Costco Travel has evolved from a quiet member perk to a serious contender in the vacation planning space, particularly for U.S. travelers looking to stretch their budgets without sacrificing comfort. With new membership pricing, expanded Executive benefits and fresh wrinkles in rental car and theme park offerings, 2025 is an important moment to revisit how Costco Travel works and where it can deliver real value.

This complete guide explains the latest changes, what Costco Travel does well, where it falls short and how to use it strategically when planning your next trip.

How Costco Travel Works in 2025

Costco Travel is Costco’s in-house travel agency, available only to members. It sells bundled vacation packages, cruises, rental cars and stand-alone hotel stays, using Costco’s buying power to negotiate added value in the form of lower prices or rich extras such as resort credits, onboard spending money and included airport transfers. For many members, it functions as a hybrid between a traditional travel agent and a self-serve booking engine, pairing negotiated group pricing with online convenience.

Access to Costco Travel comes automatically with any paid membership. As of September 1, 2024, Gold Star and Business memberships in the United States and Canada cost 65 dollars per year. Executive memberships cost 130 dollars and are positioned as the premium tier, combining standard warehouse access with enhanced rewards and service benefits. The cost increase, the first in seven years, has not changed the essential structure of Costco Travel but does raise the stakes on making your membership work hard for you.

Booking through Costco Travel is straightforward. Members sign in with their Costco credentials, select travel products and then complete the purchase online or over the phone with a dedicated agent. Airfare is included in some packages, but not all; many hotel and resort offers are land-only, giving you the flexibility to book flights separately if you find better deals or need specific routings. Costco Travel’s inventory leans heavily toward mainstream brands and well-known destinations rather than boutique, hyper-local options.

The platform’s most tangible advantages usually come from bundled value: extras at resorts, shipboard credit on cruises, or meaningful rental car discounts with fewer add-on fees. For travelers who like recognizable brands, simple price comparisons and the sense that a powerful retailer is in their corner if something goes wrong, Costco Travel can be a compelling alternative to juggling multiple online booking sites.

If you want to see how this works in practice, including the booking flow for rental cars, vacation packages and cruises, we walk through the process in our step-by-step guide to how Costco Travel works.

Membership, Rewards and the New Executive Travel Perks

The economics of Costco Travel are tightly linked to Costco’s two-tier membership structure. Gold Star and Business members get access to the same base rates as Executive members, but Executive members layer rewards and occasional exclusive offers on top of those prices. That matters more now that membership fees increased in late 2024, nudging many frequent shoppers to reassess whether upgrading to Executive status makes sense.

Executive members earn a 2 percent annual reward on eligible Costco purchases, including qualifying Costco Travel bookings, up to an increased cap of 1,250 dollars per year. The reward is issued as a certificate about two to three months before your renewal date and can be used toward purchases or membership renewal. The key detail for travelers is that the 2 percent reward on Costco Travel only posts after travel is completed, not at the time of booking, which means you will not see that portion reflected until your trip is over.

In addition to the 2 percent reward, Costco has been sharpening its benefits for Executive members. In 2025, the company introduced a monthly 10 dollar credit for eligible delivery orders over a certain threshold and expanded a program of early warehouse shopping hours for Executive members in many locations.

Executive members are also increasingly being courted with travel-centric perks: access to select Costco Travel deals earlier than general members, additional discounted packages and targeted offers during high-demand windows such as school holidays and peak cruise seasons. These perks can make the higher membership fee easier to justify for frequent travelers.

However, the upgrade is not automatically a win for everyone. The 2 percent reward is not guaranteed to offset the extra 65 dollars you pay for Executive status. If your combined in-store, online and travel spending is relatively modest, you could end up with a reward certificate that falls short of the upgrade cost. Costco will allow you to downgrade and may refund part of the upgrade fee, but you forfeit any rewards already issued or accrued above that amount.

Before upgrading purely for travel benefits, it is wise to use Costco’s reward calculators or a simple spreadsheet to understand how much you realistically spend on eligible categories.

Rental Cars, Cruises and Packages: Where Costco Travel Shines

Among frequent travelers, Costco Travel is best known for rental car deals. The platform aggregates negotiated rates from major rental brands and automatically applies relevant coupon codes and discounts, saving members the work of hunting for promo codes themselves.

