ABD through Costco Travel

[Grifdog22]

We have booked four trips on ABD through Costco travel over the years with happy results. We presently are having issues, and I thought I would post to inquire if others had similar problems. We booked a December trip in June, and received a confirmation from ABD to show the trip included the Costco rebate, along with the amount. The terms show the rebate shows up 2-4 weeks after the trip. Six weeks after the trip I call Costco travel to inquire. They advise they play no role, and ABD is responsible. A call to ABD indicates they are aware Costco is having problems with the December trips, and that Costco should send the rebates in the following 2-3 weeks. Indeed, 10 days later a Costco cash card arrives, less $150.00.

ABD says call Costco, it's their issue. Costco says that the ABD statement for the amount is wrong, and that's that. Neither side will address it, and I know where I am taking it next. I've waited another week for resolution, with none.

I hope I am the only one who has encountered this problem. Two great companies with great customer service, until now. Just wanted to hear from others about this before I mash the get ugly big red go nuclear button.

 

[Bobo912]

I always book through Costco too and have never had to call either Costco or ABD for anything related to the cash card. But once I received a notification from Costco saying that they had mistakenly sent a cash card with a value of $150 and that I should not activate it, since it was a mistake, and the correct card was being mailed. I received the $150 card in the next day or two. And soon after I received the one with the correct amount. Costco caught the mistake and fixed it with no intervention from me. I hope they can straighten it out so you receive the correct amount.

The amount of your rebate was on your ABD confirmation? All of my email confirmations are still in my inbox, and I checked the last 4 (including the upcoming trip) and my confirmations just say "This reservation was confirmed with the COSTCO CASH CARD:EM Offer." No amount. I think the rebate has always been around 8%, but I've never known what the value of the cash card would be until I received it. I wonder why mine is different.

 

[Grifdog22]

Until this trip, I've never known exactly what the rebate would be. At time of booking, I asked and the vacationista told me, and it was on my final payment form as well. I've never seen that before either. But this trip was different in many respects....

I don't think we got 8% in the past...our South Africa trip was way more expensive than this one, and we got less...

I like both these companies....

 

[Bobo912]

I guess I should have asked.

ETA: The max is $2000. Could that be why? We never get close to that since there are just two of us. For the Peru trip last year our Cash Card was $650, which was around 8.5%. It's a mystery to me how they determine the amount. I think our's have ranged from around 7.5% to 8.5%.

 

[DisneyKevin]

If you book with Dreams Unlimited Travel, the booking discount comes off at the very beginning of your booking process. There is no fussing with rebates and gd/or gift cards.

This means you have the extra money to spend wherever you choose and are not limited to one location.

You can see the 2014 booking discounts here:

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/abd/specials.htm

If you have questions, I can be reached at Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

 

[abbyjt]

The Costco rebate is not a percentage, that's why it's hard to figure out. You get a set amount based on different levels of cost for the trip. For example if your trip cost $10,000.00 you get X dollars back, if it cost $15,000 you get Y. Any amount in-between reverts back to the lower amount. When I just booked a trip that was just a bit more than 10,000, the travel agent said I would receive $850 back.
It is also, per reservation, so if you have 2 reservations, as a family of 5 will have, you get the rebate per reservation, not with the 2 added together, which could work against you.
Remember, the rebate is only good to spend at Costco. It's not like real money that you can spend anywhere or pay bill with.

 

[Bobo912]

I wouldn't necessarily recommend joining Costco just to get the ABD rebate. But for people who are already members and shop their regularly it is a good perk. I live 1/2 mile from Costco and buy a lot of food and all of my gas there, so it's not problem for me to use Cash Card.

 

[k5jm]

I'm a Costco member, and I have found no reason to use them to book any ABD trip. I prefer to book with my agent who knows the ins and outs of ABD. I'm pretty sure I get the same discount upfront and do not have to deal with the "keeping my fingers crossed" and "finger pointing" that seems to be going on with Costco and ABD.

 

[paddles]

I've used Costco to book 3 ABDs now and a cruise, and I love them. Getting ~8% back is better than any offer out there and I've never had any issues with getting the cash cards, etc.

