Questions About Costco as TA

[BalooHoo]

I have never used a TA before for our Disney cruises (or anything else), but we just joined Costco and I am aware of the cash card that is offered for using Costco Travel as a TA, so I'm considering whether it's worth using Costco for future cruises. I know generally that a TA is the one that must interact with Disney, but I gather from reading some posts about Costco that they are a little less hands-on than other TAs. My questions may be pretty basic for those of you who have used TAs before, and I appreciate your patience with me.

I very much like having control over my reservation, from the ability to select the precise stateroom that I want on opening day to the ability to book premium dining, excursions, etc. at the first opportunity. In short, it would probably stress me if I had to rely on someone else to do the things I want to do to plan for my cruise. It may or may not be worth it to me to give up the control in order to get the cash card from Costco, but I don't know that until I understand better what the process would be like. With that background, I have a few questions about using Costco as a TA, and I'd really appreciate any insight from those of you with experience.

1. I believe that I can initially make the reservation myself and then transfer it to Costco within 30 days. Is this correct? If it's a reservation made onboard with an OBB discount, do I get to keep the OBB discount if I switch the reservation to Costco? If so, is it just a matter of calling Disney within 30 days and telling them to list Costco as my TA? How do I then communicate to Costco that I want to transfer to them a cruise that I already booked?

2. If Costco is listed as my TA, will I still have the full ability to log into the DCL website to see details of my reservation? Will I be able to use the DCL website to change staterooms or something else about my reservation, or would I have to ask Costco to do that? If Costco has to do it, how long does a change generally take to get done?

3. What if I want to change my sailing date? If I have an existing reservation through Costco (a real one, not just a dummy reservation) and then I decide to change the sailing date, will I be able to do this myself either on the DCL website or by calling DCL myself?

4. What about changing an existing reservation to a newly released itinerary on the prebooking day for Gold and Platinum members? Can I do it myself? If I can't do it myself on prebooking day, will Costco do it for me on the morning of that day or do they have to wait until the next day when the itineraries are open to the general public?

5. I understand that I have to pay through Costco. Once I am fully paid and it comes time to make onboard bookings and get a port arrival time, will I still be able to do this myself on the DCL website at midnight on the first available day, or will I have to give Costco my preferences and hope that they get them for me?

Thanks so much for any help you can provide!

 

[lanejudy]

Really, I don't think Costco is that much different than any other TA with regards to what you can/can't do with regards to your reservation. I think it's DCL's rules and not necessarily the TA's rules. Costco TA's tend to be less involved if you are really looking for hand-holding or someone to fully manage the details for you (which you aren't).

Stateroom changes and date changes must be handled by the TA. This includes moving a previously booked date to a new date on Gold/Platinum opening day.

To transfer an OBB, you contact Costco and complete a form. Personally, I wouldn't wait until exactly the 30-day mark just in case there is any delay on either DCL's or Costco's end.

You can log-in to the DCL website, see all details, do online check-in and advanced booking for excursions, dining, etc. You just can't change specific details of the stateroom/category/date.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[amanda ek]

We booked thru DU last cruise and Costco for this next one. The DU TA was very hands on in helping us pick a room. The Costco one told us to go on DCL website to find out which were available, pick the ones we wanted, and report back to them. When u book with either place they give u a DCL reservation number that u use to log onto the website. You can book port excursions, check in paperwork, etc like normal. Of course if you want to change the cruise date or cancel you have to go thru ur TA.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

I used Costco for my last cruise and it is similar to using any other TA. Here are some answers to your questions:

1. I believe that I can initially make the reservation myself and then transfer it to Costco within 30 days. Is this correct? If it's a reservation made onboard with an OBB discount, do I get to keep the OBB discount if I switch the reservation to Costco? If so, is it just a matter of calling Disney within 30 days and telling them to list Costco as my TA? How do I then communicate to Costco that I want to transfer to them a cruise that I already booked? Not sure about the OBB so can't answer that part. But you can book your own cruise which is what I normally do. I then call Costco and give them the reservation number. They will email you a form that you need to complete and sign and email back to them. This is a standard form that any TA would use to transfer a reservation. And yes you need to do that within 30 days.

2. If Costco is listed as my TA, will I still have the full ability to log into the DCL website to see details of my reservation? Will I be able to use the DCL website to change staterooms or something else about my reservation, or would I have to ask Costco to do that? If Costco has to do it, how long does a change generally take to get done? You can login in to the website and see your reservation. But if you wanted to change the room, then you wold need to call Costco. They will literally put you on hold and call DCL and take care of it while you are on the phone.

3. What if I want to change my sailing date? If I have an existing reservation through Costco (a real one, not just a dummy reservation) and then I decide to change the sailing date, will I be able to do this myself either on the DCL website or by calling DCL myself? You would need to call Costco to do that. They are in control of your reservation. DCL will just refer you back to them.

4. What about changing an existing reservation to a newly released itinerary on the prebooking day for Gold and Platinum members? Can I do it myself? If I can't do it myself on prebooking day, will Costco do it for me on the morning of that day or do they have to wait until the next day when the itineraries are open to the general public? I think they can do it on your pre booking day. But someone else can answer that one better as I have never done that.

