International trips booked through Costco Travel often bundle flights, hotels, rental cars and even cruises into a single value-driven package, but that convenience can come with a tangle of rules when your plans change.
Understanding how cancellations, changes and refunds work before you book can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars if life throws you a curveball. Those rules are shaped by how Costco Travel handles international bookings, where airline, hotel and cruise policies intersect rather than operate in isolation.
How Costco Travel Works With International Bookings
Costco Travel operates as a travel agency and consolidator rather than the direct provider of your flights, hotels, cruises or tours. When you book an international package, Costco Travel assembles components from multiple suppliers and passes along their rules.
The core principle is that each individual element of your trip is governed by the terms of the airline, cruise line, hotel or rental car company involved, layered on top of Costco Travel’s own package policies.
In the terms and conditions, Costco Travel makes clear that revisions and cancellations are subject to the rules of each supplier. Airline tickets, for example, are bound by the carrier’s fare rules, while cruise deposits and final payments follow the cruise line’s penalty schedule.
That means two travelers on the same itinerary may face different costs to change or cancel depending on which cabin type, fare class or promotional rate they chose at the time of booking.
For international travelers, it is especially important to review these supplier rules at checkout and again on your final confirmation invoice. Penalty dates for long-haul flights and overseas cruises often start earlier than on domestic itineraries, and certain deeply discounted or promotional fares can be entirely nonrefundable from the moment you pay.
Costco Travel emphasizes that no-shows are nonrefundable across the board, so failing to show up for a flight, ship embarkation or hotel stay will almost always mean forfeiting what you paid.
Package-Level Cancellations and Changes for International Trips
When you purchase a bundled international vacation package through Costco Travel, such as an air plus hotel stay in Europe or an island resort package in the South Pacific, you are dealing with a layered policy.
Costco Travel’s terms state that cancelling a package will result in supplier fees where applicable. In practice, this means some or all components of the package may carry penalties, even if you are cancelling well in advance.
Once your airline tickets in the package are issued and paid in full, many international fares cannot be reduced in price or refunded. Some are nonchangeable entirely. Where changes are allowed, airlines typically impose change fees and any difference in fare between your original itinerary and the new one.
Certain discount or promotional tickets may only allow you to retain the ticket’s value as a nonrefundable credit with strict use-by dates and passenger name restrictions. Costco Travel notes that rebooked tickets generally must be flown on the same airline and used within one year of the original ticket issue date.
On the hotel and ground portion of an international package, rules can vary by resort and destination. Many properties allow changes or cancellations until a defined deadline, after which one or more nights become nonrefundable.
Costco Travel passes through those terms and will show the penalty dates in your package details and invoice. If you alter your travel dates, hotel category or room occupancy, you may face new pricing and potential rebooking of the entire package, sometimes with fresh deposit and penalty timelines.
One subtle but crucial point is that package changes are processed as revisions. Costco Travel indicates that any changes made after initial booking can trigger supplier fees, so even a seemingly minor modification like shifting your trip by one day can have financial consequences.
Because packages are priced using live inventory, rebooking to a new date can also expose you to higher fares or room rates, which you will need to pay in addition to any penalties.
Airline Tickets in Costco Travel International Packages
For most international customers, the air portion of a Costco Travel package is the most expensive and most restrictive component. Costco Travel’s terms explain that airline revisions are governed by the ticket’s fare rules, which are set by the airline.
Once tickets are paid in full, airlines generally do not allow price reductions, even if the same flight later advertises a lower fare. This can come as a surprise to travelers accustomed to flexible domestic policies promoted by some carriers.
Change policies for international tickets can range from relatively flexible to completely locked in. Many standard economy and premium economy fares now permit changes for a fee plus any increase in fare, while the lowest basic economy or promotional fares may disallow changes entirely.
Costco Travel warns that some ticket rules do not allow changes under any circumstances, in which case you may have to cancel and rebook at current prices, often with limited or no residual value from the original ticket.
Cancellation rules are equally varied. Some international fares are nonrefundable but may retain their value as a future flight credit subject to the airline’s deadline, which is often one year from the date of original issue.
Others charge a set cancellation penalty and refund any remaining value to your original form of payment. Costco Travel advises that cancelled airline tickets tied to packages are typically nonrefundable and nontransferable, reinforcing the need to choose fare types carefully during booking.
