricing on packages and rental cars, and the bundled extras (Digital Shop Cards, resort credits, free breakfast) often push the total value significantly above what you'd get booking each component separately.
The caveats are real: you won't earn hotel loyalty points on most bookings, some destinations have limited availability, and cancellation flexibility on flight-inclusive packages is often limited. For boutique or loyalty-forward travel, booking directly is usually the better move.
The winning formula for Costco members: use Executive membership for the 2% reward, pair with the Costco Anywhere Visa for 3% back on Costco Travel purchases, apply Digital Shop Cards to future bookings, and use Kudos to ensure every card in your wallet is working as hard as possible.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
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