Costco Connection - January 2010

Have Costco,
will travel
Costco Travel has provided members
with a decade of great experiences

BuyingSmart

Consumer reporter Pat Volchok gives a behind-the-scenes look at Costco products and services. Send your questions about this article to: buyingsmart@ costco.com.

SAVVY TRAVELERS are fierce value hunters. We aggressively track down best prices, special offers, upgrades and extras.

Fortunately, Costco members don’t have to go this road alone. We have a “best deal” travel-sniff-ing tool working 24/7 just for us: Costco Travel.

Members-only perks

Costco Travel is unique in that it offers special benefits and added values to which only Costco members are entitled. Costco Travel offers members exceptional travel options for hotels, resorts, cruise lines, rental cars, escorted vacations, houseboat rentals and theme-park packages that meet the Costco mission of excellent quality and value.

Peter Gruening, Costco Travel general manager, shares, “We make sure our vacation-product providers are known for quality. Rather than advertise ridiculously low lead-ins, two-for-ones or free airfare that upon further investigation are grossly substandard or no bargain at all, we consistently provide best-value, quality experiences day in and day out. Members are in good hands with us.”

Costco Travel buyers don’t stop at finding good

deals. They want the best deals. The key is market share. As more members use Costco Travel, volumes increase and prices drop. Many times, member savings are up to 30 percent.

Shannon Parker, Costco Travel general merchandising manager, reports, “In a year when people are more conservative with their finances, our business is growing, especially as compared to the industry.”

For example, in August 2009 Costco Travel offered a six-night, $769-per-person package at The Westin Maui Resort and Spa for travel from mid-August through mid-December. An unprecedented number of rooms were sold. In fact, Costco members occupied nearly one-quarter of the hotel during this period.

Who’s on the phone?

Costco Travel has more than 250 employees, the majority of whom are reservation agents, located just steps from Costco headquarters in Issaquah, Washington.