Booking hotels and resorts through Costco Travel can feel like an insider move. Prices look lower, taxes often appear bundled in, and promotional blurbs promise resort credits and waived fees. Yet the fine print still matters. Many of those details are tied to how Costco hotel and resort bookings are structured, not to the individual hotel itself.
How Costco Travel Hotel & Resort Bookings Work
Costco Travel operates as a member-only travel agency that negotiates rates and extras with hotels, resorts and tour operators. To see hotel pricing or complete a reservation, you must have an active Costco membership and provide your membership number.
In return, you gain access to specially negotiated hotel-only rates, as well as bundled vacation packages that can include flights, rental cars and added perks. Hotel bookings are typically either “room only” stays or part of larger vacation packages that pair the room with transportation or other components.
Hotel-only reservations generally mirror a standard online hotel booking with one key twist: Costco presents what it calls “upfront pricing.” For hotel and land packages, this means required taxes are built into the price you see during search and on the checkout screen.
Separate service fees charged by Costco Travel are not added on later. Depending on the property and destination, mandatory resort fees may also be bundled into that visible price, so you are not guessing about what might be billed at the front desk at the end of your stay.
Vacation packages that include hotels follow similar pricing rules but layer in more moving parts. A package might combine a resort stay with roundtrip airfare, airport transfers or a rental car. Inclusions such as daily breakfast, resort credits, waived resort fees or complimentary parking are typically attached to these packages as added value.
While the headline price is per person based on double occupancy, the true value of a Costco Travel package often comes from those extras, which are negotiated specifically for members and may not be available when booking the same hotel room directly.
What Is Typically Included in Costco Hotel-Only Stays
For hotel-only bookings, Costco’s baseline inclusion is the room itself plus applicable hotel taxes. When you search for a hotel through Costco Travel and select specific dates, the price displayed is designed to reflect the total room rate with required taxes included.
That offers a more transparent comparison with other sites that may initially show a lower nightly rate but add taxes and surcharges on the final payment screen.
In many destinations, mandatory resort fees are also built into the price of hotel-only bookings. Current Costco Travel guidance notes that when a hotel charges a resort fee, it is included in the listed price, with a notable exception for Las Vegas properties.
This means that at qualifying resorts, you should not be billed a surprise resort fee at checkout. However, it is crucial to read the hotel-specific advisory on the booking page, which spells out whether resort fees are included or collected separately on site.
Taxes and mandatory fees aside, the core inclusions of a Costco hotel-only stay are usually limited to whatever is standard for that hotel and room type. For example, if the hotel publicly offers complimentary Wi-Fi or breakfast for all guests, you will receive those benefits as well. If the rate type booked through Costco includes breakfast or parking, that will be noted in the rate description or “included extras” section.
Executive members may also see special value adds at select properties such as food and beverage credits or room upgrades, which will again be clearly labeled rather than implied.
What Extra Perks Are Often Included With Costco Hotel & Resort Packages
Where Costco Travel often shines is in the extras that accompany many hotel and resort bookings, especially when those stays are part of a vacation package. Featured offers frequently highlight inclusions such as daily resort credits, digital Costco Shop Cards, waived resort fees, complimentary self or valet parking, or daily breakfast for two.
These additions are negotiated specifically for the Costco rate and are tallied as an “included extras value” to help you understand how much added benefit you are receiving beyond the base room and tax.
For example, a resort promotion might include a nightly resort credit usable toward on-property dining or spa services, combined with waived daily resort fees and free parking. Another package may highlight a daily breakfast credit and a digital Costco Shop Card delivered after travel is complete.
In beach or all-inclusive destinations, Costco packages may bundle unlimited meals, drinks, activities, and entertainment into a single per-person price, along with occasional instant savings on the total package cost.
Executive members may receive additional perks layered on top of these standard inclusions. These can take the form of welcome amenities, higher-value resort credits, enhanced room categories or exclusive savings events.