One more implication of airline rules is the impact of no-shows. Costco Travel notes that failing to use any portion of your airline reservation, such as missing your outbound flight, can trigger automatic cancellation of the rest of your ticket, including return segments.
That can leave you stranded or forced to purchase entirely new tickets at walk-up prices. For international itineraries with tight connections, confirming your flights 24 hours in advance and arriving at the airport well before departure is not just a comfort tip but a crucial step to protect your investment.
Hotel-Only and Room Portions of International Itineraries
Travelers who book hotel-only reservations through Costco Travel for international stays generally encounter more flexibility than with flights, but there are still important rules.
According to Costco Travel’s hotel frequently asked questions, the agency itself does not charge a fee to change or cancel a hotel-only booking unless you are inside the hotel’s penalty period. The key is knowing when that period begins for your specific property and rate.
Hotel cancellation policies are detailed on your invoice, typically in the room category or advisory sections. Many international hotels allow cancellations without charge up to 24 to 72 hours before arrival, but popular resorts, boutique properties or peak season stays may impose nonrefundable deposits or longer penalty windows.
Once you cross into the penalty period, cancelling may mean forfeiting one night, multiple nights or even the full cost of your stay, depending on the terms you accepted.
To change an international hotel-only booking online, Costco Travel generally requires you to make a new reservation first, then cancel the old one. That approach reduces the risk of losing your room type or rate while you adjust your plans.
However, you must still review and accept any cancellation penalties that apply when you cancel the original booking. After cancellation, Costco Travel notes that hotel reservations typically cannot be reinstated, so consider your timing carefully.
When a hotel stay is bundled within a broader international package, its cancellation policy may be tied to the package’s timeline rather than standard room-only rules.
For instance, a special package that includes resort credits or exclusive amenities might be nonrefundable once you are within a certain number of days of departure. In these cases, Costco Travel is following the supplier’s promotional terms, which can be less flexible than standard published rates booked directly with a hotel.
Cruises, Tours and Specialty International Packages
International cruises and escorted tours booked with Costco Travel follow another set of policies, primarily driven by each cruise line or tour operator. Costco Travel’s terms state that any changes to a cruise reservation after the initial booking may incur supplier fees, and that cruise lines generally do not allow rate reductions once penalties begin or the cruise is paid in full.
That means if the fare for your sailing drops close to departure, the line may not adjust your price, especially if you are already inside the penalty window.
Cancellation penalties for cruises usually follow a sliding schedule set by the cruise company. Well before departure, you may receive a full refund less a small administrative fee, while cancellations closer to sailing can result in loss of your deposit or even the entire cruise fare.
Costco Travel advises guests to consult the cruise line’s specific terms and conditions for exact penalties, as they differ by brand, itinerary length and cabin type.
International packages that combine a cruise with flights booked through Costco Travel can be particularly complex. The air portion is typically nonrefundable once ticketed, even if the cruise line’s policy allows for partial refunds or credits. Canceling such a package could leave you with separate outcomes for the cruise fare, taxes and the associated flights.
In some cases, the value of cancelled airline tickets may be used as future air credit on the same carrier, but you will need to pay change fees and any fare difference when you rebook.
Escorted tours, rail journeys and specialty itineraries such as African safaris or multi-country European packages also come with tightly defined schedules and penalties. Many require significant nonrefundable deposits and have final payment dates 60 to 120 days before departure.
Once paid in full, flexibility can be limited. Costco Travel passes these rules directly from the tour operator, so international travelers should read package terms closely before committing to high-dollar, once-in-a-lifetime trips.
Rental Cars and Ground Transport for International Trips
Rental cars booked as standalone reservations through Costco Travel are one of the most flexible components in the ecosystem. According to the agency’s rental car guidance, you can cancel a rental car-only booking at any time without penalties, and payment is usually not required at the time of booking.
If you forget to cancel and simply do not pick up the vehicle, there is normally no fee from Costco Travel, although the rental company could potentially mark your reservation as a no-show and release the car.
When you need to change a rental car-only booking, Costco Travel generally does not modify the existing reservation. Instead, you are asked to create a new booking with your preferred dates or vehicle type, then cancel the original one.
Because car rental prices and availability can fluctuate, the agency recommends confirming the new booking before you cancel the old reservation to avoid losing a favorable rate.
