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Why cheaper travel sites keep losing to Costco

• The extras set Costco Travel apart. Prices often include breakfast, resort credits, waived fees, free extra drivers, and Shop Cards that other sites charge for later

• Many of their travel bookings let you reprice or cancel without penalties, saving hundreds on flexible fare or trip insurance add-ons

• Try to stack your rewards. Executive cash back, the Costco Visa, and post-trip Shop Cards can turn a higher price into the cheaper trip overall

You cant impulse-buy a vacation the way you toss a rotisserie chicken into your cart. Theres no travel desk next to the tire center, no cruise samples by the bakery. In fact, the only clue that Costco even sells travel is a small rack of brochures near the exit that most shoppers walk past.

Thats why Costco Travel remains one of the most overlooked Costco perks, even among longtime members. But skipping it could mean leaving serious money on the table when planning your next vacation.

Costco Travel has quietly grown into a major player in the vacation space over the past 25 years. According to company executives, U.S. members booked more than $100 million in travel in just the five days after Thanksgiving last year, and annual bookings now run into the billions. Thats still small compared to mega booking sites, but Costco isnt trying to be everything to everyone.

How Costco Travel works differently

Costco applies the same philosophy to travel that it uses in its warehouses. This means much fewer travel options for you, but what they do offer is usually a low negotiated price, with a ton of built-in value.

This means you might not find every airline or every hotel and flights are typically bundled into vacation packages.

Also, be aware that resorts are pre-selected and rental cars are offered through a short list of major brands.

But by being selective, Costco is able to negotiate some awesome extras that most travelers usually end up paying for separately.

Those extras often include things like the following:

• Free daily breakfast for two.
• Resort credits.
• Waived resort fees.
• Costco Shop Cards after your trip.

Smart tips for using Costco Travel to save money

If youre considering booking through Costco, heres how to get the most out of it.

1.Start with rental cars

If youre new to Costco Travel, rental cars are probably the easiest place to start.

Prices are often lower than booking direct, additional drivers are usually free, and you dont need a credit card to reserve. For many travelers, this alone can save $100$300 per trip.

Pro tip: Re-check rental cars weekly as Costco Travel does NOT penalize you when you cancel and rebook. Rental car prices swing wildly as inventory changes so youre smart to re-check frequently. For example, lets say you book a midsize SUV for $620/week. Two weeks later, the same car could drop to only $430. Cancel, rebook, done.

2. Book Costco Travel packages for the perks then reprice flights later

Costco Travel bundles flights into your package, but many packages allow you to modify or rebook flights after you purchase them.

So be sure to lock in the resort you want go to + any perks (often the best part), then monitor your airfare separately.

For example:

You book a Mexico all-inclusive package primarily for the resort, and $150 shop card. Three weeks later, airfare drops by $180 per person.

All you have to do is call Costco Travel at 866-921-7925 and reprice the flight portion, keeping everything else intact.

3.Compare packages, not line items

Costco Travel shines with bundled vacations.

To that end, when you compare prices, dont just look at the nightly rate. Factor in breakfast, resort fees, credits, and any free Costco shop cards.

What looks more expensive upfront can end up being significantly cheaper overall.

4. Be flexible on resorts and destinations

Be aware that Costcos inventory is curated to give you the best value, its definitely not endless.

If youre dead-set on one specific boutique hotel or a specific airline, Costco might not have it. But if youre flexible, thats where the value appears and Costco Travel is a must use.

5.Stack travel rewards and Costco membership benefits

If you have a Costco Executive membership or a cashback travel card (like the Costco Anywhere Visa), you can layer rewards on top of Costco Travel prices.

Example:

When you book a cruise through Costco Travel and you can stack the following:

• Earn 2% back with an Executive membership
• Get 3% cashback on the travel bill with the Costco Visa
• Receive a Digital Costco Shop Card after sailing

When you combine these, thats potentially hundreds of extra dollars back.

6. Use it for big trips, not complex itineraries

Costco Travel is best for Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, cruises, Europe packages, and Vegas-style trips.

Its less ideal for multi-city, custom itineraries with lots of moving parts.

7. Use Costco Travel as a refund insurance policy

Try to book big trips through Costco Travel when youre worried about plans changing.

This is because Costco Travel is unusually generous with changes and cancellations compared to most discount travel sites.

Specifically, with many of their packages, you can actually cancel or modify your plans up to a certain date with no penalty, or a fairly small 10% charge. This is a huge advantage over most travel sites who often lock you into a non-refundable rate unless youre willing to pay extra.

