Costco Travel Deals: The Membership Perk That Saves You Hundreds (2026 Guide)

Introduction

Let me tell you something that still blows my mind. A mom named Gingy needed a seven-passenger Chrysler Pacifica for a family road trip. The rental company quoted her over $1,000. She checked Costco Travel. Same rental company. Same minivan. $570. That’s over $400 in savings from one booking. On a rental car.

I’ve been writing about travel deals for years, and Costco Travel remains one of the most underrated perks in the game. Costco Travel offers everyday savings on top-quality, brand-name vacations, hotels, cruises, and rental cars—exclusively for Costco members. It’s not just about cheap trips. It’s about getting more value, better perks, and fewer surprises.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this guide: exactly how Costco Travel works, which deals actually save you money, the truth about their rental car program, and how to book like a pro.

Quick Answer: Costco Travel is a members-only travel agency that negotiates exclusive deals on vacation packages, cruises, hotels, and rental cars. Members save hundreds of dollars compared to booking direct or through other platforms. The rental car program alone often pays for your membership in one booking.

What Exactly Is Costco Travel?

Costco Travel is essentially a full-service travel agency, but exclusive to Costco members. Unlike other online travel agencies like Expedia or Booking.com, Costco doesn’t just aggregate listings. They negotiate directly with airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and rental car companies to secure member-only rates.

Think of it like this: you know how Costco buys products in bulk to pass savings to you? They do the same with vacations. They leverage their massive buying power to secure rooms, cabins, and rental cars at wholesale prices, then pass those savings to members.

What You Can Book

• Vacation packages to Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, and Tahiti
• Cruises with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Princess
• Hotels for standalone stays
• Rental cars with Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise
• Theme park vacations including Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Universal Orlando

Key Takeaway:

• Costco Travel is a members-only booking platform, not a standard travel site.
• They negotiate bulk deals on name-brand travel services.
• Packages bundle flights, hotels, rental cars, and sometimes extras.
• You need an active Costco membership to book anything.

Direct Answer: Costco Travel is Costco’s exclusive travel agency offering discounted vacation packages, cruises, hotels, and rental cars for members only.

Does Costco Travel Actually Save You Money?

I’ve tested this extensively. The short answer? Yes. But let me show you the receipts.

One Business Insider comparison found a Costco Travel package at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa that offered five nights for the price of four, including flight, rental car, and daily breakfast. Total price: $4,851. Booking the same room and dates directly through Hyatt cost $5,331—without airfare or a rental car.

That’s not an isolated example. Costco CEO Ron Vachris recently told EatingWell that members should “never” rent a car anywhere else besides Costco Travel. He emphasized that the savings are shocking, and Costco’s buying team inspects every resort and hotel they recommend to ensure quality.

Here’s how it works. Costco uses a portion of the commission they earn from travel partners and turns it back into benefits for members—lower prices, free upgrades, or Costco Shop Cards.

The Rental Car Sweet Spot

Rental cars are arguably Costco Travel’s strongest deal. The TikTok mom’s example is real. I’ve personally saved $200 on a week-long rental in Orlando. Here’s why:

• Waived additional driver fees (a $10-15 per day savings with Alamo, Enterprise, Budget, and Avis)
• Pay at pickup, not at booking—which means you can rebook if prices drop.
• Free cancellation on most bookings
• Compare prices easily—Costco shows all partner rates side by side.

Key Takeaway:

• Costco Travel packages routinely beat direct booking by hundreds of dollars.
• Rental car savings are so significant the CEO recommends never booking elsewhere.
• Additional driver fees are waived with major rental partners.
• Book now, pay later—and rebook if the price drops.

Direct Answer: Costco Travel consistently saves members hundreds of dollars, with rental cars delivering the biggest immediate savings.

Costco Travel Packages: What’s Included?

Costco offers two main ways to book: pre-designed vacation packages and a “build your own” option.

Pre-Designed Packages

These are curated itineraries to popular destinations. Costco’s buying team visits and inspects every hotel and resort in their packages. They’re not just picking the cheapest options—they’re picking the best value.

Typical package inclusions:

• Round-trip flights
• Hotel or resort accommodations
• Rental car or airport transfers
• Breakfast (at many resorts)
• Digital Costco Shop Cards (sent after the trip)

Build Your Own Package

More flexibility. You choose your flights, hotel, and rental car separately, but still get member rates on each component.

“More Stay, Less Pay”

One of Costco’s signature deals. Book five nights, pay for four. Or seven nights, pay for five. It’s a simple way to save on extended stays.

Key Takeaway:

• Packages bundle flights, hotels, and rental cars for one price.
• Costco’s team inspects every property they offer
• “More Stay, Less Pay” deals give you free nights on longer stays.
• Digital Costco Shop Cards are often included as an extra perk.

