Costco Travel
Costco Travel is not a car rental company; it is a membership service that sells exclusively to Costco members residing in the United States. Costco Travel rental uses its buying authority to negotiate the best value in the marketplace, passing on the savings to Costco members for vacation packages, cruises, and rental cars. Though a membership is required to use access these resources, those that shop at Costco are able to save and get travel rewards by taking advantage of the Costco vacation packages.
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The Good
- Economy Price Range
- Luxury Price Range
- Available in all 50 States
- Airport Locations
- Unlimited Mileage
Economy Price Range
Costco's service lets you find cars to rent for average prices in the industry. Costco members can get great discount rates at various rental companies when they book through Costco Travel. Not only do members receive discount base prices, but there are usually generous coupons available. These coupons provide inexpensive upgrades or dollar amounts off of each rental. Because Costco Travel books for various rental companies, it also allows customers to compare up to four different rental locations at once, and highlights the lowest prices. This can make booking on a budget easier, not only because of its great discounts, but also by making price comparisons easy.
Luxury Price Range
Costco's luxury car prices are average in the car rental industry. They not only offer you a variety of prices, but the variety of cars is also expansive. Renters can compare a number of different vehicles on Costco Travel's website, as well as available locations.
Available in all 50 States
Costco Travel rental gives you access to car rental companies in all 50 states. All you have to do is enter the state or city in the search box on the Costco Travel website, and it will give you a number of options nearby using a map feature. These options include airport rentals as well as rentals located close to, but outside of the airport. (Many car rental companies only have airport locations.) A key feature on this website is the ability to compare car rental price, vehicle type, and locations all in one central location.
The Costco rental car discount service provided through Costco Travel is a wonderful option for local Costco members that don't want to go to the airport to rent a vehicle.
Airport Locations
Because of its aggregated database of car companies, Costco Travel lets you find companies with rental counters at most major airports throughout North America. Some rental car companies are limited geographically and do not have locations at every airport. Costco offers reservation opportunities with multiple rental companies in order to provide you with the best pricing options.
Unlimited Mileage
Renting a car can be stressful, especially when working with car rental agencies. On perk that comes with renting a car through Costco Travel is the unlimited mileage that comes with some rentals. This perk is not guaranteed with all rental car companies, but some do provide it. Most often, unlimited mileage is not provided due to geographical restrictions placed on the rental policy by each individual car rental agency. If you are looking to save money and avoid paying extra for driving long distances, it would be worth asking what mileage coverage is provided in your rental.
No Additional Annual Fee
For Costco members that use Costco Travel, there is no additional annual fee. All services provided by Costco Travel are included in your Costco membership. The current two membership options at Costco are:
- Gold Star Membership — This is the standard membership that comes with $60 fee each year. It does not come with any cash back rewards.
- Gold Star Executive Membership — For those with the desire to upgrade their membership status, this membership comes with a $120 fee each year but comes with additional cash back rewards. Members earn 2 percent cash back up to $1000 each year. Added benefits that accompany this membership include additional discounts on insurance, etc.
The Bad
- Instant Return Varies
- No Packaged Roadside Assistance
- No Toll Prepay Option
- Lacking On-Site Fuel Discount
- Inconsistent Online Check-In
Instant Return Varies
The rental companies that Costco Travel books with are: Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. If you want to find out if you can return the car without waiting in line and leave the keys inside, it will depend on the policies of the company you choose to go with through Costco's website. This is an extra step for you making it less convenient than having the information all in one place.
No Packaged Roadside Assistance
Because Costco Travel works with various other rental companies and has no cars or rental policies of its own, the booking service does nothing more than book a car. For purchasing roadside assistance or other services, customers need to work with the actual rental company of the car they are renting. This will typically make the rental process at pickup slower and more involved, and also leads to unexpected pricing.
Lacking On-Site Fuel Discount
Again, because Costco Travel does not have its own fleet and its own rental company, they do not offer on-site fueling discounts. Each rental company has their own fueling payment options, so you'll have to contact them or visit their website to find out.
No Toll Prepay Option
If you want to order toll passes through Costco's website to make your commute easier, you can't. The four companies Costco partners with have their individual toll prepay options. Like other additional features, you have to do the extra legwork to find out what toll options are from that specific company.
Inconsistent Online Check-In
Unfortunately, online check-in is not available through Costco Travel rental, in order to check-in your car, you will likely need to work directly with the third party from whom you are actually renting. The Costco Travel website will provide you with the information that you need to get in touch with the car rental agency that you will be renting from and you can ask the agency what its online check-in policy is. Chances are, you'll have to go in person to check in your car.