Example:

Lets say youre planning a trip to Europe six months out. Booking elsewhere, youll often pay $300$500 extra for cancel for any reason coverage or flexible fares.

But when you book through Costco Travel, you book the standard package and you get to keep the flexibility built in.

If your plans end up changing you can oftencancel and rebook later. No sunk trip insurance cost and no lost deposit.

8.Use Costco Travels boring hotel list to dodge resort junk fees

This tip sounds backwards, but it works, just hear me out.

Costco Travel intentionally limits which hotels it works with which is good for the traveler as it filters out a lot of properties that rely on add-on fees to make money.

For example, hotels that partner with Costco Travel tend to bundle things other sites charge separately for. Things like parking, Wi-Fi, resort fees, and daily credits. On other booking sites, those fees often show up AFTER you think you found a deal.

So, Costco Travel might look more expensive at first glance because it doesnt play the hide the fees game. But once you add everything up, it often wins on price. Especially at resorts, beach destinations, and tourist cities where fees are out of control.

Why cheaper travel sites keep losing to Costco

• The extras set Costco Travel apart. Prices often include breakfast, resort credits, waived fees, free extra drivers, and Shop Cards that other sites charge for later

• Many of their travel bookings let you reprice or cancel without penalties, saving hundreds on flexible fare or trip insurance add-ons

• Try to stack your rewards. Executive cash back, the Costco Visa, and post-trip Shop Cards can turn a higher price into the cheaper trip overall

You cant impulse-buy a vacation the way you toss a rotisserie chicken into your cart. Theres no travel desk next to the tire center, no cruise samples by the bakery. In fact, the only clue that Costco even sells travel is a small rack of brochures near the exit that most shoppers walk past.

Thats why Costco Travel remains one of the most overlooked Costco perks, even among longtime members. But skipping it could mean leaving serious money on the table when planning your next vacation.

Costco Travel has quietly grown into a major player in the vacation space over the past 25 years. According to company executives, U.S. members booked more than $100 million in travel in just the five days after Thanksgiving last year, and annual bookings now run into the billions. Thats still small compared to mega booking sites, but Costco isnt trying to be everything to everyone.

How Costco Travel works differently

Costco applies the same philosophy to travel that it uses in its warehouses. This means much fewer travel options for you, but what they do offer is usually a low negotiated price, with a ton of built-in value.

This means you might not find every airline or every hotel and flights are typically bundled into vacation packages.

Also, be aware that resorts are pre-selected and rental cars are offered through a short list of major brands.

But by being selective, Costco is able to negotiate some awesome extras that most travelers usually end up paying for separately.

Those extras often include things like the following:

• Free daily breakfast for two.
• Resort credits.
• Waived resort fees.
• Costco Shop Cards after your trip.

Smart tips for using Costco Travel to save money

If youre considering booking through Costco, heres how to get the most out of it.

1.Start with rental cars

If youre new to Costco Travel, rental cars are probably the easiest place to start.

Prices are often lower than booking direct, additional drivers are usually free, and you dont need a credit card to reserve. For many travelers, this alone can save $100$300 per trip.

Pro tip: Re-check rental cars weekly as Costco Travel does NOT penalize you when you cancel and rebook. Rental car prices swing wildly as inventory changes so youre smart to re-check frequently. For example, lets say you book a midsize SUV for $620/week. Two weeks later, the same car could drop to only $430. Cancel, rebook, done.

2. Book Costco Travel packages for the perks then reprice flights later

Costco Travel bundles flights into your package, but many packages allow you to modify or rebook flights after you purchase them.

So be sure to lock in the resort you want go to + any perks (often the best part), then monitor your airfare separately.

For example:

You book a Mexico all-inclusive package primarily for the resort, and $150 shop card. Three weeks later, airfare drops by $180 per person.

All you have to do is call Costco Travel at 866-921-7925 and reprice the flight portion, keeping everything else intact.

3.Compare packages, not line items

Costco Travel shines with bundled vacations.

To that end, when you compare prices, dont just look at the nightly rate. Factor in breakfast, resort fees, credits, and any free Costco shop cards.

What looks more expensive upfront can end up being significantly cheaper overall.

4. Be flexible on resorts and destinations

Be aware that Costcos inventory is curated to give you the best value, its definitely not endless.

If youre dead-set on one specific boutique hotel or a specific airline, Costco might not have it. But if youre flexible, thats where the value appears and Costco Travel is a must use.

5.Stack travel rewards and Costco membership benefits

If you have a Costco Executive membership or a cashback travel card (like the Costco Anywhere Visa), you can layer rewards on top of Costco Travel prices.