Direct Answer: Costco travel packages bundle flights, hotels, and rental cars into one price, often with free night promotions and Digital Costco Shop Cards.

How to Book Costco Travel Deals (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Log Into Your Costco Account

Important: You need a separate login for Costco Travel. Your regular Costco.com credentials won’t work. Set up your travel profile at costcotravel.com.

Step 2: Pick Your Trip Type

Choose from:

• Vacation Packages (flights + hotel + car)
• Cruises
• Hotels Only
• Rental Cars Only

Step 3: Enter Your Details

Destination, dates, number of travelers. Standard stuff.

Step 4: Compare Options

Costco shows multiple options side by side. Look for packages with Digital Shop Cards or free night deals. Executive members get 2% back on the total trip cost.

Step 5: Book

Enter payment details. Most bookings can be cancelled without penalty, and you pay at pickup for rental cars.

Step 6: Watch for Price Drops

Here’s a pro move: rental car bookings can be rebooked if the price drops. Just book the new rate and cancel the old one. No fees.

Key Takeaway:

• Create a separate Costco Travel profile.
• Compare package options before booking.
• Executive members earn 2% back.
• Rental cars can be rebooked if prices drop.

Direct Answer: Book Costco Travel deals by creating a travel profile, selecting your trip type, comparing options, and booking—with the ability to rebook rental cars if prices drop.

Costco Travel Insurance: Worth It?

Costco sells travel insurance through Cover-More, underwritten by Zurich Insurance Group. It’s available exclusively to members and offers preferred rates.

Coverage Includes:

• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Travel delays and missed connections
• Baggage delays, loss, or theft
• Emergency medical expenses
• Emergency medical evacuation

What’s Not Covered:

• Injuries from alcohol or drugs
• Extreme sports
• Normal pregnancy care
• Acts of war

One downside: Costco’s “Cancel for Any Reason” option only reimburses 50% of prepaid costs, while other companies often offer 75%. But their baggage and medical coverage are strong.

Key Takeaway:

• Costco travel insurance is through Cover-More (Zurich)
• Covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and baggage issues
• “Cancel for Any Reason” only covers 50% (weaker than competitors)
• 24/7 assistance is available for travelers

Direct Answer: Costco travel insurance offers solid medical and baggage coverage, but its “Cancel for Any Reason” only reimburses 50%, making it weaker than some competitors.

Costco Travel Phone Number and Customer Support

Sometimes you need a human. Costco Travel’s customer service line is 1-877-849-2730.

Members consistently praise Costco Travel’s customer support in forums like Reddit. The support team is available for booking assistance, changes, and emergencies.

Direct Answer: Costco Travel support is available at 1-877-849-2730.

What Costco Travel Doesn’t Do

Let’s be honest. Costco Travel isn’t for everyone.

• No standalone flights: You can’t just book a flight. Airfare is only available as part of a package.
• Limited selection: Costco curates their offerings carefully. You won’t find thousands of hotels or boutique properties.
• Less customization: If you want a multi-city European itinerary or a very specific experience, a traditional travel agent might be a better fit.

This service works best for travelers who know what they want and want the best value without endless comparisons.

Direct Answer: Costco Travel doesn’t sell standalone flights and has a curated selection, making it better for straightforward vacations than complex itineraries.

Bottom Line: Are Costco Travel Deals Worth It?

Here’s the thing. Costco Travel isn’t a secret. But it’s a massively underused perk. If you’re already a Costco member and you travel at least once a year, you’re leaving money on the table.

The rental car savings alone often cover your membership cost in a single booking. Add in package deals, “More Stay, Less Pay” promotions, and Digital Costco Shop Cards, and you’re looking at serious savings.

Is Costco Travel always the cheapest? No. Sometimes you can find better deals on specific components if you hunt. But for most travelers, the combination of competitive pricing, no surprises, and reliable quality makes it a no-brainer.

What I tell my friends: Start with Costco Travel. Compare it to booking direct and other OTAs. More often than not, Costco wins. And if it doesn’t, you haven’t lost anything—because you haven’t paid anything upfront on most bookings.

Ready to save? Log in to costcotravel.com and check what your next trip would cost. You might be shocked.

Have you used Costco Travel before? Share your experience in the comments—good or bad. Let’s help each other travel smarter.

References

1. Business Insider, “You can book luxury hotels, cruises, and vacation packages through Costco for a fraction of the cost,” 2024
2. EatingWell, “The Costco Membership Perk You Might Be Missing, According to the CEO,” 2026
3. Forbes Advisor, “Costco Travel Insurance Review: Pros and Cons,” 2024
4. New York Post, “Costco travel perks that could save you hundreds on your next trip,” 2026
5. El Comercio, “Cómo funciona Costco Travel, qué puedes reservar y lo que debes saber sobre el servicio,” 2026

Read More: Costco Travel