Costco Travel Review 2026: Honest Pros, Cons & Our Real Member Experiences

​Costco Travel, an exclusive service for Costco members, offers a wide range of vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, and theme park experiences.

Leveraging Costco’s legendary bulk-buying power, the service delivers competitive pricing along with valuable added perks that make it a go-to option for many members.

This review explores the key offerings, standout benefits, potential drawbacks, and real member insights—including our own experiences—to help you decide if it’s right for your next trip.

Start with these aggregator sites to find base deals.

Costco Travel’s Extensive Vacation Packages

Costco Travel provides an impressive selection of bundled vacation packages to destinations around the world.

Members can pick from sunny escapes in Mexico and the Caribbean, cultural adventures in Europe, exotic getaways in the South Pacific (like Tahiti), and more. The service also shines for cruise lovers, partnering with top lines including Disney Cruise Line for family-friendly itineraries to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, and beyond.

Theme park fans aren’t left out—packages to Universal Orlando Resort and Disneyland Resort often include tickets, hotels, and extras for a hassle-free experience.

They even offer guided tours and adventures in Africa, the Middle East, South America, and Central America for those seeking more immersive trips.

Exclusive Member Savings

One of Costco Travel’s biggest draws is the pricing. Thanks to Costco’s purchasing power, packages are frequently lower than what’s available through other agencies or direct bookings.

For example, a comparison showed that a four-night trip from Chicago to Boston in mid-July for two adults and a child could save members around $546 when booked through Costco Travel.

Perks sweeten the deal even more: Many packages include a Digital Costco Shop Card (a gift card usable for future Costco purchases or even more travel), adding real extra value.

Firsthand Member Experience

As longtime Costco Executive Members, my partner Amy and I have relied on Costco Travel for years, and it’s consistently delivered great results.

We used it once as a couple for an unforgettable trip to Cancun in 2025, and Amy booked several Mexico getaways through them even before we were married.

The benefits that keep us coming back? The overwhelmingly positive online reviews from other members, the super-easy booking process, and the straightforward all-in-one pricing—no hidden fees or surprises.

Browsing through new destinations is like window-shopping for our next adventure, and it genuinely adds joy to our trip-planning.

Our most recent vacation to Mexico, booked through Costco Travel to celebrate Amy’s son’s graduation, was a perfect example.

Most packages require only a 20% to 50% deposit upfront, with the balance due about 30 days before departure, which takes a lot of pressure off planning.

Everything’s included: round-trip flights, hotel stays, airport transfers to and from the resort (or port for cruises), plus those Digital Costco Shop Cards on most vacations.

We love grabbing a Costco Travel brochure while shopping in-store—it’s become a little tradition. Flipping through the pages of new destinations feels like window-shopping for our next adventure, and it always sparks excitement.

Our most recent Mexico trip, booked to celebrate Amy’s son’s graduation, was seamless—the price was unbeatable, everything was handled smoothly, and we came home with great memories (and a nice Shop Card perk).

If you’re a member using the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, you can earn an extra 3% cash back on Costco Travel purchases (on top of the Executive Member 2% annual reward), making the savings stack up even more.

They also provide concierge-style support for any hiccups during planning or travel, which gives us extra peace of mind

Mixed Customer Reviews

Feedback on Costco Travel is generally positive for value and convenience, but it’s mixed overall.

Many members rave about the savings and ease, like one Reddit user who described their Hawaii honeymoon as seamless (airlines, hotel, transfers, and a $250 Shop Card included), or a couple who saved $1,000 on a St. Lucia trip.

However, some reviews highlight frustrations, especially with customer service for changes, refunds, or cancellations. One platform shows a 2.1-star average from 353 reviews, with complaints centered on responsiveness and handling issues.

We’ve personally never run into problems, but it’s worth noting that experiences vary—great for many, but not flawless for everyone.

Valuable Member Perks

In addition to pricing and Shop Cards:

• Executive Members get that 2% annual reward on all Costco Travel bookings.
• Cardholders earn 3% cash back with the Costco Anywhere Visa.
• Concierge support for issues.

These extras make the overall value hard to beat for members.

Service Limitations Noted

There are a few drawbacks:

Customer service challenges (as noted in reviews) for itinerary changes or cancellations.

No standalone flight bookings—airfare is only available as part of a package.

Some hotels require minimum stays, limiting flexibility for short trips.

Availability can be limited during peak times.

Additionally, certain hotel stays may have minimum stay requirements, which could be restrictive for travelers seeking shorter trips.

Availability can also be limited, and some members have reported challenges with customer service, particularly regarding itinerary changes and cancellations.

A Smart Travel Choice for Members

Costco Travel is a compelling, value-driven option for Costco members looking for packages, cruises, theme parks, and more.

It combines competitive prices, bundled convenience, and member perks into a straightforward service that has worked wonderfully for us time and again.

That said, weigh the mixed reviews and limitations—compare deals, read the fine print, and ensure it fits your needs.

If you’re already a member, it’s definitely worth browsing the site or grabbing a brochure next time you’re at Costco. For us, it’s become a reliable, enjoyable way to plan memorable trips without the hassle!