Costco is best known for bulk groceries and bargain electronics, but its travel arm quietly offers some of the strongest value in the vacation market. Costco Travel lets eligible members book hotels, resorts, and vacation packages that bundle extras like resort credits and breakfast.
The details matter because Costco rates, payment rules, and cancellation windows can differ from what you see elsewhere, and that is exactly what Costco hotel and resort bookings are built around. Understanding how the process works step by step helps you decide when to book through Costco instead of an online travel agency or directly with the hotel.
Costco Travel Basics and Eligibility
Costco Travel operates as a full-service online travel agency reserved for Costco members. Instead of selling physical goods, it leverages Costco’s buying power to negotiate hotel rates and bundle perks such as included breakfasts, resort credits, or late check-out.
Hotel bookings are offered both as standalone stays and as part of vacation packages with flights, transfers, or rental cars. The service focuses on value at recognized brands, particularly in popular leisure destinations.
To use Costco Travel, you must be an active Costco member in the United States, and in most cases you need to be a Gold Star, Business, or Executive member. Your membership number is linked to your travel profile, which unlocks member-only pricing and Costco Shop Card promotions.
Non-members cannot complete a reservation through Costco Travel, so verifying your membership status before you start shopping for hotel deals is an important first step.
Costco Travel is not available in every country, and the hotel offerings are curated rather than universal. You will not see every property in a city, and you will not find hostels or small independent guesthouses.
Instead, the inventory concentrates on major chains, resort brands, and all-inclusive hotels that agree to Costco’s negotiated terms. For many travelers, this narrower but vetted selection can make the search process simpler.
Before you begin, it helps to understand that Costco Travel is a separate platform from the main Costco retail site. You will log in using your Costco credentials, but travel reservations, confirmations, and payments appear in a dedicated section. Treat it as you would any large travel agency, but with member-only pricing and benefits layered on top.
Finding and Comparing Hotel Options
The first active step in a Costco hotel booking is searching for a destination and travel dates. Within the Costco Travel site, you choose the hotel-only option or a package that includes a hotel component.
Then you enter your check-in and check-out dates, the number of adults and children, and the number of rooms you need. The system returns a set of qualifying properties that have negotiated rates for those dates.
Each hotel result shows the nightly price or total package price, along with a description of what is included. One of the key advantages of Costco Travel is that the listing clearly breaks out extras like daily breakfast, resort fees that are prepaid or collected on arrival, parking charges, resort credits, and taxes.
This transparency matters because what appears to be a bargain on another site can become expensive once mandatory fees are added at checkout.
Costco often highlights “Executive Member Benefit” offers where Executive members receive an additional Costco Shop Card after travel is completed. Shop Cards are essentially store credit that you can use for future Costco purchases. When comparing options, factor these rebates into the effective cost. A hotel bundle that includes a sizable Shop Card or resort credits might deliver more value than a slightly lower base rate with no extras.
During the comparison phase, it is wise to cross-check what you see on the Costco Travel site with the hotel’s own website and at least one other booking channel. Look for differences in cancellation policies, breakfast inclusion, room categories, and resort fee handling.
Costco’s strength is usually in value-added inclusions and predictable pricing, but there are instances where a hotel’s loyalty program rate or a flash sale on another site may beat the member deal. Investing a few minutes to compare can confirm whether Costco is providing a genuine edge for your specific dates.
Understanding Room Types, Inclusions, and Fine Print
Once you have narrowed the choices to one hotel or a short list, the next step is to drill down into room types and the fine print behind each rate. Costco Travel usually displays a menu of available room categories ranging from standard rooms to suites, sometimes with special Costco-only categories that combine a view upgrade with included meals or credits. Pay close attention to the naming and descriptions to be sure you are choosing the exact layout and bed configuration you need.
Each quoted rate comes with a detailed breakdown of inclusions. This may specify whether breakfast is daily and for how many guests, whether resort fees are included in the prepaid total or payable at the property, and whether parking or Wi-Fi is complimentary.
Some all-inclusive resorts list specific inclusions such as meals, drinks, water sports, and kids’ club access. Reading these details carefully ensures that you are not surprised by extra charges on arrival.
Cancellation and change policies are another critical part of the fine print. Costco Travel contracts may offer fully refundable rates up to a certain number of days before arrival or may involve stricter penalties for peak dates or special promotions.
Time limits for free cancellation are usually listed clearly, along with any fees for changes. Compare these terms with those offered directly by the hotel, especially if your plans are flexible or if you are booking far in advance when plans may change.
Some properties also restrict certain benefits to particular room types. For example, club-level access, premium views, or bundled resort credits might only apply to specific categories.
If those perks are important to you, confirm that your chosen room type is explicitly described as eligible. When in doubt, call Costco Travel customer service and ask them to walk through the inclusions before you finalize payment.
Step by Step: The Booking and Payment Process
After you have selected your preferred hotel and room type, the actual booking flow begins. First, you click through to the room category you want and confirm the total cost, including taxes and any fees that are prepaid.
Costco Travel then prompts you to log in with your Costco membership credentials if you have not already done so. Your membership number is validated, which unlocks any Executive Member benefits or Shop Card promotions associated with the booking.