The Bottom Line
Costco Travel is a great place to look if you're a Costco member trying to catch a discount price. The benefits that come with using this service are low prices and streamlined location and price comparison. Those that use Costco's Executive card will also earn cash-back rewards with a 2 percent return. This service however, is not the most economic if you're going to want to purchase add-ons or special services. Add-on pricing is done through the rental company of the car itself. This can make pricing harder to compare and can make the process less streamlined. We recommend doing your research to make sure that you can find the lowest deal. Watch out for those "extra" costs.
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User Reviews
Star Rating
63 Reviews
Review Breakdown
Sentiment Criteria
We rented a Suburban through Costco to drive to California with our kids. Our reservation was smooth. We received a great price for the rental with no penalties for the mileage we put on the vehicle for a long road trip. Costco took great care of us and we would use them for car rentals in the future.
Renting cars through Costco Travel is the best deal, due to automatically getting a second driver and the prices are cheaper.
Costco has some of the best travel deals and it's so nice to bundle everything up.
Rented a car through Costco travel. Avis was company at the Austin, TX airport. They gave me an upgrade and did not say anything about increasing my rental fee. Rental agreement was for about 380$ with all taxes and fees as printed at desk. Charged my card over 600$. When I called to complain they were very rude. Did not give me a full refund. Avis and Costco never again! Never been ripped off by a car rental like dishonest Avis!
Good prices were offered for vehicles and companies that were more expensive when contacted directly
Costco Travel has some great deals and prices on rental cars. I like that they help you find the best value. Costco’s customer service is always top notch.
Wow. Was just introduced to Costco Travel last year for my cruise and the entire process was extremely easy and I was rewarded Costco cash. Ummm yes please!
No hassles and peace of mind knowing that you have excellent coverage. Always a higher rate than other services though, which is kind of disappointing.
We have been pleased with our experience. When we had questions the agents were quick to inform us to help relieve stress that can come with travelling.
Shopping around for a rental car is tough! I always search tons of company's to try and find the best deal. For the most part, I'm not too particular about what car I get, I just want a good deal. I've found pretty good deals on Costco Travel. I like when they have a free upgrade or extra day free.
It was good, and probably still is for short distance but now they only give you 100 miles a day? So now it is better to go thru the rental company itself and not Costco Travel especially if you are traveling far, otherwise you will be paying .20 every mile gone over!!! It used to be a great deal, no more!!!😣😢
Just booked a rental car through Costco a few weeks ago. It was very easy and convenient to book online. Lots of cars to choose from. Got the one I wanted at a good rate.
We just rented a car for our upcoming trip online through costco. It was easy to find the size of car we wanted and the price was comparable to other sites.
Costco Travel has the best and cheapest selection of car rentals. We have used it for every vacation we plan. It takes the pain out of the process so we can just enjoy our vacation.
We use Costco travel to book all our rental car needs, best deal out there and so easy!
We like to use Costco Travel for renting cars because the prices are competitive with the vendors' direct prices, but the "additional driver fee" is waived when cars are rented via Costco Travel. We use our Costco Visa for 3% back on travel related expenses (and because it includes car rental insurance) and because we are Executive Costco members, we get another 2% back for that.
I used Costco Travel for my rent a car needs for the first time last spring when we traveled to Denver, Co. I didn't even know Costco provided this service. It was so easy to do and with the Costco benefit I received a great deal on the perfect rent a car. Check it out for your next trip!
Costco Travel is amazing for finding good deals on travel packages, cruises, car rentals and anything else associated with traveling. We've used them several times, both domestically and abroad, and they've always been great.
Love travelling with Costco, because I know if need help any time during the trip I can contact them and they'll help. Which cant be said of discount travel sites.
i have made reservation through Costco auto rental program several times over the last few years - Budget, Alamo, National... everyone of them have extended and honored 'Costco discount' would highly recommend reserving your next car through Costco.
Costco always has the best deals and always is very helpful in finding what I need.
Costco travel found a good deal on a rental car. However they are the middle man for the various rental car vendors. They happened to book us with Budget. It was not a good experience especially after 2 hours at the airport and 4 hours in flight. They gave us a scratched up car which we declined. Had to go back to desk to request a new one. Upon leaving the exit station where they check your car for existing damages, the Budget person was having a bad day and let us know she was. Rude and unfriendly. Won’t do Budget again and be careful with Costco booking through Budget. My son in law went through Costco and got Enterprise where they got a double upgrade and great service.
My family has been able to find great car rental deals through Costco Travel. We always price compare with them and have been pleased.
Have booked a rental car through Costco Travel on several occasions and pricing is great. Will continue renting through them, but will have to make sure the rental isn’t through Budget. The location at the Savannah Airport would not honor adding a second driver even after I called up the Costco website which specifically said the second driver does not have to be a Costco member. The agent insisted they had to be a member also. Finally gave up the fight and became the solo driver for the week. Costco shouldn’t use Budget if they don’t honor the agreement. What a disappointment.
