There's a Costco Deal Most Shoppers Have No Idea Exists
We all know Costco is the place to go when you want to buy food and household supplies in bulk-or maybe even a super-sized teddy bear-but we bet you probably didn't know about their amazing travel deals.
The retailer has a wide range of travel options for members-many of which are really, really cheap. Shoppers can book airfare, hotel accommodations, and transportation for cruises, safaris, and vacations in the Caribbean, Europe, Australia, and more on the Costco Travel site.
The discount store began selling vacation packages in 2000, and since then, they've grown their offerings to include hundreds of trips around the globe. You can book a dreamy week-long vacation to Maui for two for under $3,000 (including flights, hotel, and car rental), a four-night cruise around the Caribbean for just $281 (!) per person, and even a seven-day Puerto Rico getaway for just $800.
Every year, Costco's seven-member travel team reaches out to properties and destinations to arrange travel packages for Costco shoppers. They also design many of the deals to include luxury options or money-saving upgrades as exclusive offers for Costco members.
"We negotiate added values for our members," Chris Hendrix, who oversees the buying division at Costco Travel, told CountryLiving.com. "Sometimes we're able to throw in a Costco cash card on a cruise for instance, and sometimes it's additional amenities like a room upgrade." Many bookings include perks like daily breakfast buffets, food and beverage credits, rental cars, and more.
Costco says their most popular trips are beachy getaways to Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean, though Italy is a popular choice, too. Chris recommended booking these trips during their "sweet spot," which is 3 to 6 months out, to get the best deals and products.
If you're looking to save even more money, Chris recommends booking your trip for the shoulder seasons, meaning right before or after summer (September is one of the best times to save!). You can also locate the best values in the "Weekly Hot Deals" section on the website.
You have to be a Costco member to purchase a vacation through the brand's website or call center, but anyone can browse the site to get inspired. Now you just have one dilemma left to solve: choosing a destination.
(h/t Business Insider)
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