I am a long-time Costco and Kirkland Signature fan. I’ve always known Costco as the store to save and purchase in bulk quantities for less, during each visit. But it’s not as well known that beyond their retail offerings, Costco can also help you save on travel expenses through products and services. From local food options to airline gift cards, let’s take a look at how a Costco membership can help save you on your next trip.
In-Store Products
Other than clothes and food, Costco sells plenty of merchandise and products that can be used for travel. Whether it’s an airline gift card or regional food, there’s a lot that Costco offers.
Gift Cards and Vouchers
Near the center of every store, Costco has a space dedicated to different kinds of gift cards and vouchers that members can purchase. For airline gift cards, these are usually sold at around 90% of their value; $450 for a $500 gift card. Porter and WestJet gift cards are regularly stocked items while Air Canada products are seen occasionally in-store or online. This also applies to Costco locations in the United States, where Southwest Airlines gift cards are a common sight.
Note that if you combine the gift card with another form of payment like a credit card, the insurance on the credit card may not be valid in case of an emergency as the terms of the insurance, like on the American Express Platinum Card, require that the entire cost of the airline ticket must be charged onto the card.
Activity Packages
Seasonally, Costco sells gift certificates to local destinations around a warehouse’s local region. For example, at the Burnaby, BC (Brighton) Costco location, they sell $100 gift certificates or vouchers to attractions and accommodations in nearby Whistler and an outdoor activity park franchise with locations around the Lower Mainland and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. All of these are sold between $75 to $80, saving you up to 25%.
At the Costco in Downtown Vancouver, not only are there $100 certificates for Whistler activities, but also other events like the annual Great Outdoors Comedy Festival or activities such as a Virtual Reality Experience and two tickets to the Rec Room, an indoor entertainment and arcade venue. You can also buy tickets to events like football games and Cineplex movie theatres. Check out our article on how to save and earn points from sporting events here!
Destination Guides
If you’re traveling, Costco also sells destination activity guides and packages such as bundles for multiple attractions or tour services in different cities.
Using the London Explorer Pass as a comparison, for an adult, the package costs $147.99 Canadian Dollars whereas buying direct on Go City’s website, the same 4 attraction pass costs £99.00 Pounds (GBP), or around $185 CAD at the time of writing, with an online promo discount (original price of £109.99 GBP).
Although you save around 20%, Costco’s version of the pass is non-refundable, whereas buying directly from Go City, there is a 30-day cancellation period.
Merchandise
Costco sells a variety of travel merchandise that members can buy for less. From reputable brands like Samsonite and Swissgear, luggage is often a popular travel product that is purchased at Costco.
Although most options are only available online, from time to time, warehouses will stock products in person so members can get a feel for which bags suit them the most. If you ever need an additional checked bag and you have complimentary additional baggage as a benefit of your Aeroplan credit card or frequent flyer status, checking out Costco for new bags could be an option.
Technology is a must nowadays while traveling, and Costco often sells tech at a discount compared to most retailers. Airtags are essential for tracking your belongings, and Costco sells a pack of 4 for $108.99, compared to $129.99 buying direct from Apple. You should check out our guide on tech you should bring with you while travelling!
Food
Well known for its $1.50 hot dog, Costco can help you save on food costs while abroad. If you’re staying at an accommodation with a kitchen and you enjoy making your own meals, Costco is a great option for sourcing ingredients or for grabbing ready-to-eat products. Moreover, it’s a great way to save on take-out, especially when traveling in a large group or family.
However, if you’re looking to experience local cuisines instead, some local restaurants or franchises will also sell gift certificates at Costco, usually at a value of $100 for $80, similar to the activity vouchers above.
Additionally, different Costcos around the world will offer a regionally influenced menu at the food court as well.