The next screen collects traveler information. For a hotel-only booking, you typically enter the primary guest’s full legal name, contact phone number, and email address.
If more than one room is on the reservation, some hotels require a name for each room, while others allow you to list all rooms under a single lead name. Accuracy is important, because the hotel will rely on this data to locate your reservation at check-in.
Payment is the final step before confirmation. Costco Travel generally allows payment by major credit card and sometimes by debit card. Certain promotions may require a Costco co-branded credit card to earn extra rewards, but in most cases, any eligible card works.
For hotel-only bookings, the entire stay is often prepaid, although some properties use a deposit structure. The booking page outlines exactly what you will be charged now and whether any balance or resort fee will be due at the property. Ensure the billing address, card number, and expiration date are correct to avoid delays.
Once you submit payment, the system processes the reservation with its hotel partners. Within a short time, you receive an on-screen confirmation and a confirmation email that includes your itinerary number, hotel details, dates, room type, and any special inclusions.
This email is your key document for check-in and for any future customer service inquiries, so save it and consider printing or downloading a PDF copy to your phone for offline access.
After You Book: Confirmations, Changes, and Cancellations
Shortly after booking, your Costco Travel confirmation is usually mirrored in the hotel’s own reservations system. Many travelers like to contact the hotel directly a few days later to confirm that the reservation appears under their name and that any requested bed type or special notes are attached. While this extra step is not mandatory, it can provide peace of mind, especially for international trips or peak-season stays.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, the easiest way is to return to the Costco Travel site and sign in to your account. Your upcoming trips will appear in a dedicated section.
Clicking on your hotel booking brings up options to cancel or modify, subject to the rules of your rate. Some changes, such as altering dates or room types, might require a phone call to Costco Travel customer service if the online tools cannot handle the request.
Penalties for changes or cancellations depend on the hotel’s policy and the specific Costco rate you selected. If you booked a fully refundable rate, you can usually cancel without charge until a certain date and time, often measured in local hotel time.
After that deadline, cancellation may trigger a fee equal to one or more nights, or the entire stay for some promotional deals. Nonrefundable rates generally allow no refunds, even if your plans change, so it is critical to understand these terms at the time of booking.
When a refund is due, it normally returns to the original form of payment. Processing times can vary but often take several business days before the credit is visible on your bank or card statement.
If the reservation included a Costco Shop Card promotion and you cancel before travel, that benefit is typically voided or reversed. If you cancel after partial use, such as shortening a stay mid-trip, adjustments can be more complicated and are handled case by case by Costco Travel and the hotel.
How Extras, Credits, and Loyalty Benefits Work
One of the main reasons travelers choose Costco Travel is the extra value built into certain hotel deals. Many offers include daily breakfast, resort credits for dining or spa services, waived parking, or discounted resort fees.
These inclusions are funded through Costco’s contracts with the hotel rather than public coupons. The details in your itinerary specify how and when these benefits apply, and most are redeemable only during the stay tied to the booking.
Resort credits, for example, are usually applied to your folio at checkout as a reduction of eligible charges. In some cases, the credit is split by day, meaning you receive a set amount per night that does not roll over if unused. Other offers provide a single lump sum usable anytime during the stay.
Because policies vary by property, it is helpful to ask at check-in how your specific credit is structured so you can plan spa appointments or restaurant visits accordingly.
Costco Shop Cards work differently. These are not used during the hotel stay, but instead are issued after you complete travel. Once your trip is verified, Costco processes the Shop Card in physical or digital form according to the promotion’s terms.
You can then spend it at Costco warehouses or on qualifying purchases, but not to retroactively reduce the cost of the hotel reservation you already completed. This delayed benefit can still be significant, especially for Executive members, effectively lowering the net cost of the trip.
As for hotel loyalty programs, many properties will still credit nights and points for stays booked through Costco, but this is not guaranteed. Some chains treat Costco Travel similarly to other third-party agencies, while others recognize it more like a direct-booking partner.
You can typically add your loyalty number to your reservation at check-in or by calling the hotel in advance. Elite benefits such as room upgrades or late check-out may or may not be honored, depending on the brand’s rules and how the rate is coded. If earning points or elite-credit nights is a top priority, confirm with the hotel chain how Costco Travel bookings are handled.
When Costco Hotel Bookings Make the Most Sense
Costco Travel hotel bookings are particularly strong for resort stays, all-inclusive properties, and vacation packages where extras provide clear value. A family booking a beachfront resort that includes daily breakfast, airport transfers, and a sizable resort credit might save substantially compared with assembling all those pieces separately.
Costco’s curated set of properties also tends to emphasize well-reviewed hotels, which can shorten the research process for travelers who prefer reliable, familiar brands.
Another sweet spot is for travelers who already shop at Costco frequently. If a hotel deal comes with a generous Costco Shop Card, that rebate functions like found money that can offset everyday expenses later.
Combined with the 2 percent reward for qualifying purchases that Executive members receive, the effective rebate on a larger vacation can be meaningful. Travelers who value straightforward pricing and a bundled experience often appreciate that Costco Travel spells out taxes and many fees upfront.
