Buying
Smart
By Pat Volchok
Costco Travel offers
trips to the world’s
most beautiful spots.
This scene: Amalfi,
Italian Riviera.
The world of
Costco Travel
Your dream vacation at a dream price
T. SCORINGE
High on my list of “if only’s” is one ever, offers inside staterooms on cruise ships, experienced agents, not just hourly ticket
that relates to my love of travel: If but instead slices out real savings in ocean- sellers working off commission. They know
only I’d started using Costco view or higher-quality categories.” their products, understand the intricacies of
Travel at its inception instead of Planning and purchasing a trip through the travel business and are given ongoing
waiting a couple of years, I would Costco Travel is pleasurable and easy. Free destination education by the company.
have saved a lot of money and been able to travel brochures, published each May and And while many other travel operations
explore much sooner many parts of the world November, are located at each warehouse advertise ridiculously low lead-in offers that
I previously considered out of my price range. travel kiosk. These brochures are crammed upon further investigation wouldn’t be suit-
If you’re wondering what makes Costco with product photos, charts and trip sugges- able for the family pet, Costco Travel has
Travel different from other travel companies, tions. Sections of the brochures, as well as already weeded out the questionables to offer
here’s the answer: This Costco division last-minute deals, updated pricing and the lat- only the best of the best.
applies the same buying philosophy used by est Costco travel opportunities, are also avail- In fact, Court Newberry, Costco Travel
the rest of the company. They are, in effect, able at costco.com under “Travel.” president, notes “Unlike some companies
wholesalers who skip the middle person and Once you are ready to book, or if you that promise luxury but fall short of their
deal directly, and sometimes exclusively, need additional information, a Costco Travel claims, Costco Travel does everything
with hotels, cruise lines and car rental com- professional is just a toll-free phone call away humanly possible to ensure that hotels,
panies for superior products with better at 1-877-849-2730. resorts, airlines, cruise lines, rental car com-value. The end result for members is excep- Costco Travel is a true Costco treasure. panies and ground transfer companies in the
tional travel offerings that cost as much as 22 First of all, every product offered has been program are of the highest quality.”
percent less than those marketed by tradition- personally inspected and approved by a Extra perks are included at no additional
al travel companies. Costco Travel employee. (I called numerous cost whenever possible. These include ship-
“We focus on carving out the best deals online and retail travel companies; not all can board credits, bottles of wine, private tour
for members while never losing sight of qual- make such a claim.) Second, unlike many concierge, shore excursions, tours and cocktail
ity and value,” says Costco Travel’s Shannon online travel sites and even some retail travel parties. (Pat’s note: Executive Members
Parker. “For example, Costco Travel rarely, if agencies, Costco Travel professionals are should look for a black Executive Membership
