Yet another Costco Question

[Bethany10]

Sorry, I did do a search but couldn't find my answer.

I'm getting ready to book our first cruise with Costco. Can I use a split payment type? As in X ammt in Disney Gift cards and the remainder on a Visa?

thanks.

 

[wanderlust7]

Sure, I did exactly that. They do ask that you combine the Disney gift cards so you're not reading off a whole bunch of numbers. The max is $1000 on one gift card, so I ended up giving them 2 gift cards and the balance on credit card.

 

[Dug720]

And you can combine them at disneygiftcard.com

 

[Bethany10]

yeah, I knew to combine them and had hoped to have a nice round number on ONLY GCds to make the initial payment. My car tires could hear me however, and decided to mock me by needing to be replaced. Once the last set goes on this month I'm free to book the boat!

Thank you for the answer, I had assumed I could do this but wanted to confirm.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

But you only need a deposit to book, right? Then pay off later or make multiple payments?

 

[bumbershoot]

But you only need a deposit to book, right? Then pay off later or make multiple payments?

Yep.

 

[Dug720]

But you only need a deposit to book, right? Then pay off later or make multiple payments?

Yep.

UNLESS you are booking within the PIF date and/or booking a special FLR, MTO, or *GT rate. Then you have to make full payment.

 

[Bear3412]

Why do so many pax feel Costco is different than DCL, or any other TA.

Costco and almost all TA's will do anything DCL will.
In fact TA's are like DCL, in effect.

Most TA's are alike. Although I will say, Costco does have it's moments.

So perhaps I answered my own question.

Why is there so many Costco threads, and not Expedia, Travelocity, etc, etc, threads. ?

IOWs, since there are so many Costco threads, why aren't there a similar, or a fraction of other threads about other TA's? Whether good or bad stories. ?

There are so many Travel Agency (TA) companies out there. Most all act the same. Not all provide the same benefits of course. But, goodness. Most are righteous and trying to do good mostly.

Are the conglomerates taking over?

Does no one use independent TA's any more?

Why don't we hear greivances from big box TA's here too?

Just some weird thoughts tonight.

 

[lanejudy]

I think what sets Costco apart from other TAs is the amount of the incentive offered. I don't know what (or if) the online booking sites like Expedia or Travelocity offer - they are commonly known for discounted rooms, which DCL doesn't allow. Other TAs (independent or large agencies) aren't able to offer the same $ value perk as Costco. For some people, they use a TA simply for the perk; others use a TA for the services offered.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Bethany10]

For us, we're booking costco purely for the gift card benefit. The cost is the same if we went through a TA, Costco, or direct with DCL. The GC from Costco has more value (to me as well as literally) than what a TA would give in OBC.

I don't mind doing the legwork myself, this is one component of a MUCH bigger trip for us and I like knowing allllll the details. That said, if we were to ever try and book the parks I'd be calling my local TA in a heartbeat as I would be well out of my league there.

 

[bumbershoot]

Why do so many pax feel Costco is different than DCL, or any other TA.

They are different.

They give an amazing perk in the form of that gift card.

They are different from smaller TAs line DU because you can book directly online instead of the time-wasting quote nonsense.

They are better rated than Expedia etc.

And they don't discount the benefit if you switch to them after booking, unlike every other TA out there.

 

[adamki]

In addition to the gift card, there's a new benefit for Executive Members (as of September 1st). They now count Costco Travel purchases toward your annual 2% reward (excluding taxes and fees, so only the fare portion listed on your contract).

Here's the verbiage from my most recent Costco Travel cruise contract:

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS – Executive Member Added Benefit, if applicable, is valid for Primary Cardholder only. For Executive Member purchases made directly from Costco Travel departing on or after September 1, 2017, a 2% Reward will be earned and applied after travel is completed. Must be an Executive Member when travel starts. Excludes taxes, fees, surcharges, gratuities, trip protection, and portions of travel purchased through a third party such as activities, tours, baggage fees, upgrades, rental car equipment, resort charges, port charges, resort and cruise line fees and similar extras. Other terms, conditions and exclusions applicable to the 2% Reward apply.​

 

[Bear3412]

They are different.
Understood. ... We are all blessed for their differences and existence.

They give an amazing perk in the form of that gift card.
Yes. Been there, done that a few times. My state VA, allows cashing that Card too. IME.

They are different from smaller TAs line DU because you can book directly online instead of the time-wasting quote nonsense.
Ouch. That hurt the locals. Although some understand unfortunately.

They are better rated than Expedia etc.
But, ... Expedia had a better price by $43.00. It must be better .... lol.
.... I hope most understand the pros and cons of booking with a consolidator.
Especially with airfare.

And they don't discount the benefit if you switch to them after booking, unlike every other TA out there.
Allow me to explain and expand on that, if you don't mind...
Costco will pay full Card bennies even with transfers within 30 days.
Costco will give you full bennies even if you transfer within the 30 days.
Most TA's will not.

Actually

I thought you would have known my point/post/position ....
I believe you may have missed some outlawed sarcasm in my post.

But, ... always up for an examination. As long as it is informative for all. That is what counts.

/QUOTE]

Yes. Costco offers a different level of services than the local ISP TA. IME.

Thank God.

Good Luck to All.

 

[Bear3412]

.... we're booking costco purely for the gift card benefit.
I don't mind doing the legwork myself,.....

Shhhh ! ! ! !

 

[JW9DVC]

In addition to the gift card, there's a new benefit for Executive Members (as of September 1st). They now count Costco Travel purchases toward your annual 2% reward (excluding taxes and fees, so only the fare portion listed on your contract).

Here's the verbiage from my most recent Costco Travel cruise contract:

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS – Executive Member Added Benefit, if applicable, is valid for Primary Cardholder only. For Executive Member purchases made directly from Costco Travel departing on or after September 1, 2017, a 2% Reward will be earned and applied after travel is completed. Must be an Executive Member when travel starts. Excludes taxes, fees, surcharges, gratuities, trip protection, and portions of travel purchased through a third party such as activities, tours, baggage fees, upgrades, rental car equipment, resort charges, port charges, resort and cruise line fees and similar extras. Other terms, conditions and exclusions applicable to the 2% Reward apply.​

That’s a nice chunk to. Always been an advocate for Costco. This just adds to it.

JW

 

[bumbershoot]

Ouch. That hurt the locals. Although some understand unfortunately.

The locals meaning DU? Eh. I'm pretty outspoken about my experience with them and don't sugarcoat it, nor do I care if it was a one-off experience. I have zero patience for quotes. And I have less than zero patience for quote requests that are never answered. (And of course I checked Spam) And emails that are only answered when I, days later, write back to say "nevermind I've booked without ever hearing from you".

In this world to be competitive you've got to respond and be fast if you're not going to have the ability to immediately book. I have pretty high standards for companies with websites.

I need no hand holding. I get more than enough great and timely info here and on cc; I literally cannot imagine a random TA having info I don't have. So I use a TA solely for the financial perks.


And I'm sorry I didn't recognize the sarcasm and where you were coming from. Long ago I chose to try to never look at who I'm responding to, so I would never let past experiences (good or not) color my responses. Sorry about that.