In terms of service, you talk directly to ABD for any questions, so you get great support. I know everyone is different, but I loved getting $1700 back for our family of 4 after our Scotland trip last year. And I have no worries about using up the money because we use the cards for weekly gas (its amazing how easy it is to spend those cards down with just that), and monthly Costco runs.

 

[Bobo912]

I think maybe the problem here is that ABD quoted an amount for the Cash Card and they shouldn't have because Costco determines the amount. ABD has given me erroneous information on other subjects many times. I think when they don't know, they just make something up.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm a Costco member, and I have found no reason to use them to book any ABD trip. I prefer to book with my agent who knows the ins and outs of ABD. I'm pretty sure I get the same discount upfront and do not have to deal with the "keeping my fingers crossed" and "finger pointing" that seems to be going on with Costco and ABD.

Dealing with an agent who offers service makes a lot of sense. Basing a buying decision on factors other then just price makes a lot of sense.

Based on COSTCO posters in this thread, and the link on DU booking discounts offered in this thread, the COSTCO cash card is more then double the DU discount.

 

[k5jm]

Dealing with an agent who offers service makes a lot of sense. Basing a buying decision on factors other then just price makes a lot of sense.

Based on COSTCO posters in this thread, and the link on DU booking discounts offered in this thread, the COSTCO cash card is more then double the DU discount.

Not sure that the Costco Discount trumps my "peace of mind" by using an Agent/advocate.

 

[Lewisc]

Not sure that the Costco Discount trumps my "peace of mind" by using an Agent/advocate.

That was my point. Sometimes service is more important then price.
You claimed your upfront discount was about the same as the after trip COSTCO cash card. Based on information in this thread you are mistaken. COSTCO seems to have at least twice the discount.

 

[k5jm]

That was my point. Sometimes service is more important then price.
You claimed your upfront discount was about the same as the after trip COSTCO cash card. Based on information in this thread you are mistaken. COSTCO seems to have at least twice the discount.

Not too sure about the discount price based on what I have paid vs the Costco price.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm pretty sure I get the same discount upfront and do not have to deal with the "keeping my fingers crossed" and "finger pointing" that seems to be going on with Costco and ABD.

Not too sure about the discount price based on what I have paid vs the Costco price.

Posters have said the COSTCO cash card is generally 7-8% up to a maximum of $2000. A poster in this thread offered a link to a table listing DU discounts. Discounts seem to be 3-4% up to a maximum of $1000.

Did you ever get a quote from COSTCO and DU at the same time for the same trip? Sounds like you don't have the slightest idea ho much extra you could have saved with COSTCO.

I have no issue with your decision to go with the TA that gives you the level of service you want. I have an issue with your apparent misstatement as to the discount differences.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Posters have said the COSTCO cash card is generally 7-8% up to a maximum of $2000. A poster in this thread offered a link to a table listing DU discounts. Discounts seem to be 3-4% up to a maximum of $1000.

Did you ever get a quote from COSTCO and DU at the same time for the same trip? Sounds like you don't have the slightest idea ho much extra you could have saved with COSTCO.

I have no issue with your decision to go with the TA that gives you the level of service you want. I have an issue with your apparent misstatement as to the discount differences.

There is a difference in that with the Dreams Unlimited Travel booking discount, you are talking about money not spent.

You don't have to put the money out and be reimbursed after you travel.

You have the option to use the money saved anywhere, as opposed to Costco, where you are forced to use your savings there.

This is appealing to some guests...especially guests for whom Costco is not convenient.

 

[Lewisc]

There is a difference in that with the Dreams Unlimited Travel booking discount, you are talking about money not spent.

You don't have to put the money out and be reimbursed after you travel.

You have the option to use the money saved anywhere, as opposed to Costco, where you are forced to use your savings there.

This is appealing to some guests...especially guests for whom Costco is not convenient.

I agree with all your points. Joining COSTCO for the primary purpose of vacation bookings may be more trouble then it's worth. People who are already members, who shop at COSTCO every week, should be able to use the cash card.

My comment was directed at the poster who claimed the advance discount booking through DU winds up being about the same as the COSTCO cash card.