Example:

When you book a cruise through Costco Travel and you can stack the following:

• Earn 2% back with an Executive membership
• Get 3% cashback on the travel bill with the Costco Visa
• Receive a Digital Costco Shop Card after sailing

When you combine these, thats potentially hundreds of extra dollars back.

6. Use it for big trips, not complex itineraries

Costco Travel is best for Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, cruises, Europe packages, and Vegas-style trips.

Its less ideal for multi-city, custom itineraries with lots of moving parts.

7. Use Costco Travel as a refund insurance policy

Try to book big trips through Costco Travel when youre worried about plans changing.

This is because Costco Travel is unusually generous with changes and cancellations compared to most discount travel sites.

Specifically, with many of their packages, you can actually cancel or modify your plans up to a certain date with no penalty. This is a huge advantage over most travel sites who often lock you into a non-refundable rate unless youre willing to pay extra.

Example:

Lets say youre planning a trip to Europe six months out. Booking elsewhere, youll often pay $300$500 extra for cancel for any reason coverage or flexible fares.

But when you book through Costco Travel, you book the standard package and you get to keep the flexibility built in.

If your plans end up changing you can simply cancel and rebook later. No sunk trip insurance cost and no lost deposit.

8.Use Costco Travels boring hotel list to dodge resort junk fees

This tip sounds backwards, but it works, just hear me out.

Costco Travel intentionally limits which hotels it works with which is good for the traveler as it filters out a lot of properties that rely on add-on fees to make money.

For example, hotels that partner with Costco Travel tend to bundle things other sites charge separately for. Things like parking, Wi-Fi, resort fees, and daily credits. On other booking sites, those fees often show up AFTER you think you found a deal.

So, Costco Travel might look more expensive at first glance because it doesnt play the hide the fees game. But once you add everything up, it often wins on price. Especially at resorts, beach destinations, and tourist cities where fees are out of control.

Cars, buses, trucks, they all have problems. Here's this week's fleet

Quick lap around the latest NHTSA campaigns with live links to each recall number so readers can jump straight to the federal notice.

Top Hazards This Week

• Fire risk: Inadequate fuse protection on certain Altec units could allow an electrical fire.
• Camera failures: Rearview camera images may not display on multiple Porsche models (and Lamborghini Urus).
• Heavy-vehicle braking concern: New Flyer buses may lose ABS/ESC functionality without warning lights.
• Steering risk: Power steering pump failures reported on certain Micro Bird buses.

The Field (Recalls by Campaign)

Check Your Vehicle

To find out if your specific vehicle is part of a recall, enter your license plate or vehicle identification number (VIN) in NHTSAs Recall Look-up Tool. If your vehicle has an unrepaired recall, contact your local dealership and make an appointment to get it fixed for free.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and manufacturer filings. (Links above go directly to each NHTSA recall number.)

Why retailers are pulling back and what it means for you

• Retailers are trimming poor performing stores, not shutting down entirely. Nearly 300 locations are closing as chains cut costs and focus on profitable locations

• Shopping is moving online. More buying, pickup, and delivery means fewer reasons for retailers to keep every store open

• Expect fewer stores but more clearance deals. Some areas will lose options, but store closings often bring deep discounts

From department stores to restaurants and specialty brands, the nearly 300 closures reflect rising operating costs, shrinking foot traffic in physical locations, and the continued pivot toward online shopping.

Whos closing stores?

While a full list of every closure isnt finalized, several well-known brands have already signaled significant store closures:

Carters The childrens apparel retailer plans to shutter 150 stores over the next few years, with about closures already underway by late 2025 as part of a multi-year restructuring.

Kroger The grocery giant has disclosed plans to close around 60 underperforming stores throughout the U.S. through 2026.

Macys The iconic department store plans to close about 80 stores in 2026 as it continues its long-running strategy of shrinking its store network to focus on high-performing locations and online growth.

Saks Off 5th The discount arm of luxury retailer Saks is closing several of its outlet stores next year to focus on stronger markets.

REI The popular outdoor co-op plans to close three locations in major cities, including New Jersey, New York City, and Boston.

Walgreens As part of a multi-year plan, Walgreens is gradually closing underperforming pharmacies with expiring leases.

Wendys The fast-food chain has said it may close up to 150300 restaurants by the end of 2026 so it can focus on the stores that make the most money.

Yankee Candle Newell Brands plans to shutter about 20 stores in the U.S. and Canada starting early in 2026 after a challenging holiday season.

