Costco Vacation Packages

[GunnarCharles]

I recently purchased a Costco membership and read online that they have a vacation package program. I looked on the website and saw the various theme park and cruise packages. I looked at some Universal Orlando options and they were seemingly a decent deal, but the WDW Swan and Dolphin package didn't seem to offer savings that substantial. Then again, I am still a rookie in both Costco shopping and vacation planning so I wouldn't know everything about the prices. I was wondering if anybody has had experiences with purchasing WDW, Disneyland, Universal, or cruise vacations through Costco and what the thoughts and feelings are about it. Thank you!

 

[havaneselover]

My Disney cruise was purchased through Costco. It was a transferred booking (booked onboard) and after travel I'll get 7% of the fare back as a cash card. They've been very easy to deal with and I'll probably use them for my next cruise.

 

[mickeyfino]

I have booked several Royal Caribbean cruises through them. Booked directly with RC but transferred the booking to Costco. I didn't get a cash card like PP, but got OBC (on board credit) for each cabin. The amount of OBC was based on the cost of each cabin. The cost of the cruise was the same as RC, but the OBC came in handy for shore excursions, drinks, etc.

I felt they were good to deal with, very easy process.

 

[ozziejen2000]

We just returned from Orlando using Costco. We stayed offsite and had car rental and 3 Day tickets for Disney through them. It was easy and there were no problems. Great price and great experience.

 

[disneedee]

we booked disneyland trip through costco. stayed at the disneyland hotel in a 3bdrm suite. wonderful family vacation. the only difference between booking with costco and with disney travel is that costco gave us each a dining coupon for the value of a character meal for each of us. worth $47 per adult. booked it online through costco travel, which transfers to walt disney travel.

 

[johnsontrio]

We like to go down for pool time at the Hard Rock Seminole in Fort Lauderdale. Called yesterday to book 2 rooms for our upcoming cruise and the prices with the players card discount was high. After talking a while, the agent told me that if I used Costco Travel the room would have a food and beverage credit, so I thought I would give it a whirl. Not only were the rooms cheaper by over $400 total for 3 nights, we are receiving $30 F&B credit per room, per night and a rental car for that 3 day period. Yippee!! I was coming here to post this and found your thread.

 

[Narnia_girl]

I see that a normal Costco membership is $55 a year. Wondering if the benefits of Costco travel are worth the membership price? Nearest brick/mortar store is 90 miles away, so I'd probably only get there a couple of times a year.

 

[smellyia]

I just looked at my Costco for Swan in October and with park tix the total comes in about $300 cheaper than the AAA discount on room direct from hotel and tickets bought on AAA. I'm not sure if this counts toward cash back though if you have executive membership...if that's the case then it's even more savings.

 

[bearzabout]

We have found great rates on car rentals through Costco's website. We often rent for a month at a time and find it is worth the cost of the membership just for the great car rental rates. We have paid as little as $35/week plus taxes for rental cars on Maui. We recheck rates and 80% of the time, the rate will go down a few days out so we rebook at the lower rate. Rates change every day and we sometimes get lucky and get a premium car for the cost of a compact for our monthly rentals.

Costco also has great deals on eyeglasses, tires, Kirkland liquor and gas. When we travel to expensive places like Hawaii, our membership really saves us a lot there.

 

[havaneselover]

We have found great rates on car rentals through Costco's website. We often rent for a month at a time and find it is worth the cost of the membership just for the great car rental rates. We have paid as little as $35/week plus taxes for rental cars on Maui. We recheck rates and 80% of the time, the rate will go down a few days out so we rebook at the lower rate. Rates change every day and we sometimes get lucky and get a premium car for the cost of a compact for our monthly rentals.

Costco also has great deals on eyeglasses, tires, Kirkland liquor and gas. When we travel to expensive places like Hawaii, our membership really saves us a lot there.

I agree. Their car rental rates are great.

 

[ski_mom]

some of you have mentioned getting a cash card back. I've priced out different vacations - hotel and rental car and also cruises, and have never seen anything about getting a rebate of any kind back. Does it state it when you are pricing out packages, or is it just something that you occasionally get?

 

[havaneselover]

some of you have mentioned getting a cash card back. I've priced out different vacations - hotel and rental car and also cruises, and have never seen anything about getting a rebate of any kind back. Does it state it when you are pricing out packages, or is it just something that you occasionally get?

Travel agents can't discount Disney Cruises so it's the way they incentivize you to use them. Not sure why they do onboard credits for some cruise lines and cash cards for Disney but I'm good either way.

 

[smellyia]

some of you have mentioned getting a cash card back. I've priced out different vacations - hotel and rental car and also cruises, and have never seen anything about getting a rebate of any kind back. Does it state it when you are pricing out packages, or is it just something that you occasionally get?

If you have $110 executive gold membership you get a 2% back annually at your sign up month I think...it is worth it if you get at least $55 back. We use costco for half of our monthly needs so we always get more than the membership cost back however I am just now starting to look at their travel especially their car rental.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

And don't forget you can purchase discounted gift cards at Costco!

 

[Fire14]

I booked a DL pkg thru Costco. I'm getting a premiere dining Cert. for each person in my party ( money I'd be paying out of pocket), a 5x7 picture from a ride ( will give to friend as I am buying photopass), and a Disney GC based on length of pkg. I'd say I'm coming out pretty good

 

[azdisneylover]

I see that a normal Costco membership is $55 a year. Wondering if the benefits of Costco travel are worth the membership price? Nearest brick/mortar store is 90 miles away, so I'd probably only get there a couple of times a year.

You can order things online and have them delivered, like the gift cards, for example.

 

[azdisneylover]

I booked a DL pkg thru Costco. I'm getting a premiere dining Cert. for each person in my party ( money I'd be paying out of pocket), a 5x7 picture from a ride ( will give to friend as I am buying photopass), and a Disney GC based on length of pkg. I'd say I'm coming out pretty good

If you all have APs, you can let them know, give them the AP numbers and they will take the cost of the tickets off.

 

[Fire14]

If you all have APs, you can let them know, give them the AP numbers and they will take the cost of the tickets off.

no one has ap's for dl yet. I will be upgrading mine to an ap once we get there

 

[Madteaparty001]

If you have $110 executive gold membership you get a 2% back annually at your sign up month I think...it is worth it if you get at least $55 back. We use costco for half of our monthly needs so we always get more than the membership cost back however I am just now starting to look at their travel especially their car rental.

The 2% is great but does not apply to travel purchases or gas. Their food court is definitely their best value IMO.

 

[hsmamato2]

I joined costco a couple of years ago for the car rental discounts,I needed a car for a trip,and nothing else came close to their discount! I spent $55 for the membership and saved $117 off the nearest competitor.... over time I have found the best car rental rates with them consistently- but I am curious about packages,etc. Is it true you don't get 2% back on travel bookings? (I have remained a member b/c of the great OG food I get for much cheaper here too)