The situation is different if your rental car is part of an international vacation package. In that case, the car hire is just one component alongside flights and hotels, so changes and cancellations are processed within the broader package policy.
Cancelling or shifting travel dates may require re-pricing the entire package, including the rental car, with supplier fees potentially applied to more than one element.
For international travelers, it is also important to consider local conditions and insurance requirements for rental cars. While Costco Travel’s agency policies may not impose fees for cancelling a car-only reservation, the rental company’s rules on insurance, additional drivers, mileage limits and cross-border travel still apply. Reviewing these terms at the time of booking and again before pickup can help prevent surprises that might otherwise lead you to cancel or rebook at the last minute.
How Costco’s Travel Insurance Affects Cancellations
To help offset the financial risks of cancelling or interrupting a trip, Costco Travel offers optional travel protection plans underwritten and administered by third-party insurers.
For international itineraries, these plans typically include trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits that reimburse you for covered reasons, up to 100 percent of your insured trip cost. Covered reasons often include serious illness or injury, certain family emergencies, severe weather, and other specified events, though exact coverage varies by plan.
Independent analyses from outlets such as NerdWallet and Forbes Advisor show that Costco’s international travel protection plans can provide higher limits for emergency medical expenses and evacuation than standard domestic plans, alongside robust trip cancellation benefits.
For example, international plans often cover up to the full cost of your trip for cancellation and 150 percent for interruption, with generous caps on medical and evacuation expenses. These features can be particularly valuable when you have prepaid nonrefundable international flights, cruises or tours.
Many Costco Travel insurance plans also offer a Cancel For Any Reason upgrade, which typically reimburses a percentage of your trip cost if you cancel for a reason that is not otherwise covered, as long as you meet timing and purchase requirements.
While these benefits rarely provide a full refund, they can significantly soften the blow of losing nonrefundable deposits or fares. Travelers should pay close attention to deadlines for purchasing Cancel For Any Reason coverage, which often require you to buy it soon after your initial trip deposit.
It is important to understand that insurance does not waive supplier penalties; instead, it reimburses you after the fact if your claim meets the policy criteria. You must still follow the formal cancellation procedures with Costco Travel and the relevant suppliers, and then submit documentation to the insurer.
For complex international packages, keeping meticulous records of invoices, receipts, medical reports and airline notices will make it easier to file a successful claim.
Practical Tips for Managing International Changes and Cancellations
Given the layered and often strict rules that apply to international trips booked with Costco Travel, managing your reservation proactively can significantly reduce the risk of unexpected losses.
The first step is to thoroughly read your booking confirmation and the detailed terms and conditions for each component of your itinerary. Pay close attention to deadline dates for final payments, penalty windows for cancellations, and any notes indicating that a fare or rate is fully nonrefundable.
Before making any change to an international reservation, consider the ripple effects. Moving your trip by even a few days may require reissuing airline tickets, adjusting hotel stays, and modifying any bundled transfers or excursions.
In many cases, suppliers treat changes as full cancellations followed by new bookings, which can trigger multiple sets of fees. Calling Costco Travel’s reservations line to walk through scenarios before you act can help clarify the cost of each option.
If you discover a lower price for the same international package on Costco Travel’s own site after you have booked, Costco Travel encourages you to call for assistance. However, they note that securing a lower price may require rebooking, which can itself carry penalties if you are inside a supplier’s penalty window. This trade-off between potential savings and new cancellation fees is another reason to keep a close eye on your package terms from day one.
Finally, consider your personal risk tolerance and the complexity of your itinerary when deciding whether to purchase Costco’s optional travel insurance. International trips with multiple legs, remote destinations or expensive cruises and tours are generally more vulnerable to disruption.
Ensuring that your coverage limits match your prepaid, nonrefundable costs can provide peace of mind if illness, family emergencies or other unforeseen events force you to change course.
The Takeaway
Costco Travel’s international cancellation and change policies are best understood as a framework built on top of airline, hotel, cruise line and tour operator rules. Airline tickets in particular tend to be restrictive, with many nonrefundable and nonchangeable options that can generate significant costs if you alter your plans.
Hotel-only and rental car reservations booked through Costco Travel are often more flexible, though international packages that bundle these elements together can introduce stricter penalty windows and rebooking requirements.