A standout feature is that most rental reservations made through Costco Travel require no prepayment and no cancellation fee, letting you lock in a rate and rebook if prices drop later. This flexibility is particularly valuable in markets where rental prices fluctuate sharply.

Another rental car perk that consistently wins praise is the free additional driver that comes with many Costco Travel rentals. Rental agencies often charge daily fees for an extra driver, which can add up quickly on a long trip. For couples or families who like to share the driving, having a second driver included at no extra cost is a meaningful savings as well as a convenience.

Costco’s renewed multi-year agreement with Avis and Budget underscores how central car rentals are to its travel strategy, even as relationships with other brands have shifted over time.

On the cruise side, Costco Travel competes not by dramatically undercutting base fares but by layering in rich extras that would be difficult to replicate on your own. Because cruise pricing is tightly controlled, you will usually see similar base rates whether you book directly with the cruise line or through an agency.

Costco tends to differentiate with generous onboard credits, extra amenities such as specialty dining, or, in some cases, a refund in the form of a Costco Shop Card. For families or multi-cabin groups, those credits can offset gratuities, shore excursions or specialty experiences that make a cruise feel more luxurious without blowing the budget.

Vacation packages and all-inclusive resorts are another Costco strong point. Here, the company leans into high-volume relationships with large hotel brands and resort chains, bundling accommodations with transfers, some tours and, occasionally, airfare.

The pitch is simplicity with predictable quality: you might not get a quirky, one-of-a-kind boutique hotel, but you will often receive a trusted brand, a clear breakdown of inclusions and extra value in the form of resort credits or room upgrades. For travelers who prioritize reliability and clear pricing over bespoke experiences, this plug-and-play style of vacation planning is a strong match.

Important Limitations, Exclusions and Policy Shifts

Despite its strengths, Costco Travel is not a universal solution. Understanding what it does not cover is just as important as knowing where it excels. A notable example is Disneyland. In 2025, Costco Travel stopped accepting new bookings for Disneyland Resort packages. Existing package holders with travel dates into 2025 can still manage or modify their reservations, but new customers must look elsewhere for Disneyland deals.

Costco Travel continues to sell offers for other Disney destinations, including Walt Disney World in Florida, Disney’s Aulani resort in Hawaii and various Disney Cruise Line itineraries, but the loss of Disneyland packages closed a popular door for West Coast families.

Rental car partnerships have also been evolving. Historically, Costco Travel offered reservations with several major brands, including Enterprise, Alamo and National, alongside Avis and Budget. Over the past few years, some of those relationships have shifted, with National removed from the platform and signs that Enterprise and Alamo availability may be reduced or ending for new bookings beyond certain future dates.

For travelers loyal to those brands, this consolidation means fewer choices and may push some bookings outside Costco’s ecosystem, although the renewed Avis and Budget deal helps maintain overall coverage.

There are also important exclusions in how rewards apply. The 2 percent Executive reward does not cover all categories of Costco spending, and certain taxes, fees or third-party charges associated with travel may not be eligible. Airfare booked as part of a package can be treated differently from land components, and items such as government taxes, port fees or fuel surcharges on cruises typically do not earn the reward. Because the reward is only calculated once travel is completed, last-minute changes or cancellations can also affect the final amount.

More broadly, Costco Travel’s inventory is limited compared with large online travel agencies. You will find plenty of major resorts in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe, plus mainstream cruise lines and recognizable car rental brands. You will not find every small hotel, boutique lodge or upstart airline, and many off-the-beaten-path destinations simply are not represented. If your travel style leans toward independent guesthouses, remote eco-lodges or ultra-custom itineraries in developing regions, Costco Travel is better viewed as a supplemental tool than a primary planner.

Money-Saving Strategies When Using Costco Travel

Maximizing Costco Travel starts with timing and flexibility. Because many rental car bookings require no prepayment, you can treat your initial reservation as a placeholder and recheck prices periodically. If you see a lower rate for the same dates and car class, you can make a new booking and cancel the old one without penalty. This simple habit can shave hundreds of dollars off a long rental, especially in volatile markets like Hawaii or during major holidays. Booking early for peak seasons and then rebooking if prices fall is often the best of both worlds.