It is important to note that Executive benefits apply to the primary cardholder and are valid only when specified. The details appear clearly under the offer description or in the invoice’s “Included Extras” section, and unused portions of these benefits are generally nonrefundable and not redeemable for cash.
What Is Not Included and Where Surprise Costs Still Lurk
Even with Costco’s upfront pricing approach, there are several categories of expenses that are generally not included in hotel and resort bookings. Unless specifically written into your package, gratuities for housekeeping, bell staff, restaurant servers and spa personnel remain your responsibility and are not prepaid through Costco Travel.
Likewise, personal incidentals charged to your room, such as minibar items, room service, spa visits or on-property activities that are not part of an all-inclusive plan, are paid directly to the hotel at checkout.
Parking, internet, and certain resort services can also fall outside the included price. Costco’s current guidance explains that additional parking or Wi-Fi fees may apply and should be paid directly to the hotel or resort at the end of your stay. In some cases, a resort fee included in your Costco rate may cover basic internet access or some amenities, but premium speeds, upgraded services or special facilities like cabanas may still carry extra charges.
Hotels may also charge separately for cribs, rollaway beds or in-room refrigerators, so it is wise to review the hotel advisory and contact the property directly if you expect to need these items.
Government-imposed taxes and fees that change after you book are another area where you may incur additional charges. Costco Travel’s terms state that increases in government taxes or fees that take effect after you have paid in full may still be your responsibility, especially in international destinations that add or adjust tourism, environmental or airport departure taxes.
In some countries, arrival or departure taxes must be paid directly at the airport and are not folded into your Costco package, even when other taxes are included.
How All-Inclusive Resort Packages Through Costco Work
All-inclusive resort packages booked through Costco Travel generally bundle far more into the price than a standard hotel stay. In popular beach destinations such as Mexico and the Caribbean, these packages usually cover accommodations, meals, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, non-motorized water sports, resort entertainment and often airport transfers between the destination airport and the resort.
Costco frequently adds its own extras on top, such as instant savings off the total package price, resort credits or digital Costco Shop Cards delivered after travel.
However, “all-inclusive” does not literally mean every possible cost is covered. While the core food and beverage program is typically included, premium wine lists, top-shelf liquor brands, specialty dining surcharges, private beachfront dinners or in-room dining may incur additional charges.
Spa treatments, motorized water sports, off-site excursions and golf are also commonly excluded from the all-inclusive rate unless specifically stated as included in your package description. It is essential to read the inclusions section carefully so you understand what the resort’s all-inclusive program covers and what Costco’s package adds on top.
Gratuity policies also vary among all-inclusive resorts. Some properties state that basic gratuities are included in the package price, while others strongly encourage tipping for housekeeping, waitstaff and bartenders.
Even where service charges are technically included, many guests still provide cash tips for excellent service. Costco packages typically do not cover these discretionary tips, so plan to bring some local currency or small bills if you wish to tip during your stay.
Airfare, Transfers, and Rental Cars: When Are They Included?
One of the biggest points of confusion for travelers is whether Costco hotel bookings include transportation. By default, hotel-only reservations through Costco Travel do not include flights, airport transfers or rental cars.
The price you see is solely for the hotel stay and its listed extras. If you need transportation, you must either book it separately or choose a vacation package that explicitly bundles the hotel with airfare, transfers or a car.
Vacation packages that advertise “air-inclusive” will typically include roundtrip airfare from select cities, plus the hotel stay and any listed extras such as breakfast, resort credits or shop cards. For some packages, shared airport transfers to and from your resort are also part of the deal.
In other offers, Costco may promote a free or discounted rental car included with the hotel stay instead of transfers. The package overview and pricing breakdown clarify which transportation component is part of the package and what you may still need to arrange on your own.
When a rental car is included, it is important to note that rates usually exclude gasoline, optional insurance coverage, underage or additional driver fees and certain local taxes or surcharges. These costs are paid directly to the rental car company upon pick up or return.
Auto insurance is the driver’s responsibility, and a valid credit card is required for the security deposit. If you are comparing a Costco package that includes a car to a hotel-only booking, be sure to factor in these extra transportation costs so you have a realistic picture of total trip expenses.
