Placeholder + Costco

[Ravenne]

It's nice to hear from someone that it works even though some have reported Costco not being able to "keep" a placeholder in the system. Thanks.

Yep, it works fine. I booked a placeholder summer of 2016 and listed Costco as my TA. When I got back on land, I'd received a confirmation email from DCL with my confirmation number. When I got home, I called Costco Travel just to see if they knew what was going on, and what's up. Right away, they were able to pull up my placeholder by confirmation number and they told me they'd attached it to my Costco membership number. Since it wasn't an actual booking yet, they couldn't send me any confirmations or anything so I just took their word on it, and sent myself an email documenting who I spoke to at Costco, and what they told me. When it came time to apply my placeholder, almost a year later, I called Costco Travel back, gave them the DCL confirmation # and they knew exactly what to do right away. They asked me all the same questions DCL asked me when I booked directly (previously, before learning about Costco Travel.) I gave them the details of what I wanted, they called DCL, and told me to get some coffee, put them on mute or whatever, and go about doing what I needed to do, that she'd check back with me every 15 minutes or so while we were on hold together for DCL on opening day. I'd given her a list of 3-4 cabins I wanted, and she assured me that even if we got disconnected, she'll get me booked, and call me back. It went seamlessly. Those Costco Travel peeps were on top of it.

 

[Bsmitty]

I've never booked with Costco. What are the perks for them being your TA vs like DU? (That's who I've used before).

 

[hardis5]

If Costco isn't handling your current cruise, I don't know if you can name them onboard or will need to transfer after you get home anyway. You could wait a couple of weeks to see if new itineraries come out. But don't wait until that 30-day mark as it takes a few days to do the transfer and you don't want to cut it too close.

If you are a Gold or Platinum CC member, Costco can book on the Gold/Platinum opening day, you don't have to wait for general public booking. Unless DCL changes things, all bookings must be done by phone on that advanced Gold/Platinum booking day, no online.

Enjoy your cruise!

I don't believe you can name any travel agent other than if you have one for your existing reservation when on-board and if you booked yourself your existing reservation and doing an OBB, they cannot assign it to anyone - you have to transfer the reservation once ashore through the travel agency/company you wish to transfer to.

To the original poster - if looking at an October 2018 sailing and just now sailing, to transfer to an agent only takes a few days at most but if timing sucks and they by chance release the remaining fall itineraries over the next week or two (fingers crossed), transfer your reservation ASAP once back. You want the transfer completed prior to the release to take advantage of the early booking window and not be stuck trying to transfer the same week if avoidable.

 

[Corfam]

I've never booked with Costco. What are the perks for them being your TA vs like DU? (That's who I've used before).

Costco will give you a Costco Cash Card (Costco gift card) equal to 8-10% of your cruise fare after cruise is completed. They will tell you the amount of the cash card when you book. Ultimately, when you get the card after cruising, some Costco's will let you exchange the balance for actual cash, but that partially depends on some state laws requiring option to refund gift cards. I've never needed / wanted / requested a cash out myself, but others that don't regularly shop at Costco like that option.

Costco doesn't give you the same personalized service as a normal TA, since you aren't assigned someone specific. Whoever you talk to on the phone will/can vary call to call and their level of DCL expertise may or not be great. I don't depend on them to do detailed planning so it works fine for my family. You only have to deal with Costco for booking, payments, and any reservation changes. Activities booking & Online Check-in are still handled normally through DCL website. DCL will even handle special requests through email or phone for your reservation.

DCL cruise fare prices are identical on Costco (same as ever other TA or DCL direct) since DCL doesn't allow cruise fare discounts. Costco will take Disney Gift Cards for payment or you could also pay through a Disney Savings Account...both which can provide additional savings if you fund with discounted Disney Gift Cards.

Costco has reasonably good / reasonably costed travel insurance available through AIG Travel-Guard. They have two plans...one of which can include a "Cancel for Any Reason" option if insurance is issued within 15 days of trip deposit. Both plans can handle coverage of pre-existing conditions if you follow specific terms / insurance payments in time.

I think that's pretty much it in a nutshell...mainly from the Costco side. I use them for the cash card. Otherwise, if I needed a full fledged planning TA I'd go with Dream's Unlimited too since I appreciate their sponsorship of this board.

 

[Bsmitty]

Costco will give you a Costco Cash Card (Costco gift card) equal to 8-10% of your cruise fare after cruise is completed. They will tell you the amount of the cash card when you book. Ultimately, when you get the card after cruising, some Costco's will let you exchange the balance for actual cash, but that partially depends on some state laws requiring option to refund gift cards. I've never needed / wanted / requested a cash out myself, but others that don't regularly shop at Costco like that option.

Costco doesn't give you the same personalized service as a normal TA, since you aren't assigned someone specific. Whoever you talk to on the phone will/can vary call to call and their level of DCL expertise may or not be great. I don't depend on them to do detailed planning so it works fine for my family. You only have to deal with Costco for booking, payments, and any reservation changes. Activities booking & Online Check-in are still handled normally through DCL website. DCL will even handle special requests through email or phone for your reservation.

DCL cruise fare prices are identical on Costco (same as ever other TA or DCL direct) since DCL doesn't allow cruise fare discounts. Costco will take Disney Gift Cards for payment or you could also pay through a Disney Savings Account...both which can provide additional savings if you fund with discounted Disney Gift Cards.

Costco has reasonably good / reasonably costed travel insurance available through AIG Travel-Guard. They have two plans...one of which can include a "Cancel for Any Reason" option if insurance is issued within 15 days of trip deposit. Both plans can handle coverage of pre-existing conditions if you follow specific terms / insurance payments in time.

I think that's pretty much it in a nutshell...mainly from the Costco side. I use them for the cash card. Otherwise, if I needed a full fledged planning TA I'd go with Dream's Unlimited too since I appreciate their sponsorship of this board.

Thank you so much for such a detailed answer. I really appreciate it! Good news to know for my next cruise. Thanks!