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Vacations can be more than just fun. They can be a seriously needed break from the grind and a great thing for your mental health.
There are plenty of budget-friendly travel sites you can turn to for your next vacation. But if you're a Costco member, you may want to consider booking your next trip through Costco Travel. Not only might you save money by locking in a great deal, but you might enjoy these lesser-known perks.
1. Cash back on an Executive membership
Costco sells two different memberships. A basic one costs $65 per year and doesn't give you cash back on your purchases. An Executive membership costs $130 per year and gives you 2% back on the things you buy at Costco -- including vacations.
Although certain purchases, like gas, aren't eligible for cash back with an Executive membership, travel purchases count. If you book a $3,500 trip, you'll get $70 added to your annual Executive membership reward. And in that case, a single trip is enough to cover the cost of the entire Executive membership upgrade ($65).
Plus, if you double up with a great rewards credit card, you can earn even more points or cash back from your trip.Click here for a list of the best rewards cards for Costco spending. But also, do note that Visa and Mastercard are the only forms of payment accepted by Costco Travel for cruise or vacation package bookings.
2. Your own personal travel agent
Even if you're someone who enjoys traveling, sometimes, wading through your choices can be overwhelming. Another benefit of booking a vacation through Costco is that you can enlist the help of a travel expert to help you find the right itinerary. You'll also get the support of Costco's travel experts in case things go wrong.
Say you book a cruise through Costco that ends up getting canceled. In that case, you don't have to be the one to contact the cruise line and figure out how to get rebooked or refunded. Costco will handle that for you.
3. Extra spending money during or after your trip
It's not just that Costco prices its vacation packages competitively. Many of them also give you extra spending money to use during or after your travels.
For example, if you book a resort stay through Costco, you may be entitled to a credit you can redeem for services that aren't included in your base price, like spa services or alcohol. Some Costco travel packages reward you with a Shop Card (Costco's version of a gift card), the amount of which is calculated depending on the cost of your trip.
You'll typically receive your Shop Card a week or so after your vacation, which means your groceries and household supplies might be free or less expensive during your next trip to the store. And when you've just spent money on a vacation, it can be nice to get your groceries for free.
Clearly, there's much to be gained from booking a vacation through Costco. If you've been saving for one, it pays to take a look at the many offers Costco has available now.
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Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it's no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale, Mastercard, and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2025 $370 calls on Mastercard and short January 2025 $380 calls on Mastercard. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
