Budget travelers value ‘hard-to-beat’Costco vacations, but service may not be for everyone

Costco may be best known for its bulk groceries and its $1.50 hot dog combo — but the warehouse retailer also sells vacation experiences throughCostco Travel.

The service allows members tobook cruises, vacation packages and rental cars through a curated selection of partners, according to Costco Travel’s website.Standalone airfare is not sold, and hotel stays are typically bundled with flights or rental cars rather than booked separately.

As travelers look for more and more ways to stretch their vacation budgets, some have turned to Costco Travel as an alternative to traditional online booking sites.

WORLD’S LARGEST CRUISE SHIP DEBUTS AS INDUSTRY EXPECTS 19 MILLION TRAVELERS

Cruises are among Costco Travel’s most prominent offerings. 

The retailer partners with major cruise lines and often includes such added incentives as onboard credits or Costco Shop Cards, according to the company’s website.

In addition to Costco’s core retail business, Costco Travel offers members cruises, vacation packages and rental cars through select partners.(Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

Those extras can play a significant role in the overall value of a booking.

Bobby Laurie, a travel expert based in the Washington, D.C.

LITTLE-KNOWN ‘SECONDHAND TRAVEL’ TRICK HELPS TOURISTS SCORE LUXURY VACATIONS FOR LESS

“They use a portion of the commission they would normally earn and turn it back into benefits or incentives for the person booking the trip,” Laurie said.

That approach appears to resonate with many travelers.

Posts on online forums such as Reddit suggest many travelers have had positive experiences with Costco Travel, particularly when it comes to customer service andrental car pricing.

Read More → Trump has historic chance to help topple Iran’s America-hating regime

Costco Travel reinvests part of its booking commissions into customer perks and added value, a travel expert said.(Getty Images)

Users frequently describe situations in which Costco Travel agents rebooked accommodations, found lower rates after schedule changes or helped resolve issues while travelers were already on the road.

One Reddit user wrote that a two-week rental car booked through Costco Travel was “hundreds [of dollars] cheaper than renting through the popular car rental websites.”

Read More → World Cup fans banned from US travel may be unable to root for teams in person

lower hotel rateafter an airline changed a return flight, allowing the travelers to add an extra night to their stay while receiving an $800 refund.

Still another person wrote that the Costcovacation serviceis “hard to beat.” 

Said yet another person, “Costco has a lot of buying power at the properties it selects.”

Read More → America’s most popular cooking oil may be linked to obesity, new study finds

Costco Travel users frequently praise agents for rebooking trips and finding lower rates, though the service may not be ideal for everyone.(iStock)

And a different person wrote, “I enjoyed the convenience of having all the bookings (hotel, transportation, etc.) done in one place.”

Even so, Costco Travel may not be the right fit for every person on the move. 

Costco Travel requires a Costco membership to book.

The service offers a more limited selection ofhotels, resortsand airlines compared to major online travel agencies.

Travelers looking to customize every aspect of a trip or book boutique accommodations may find fewer options.

travel deals, the decision on whether a Costco vacation is worth it depends on the traveler’s preferences.

As with most travel deals, the decision about whether a vacation through Costco’s services is worth it depends on the traveler’s preferences.(iStock)

For some, the bundled incentives and competitive pricing can deliver meaningful savings. 

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Read More → Inside the SCOTUS hearing bound to be a turning point in the culture war over trans athletes in women’s sports

For others, limited options and less flexibility may be reason enough to book elsewhere.

onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.