Why this is happening

Retailers say the closures are part of strategic realignment and not a sign of doom and gloom for brick-and-mortar stores.

Several factors are driving these decisions:

Consumer shopping habits are changing, with more shoppers opting for online purchasing or at the very least, curbside pickup, which also keeps them out of the physical store.

Operating costs continue to rise, including rent, utilities, and labor making underperforming stores a drag on profitability.

Companies are putting more of their money into developing online shopping apps, and coming up with faster ways to get orders to you. This comes at the expense of keeping many of their physical stores open.

Brick-and-mortar isnt going away any time soon. But its clear that stores are aiming for profitability over sheer store count, with an emphasis on growing online sales.

What it means for shoppers

For consumers, the closures could mean the following:

Fewer local store options in some regions this will be especially true for suburban or rural areas with thin foot traffic.

Stores are pushing shoppers to buy online and get items shipped or picked up, instead of coming into a store, because its cheaper and easier for them to move products that way.

Potential for deeper discounts and clearance sales as brands liquidate inventory before closing stores.

At the same time, the closures are not universal. Other retailers are expanding in 2026, with well-performing brands like Dollar General, Ollies Bargain Outlet, and Uniqlo announcing new store openings even as others shut doors.

See which roles could fatten your paycheck next year

• Wage growth isnt equal everywhere some fields are outpacing others.

• Jobs with solid demand and tighter labor pools tend to see bigger raises.

• Both white- and blue-collar workers can benefit from these trends.

Across the U.S., employers are tightening their belts but not when it comes to key skill shortages.

In 2026, wage growth is expected to be strongest in jobs where employees are hard to hire, crucial to operations, or tied to booming sectors like healthcare, logistics, data, and finance.

To prepare consumers, Resume Genius put together a list of the 10 careers that are most likely to see bumps in pay over the next 12 months.

Pay raises arent happening randomly but are a response to demand in labor markets, Eva Chan, Career Expert at Resume Genius, said in a news release. Workers with specialized skills in fast-growing industries are in the best position to negotiate higher pay in 2026.

The methodology

To identify the most likely roles to see raises, analysts looked at median pay growth from 2021 to 2024, job growth projections, and overall demand. Only occupations with more than 100,000 workers and projected growth made the cut a way to focus on roles with both size and momentum.

That means if your job shows up on this list or youre thinking of moving into one of these fields theres a decent chance employers will pay more in 2026 to keep you around.

Top 10 jobs most likely to get pay raises in 2026

Heres a look at the top 10 list:

1. Financial Manager Steering budgets and strategy isnt easy, and companies are willing to pay up for strong leadership.

   1. Median Annual Salary: $161,700

   2. Annual Salary Growth: 7.1%

2. Marketing Manager As competition grows, savvy marketers are worth paying more to boost visibility and revenue.

   1. Median Annual Salary: $161,030

   2. Annual Salary Growth: 6.1%

3. Information Security Analyst With cyber threats rising, defenders of data are in high demand.

   1. Median Annual Salary: $124,910

   2. Annual Salary Growth: 6.8%

4. Data Scientist Numbers tell the story and companies want experts who can interpret them.

   1. Median Annual Salary: $112,590

   2. Annual Salary Growth: 3.7%

5. Registered Nurse (RN) Health care staffing challenges continue to push wages upward.

   1. Median Annual Salary: $93,600

   2. Annual Salary Growth: 6.5%

6. Electrical Power-Line Installer & Repairer These skilled workers keep the lights on literally and shortages mean higher pay.

   1. Median Annual Salary: $92,560

   2. Annual Salary Growth: 5.7%

7. Aircraft Mechanic & Service Technician With fleets in motion, certified mechanics are hard to replace.

   1. Median Annual Salary: $78,680

   2. Annual Salary Growth: 6.4%

8. Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) Rising long-term care needs are tightening staffing and pushing pay up.

   1. Median Annual Salary: $62,340

   2. Annual Salary Growth: 7.6%

9. Construction Equipment Operator Heavy equipment operators are essential on job sites and harder to fill than many realize.

   1. Median Annual Salary: $58,320

   2. Annual Salary Growth: 6.5%

10. Truck Driver Freight needs arent slowing, and keeping drivers on the road increasingly means offering competitive pay.

    1. Median Annual Salary: $57,440

    2. Annual Salary Growth: 5.9%

Bottom line

If boosting your income is on your 2026 goals list, watching trends like health care demand, data needs, infrastructure work, and logistics could pay off. Employers are willing to raise wages where competition for talent is fiercest and thats often where your skills are worth the most.