Using a Costco Credit Card
In Canada, there are three Costco-branded credit cards: the CIBC Costco Mastercard, the CIBC Costco World Mastercard, and the CIBC Costco Business Mastercard. Requiring a Costco membership, both credit cards are very similar, with one having the World Mastercard designation with a higher income requirement, and the other as a regular Mastercard with a lower requirement. Check out our review of the CIBC Costco World Mastercard for more details.
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None Estimated value: $0 |
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None Estimated value: $0 |
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$100 cash back Estimated value: $100 |
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Citi issues the Costco branded Visa Cards in the United States; the Citi Costco Anywhere Visa and the Citi Costco Anywhere Visa Business cards. Like its Canadian counterparts, both have similar benefits, with the Business designation being the only difference. As they are United States credit cards, they aren’t immediately available for Canadians, though there are ways to enter the US credit card sphere.
You can check out our Podcast episode on US Credit Cards, where we discuss the different methods of entering the US Credit Card world and the additional advantages!
| Credit Card | ||
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None Estimated value: $0 |
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None Estimated value: $0 |
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Another thing to note is that Costco will accept one form of major credit card. In Canada, Costco will only accept Mastercards, whereas in the United States, their warehouses accept Visa credit cards, or a Costco affiliated Mastercard.
Though it may not work at all Costcos, if you carry a Costco branded credit card (regardless if Visa or Mastercard) from another country, you must insert it when checking out as tapping the card may not allow the transaction to go through. Otherwise, remember to check which credit card each country’s Costco will accept beforehand, or bring cash. If you do not have a Mastercard, check out our guide to work around the Mastercard-only rule at Costco in Canada.
Costco Travel Agency
Costco operates its own travel agency, which sells vacation packages, cruise ship journeys, and car rentals, with rates and benefits exclusive to Costco members. Benefits will vary depending on resort or vacation package, but most have included extras such as credits that can be used towards food and beverage purchases, complimentary parking, or even waived resort fees. Other features of booking through the Costco Travel Agency include car rentals and even a Digital Costco Shop Card, which is a gift card delivered through your email that can be used in-person at Costco or on their website.
Most packages include a stay at luxurious resorts and hotels around the world, including the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. If you happen to be visiting a warehouse, you can pick up a travel brochure across from the returns counter. Otherwise most of Costco’s offerings are also available on their website as well.
If you have an Executive Costco membership, spending at the Costco Travel Agency will count towards the annual 2% Reward (up to $1,250). Fortunately, Costco accepts both Visa and Mastercard for online purchases so you are able to stack rewards on top. Most options, including the Canadian co-branded CIBC Costco Mastercard will only earn you 1% on top of the Executive Reward.
However, if you hold the US Citi Costco Anywhere Visa, purchases from Costco Travel count under the ‘Travel’ spending category where cardholders will earn 3% back, summing up to an additional 5% in savings.
If you hold a hotel elite loyalty status, like Marriott Bonvoy, you are not able to count these stays towards your membership, including travel booked through travel agents like Costco. Additionally, Costco does not seem to offer Asian destinations for itineraries, except for some cruises. Most of the destinations featured are focused on the Americas, with a few around Europe and the South Pacific.
Worldwide Presence
As mentioned with food, Costco’s worldwide presence means that its products and services may be specific to each warehouse’s location. Some warehouses will carry products that are region-specific, like larger cheese selections in Quebec Costcos, or Poutine at the food courts in Canada.
Some locations also might have additional services that other warehouses might not have. For example, at the Costco in Chula Vista, California, just south of San Diego, members have access to a foreign currency exchange that does not take commissions from transactions. They do require a passport for the exchange however. The foreign exchange is significant as that warehouse is near the US-Mexico border near Tijuana.
Conclusion
The world of Costco is an extraordinary sphere that has created a cult following for its wholesale prices and products. Known for its cheap food, like the $1.50 hot dog, and Kirkland Signature private label brands, Costco is a household name around the world.
Being a Costco member not only saves you money by buying in bulk, but it also unlocks savings when members travel. From airline gift certificates to vacation packages through their travel agency, there are many ways members can save on their next trip.
Andy Leung
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