5 Costco Travel Deals Only Executive Members Can Get

A Costco Gold Star membership costs $60, while an Executive membership will set you back $120. However, the benefits and savings associated with an Executive membership can be significant.

For example, Executive members earn an annual 2% reward on qualifying purchases, receive lower prices on auto purchases, and discounted check printing. Executive members also score some rather sweet travel benefits. Here's a breakdown of some of those travel perks associated with Executive membership.

1. Resort credits

Imagine traveling to Aruba or Grand Cayman to lie on the beach, sip cold drinks, and soak up the sun. You're staying in a luxury resort, surrounded by fun things to do and see. Costco often sweetens the pots by offering a daily resort credit. That credit may take the form of cash, a cabana rental, or special outing. In any case, it's a treat that doesn't take money out of your bank account.

2. Spa credits

Whether you're on a tropical island, in the middle of a continent, or aboard a ship, don't be surprised if Costco Travel ensures you receive credit to visit the spa for a massage, pedicure, or whatever your heart desires. This is another great way to save some money, even on vacation.

3. Shipboard credits

Cruise ships are essentially small floating cities, with lots to see, do, and buy. Another perk of Executive membership may be a credit to enjoy some aspect of the floating city, whether that's a trip to the spa, casino, or gift store. If you don't want to run to an ATM to take cash from your savings account to pick up a new sun hat or pair of sunglasses, a shipboard credit can help.

4. Room upgrades

All Costco Memberships snag the same deals on travel. It's the upgrades that set Executive members apart. For example, you shouldn't be surprised if you check into a hotel room with a view of the pool, only to be upgraded to a room with a view of the ocean.

5. Special surprises

The fun part of traveling as an Executive member of Costco is that you can never be quite sure what you might receive. For example, current travelers to the Koro Sun Resort in Fiji receive a complimentary private beach picnic for two. Hotel Kia Ora Resort & Spa guests take home a carved mother of pearl and natural woven beach bag.

Benefits of working with Costco Travel

Costco Travel has been in the business of helping people save money while traveling since 2000. That's 23 years of experience, and as a global company, 23 years of forming partnerships with resorts, cruise ships, and other travel-related businesses.

It's important to note that you can't book individual flights with Costco and the company does not work with all airlines. However, if you're looking for a discounted package, Costco is worth checking out. Here are two distinct benefits of booking through Costco Travel:

1. You can book your whole vacation all in one place, including airfare, hotel or resort, cruiseline, and special outings. Everything you have planned is on a single itinerary.
2. You can still stack up frequent flier miles. As long as you have a frequent flier account with the airline you'll be flying, you just need to enter your membership number while booking.

As if the special pampering weren't enough, don't forget that you also receive 2% back on travel services. And if you purchase travel using the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, you'll snag 3% in cash back rewards.