Stacking rewards also matters. Executive members already earn 2 percent back on eligible travel purchases once the trip is complete. If you pay with the Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi, you can add another layer of travel rewards. That card currently offers an elevated cash-back rate on travel purchases, including Costco Travel transactions, in addition to higher rewards on gas and restaurants. When you combine 2 percent from Executive status with credit card rewards and, in some cases, extra value like Costco Shop Cards or onboard credits, your effective discount can become significant.

Travelers should also compare Costco’s packages with direct-booking offers from hotels, cruise lines and airlines. That comparison should account for extras, not just the sticker price. For a cruise, for example, ask what the cruise line is offering directly: perhaps a modest onboard credit or a free specialty dining night. Then look at Costco’s version of the same sailing, which might include a larger onboard credit, extra amenities or a Costco Shop Card.

Similarly, for resort stays, weigh Costco’s room-plus-resort-credit bundle against loyalty program bonuses or elite-status benefits you might receive by booking direct. Sometimes Costco wins on raw value. Other times, especially for frequent loyalty program members chasing status, direct booking can be stronger.

Finally, consider how Costco Travel fits into your broader financial and travel planning. The 2 percent Executive reward arrives once a year and can be applied to membership renewal or purchases. Planning a major trip in the months before your renewal can boost the size of that certificate, effectively turning your vacation into a discount on another year of warehouse access. Conversely, if your travel is sporadic and you rarely book through Costco Travel, it may be more economical to stick with a standard membership and focus on other reward programs.

For a detailed side-by-side look at when Costco Travel offers better value and when booking directly with hotels or cruise lines still makes more sense, see our comparison of Costco Travel versus booking direct.

Best Uses by Traveler Type

For families, Costco Travel often shines in classic sun-and-sand destinations and on mainstream cruises. All-inclusive packages in Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii can simplify budgeting and planning, especially for parents juggling school schedules and kid-friendly amenities.

The platform’s emphasis on well-known brands, bundled transfers and clear inclusions removes much of the guesswork. Paired with the free second driver on many rental car bookings, it allows multi-driver road trips and resort stays to come together with relatively little friction. We explore this in more detail in our breakdown of whether Costco Travel is worth it for families.

Couples seeking value-oriented getaways also benefit from Costco Travel’s strengths. Romantic resort stays with added credits for dining or spa treatments, or balcony cruise cabins with extra onboard spending, can feel like an upgrade over what you could afford booking à la carte. Young couples might particularly appreciate the no-deposit rental car flexibility and straightforward cancellation policies that allow them to pivot if work schedules or budgets change before departure. Those trade-offs are examined further in our guide on whether Costco Travel is worth it for couples.

For retirees and more experienced travelers, Costco Travel can function as an anchor for certain trip components while they customize the rest independently. A retiree couple might book a transatlantic cruise with Costco to lock in shipboard credits and a solid cabin category, then handle pre- and post-cruise stays, trains and tours on their own.

This hybrid model leans on Costco Travel where its negotiating power is strongest but preserves room for personalization where it matters most. We cover how this balance plays out for experienced planners in our analysis of whether Costco Travel is worth it for frequent travelers.

Budget-conscious travelers who are less brand-driven may see the platform somewhat differently. While Costco Travel can certainly save money compared with standard public rates, its true value lies in the combination of price and predictability rather than in rock-bottom, ultra-flexible options. Backpackers or long-term digital nomads chasing the absolute lowest nightly rate on guesthouses and apartments will probably find more options on specialized booking platforms.

For them, Costco Travel may be reserved for specific use cases, such as a family visit, cruise or rental car-heavy road trip. For a broader comparison of which travel styles align well with Costco Travel and which are better served elsewhere, see our guide on who should use Costco Travel and who should avoid it based on travel style.

The Takeaway

Costco Travel in 2025 is a mature, evolving travel platform backed by one of the most trusted retailers in North America. With membership fees now higher and Executive perks more sharply defined, it has never been more important for travelers to understand exactly what Costco Travel does well and where it is less competitive. Its strengths lie in high-value rental car deals, cruise bookings that are sweetened with rich extras and resort-centric packages built around mainstream brands and clear inclusions.