Taxes, Fees, Resort Charges and Fine Print
Costco Travel emphasizes that its hotel and package prices include all applicable taxes and fees that can be prepaid, but there are some nuances. For hotel-only bookings and land packages, hotel taxes are integrated into the advertised price, and in many cases, mandatory resort fees are included as well.
However, some markets such as Las Vegas handle resort fees differently, and properties there may still collect those fees at the front desk. The hotel advisory linked to each booking is the definitive source for how that property’s resort fees are handled.
Beyond resort charges, Costco Travel notes that its packages include all taxes and fees it can prepay, yet additional local charges may still arise. These can include city or tourist taxes levied per night or per person, environmental fees or separate parking and internet charges billed by the hotel.
Certain countries impose arrival or departure taxes payable at the airport that cannot be bundled into your initial booking. Travelers remain responsible for any increases in government-imposed taxes or surcharges that take effect after purchase, even when the trip has been paid in full.
Another important fine-print item is that hotel stays booked as part of a Costco package are often not eligible for hotel loyalty program points or elite benefits. Room-only bookings may sometimes still earn points with specific partners, but vacation packages that combine hotel with air or other components are frequently treated as wholesale or group rates by hotel brands.
This means you may need to choose between a loyalty-qualifying rate booked directly with the hotel and a Costco rate that offers greater upfront value through credits, waived fees or shop cards.
How to Read a Costco Travel Invoice to Spot Inclusions and Exclusions
Your Costco Travel invoice is the most reliable snapshot of what is and is not included with your hotel or resort booking. For hotel-only stays, the invoice typically lists your room type, occupancy, travel dates, total price including taxes, and any noted resort fees or mandatory charges.
A dedicated “Included Extras” section spells out add-ons such as breakfast credits, resort credits, waived fees or shop cards tied to your reservation. Anything that does not appear on the invoice as an inclusion should be assumed to be your responsibility at the destination.
For vacation packages, the invoice becomes more detailed, outlining each component such as roundtrip flights, hotel stay, rental car, transfers and insurance if purchased.
The included extras section is where you will see incentives like complimentary breakfast, all-inclusive meal plans, resort credits, digital Costco Shop Cards, parking benefits or limited-time instant savings offers. The terms and conditions portion explains cancellation policies, penalties for changes and special notes about government taxes or resort surcharges.
Before finalizing a booking, it is wise to review both the invoice summary and the product’s online advisory or FAQ page. Together, these documents clarify what taxes and fees are prepaid, how resort charges are handled, whether parking or Wi-Fi are included, and if there are any destination-specific taxes due on arrival or departure.
If something is unclear, contacting Costco Travel by phone before purchase can prevent unwelcome surprises later, especially for international resort stays where local tax structures may be unfamiliar.
The Takeaway
Costco’s hotel and resort bookings can offer strong value, particularly when you factor in included taxes, bundled resort fees, daily breakfast, resort credits and member-exclusive extras.
The company’s upfront pricing approach often makes it easier to compare total costs than on platforms that start with lower headline rates but add layers of taxes and fees at checkout. For many travelers, the combination of transparent pricing and value-added perks is what makes Costco Travel worth considering.
At the same time, no booking channel eliminates the need to read the fine print. Gratuities, personal incidentals, premium services, parking and internet fees at some properties, and changing government taxes can all add to your final bill.
Transportation is not included with hotel-only stays and is only bundled when explicitly part of a vacation package. Loyalty benefits may be limited on package bookings, and unused extras like resort credits or shop cards are generally not refundable.
The smartest way to use Costco Travel is to treat each offer as a complete bundle and carefully review what is and is not included before you commit. Compare the total cost including taxes, fees and expected on-site expenses with what you would pay by booking directly with the hotel or through another travel site.
When the math works in your favor and the inclusions match your travel style, Costco hotel and resort bookings can deliver an appealing combination of savings, convenience and added perks for members.
