8 Great Travel Discounts From Costco

Costco is more than just a huge place to buy bulk products. As the largest membership warehouse club in the United States, Costco offers members fantastic discounts on products and services, including travel.

These travel discounts from Costco can be found in the warehouses (selection varies by location) and/or online.

Travel Discounts From Costco

Travel Gift Card Deals at Costco

Costco sells restaurant gift cards at a 20% discount (typically $100 for $79.99). Gift cards are like cash and can be used with other restaurant coupons or promotions.

Costco sells gift cards for national chain restaurants (like McCormick & Schmicks, California Pizza Kitchen, and Wolfgang Puck) and local restaurants. Costco also sells gift cards for lodging (including BedandBreakfast.com), ski lift, movies, and much more.

See also our article How to Use MasterCard at Costco.

Discounted Attraction Passes at Costco

Costco sells discounted passes to Disneyland and other theme parks. Costco also sells CityPASS booklets at a discount.

Buy Prepared Foods at Costco

Whether you want a quick snack or a banquet for many people, Costco will save you money. For over 20 years (since I have been a member), all Costco locations have sold a hot dog and drink for $1.50.

Costco food courts have a variety of items, including pizza, salads, and ice cream. In the grocery section of Costco, you can find ready to eat items (such as rotisserie chickens, ribs, shrimp platters, veggie trays, and salads) and ready to cook items (such as paella, pizza, seafood, and more).

For a niece’s birthday party, I bought two large pizzas and a birthday cake ($35 at Costco, estimated $65 at pizza shop/bakery). If one is located conveniently on your trip, buying food is one of the best travel discounts from Costco.

Buy Vacation Groceries at Costco

Save $1000s on lodging expenses with a vacation rental and then save money on dining and eating expenses by buying your groceries at Costco.

Some items can only be bought in bulk quantities, which may be convenient for a large group on vacation. However, you can also find typical groceries, such as a gallon of milk.

Costco has outstanding filet mignon, fresh seafood (usually on Thursday-Saturday), fresh produce, baked items (pies, cakes, cookies), and other groceries.

Not every item will be less expensive at Costco than grocery stores. However, if you are on vacation and need a lot of food, Costco is perhaps the best single choice. After all, you do not want to spend too much vacation time doing comparison shopping.

Find Cheapest Gas at Costco

Not every Costco location has fuel service but those that do sell gas for much less. Last week when I filled up at my local Costco, the per gallon price was 40 cents less than the closest gas station and at least 24 cents less than all others.

I certainly do not encourage people to drive several miles or minutes out of their way to save a couple of dollars but gassing up your rental car is one of my favorite travel discounts from Costco.

Save Money on Photo Services

It must be an international law that if you travel you must take photographs. Most people simply take photos, download to a computer, and post and share online.

When you want to make prints or buy equipment, Costco is a great choice. Costco has an online photo center, where you can upload images and order prints and gifts.

I have seen the price for prints as low as 6 cents. You can have prints delivered to ANY Costco warehouse. So, you can request prints and have your family and friends pick them up at their location, saving you time and postage costs.

Costco also sells photo equipment. I bought my last point-and-shoot camera at Costco; it was about 20% less expensive than anywhere else and included a larger memory card.

Head to Costco to Buy Gifts

Every Costco location has a great selection of discounted flowers, wine, magazines, books, and much more. Costco is a great place to buy reading material and treats for your vacation rental, road trip, or the beach.

roses at Costco
2 dozen roses for $17 at Costco

Costco is also a fantastic place to buy gifts, especially at Christmas and other holiday times.

On one recent trip, I bought gifts for siblings, nephews, and nieces. Costco sold a gift wrapping set that included six rolls of wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, and fasteners—all for under $10. I left the remainder with my sister, as another “gift.”

I have also bought higher end (not ultra premium) liquor and champagne for gifts from Costco. And, yes, they were less expensive than from other sources.

Household Items

With air travel hassles enhancements, I prefer to travel with only a carryon bag and no longer pack liquids (larger than 100 ml / three ounces). But I still use suntan lotion o beach vacations and often head to Costco to buy it.

Costco is a great place to buy suntan lotion, especially for a large group or extended vacation. I have also bought pillows, towels (beach and house), clothes, sunglasses, and household goods (including cleaning and garbage bags) at Costco.

Apparently, Costco pharmacies sell medicines for less than Wal-Mart.

Did you know that postage stamps are discounted at Costco? That is handy if you still send out a lot of Christmas cards. Which, of course, you can save money by buying cards at Costco or printing custom ones through the photo service.

There you go. 8 Great Travel Discounts from Costco.

Oh, yeah. I did not even include CostcoTravel.com, which offers discounts on cruises, vacations, lodging, rental cars, and attractions. How about that?

Ford Mustang convertible on dirt road
Ford Mustang convertible on dirt road in Everglades

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4 thoughts on “8 Great Travel Discounts From Costco”

  1. Photos: Yes, you can have them delivered to any warehouse with a photo center. Also nice is passport photos are 4.99, the cheapest I’ve ever seen.

    Costco rocks!

  2. I really enjoyed this post because I’m a seriously thrifty person… if only there were Costcos here 🙂

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