Booking through Costco w/Placeholder

[DisneeRunner]

Hi!

I am considering transferring my placeholder to Costco (I understand it must be done within 30 days of purchase) but I swear I recently saw someone post that Costco will no longer give you the shop card if you purchase through them using a placeholder. Is this the case? I can't find the post anymore so I may be making that up, but I don't want to transfer the placeholder if there is not actually going to be a perk booking with them.

 

[cvjw]

I have booked multiple cruises thru Costco using a placeholder. Always received the shop card. I have not heard of any changes.

 

[MichelleCanada]

We booked our cruise for April just a couple of months ago using a placeholder. And it shows how much our Costco cash card will be worth right on the reservation.

 

[lanejudy]

I swear I recently saw someone post that Costco will no longer give you the shop card if you purchase through them using a placeholder.

I didn't see that post...but that is how other TAs work. DCL actually gives less commission for placeholder bookings, therefore the TA gives a lower OBC to the customer. In the past it's been speculated that maybe DCL doesn't reduce commissions to Costco. It's possible DCL is bringing that inline with the rest of their commission structure for other TAs.

Again, not saying what you read is true...just that it's possible...

 

[happycamper47]

I didn't see that post...but that is how other TAs work. DCL actually gives less commission for placeholder bookings, therefore the TA gives a lower OBC to the customer. In the past it's been speculated that maybe DCL doesn't reduce commissions to Costco. It's possible DCL is bringing that inline with the rest of their commission structure for other TAs.

I look at it the other way. You book your own Placeholder Reservation, the price is the same and you get NO OBC.. So let your TA do the work and at least they make a little money

 

[mtil]

I contacted Costco on Monday and used a placeholder for a September cruise and will be getting shop card

 

[SeanSD]

If it’s an old placeholder (6 months) and book through DCL, can you still transfer to costco and get the costco card? Costco and DCL people both appeared unclear that if it’s transferred if I would still get the placeholder discount. I don’t care that much as the 10% discount is more but if I can get the placeholder discount and costco card, all the better. Apparently transferring the placeholder to costco within 30 days would have made things easier.

 

[lanejudy]

If it’s an old placeholder (6 months) and book through DCL, can you still transfer to costco

No. A placeholder must be transferred to a TA within 30 days of the initial deposit on the placeholder (the $250 when you are onboard).

 

[SeanSD]

Oh ok thanks.

 

[lanejudy]

Oh ok thanks.

To expand... it actually has nothing to do with the placeholder benefits remaining in place and all about commission to the TA. Transferring the reservation becomes an agreement between DCL to pay commission to the TA. DCL won't pay commission on anything transferred more than 30 days after booking. If DCL won't pay commission, the TA has zero reason to accept a transfer (work without pay) and definitely would not be giving any perks (costco card, obc or whatever).

 

[SeanSD]

Ok thanks for that explanation. I’m sure Costco will survive they get enough business from me lol.

 

[Carohs]

Ok thanks for that explanation. I’m sure Costco will survive they get enough business from me lol.

Did you book your last cruise through Costco too? I know when we bought our placeholder we were asked if we wanted to use the same TA. Therefore although there wasn't a cruise date booked, the reservation was automatically transferred to Costco when I said yes. If you didn't hit yes on the last placeholders purchase, keep an eye out for the option to name a TA if you decide to purchase another placeholder.

 

[SeanSD]

Did you book your last cruise through Costco too? I know when we bought our placeholder we were asked if we wanted to use the same TA. Therefore although there wasn't a cruise date booked, the reservation was automatically transferred to Costco when I said yes. If you didn't hit yes on the last placeholders purchase, keep an eye out for the option to name a TA if you decide to purchase another placeholder.

Oh ok I don’t think we did. There was some issue with the app and we ended up having to go to Guest Services for placeholder and I didn’t even think to ask them to do that. It’s ok not a biggie as the cruise is a short 4 dayer and 10% is better deal anyway. Thanks everyone for all the info helps clear things up for next ones!

 

[CruiseGoon]

OP, I've never had that problem. In fact, the Alaska cruise we're taking next week is a rebooking that we got the 50% discount due to the early Wish trips being canceled.

When I've done an OBB, I just specify Costco as the travel agent and pick a placeholder. When we decide what cruise we want to take, we just call Costco Travel and tell them we want to switch our existing placeholder reservation. Sometimes, we wait quite a long time, because we want to wait around 2 years between cruises and itineraries haven't been released.