On the other hand, Costco is less ideal for ultra-budget stays, one-night airport layovers, or small boutique hotels that fall outside its network. Road trippers who prefer independent motels or travelers chasing niche loyalty promotions might find more options by booking directly with hotel chains or through other agencies.
Similarly, if you need fully flexible, last-minute change capability, check whether Costco’s contracted rates are as forgiving as the most flexible direct rate from the hotel.
In practice, the best strategy is to include Costco Travel as one of several channels you consult. If you see a compelling Costco rate that includes extras you would have paid for anyway, such as breakfast or parking, and the cancellation terms fit your risk tolerance, booking through Costco can be a smart move.
If another channel significantly undercuts the price or offers better loyalty benefits, you might decide that the trade-off is not worth it for that particular trip.
The Takeaway
Costco hotel bookings are built on a simple idea: use the buying power of millions of members to secure favorable rates and extras at a curated set of properties. The process itself resembles any major online travel agency.
You search for a destination and dates, compare hotels and room types, examine inclusions and cancellation terms, enter traveler details, and pay with a credit card. The difference lies in the bundle of benefits layered on top, from breakfasts and resort credits to post-trip Costco Shop Cards.
Understanding the step-by-step flow helps you avoid surprises. Before booking, verify your membership, carefully review room descriptions and inclusions, and read the cancellation and payment rules.
After booking, confirm your reservation with the hotel, clarify how credits and fees will be handled, and track any promised Shop Card rewards. For many travelers, particularly families and frequent Costco shoppers, these bookings can deliver outsized value compared with standard retail rates.
Costco Travel is not always the cheapest or most flexible option, and it does not cover every hotel in every city. But when its strengths align with your trip needs, especially for resort vacations and all-inclusive stays, it can be one of the most efficient ways to lock in a good price and useful extras.
Treat Costco Travel as a powerful tool in your planning kit, and deploy it when the combination of rate, perks, and protections clearly beats the alternatives.
FAQ
Q1: Do I need a Costco membership to book hotels through Costco Travel?
Yes. An active Costco membership is required to access Costco Travel rates and complete a booking. Gold Star, Business, and Executive members can all use the service, and some promotions offer additional value specifically for Executive members.
Q2: Are Costco hotel bookings always cheaper than other sites?
No single channel is always cheapest. Costco often delivers strong value by bundling extras like breakfast and resort credits, but occasionally a hotel’s own website or another agency may have a lower bare-bones rate or a special loyalty promotion. Comparing a few sources is the best way to confirm value for your specific dates.
Q3: Can I earn hotel loyalty points and elite credits on Costco Travel bookings?
Often you can, but it is not guaranteed. Some hotel brands treat Costco Travel bookings similarly to direct reservations and award nights and points, while others classify them as third-party stays with limited or no credit. Add your loyalty number to the reservation and confirm policies with the hotel or chain before assuming you will earn points.
Q4: How do Costco Shop Card promotions with hotel bookings work?
When a promotion includes a Costco Shop Card, you receive it after you have completed the trip, not at the time of booking. Once your travel is confirmed as complete, Costco issues the Shop Card in the form described in the offer. You can then spend it on eligible purchases at Costco, but it cannot be applied retroactively to the hotel bill you already paid.
Q5: Are Costco hotel bookings refundable?
Refundability depends on the specific rate and hotel policy you choose. Many Costco offers are fully refundable up to a certain deadline before check-in, while others carry partial penalties or are entirely nonrefundable. The cancellation terms are listed before you pay, so review them carefully to match your flexibility needs.
Q6: Can I change the dates or room type after booking through Costco Travel?
In many cases you can, subject to availability and the rules of your reservation. Some changes can be made online by accessing your trip in your Costco Travel account, while others require calling customer service. Date or room changes may alter the price and could trigger fees if they fall outside the free-change window.
Q7: How are resort fees handled on Costco Travel hotel reservations?
Resort fees may be included in the prepaid total or charged directly by the hotel at check-in or check-out. Your booking summary spells out how these fees are treated for your specific stay. If you are unsure, contact Costco Travel or the hotel to clarify whether you will pay any additional mandatory charges on arrival.
Q8: What should I do if my hotel cannot find my Costco reservation at check-in?
If the hotel cannot locate your reservation, present your Costco Travel confirmation with the itinerary number and spelling of your name. Ask the front desk to search by those details and by the check-in date. If the issue persists, contact Costco Travel customer service immediately so they can liaise with the property and resolve the discrepancy.
Q9: Can I book multiple rooms or travel with a group through Costco Travel?
Yes. You can book multiple rooms in a single reservation for families or small groups, as long as the hotel allows it for your chosen dates. Larger group bookings or special event needs may require additional coordination, and in some cases, working directly with the hotel’s group sales team could be more appropriate.
Q10: Is Costco Travel a good option for last-minute hotel bookings?
Costco Travel can work for last-minute stays, but availability may be more limited and some promotions require advance purchase. If you need maximum flexibility or are arriving within hours, compare Costco’s offers with direct hotel rates and same-day deals from other sources to ensure you are getting both a good price and terms that fit your situation.