Booking concierge thru Costco?

[lorenni]

Is there any reason this would not be advisable? Their current Costco offer is $880 for the stateroom/cruise I plan to book and the best OBC I can find thru any other TA is $500.

I used Costco for our upcoming cruise but am of course being more cautious with this once as the deposit is nonrefundable!

 

[Bear3412]

I don't see any reason not to. Many have done so. Only thing I recall is I believe Costco has a change fee if the date or people were to change.

 

[lorenni]

That's right! I'll definitely ask about that when I call to see whether it is a fixed fee or percentage of the cost. Thanks.

 

[pillow]

I was told by Costco that the change fee is $25 for the reservation (not pp), and they only charge it if you downgrade. No fees for cancellations. Hope that helps.

Jodie

 

[lilpooh108]

Is there a website w/Costco's OBC offer?

thanks.

 

[pillow]

Is there a website w/Costco's OBC offer?

thanks.

Its actually a cash card they send you about a week or two after your cruise is over, not an OBC (you can redeem the cash card for cash). If you go to the Costco Travel website, you can input dates to get an idea of the cash card amount. I've found it to be about 8% of the total cruise price (give or take a percent).

Jodie

 

[~Mandy~]

Seems like a good idea. I've booked through Costco twice now. First time went off without a hitch, we haven't yet taken the 2nd trip. I like that with Costco you remain in charge of your reservation and don't have to work through a 3rd party agent to get things done on your reservation. Plus the higher credit (even though it's after the fact) makes them top choice for me!

 

[pillow]

I like that with Costco you remain in charge of your reservation and don't have to work through a 3rd party agent to get things done on your reservation. Plus the higher credit (even though it's after the fact) makes them top choice for me!

How do you figure? You still have to call Costco Travel to make changes to your res. I have to admit that its a bit of a pain, but the cash card makes up for it.

Jodie

 

[lorenni]

I did go ahead and make the reservation thru Costco. The almost 400 difference in the current OBC deals versus the current Costco cash card was a no brainer.

They said that I can move the deposit to another date for no charge until its paid in full. And I can swap out the people on the reservation for $25 (no fee from Disney/25 change fee from Costco) until 45 days out, and then for $75 (Disney adds the extra $50) from then until basically 24 hours before sailing. That was good news since this is for an Oct 2014 sailing and who knows what could happen between now and then. I never book anything that far ahead but wanted to snag the last two bed suite while it was still available!

One thing to note for suites - if I wanted disney insurance I had to but it today and it was almost $900. I had planned to go with Costco insurance so I did not do anything about insurance today.

 

[Billinaz]

Ive been booking our Suites myself, then making the deposit with Costco for a few years. No problems, and that $900 cash card is a nice benefit!

 

[I❤MICKEY]

I am a Costco member and didn't realize you could book cruises thru them until I saw a few recent posts.

Do you have to pay with debit or American Express like you do in the store? Can you use your Disney Visa and take advantage of the 0% APR for 6 months?

 

[lorenni]

I paid with my visa both times. Not a disney visa though.

 

[chateau]

Pillow, you crack me up... if there's a thread on Costco, you're on it!!

We are having our double gas benefits right now.... I'm in heaven!! (this is where we purchase our Disney gift cards and get gas credit... sometimes the store makes it double the benefit)

 

[pillow]

Pillow, you crack me up... if there's a thread on Costco, you're on it!!

We are having our double gas benefits right now.... I'm in heaven!! (this is where we purchase our Disney gift cards and get gas credit... sometimes the store makes it double the benefit)

I crack myself up sometimes too!!

I'm waiting for Kroger to do the 4x promo again - should be around Easter. I have a spreadsheet with my projected cruise costs with exactly how much in GC's to buy. Think I need to go back to work. My DH says there is something wrong when you have spreadsheets for EVERYTHING!!

Jodie

 

[Lawdawg]

I am a Costco member and didn't realize you could book cruises thru them until I saw a few recent posts.

Do you have to pay with debit or American Express like you do in the store? Can you use your Disney Visa and take advantage of the 0% APR for 6 months?

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but it was my understanding that to get the 0% for 6 months on the Disney visa, you have to book directly through Disney.

 

[jlemieu1]

If you get the Costco Executive Membership can you get the 2% cash back on a Costco travel purchase? The way I calculate it would only take a $5500 @ 2% to pay for the EM($110) that doesn't even include the OBC.

 

[Lobofan5]

I paid with my visa both times. Not a disney visa though.

Hey, I just saw your avatar. My Womens Leadership Group at work is attending a walk for EB in May. Sadly, I know what it is now. I'm sorry for the loss of your nephew.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I was told by Costco that the change fee is $25 for the reservation (not pp), and they only charge it if you downgrade. No fees for cancellations. Hope that helps.

Jodie

Yep, only if the fare is lower.

How do you figure? You still have to call Costco Travel to make changes to your res. I have to admit that its a bit of a pain, but the cash card makes up for it.

Jodie

Yeah, but I like speaking to a person. E-mail communications have cost me $$$$.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but it was my understanding that to get the 0% for 6 months on the Disney visa, you have to book directly through Disney.

I've booked with DU and received the 0% for 6 months. I use my AMEX now, due to the insurance and travel benefits.

 

[pillow]

If you get the Costco Executive Membership can you get the 2% cash back on a Costco travel purchase? The way I calculate it would only take a $5500 @ 2% to pay for the EM($110) that doesn't even include the OBC.

Online it says (in fine print) that the 2% does not apply to Costco Travel purchases . . .

 

[mousebrat]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but it was my understanding that to get the 0% for 6 months on the Disney visa, you have to book directly through Disney.

You are wrong. The key is that DCL has to be the company that charges your card. For example, you can book through Dreams Unlimited and they simply forward your credit card info to DCL to make payments. That way, you still get the Disney Visa OBC and 6 months to pay.