At the same time, policy shifts such as the end of new Disneyland packages and changing rental car partnerships underscore that Costco Travel is not static. Travelers who rely on it should treat it as a powerful tool in a wider toolkit rather than as a one-stop solution. Comparing offers, paying attention to reward eligibility and aligning your membership tier with your actual spending patterns remain essential to getting the most out of the platform.

Used thoughtfully, Costco Travel can quietly deliver hundreds of dollars in value per trip through a mix of discounts, rewards and extras. Whether you are planning a family beach vacation, a milestone cruise or a rental-car-heavy national park road trip, it is worth logging in, running the numbers and seeing how Costco’s size and negotiating power might work in your favor.

FAQ

Q1. Do I need an Executive membership to use Costco Travel?
Any paid Costco member can use Costco Travel. Gold Star, Business and Executive members all see the same base travel inventory, but Executive members earn a 2 percent reward on qualifying travel purchases once the trip is completed and may receive additional or earlier access to certain promotional deals.

Q2. Does Costco Travel always offer the lowest price?
Not always. Costco Travel often matches or beats public rates and then adds value in the form of credits or extras, but other agencies, loyalty program promotions or direct-booking offers can sometimes be better for specific dates or properties. It is smart to compare total value, including rewards and added perks, rather than focus only on base price.

Q3. How does the 2 percent Executive reward work with travel bookings?
For Executive members, qualifying Costco Travel purchases earn a 2 percent annual reward that is calculated after travel is completed. That amount is added to the rest of your eligible Costco purchases and issued as a single certificate, typically about two to three months before your membership renewal date. Taxes, fees and certain components may not qualify.

Q4. Can I cancel or change Costco Travel reservations easily?
Policies vary by product. Many rental car bookings through Costco Travel require no upfront payment and can be canceled without penalty. Packages, cruises and hotel stays often follow the supplier’s standard change and cancellation rules, which may include fees or deadlines. Always review the terms shown at booking and consider travel insurance for nonrefundable components.

Q5. Does Costco Travel still offer Disneyland packages?
As of 2025, Costco Travel is no longer accepting new bookings for Disneyland Resort vacation packages, though existing reservations into 2025 can typically be modified by contacting Costco Travel. The service does still offer deals for Walt Disney World, Disney’s Aulani resort and Disney Cruise Line itineraries.

Q6. Which rental car companies can I book through Costco Travel?
Costco Travel currently focuses on major rental brands and has a renewed multi-year agreement with Avis and Budget for U.S. members. Relationships with other brands have changed over time, and availability can vary by destination and date. When searching, you will see the current participating rental partners for your itinerary.

Q7. Do I earn hotel or airline loyalty points on Costco Travel bookings?
In many cases, yes, but it depends on the supplier and the type of rate Costco has negotiated. Some hotel and airline loyalty programs will credit stays or flights booked through Costco Travel as if they were booked directly, while others may treat them as third-party bookings with limited or no points and elite benefits. Provide your loyalty number at booking and confirm policies with the program.

Q8. Can non-members see Costco Travel prices?
Generally no. You need to sign in with an active Costco membership to view detailed pricing and complete bookings. Occasionally, marketing materials may highlight sample prices publicly, but the full inventory and live rates are reserved for members.

Q9. Is airfare always included in Costco Travel packages?
No. Many Costco Travel packages are land-only and cover hotels, transfers and sometimes tours, allowing you to book flights separately. Other offers bundle airfare into the total price. Each package clearly indicates whether flights are included, and travelers should weigh the convenience of bundled air against the flexibility of booking flights on their own.

Q10. When does it make sense to upgrade to an Executive membership for travel?
Upgrading makes the most sense if your combined Costco spending on warehouse, online and travel purchases is high enough that the 2 percent reward, plus any added travel perks, will approach or exceed the extra 65 dollars you pay for Executive status. If you book several sizable trips a year through Costco Travel and regularly shop at Costco, the numbers often work in your favor. If your travel and store spending are limited, a standard membership may be more economical.