I got an all-inclusive week in Mexico for less than $1,500 from Costco, and the cancellation policy is what really sold me.
Taylor Milam Jan 16, 2020, 9:10 AM
- I’d never taken an all-inclusive vacation before, but after a stressful year, I decided I wanted total relaxation.
- I’m a Costco member, so I checked out the Costco Travel website and found an all-inclusive vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for under $1,500.
- Costco allows cancellations up to one month before taking your trip, so I felt comfortable booking my trip the same day I started looking.
- You can use the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi to earn 3% back on eligible travel purchases »
I knew exactly what I wanted — an all-inclusive vacation complete with long days in the sun, beautiful beaches, and pristine pools.
I was exhausted from my first year in a new career and I needed to relax, but I didn’t want to expend energy to plan my relaxation. That’s when I decided to try Costco Travel.
With one search on Costco’s website, I was able to compare all-inclusive vacations at a variety of destinations.
I ended up booking six nights at an all-inclusive resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with direct flights and transportation to the resort, for $1,422.79 per person. The best part? I booked it in under an hour. Plus, a $140 Costco gift card was waiting for me when I returned.
Easy booking? Yes please
When most people think of Costco, they think of cheap gas, fluorescent warehouses, and bulk toiletries. Until last spring, I was exactly the same.
I knew that my Costco membership came with additional perks, like free shipping for online orders, access to the pharmacy, and even discounted glasses frames. But I never thought about Costco as a place to book travel. Beyond that, I had never booked an all-inclusive trip before. My trips usually involve more exploring than lounging.
But once I got serious about relaxation, I found myself on the Costco Travel website. The website is easy to use and provides separate searches for vacation packages, cruises, hotels, and rental cars.
I quickly narrowed down my search and decided on Mexico as my destination due to its great weather and proximity to my home in California. In less than an hour, I found a great vacation package and decided to go for it.
A desirable cancellation policy
Part of the reason I booked the trip the same day I started looking is because Costco Travel offers 100% refunds up to one month before departure, and less than half of the total cost is due when you book.
The cancellation policy is great because it leaves room for anything unexpected that may require you to cancel or change your trip plans. And paying half up front gives you the chance to save to pay for the trip since you have more time to save up the second half of the ticket price.
The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 3% cash back on purchases through Costco Travel and has no annual fee. See Business Insider’s review of the Costco Anywhere Visa card for more »
Because I booked an all-inclusive resort, paying for the vacation was different than it’s been for other trips I’ve booked. For most trips, you spend money at various points throughout the planning process and then during the trip as well. With an all-inclusive vacation, the entire cost of the trip is due prior to departure.
Because of that, $1,422.79 might seem like a big amount, but when you consider that it’s the full amount for a one week vacation — flights, transportation, activities, food and drinks — it doesn’t seem as high.
Costco’s cancellation refund policy, including a 90% refund up to five days before the trip, made booking seem like a no-brainer.
Smooth travel and extra perks
As a long-time Costco member, I’ve come to trust the company. Whether it’s refunds without a receipt, straightforward membership pricing, or high-quality products, I’ve come to rely on Costco as a trustworthy brand.
But even though I’ve been a Costco member for years, I was still nervous about booking my first vacation package. It turned out that my nerves were unfounded, though, because it was smooth from start to finish.
Before our trip, Costco Travel sent a reminder email to print our travel documents and check in for our flight. We also received detailed instructions about how to find our shuttle transportation at the airport.
The resort itself was stunning, the food was delicious, the views of the ocean were endless, and the entire vacation exceeded my expectations.
The week in Mexico felt luxuriously slow, but before we knew it, we were back on the shuttle headed to the airport. A few weeks after returning to normal life, I got a pleasant surprise in the mailbox — a $140 Costco gift card.
When I reviewed my booking, I saw that Costco included it as an extra bonus. It was the perfect welcome home gift after a great vacation.
Source: Business Insider
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