5. I understand that I have to pay through Costco. Once I am fully paid and it comes time to make onboard bookings and get a port arrival time, will I still be able to do this myself on the DCL website at midnight on the first available day, or will I have to give Costco my preferences and hope that they get them for me? You will be able to make your own onboard booking and PAT etc. Have always done that when using a TA.

I hope this helps. I used Costco for the first time and just got my cash card. Happily I found out today that I can cash in the card for cash at the store! I did spend some of the card first then I asked to cash it out. (Good thing because I cleaned out that register.) I then took the cash to Sam's club and bought the discounted Disney Gift cards for the next cruise!

 

[bumbershoot]

I very much like having control over my reservation, from the ability to select the precise stateroom that I want on opening day to the ability to book premium dining, excursions, etc. at the first opportunity.

You can do those things. Initially booking through www.costcotravel.com lets you choose the room. Then you do those other things (dining, excursions) through DCL's site.

Will I be able to use the DCL website to change staterooms or something else about my reservation, or would I have to ask Costco to do that? If Costco has to do it, how long does a change generally take to get done?

You have to have the TA do that. As long as they are open, it doesn't take long.

If I have an existing reservation through Costco (a real one, not just a dummy reservation) and then I decide to change the sailing date, will I be able to do this myself either on the DCL website or by calling DCL myself?

Gotta go through the TA.

I understand that I have to pay through Costco. Once I am fully paid and it comes time to make onboard bookings and get a port arrival time, will I still be able to do this myself on the DCL website at midnight on the first available day, or will I have to give Costco my preferences and hope that they get them for me?

You pay through Costco's interface with DCL. When I paid that way I was *immediately* shown as being PIF through DCL and was able to go in and do my checkin. They don't take the info then contact DCL; it's like AAA's Disney interface...it's hooked directly up to it.

 

[fitnessmouse]

Can you use DVA to pay through Costco's interface or do you have to call the DVA no?

 

[perditax]

I don't know the DVA answer, but one piece of info I do have:

Even if you make your payment(s) through Costco's interface, they will reflect on your credit card statement as being from Disney Cruise. This is significant for travel rewards credit cards that treat travel purchases differently.

 

[JW9DVC]

Best thing is. You get a nice Costco cash card at the end of the cruise. Use it at Costco or get it cashed out. Some are $400-$700. Depending on travel dates. JW

 

[CableKC]

I initially booked my trip directly through DCL and then realized that I could do it through Costco and get back a Costco Gift Card ( which you get about 1 to 2 months after the trip is completed ). Costco essentially acts as your TA....so you have to handle the payments and booking through them for everything PRIOR to the cruise. If you want the Disney Bus transfers from WDW to the Port and then from the Port to MCO....they are supposed to book it for you. Don't have them tell you that you yourself have to handle it through DCL itself.....when I spoke to DCL after Costco said this....DCL said that since our Reservation is handled through Costco...Costco has to request and handle the booking for you. Everything else that you want to do.....such as booking excursions for the boat itself...dining reservations for Palo/Remy or even Dining Rotations ( I wanted the RP / AP / EG / RP / AP dining rotation ), you will have to handle directly through DCL. But for anything related to the booking and payment itself for the Cruise.....Costco handles that portion of your reservation.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Can you use DVA to pay through Costco's interface or do you have to call the DVA no?

You can not use the DVA through Costco and you must call the specified number just as you mentioned. Just be forewarned, sometimes the CM's still forget you have to go directly through them for the payments or applying OBC, etc so if they try and redirect you back to Costco, just politely remind them you aren't supposed to give anyone but DCL/Disney your DV account number, per their terms, which is why you are calling as you should

I initially booked my trip directly through DCL and then realized that I could do it through Costco and get back a Costco Gift Card ( which you get about 1 to 2 months after the trip is completed )

I have used Costco for my DCL cruises for at least 10 cruises now and the Costco Cash Card has never taken one to two months. I'd say it's typically 2-3 weeks after a sailing is completed, however this most recent one earlier this month, we disembarked in Dover on July 10th, returned home to the US July 14th and the card was already in the mail waiting on us - WOW

I have been very pleased with Costco and the Costco Cash Card but like it's been mentioned in other threads, I don't need any "hand holding" so it's a good fit for me. Just something to keep in mind for others that might be reading.

Heather

 

[grumpyskirtgirl]

Can you still make payments on the cruise when going through CostCo, or do you need to pay it all in a lump sum?

 

[perditax]

Can you still make payments on the cruise when going through CostCo, or do you need to pay it all in a lump sum?

You can make as many payments as you want in whatever increments.

I used this to take advantage of the Barclay arrival travel card's weird benefit scheme, made a lot of small payments. Too tired to explain but Google for more info. It was very much worth it, especially with the signup bonus.

 

[genki3]

My first DCL cruise this past April was booked through Costco. Exactly one week after disembarkation I got my cash card in the mail.

I'm wondering which Costco locations allow cashing out the cash cards because I'm not able to in California.

 

[Luv2Diz]

I initially booked my trip directly through DCL and then realized that I could do it through Costco and get back a Costco Gift Card ( which you get about 1 to 2 months after the trip is completed.

We've used Costco to book three cruises and have always received our Cash Card within a week of returning from our trip.