Optional travel insurance sold through Costco Travel can play an important role in protecting high-value international trips, especially when it includes robust trip cancellation, interruption and medical coverage, as well as Cancel For Any Reason benefits. Yet insurance does not eliminate supplier penalties; it simply reimburses eligible losses after you cancel or change your trip according to the rules.
For travelers, the most practical strategy is to study your booking documents carefully, calendar key penalty dates and consult with Costco Travel before making changes that could affect multiple components of an international itinerary.
With a clear understanding of how cancellation and change policies work, you can book Costco Travel vacations with realistic expectations, make informed decisions if your plans shift, and avoid costly surprises as departure approaches.
FAQ
Q1. Are Costco Travel international vacation packages refundable if I cancel?
In most cases, international packages are only partially refundable, and the amount you receive depends on when you cancel and the rules of each supplier. Airlines, hotels, cruise lines and tour operators all have their own penalty schedules, which Costco Travel applies to your booking. Some airline tickets and promotional package components may be entirely nonrefundable from the time of purchase.
Q2. Can I change the dates of my international trip without cancelling the whole Costco Travel package?
Sometimes, but not always. Date changes for flights and hotels are generally treated as revisions, which can trigger supplier change fees and new pricing. In many situations, Costco Travel must effectively cancel and rebook parts or all of the package to accommodate new dates, which may involve penalties and higher fares or room rates.
Q3. What happens to my international airline tickets if I cancel a Costco Travel package?
For many packages, the airline portion is nonrefundable and nontransferable, particularly for discounted or promotional fares. In some cases, the value of your ticket may be preserved as a credit on the same airline, usable within a limited time frame and subject to change fees and fare differences. Specific outcomes depend on the fare rules attached to your ticket.
Q4. Do I pay extra fees to cancel a hotel-only reservation for an international stay?
Costco Travel does not usually charge its own fee to cancel a hotel-only booking, but you remain subject to the hotel’s cancellation policy. If you cancel before the hotel’s penalty period, you may receive a full refund. Cancelling inside the penalty window can result in forfeiting one or more nights or, in some cases, the full cost of your stay, especially for special rates or peak-season reservations.
Q5. Is there any penalty if I cancel an international rental car booked alone through Costco Travel?
Rental car-only reservations made through Costco Travel can generally be cancelled at any time without penalty from Costco Travel, and you typically do not prepay. However, if the rental car is part of a larger package with flights and hotels, different rules may apply and the vehicle portion could be tied to the package’s overall cancellation schedule.
Q6. How does Costco’s travel insurance help if I need to cancel an international trip?
Costco’s optional travel protection plans can reimburse you for nonrefundable trip payments if you cancel or interrupt your international journey for covered reasons spelled out in the policy, such as serious illness or certain emergencies. Some plans also offer Cancel For Any Reason benefits that reimburse a percentage of your costs when you cancel for reasons outside the standard list, provided you meet purchase and timing requirements.
Q7. If prices drop on my international Costco Travel package, can I rebook at the lower rate without penalties?
You can contact Costco Travel if you notice a lower price on the same package, but adjusting to that new price may require cancelling and rebooking parts of your itinerary. If you are already within supplier penalty windows, rebooking could lead to cancellation fees that offset or exceed any potential savings, so the decision needs to be evaluated case by case.
Q8. What happens if I miss my outbound international flight on a Costco Travel itinerary?
Missing your outbound flight is typically treated as a no-show, which most airlines consider nonrefundable. It can also trigger automatic cancellation of your remaining segments, including return flights. You may have to purchase new tickets at current prices to continue your trip. This is why Costco Travel stresses arriving at the airport early and reconfirming flights in advance.
Q9. Can I transfer my Costco Travel international booking to another person if I cannot travel?
In most cases, no. Airline tickets are almost never transferable to another passenger, and many package components, cruise bookings and tour reservations are also nontransferable. While some hotels might allow a name change for the guest staying in the room, changing the primary traveler on a bundled international itinerary is usually not permitted.
Q10. How can I see the specific cancellation rules for my international Costco Travel booking?
The best way is to review your confirmation invoice and the detailed terms and conditions provided at booking. These documents outline cancellation deadlines, penalty amounts and any nonrefundable components for each part of your trip. If anything is unclear, you can call Costco Travel’s reservations team with your booking number to have an agent walk through the rules before you change or cancel.