Costco as TA questions

[TrySomethingNew]

I've got a reservation on DCL and would like to transfer it to Costco (still within 30 day window, not yet paid in full) for the cash card benefit. However, when I called Costco to ask about using DVA funds to pay, they indicated they are not able to use DVA for payment, but they can use certain credit cards, and Disney gift cards. Does anyone have experience with this?

My considerations center around making trip more cost effective and include:

- Costco cash card - approx 8-9pct of cruise fare.
- DVA 20 per 1000 benefit (would be less than Costco card).
- credit card benefits: varies, but either DVA payments or Costco Travel payments will likely appear as "travel expenses" on statement garnering same benefit. I don't have a Costco cc, but could consider it if the benefits make it worthwhile.

** I was hoping to use all three benefits, but may only get to use 2. I could use the discounted Disney gift card process (Target Red card, as an example) but closest Target is 40+ miles away so online is only option there and have heard it is hit or miss getting the cards anyway. No SAMs club nearby, Costco is 55+ miles away....but we do have a Kroger!

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I would call back and ask again..
I was told by Costco I could use whatever payment DCL accepts..
Worst case they may need to do a 3 way with you and DCL when making payment.

If they still say no.. Ask for a surpervior or for the 3 way call with DCL and have DCL explain what a DVA is..

 

[olookasquirrel]

The Costco agent told me the same thing, and then she went on to say I couldn't even use gift cards, which I knew was not true - I asked her to double check with her manager and/or Disney, which she was happy to do. She confirmed that they will take the DVA after about an hour on hold. It was quite a phone call. But they basically play middle man between you and Disney (your cc statement will show charges from Disney), so they'll take any form of payment Disney will.

And I'm about $6k in with Disney gift cards from Target online - no issues yet (knock on wood!!!!!) so definitely something to consider. Maybe start with small amounts until you feel comfortable? And right now, if you have a Chase Freedom, they're offering 5% cash back from SAM's club, so if someone has a number you can borrow, the 5% discount on Disney gift cards + 5% cash back is worth it.

 

[Ravenne]

Costco TA is a jack of all trades, master of none. They're not really experts with anything because they're manned by a call center working with a variety of cruise lines. With that said, I booked my cruise directly with DCL, transferred to Costco, and PIF this past January using DVA with no problems. When I transferred to Costco, they did go through the spiel about the PIF date (which is about 2 weeks earlier than DCL gives you because Costco wants to allow a buffer in case anything goes wrong.) I just did the nod, ok, thanks thing, figuring they wouldn't understand my gc and DVA madness anyway so I didn't even bother talking to them about it. When it came time to PIF, I just called DVA's line for DCL directly and made my payment on my own, bypassing Costco. Per DVA's user agreement, you're not supposed to give your DVA account number to anyone, including travel agents anyway. You're supposed to call DVA directly to make payments. Make your payment directly with DVA/DCL. Right after I got off the phone with DVA/DCL, I called Costco to confirm my payment. Again, I didn't tell them how I made the payment, I just said, "hi, I just want to confirm my payment balance please?" The Costco rep said, "you're paid in full, and you're all set." I asked for a confirmation to be emailed to me, and voila.

 

[Bree]

You don't go through Costco to make payments from your DVA. You are not supposed to give that account number out to a third party.

https://disneyvacationaccount.disney.go.com/questions/

How can I make a payment using my Disney Vacation Account on my reservation booked directly with Disney through my travel agent?
Once your travel agent has booked your reservations and you are ready to make a payment, your travel agent can provide you with your reservation number. Please call the telephone number specified below to make your payment using your DVA account. If you have any additional questions or requests about your reservation, please contact your travel agent. Participating Disney Destinations and Disney Vacation Account Payment numbers:

• Walt Disney World® in Florida: 407-939-7626
• Disneyland® Resort in California: 714-520-7032
• Disney Cruise Line®: 800-511-9333
• Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina Hawaii: 714-520-7032
• Adventures By Disney®: 855-223-2231

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Costco TA is a jack of all trades, master of none. They're not really experts with anything because they're manned by a call center working with a variety of cruise lines. With that said, I booked my cruise directly with DCL, transferred to Costco, and PIF this past January using DVA with no problems. When I transferred to Costco, they did go through the spiel about the PIF date (which is about 2 weeks earlier than DCL gives you because Costco wants to allow a buffer in case anything goes wrong.) I just did the nod, ok, thanks thing, figuring they wouldn't understand my gc and DVA madness anyway so I didn't even bother talking to them about it. When it came time to PIF, I just called DVA's line for DCL directly and made my payment on my own, bypassing Costco. Per DVA's user agreement, you're not supposed to give your DVA account number to anyone, including travel agents anyway. You're supposed to call DVA directly to make payments. Make your payment directly with DVA/DCL. Right after I got off the phone with DVA/DCL, I called Costco to confirm my payment. Again, I didn't tell them how I made the payment, I just said, "hi, I just want to confirm my payment balance please?" The Costco rep said, "you're paid in full, and you're all set." I asked for a confirmation to be emailed to me, and voila.

Thanks - good to know I can bypass Costco.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Thanks everyone! This is very helpful, and I'm glad to know others have had recent success. The rep put me on hold to ask a supervisor and she came back to tell me "No". I figured others on Dis would have experience with this.