Is Costco Travel worth it?

Costco Travel sells vacation packages, cruises, hotels and rental cars to members. It's worth it when the price is close to what you'd pay elsewhere, because of what you get back: Executive members earn 2%, and the Costco Visa pays 3% on top. Enter a trip to see what that adds up to.

How Costco Travel works

You search and book on Costco Travel's site the same way you would on any travel site, choosing from vacation packages, hotels, cruises, rental cars and theme park trips. The value comes from three things:

• The Executive 2% reward. Costco Travel purchases count toward the Executive reward, but only once the trip is complete, and within the same $1,250 yearly cap as everything else. Surcharges, gratuities, trip protection, upgrades, resort charges, port charges, rental car equipment and travel bought through a third party don't count.
• 3% on the Costco Visa. Citi names Costco Travel as eligible travel, so it earns the card's 3% rate, with no yearly limit.
• Package extras. Some packages come with a Digital Costco Shop Card or other extras. They vary by package, so read what each one includes.

Gold Star members can book too, but they don't earn the 2%. Not sure the upgrade pays? Try the Executive calculator, and include your travel spending.

So is it worth it?

Compare the same trip on Costco Travel and somewhere else. If you're an Executive member paying with the Costco Visa, you get about 5% back on most of the price. But the card pays 3% on travel booked anywhere, so the part only Costco Travel gives you is the Executive 2% plus any Shop Card. That's how much more Costco Travel can cost and still come out ahead, and it's the calculator's break-even figure. If Costco Travel is cheaper as well, it's an easy call. If it's a lot more expensive, the rewards won't close the gap.

A few things to keep in mind: the Executive reward arrives with your renewal, not right away, and you only earn it after you travel.

Costco Travel rental cars

Costco Travel's rental car search lists these perks:

• One additional driver fee waived.
• No cancellation fees.
• Book now, pay at the counter.
• Executive members earn the 2% reward (rental car equipment, like car seats, doesn't count).

Drivers under 25 may face extra fees or restrictions. If you pay with a Citi card, Citi says you may be covered against theft or damage to the rental car; check Citi's terms for what that covers before you decline the rental company's coverage.

Common questions

Does Costco Travel do flights?

Costco Travel's search offers flights as an add-on to a package or hotel booking ("Add Flight"). It doesn't list flights as a booking option on their own.

Does Costco offer travel insurance?

Costco Travel's site has a travel insurance section, and Costco's reward terms mention trip protection bought through Costco Travel. Trip protection doesn't earn the Executive 2%. Check the plan details on Costco Travel before you buy.

Does the Costco credit card have travel insurance?

Citi's page for the Costco Anywhere Visa lists rental car theft and damage coverage when you pay with the card, a 24/7 travel and emergency assistance service, and no foreign transaction fees. It doesn't list trip cancellation insurance.

What counts as eligible travel for the Costco Citi card?

Citi lists airfare, hotels, car rentals, travel agencies, cruise lines and Costco Travel, all at 3%. Train and commuter travel, timeshares, campgrounds and bed and breakfasts earn 1% instead. See what the Costco credit card pays you.

Do I get the Executive reward on a trip I cancel?

No. Costco adds Costco Travel purchases to your reward only once the travel is complete.

Sources: Costco Travel and its rental car page, Costco's Executive reward terms, and Citi's Costco Anywhere Visa page, checked October 17, 2026. We don't compare individual trip prices, because they change daily. This is general information, not financial advice.