I've only used Costco travel to rent cars, but it is amazing. They always have the cheapest rates for cars and the best customer service. I love that the rental car comes with an extra driver and that you don't have to pay for the car until you actually use it, so if plans change you can cancel with no fees.
Every time I go to look for a rental car, I look here first. Nine times out of ten, Costco will have the best deal on rental cars, and they have the added bonus of allowing free cancellation of reservations. I would totally recommend them to other travelers, and I have done so many, many times.
I love that I can use my Costco membership to rent cars. They have affordable prices and always has availability whenever we need it.
We have used Costco Travel for our car rental only a few times. It was bundled into our vacation package and so we got a great discount. All the Costco travel agents that book our car are so friendly and helpful.
I didn't even know that Costco offered rental vehicles through other agencies. We heard about Costco Travel through a friend and when I went online to book we found the same vehicle for almost half the price!! We have since went on to use them multiple times and will always check with Costco Travel before booking with anyone else!
I am giving this review one star for the BUDGET rental car. I was quoted a price of $163.28 for a five day rental in Florida. I pick up my car at the airport and am charged $253.84. I asked why and was told this is a $100 deposit and it will be credited upon my return of the car. Once I return the car, I am still charged a total of $228.21. When asked why they said I am being charged for the Liability Insurance which I never agreed to have. I called customer service twice and their resolution is a 30% discount on the insurance I never agreed to because I had already returned the car. Beware of the bait and switch with BUDGET. I have used Costco rental cars multiple times before and have never paid more than my quoted price!
Have rented cars on 5 occasions through CostCo. Very satisfied with each rental experience. Most recently, had 3 rental reservations while touring the Hawaiian Islands. Easily made reservations, favorable rental price, and extra driver is no charge. Will certainly use CostCo in future.
The process was very simple and Costco has the cheapest car option available when I searched all the sites, including my credit card rewards.
Rented a car at budget through Costco I was supposed to get a full size the man at the counter said all they had available was a compact or for additional cost an suv wound up with a compact with 45000 miles on it
Used them for the first time a few months ago. They were a little lower in price compared to other rental companies. I would try them out again.
I use costco travel for my rental cars all the time. I love how the amount that is quoted for you online is what you will pay when picking up your rental car. Most other rental places there's always hidden fees accosiated with reservations.
Anytime I’ve used Costco for my travel needs I have always saved money over competitors. No problems whatsoever with my car rental or hotel. Definitely recommend!
Costco Travel always has great rental prices and I get to add a second driver for free! Sometimes I even get cash back in the form of a Costco gift card! Their search feature is easy to use but you do have to be sure that you are searching within the timeframe that the rental company is open. If you search for something when the company is closed, it won't even show you that option.
I love everything Costco. The no hassle guarantee lets me book with confidence. Good deals are always available with their buying power. Fantastic customer service always.
I always go through Costco Travel to rent cars. They offer great values and great options for rental cars. We've always been very happy with them
best deal when booking a car rental. user friendly. you get to choose which car rental place you want to rent from. you even get to choose a few car rental places to compare prices. i like that they include how many passenger's will fit in each vehicle and how much space is available. they ask if you need a child seat. customer service over the phone, at pickup and drop off are always so happy, smiling and personable.
awesome deals on vacation packages, car rentals and hotels. customer service is excellent. easy to cancel a reservation by calling customer service. when i booked our car rental here i just showed up to the car rental place and they already had my reservation, i was in and out within minutes.
I have found better prices with Costco Travel rental cars several times compared to other leading companies. You can beat the customer service and the price!
has really good deals and discounts for travel. i have found and booked cheap car rentals on costco travel. i like that they send your itinerary to your email immediately after booking. easy to cancel when i needed too. customer service was great!
Just rented a car for the weekend and they did great! I appreciate that they offer a second driver for the same low price. We will continue to use them.
Costco always has such great prices. I don't think a lot of people realize that they have deals on travel needs. They are cheap and available to all Costco members. They also have very nice cars and options.
price is cheaper than booking from the actual rental car company. easy booking, confirmation is email immediately after booking, don't pay anything until pickup, cancellation is easy and great customer service.
I used Costco Travel recently for a trip we took this year. The booking was easy (car rental) and the discounted price for using them along with a reputable car rental company was great. I will definitely be using this service again.
i love Costco for many reasons and this option for travel and discount is my favorite. I book through costco travel for Enterprise. Easy process to book, choose the vehicle i want, i get a confirmation immediately in my email. Enterprise has always had the best deals through costco travel and vehicles in stock. thank you costco travel.
i just found out about Costco Travel. I love costco but i LOVE it more that they give amazing deals on rental cars, vacation packages and hotels.
Always good deals and easy to book. Always book car rental with them.