Industrial-sized trail mix? Costco. Hot-dog combo lunch for $1.50? Costco. A fantastic, family-friendly <a s Costco, too! Beyond the savings on bulk groceries, eyeglasses, and prescriptions, this retail giant also functions as a highly effective travel agency.
Many parents turn to Costco Travel when planning trips with children because of the convenience and value it offers by bundling flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. I have personally used my membership to secure lodging and vehicles, and it has been a lifesaver. For instance, I managed to book a rental car through the site when every other option at the Phoenix airport was sold out during spring training two years ago. It was a total game changer!
Read on for the pros, cons, do’s, and don’ts of booking family travel through Costco. Need inspiration for your next getaway? Our Family Travel Guide has you covered. Plus, check out our tips for planning affordable family vacations to help you through Costco Travel certainly has its benefits!
Is Costco Travel Really a Good Deal for Family Vacations?
When planning a trip, it is always wise to compare options. While Costco Travel provides competitive pricing and a wide range of ideas—which is excellent for families who need help building an itinerary—it is important to do your research.
Costco Travel truly excels when it comes to comprehensive family packages. There is a dedicated “family-friendly deal” section that parents can browse to plan trips focused on international and domestic resorts, cruises, and even gear for the little ones. Furthermore, the descriptions clearly display the savings compared to booking the same components independently.
What Family-Friendly Perks Can Costco Travel Include?
Resort credits
Free breakfast
Room upgrades
Transportation perks and reduced parking fees
Kid-friendly hotel partners
Kids clubs
Water park access
Is Costco Travel Good for Theme Park Trips Like Disney?
Costco Travel recognizes that families love Disney and other theme parks, so the site highlights various properties, with a particular focus on Disney cruise lines. By booking through the platform, members gain access to vacation packages that may include early park admission, complimentary transportation, and food and beverage incentives. You can choose between on-property and off-property hotels.
The package value breakdown makes it easy to see how pricing shifts based on factors like resort tiers, staying off-site, and included perks like meal plans.
Adventures by Disney, available through Costco Travel, provides guided group itineraries across the globe, extending well beyond the theme parks. This service offers <a t believe Costco Travel is inherently superior for resorts, cruises, or international trips compared to other booking services; however, it does simplify the experience by centralizing promotions, itineraries, and pricing in one place. I find that Costco Travel is ideal for families who are new to group travel or those who need extra guidance regarding activities and destinations.
The service shines with its pre-planned itineraries and the ability to adjust them based on your family’s preferences. It also proves useful when other travel aggregators fail to show the specific flight, hotel, or car you need.
How Does Costco Travel Compare to Booking Direct or Using a Travel Agent?
Travel Agent: This would be my number-one recommendation for families new to <a s always nice to talk things out with a trained professional, especially when unknown factors pop up, like world events, travel warnings, illness policies, and more.
Costco Travel: For more experienced travelers, Costco Travel is ideal. You already pay a membership fee—why not get the most bang for your buck? Costco Travel supports your wants by offering itineraries and ideas to build an amazing family vacation. You can usually get deals on specific packages and save time and money by having the process ready to go.
Direct Booking: If you’re great with tech and a Type-A planner who loves to organize a trip, direct booking might be up your alley. You’ll need to know how to shop a deal and compare costs, stay ordered and ahead of deadlines, and reach out to individual sites. If you go this route, I highly recommend using Excel, Google Sheets, or another type of spreadsheet app to keep everything organized.
Would I Use Costco Travel Again for a Family Trip?
I would definitely book a Costco Travel family vacation again, especially during high-traffic times like spring break or holidays. It’s been a great resource when I wasn’t able to book rental cars and hotels on my own due to supposed sold-out vehicles and rooms. After researching all the offered cruises and destinations by sea, I’d be very open to book our first cruise as a family with Costco Travel as well… I’ll just need to purchase that industrial-sized Dramamine with my Costco card before we leave!
Costco Travel FAQs
Q: Is Costco Travel worth it for families?
A: Costco Travel offers a strong value for many families because it offers bundled perks and simplified planning. However, it’s not always the cheapest option!
Q: Do you need a Costco membership to use Costco Travel?
A: Yes, you must be an active Costco member to use Costco Travel.
Q: Is Costco Travel cheaper than booking everything separately?
A: Sometimes. Although a trip’s base price won’t necessarily be lower, you can save money through included perks.
Q: Is Costco Travel good for traveling with kids?
A: Costco Travel is great for families who value convenience, reputable hotels, and bundled perks over complete customization.
Q: Can you customize Costco Travel packages?
A: Customization is very limited with Costco Travel. If that’s what you’re looking for, booking independently or using a travel agent would be better options for you.