FAQ
Q1. Do Costco hotel-only prices include taxes and resort fees?
Yes, for most hotel-only bookings, Costco builds required hotel taxes into the price you see during search and checkout. When a property charges a mandatory resort fee, that fee is typically included in the displayed price as well, although some exceptions such as many Las Vegas hotels still collect resort fees at the front desk. The individual hotel advisory on the booking page clarifies exactly how taxes and resort fees are handled for that stay.
Q2. Are parking and Wi-Fi included in Costco hotel and resort bookings?
Parking and Wi-Fi are not automatically included. If a specific offer lists complimentary self-parking, valet parking or internet access as an “included extra,” then those items are covered. Otherwise, hotels may charge separately for parking, upgraded internet or certain business services, and you will pay those charges directly to the property at checkout.
Q3. Do Costco vacation packages include flights by default?
No. Many Costco listings are hotel-only, which do not include airfare. Air-inclusive vacation packages will clearly state that roundtrip flights are part of the offer and will show flight details during the booking process. If air is not mentioned as included, you should assume you are responsible for booking flights separately.
Q4. What is usually included in an all-inclusive resort package through Costco?
All-inclusive resort packages typically include accommodations, meals, snacks, a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, resort entertainment and use of non-motorized water sports or recreational facilities. Costco often adds extras such as resort credits, digital Costco Shop Cards or instant savings. However, premium dining, certain alcohol brands, spa treatments, motorized sports, golf and off-site tours are often not included unless specifically listed.
Q5. Are gratuities included with Costco hotel or resort bookings?
Standard hotel bookings through Costco do not include gratuities, and tipping remains at the guest’s discretion. For all-inclusive resorts, some properties fold basic service charges into the package price, but many guests still tip staff in cash for good service. Unless the resort clearly states that all gratuities are included, you should plan to budget extra for tipping.
Q6. Will I earn hotel loyalty points and elite nights on Costco bookings?
It depends on the type of booking. Hotel-only reservations at certain brands, such as Hyatt, may still be eligible for loyalty points when you provide your membership number. However, hotel stays booked as part of a broader Costco vacation package that includes air or other components are often treated as wholesale or package rates and may not earn points or elite credit. Always check your hotel program’s rules and the Costco advisory before assuming you will receive loyalty benefits.
Q7. Does Costco Travel include travel insurance with hotel or resort bookings?
Travel insurance is not automatically included with Costco hotel or resort reservations. Costco Travel offers optional trip protection plans underwritten by a third-party insurer, which you can add for an extra cost during or after booking. Coverage details, including medical and cancellation benefits, limitations and exclusions, are outlined in the policy documents and should be reviewed carefully before purchase.
Q8. Are government departure or tourism taxes included in my Costco price?
Many hotel and package prices include applicable sales and occupancy taxes that can be prepaid, but some government-imposed charges are collected locally and are not bundled into your Costco total. Certain destinations levy per-night tourism taxes, environmental fees or airport arrival and departure taxes that must be paid on site. Costco’s terms indicate that travelers are responsible for these charges, as well as any future increases in government taxes or fees that occur after booking.
Q9. What happens to unused resort credits or Costco Shop Cards that come with my booking?
Included extras such as resort credits, food and beverage credits or digital Costco Shop Cards are valuable, but they are generally nontransferable, nonrefundable and not redeemable for cash beyond their stated use. If you do not use the full value of a resort credit during your stay, the remaining amount is typically forfeited. Costco Shop Cards associated with completed travel can usually be used for future shopping, but their terms prohibit cash redemption except where required by law.
Q10. How can I confirm exactly what is and is not included before I book?
The most reliable way is to carefully read both the offer description and the booking advisory on Costco’s site, then review your invoice summary before you finalize payment. Look closely at the “Included Extras” section, any notes about taxes and resort fees, and any mention of transportation, meal plans or credits. If questions remain, call Costco Travel directly for clarification. Getting precise answers in advance helps you avoid surprise charges and compare Costco deals accurately with other booking options.