ValentinValkov / stock.adobe.com

Destination the world

Costco Travel offers members an array of travel experiences, from cruises, gorgeous vacation packages and all-inclusive resorts to theme parks and car rentals. And just as in the warehouse, prices are crystal clear from the get-go.

by Wendy Irvine

A trip to Costco is arguably a destination unto itself, but did you know that Costco has also been curating incredible travel deals for members in Canada since 2015?

Here’s how it works. Costco Travel buyers negotiate bulk buys on three “verticals”—vacation packages, cruises and car rentals—resulting in an extraordinary collection of travel experiences.

“In 2015, we launched Costco Travel with 10 travel representatives,” says Karine St-Cyr, Costco Travel area manager, Ottawa. “Today we have more than 100.”

“Costco Wholesale has built a high level of trust with members throughout the world, and we at Costco Travel want to safeguard that trust,” says Kathy Robinson, vice-president and general manager, Costco Travel. “We stand behind all the products we sell and eliminate the extra costs, so members pay only what they’re quoted and there aren’t hidden fees.”

Left: The lao Valley in Maui, Hawaii; Right: Traditional dancing in Mexico.
Left: © peteleclerc / stock.adobe.com; Right: Montana Miramar / stock.adobe.com.

Bring your trip to life

Costco Travel offers two exceptional ways to put your travel vision into action.

Option one. Costco Travel boasts friendly and very knowledgeable travel reps who are raring to answer your call and your every question.

“The buyers and their teams form the bedrock of Costco Travel. Specializing in their particular destination, the buyers negotiate extraordinary vacation packages and then layer each in add-ons and amenities,” says Robinson.(See “Dial up the fun.” )

Option two. If you’re a DIY person, log on to CostcoTravel.ca and create your dream getaway.

“Members can build their own vacations, take an all-inclusive or guided vacation, a cruise and so many things in between,” says Robinson.

Vacation packages to love

Who’d love an effortless trip? (A lot of you.) Let Costco Travel do the heavy lifting while you kick back and relax. The hardest part is choosing where to go.

The Caribbean. “We offer vacation packages on nine islands, including the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and St. Lucia,” says Erin Huffman, Caribbean buyer. “Costco Travel’s goal is to bring exceptional value to our members. The Caribbean collection now includes even more value with these new resorts: The Ritz-Carlton, Turks and Caicos; Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau in the Bahamas; and Hampton by Hilton Grand Cayman.”

Costa Rica and Latin America. “We’re continually working to expand what we offer,” says Richard Murphy, buyer for Costa Rica and Latin America. “This year we’ve added 10 new properties in Mexico, from family-friendly, adults only and all-inclusive to traditional rooms only, including our newest five-star boutique, La Casa de la Playa in Riviera Maya.”

Costa Rica and its 28 magnificent national parks deliver mind-blowing thrill rides like zip lining over a lush forest canopy, inner tubing through ancient caves and trekking around a volcano, to name just a few.

Europe. “Costco Travel offers pre-bundled packages to European cities and countries, like London: Your Way, Paris: Your Way, and Best of Italy: Your Way,” says Kanoe Daly, the Costco Travel Europe buyer.

Members can choose from a variety of European vacation packages that include long lists of elegant add-ons, such as a bottle of wine in your room, daily breakfast or a room upgrade, among many more.

Hawaii. “Costco Travel makes the booking process simple,” says Jolene Schuerman, a Costco Travel buyer for Hawaii, “and you will always receive that exceptional Costco value.”

Schuerman has created a beautiful selection of vacation packages for Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii (the Big Island), all at varying price points.

“I tell everyone to get out and explore what each island has to offer,” says Schuerman. “Each has its own personality and offers different experiences. Explore the beautiful surroundings, meet the locals and learn about the local culture—these are the things you’ll remember long after you’ve returned home.”

Theme parks and sensational cities. If you’re thinking about visiting one of the biggies, such as Walt Disney World (Florida) and Universal Orlando Resort (think: Harry Potter), let Costco Travel manage the details.

“One of the benefits of using Costco Travel,” says Michelle Rupp, buyer for theme parks and North American east coast regions (Florida and New York City), “is that we take out the guesswork for the members; our packages include the hotels, tickets and rental car.”

Cruises

Cruising is back! “The ships returned to the water in June 2021 and are back to 100% capacity for all of the lines offered in our program, which includes one river and 10 ocean cruise lines,” says Jody Zegers, cruise buyer.” The beauty of cruising is that you can sail almost anywhere, like the South Pacific (Bora Bora), Canary Islands, Greek islands and the Norwegian fjords. You can even sail to Iceland and Ireland on a Celebrity cruise.”

Even better, many Costco Travel cruise lines debark from three Canadian ports: Montreal, Quebec City and Vancouver (Canada’s largest port and the point of departure if you’re cruising to Hawaii, Alaska, Asia, South America, Mexico, the U.S. West Coast or the Panama Canal).

Zegers continues, “One to two weeks after the cruise has completed, members receive a Costco Shop Card—a percentage of your cruise price —to use at a Costco warehouse or at Costco.ca.” (See “The pièce de résistance”.)

Car rentals are available through Costco Travel
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No-surprises car rentals

Not only will you find exclusive member rates on car rentals at CostcoTravel.ca, but Costco Travel does the price comparisons for you and waives the additional-driver fee.

“Costco Travel’s pricing includes one additional driver at no extra charge, which is an automatic savings of $12 to $15 a day,” says Christina Lattanzio, Costco car rental buyer. “We also don’t have cancellation fees, so, given today’s world, members get great flexibility. Our goal is pricing transparency, so that there are no surprises.” Plus, she adds, “you can now reserve a one-way rental in a package or pick up and/or drop off your car in a different city from your hotel destination.”

So, grab your bags and your passport—Costco Travel is waiting to take you away!