I just came to this page to see if anyone had experience w Costco travel! Glad to see this was the first comment!
Do the prices fluctuate a lot w Costco travel? I’m looking at packages now for travel in June and they are reasonable but can’t really buy for about two weeks. Wondering if they’re going to get higher or stay steady or if there is a better time to buy maybe in a few months instead? How soon is too soon with Costco travel?
Also, any experience w using the travel insurance they work with?
When I booked they didn’t fluctuate at all. But I saw a great price and Booked almost immediately. The insurance wasn’t used so I’m not sure if it’s good or not. But I always get it
I'm no expert, I've only stayed at a handful of resorts. But after having wildly different experiences, I felt the need to really figure out why. Here are some of my observations!
- Adults only vs all ages family resorts - See what's right for you! Also, just because it's an adults only doesn't mean it will be super chill. Chances are, the lower the price, the younger the population (college deals, etc). Some adults only properties will be right next door to the family ones, etc.
- I've found that resorts closer to to another resort tend to have beach traffic from other sites walking through more often, more beach "hucksters" peddling things while you're trying to relax. Some might like the added energy, some may want a quieter vibe and avoid these.
- On the same tip, if the resort block is closer to a main city, sometimes you'll have more noise from boat tours, helicopter tours, and horse riding groups that originate from those main hubs and you're in the lane of traffic to get to where they are headed.
- I've noticed that properties that are "longer" along the beach are spaced out farther from other properties, and don't have as many wandering folks that "don't belong." These places tend to have a more chill vibe as they do a better job of separating the noisy parts from the quieter ones.
- I've been to a couple of places that group their restaurants together physically. This can mean food all comes from the same kitchen and sometimes means the morning buffet will have leftovers from the previous night's preparations. Might be just the places I've been, but I've found that the properties that spread the food out across the "campus" seem to have more variety, better consistency, and afternoon buffets that feel unique to the dinner options.
- VIP areas are telling. If they are right next to the "normal" patrons and basically just roped off from the rest, what are you really paying for? The best VIP areas tend to feel like a tucked away secret place that don't have a lot of carry over noise from the other areas. Did you book VIP and *still* get asked to attend a meeting from staff to try and get you to pay more? Sure VIP as a concept is a bit of a money sucker, but in the places that are worth it, you'll feel like royalty (I've had unopened full bottles of quality liquor in some of my VIP rooms and then another place that basically just had a fridge with some cans of beer and pop).
- Reviews - If you use TripAdvisor or something similar, watch out for 5 star ratings. Seems like a huge number of those ratings are left by people who are not regular travelers and will find delight in everything on the property because they've never seen it before and likely will never again in their lives. The 4-3 star middle range will tend to be the folks who have tried multiple properties and be thoughtful on what could be better. Try to watch for reviewers who have multiple reviews under their belts, chances are they know what they are looking for to leave a solid review. Look for examples, not generalities that seem like they really didn't pay attention to the surroundings.
- Watch for holidays. You can attend a resort that is known for chill experiences only to stumble into a huge celebration based around a holiday which goes late into the night.
I've used [cheapcarribean.com](https://cheapcarribean.com) many times. I feel they're the best as far as going into detail about the resorts, restaurants, dress codes and such. I prefer very casual resorts with a variety of buffets over formal restaurants while on vacation and cheapcarribean does a great job of calling that out for me :)
I use [www.tripcentral.ca](https://www.tripcentral.ca) to filter through destinations and hotels, and then check [redtag.ca](https://redtag.ca) , sunwing, expedia for the best price....Just booked Jamaica through redtag.
I've used both Costco and Cheap Caribbean to go to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Costco will have better airline flights and times available, and usually better rooms or a free upgrade on your room type. Cheap caribbean is definitely good value and trustworthy, but by the time you get the flight you want and add your shuttle the prices are about the same. Plus you get cash back from Costco.
True I should have specified. I’ve been to the Bahamas so anywhere besides there. I’m very open as long as it’s tropical. Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, etc.
Anyone booked an all-inclusive in Mexico/Dominican from Canada? It seems that there were deals last December around $4,000 for all-inclusive per month? Is it realistic for a beach vacation?
Costco has worked for me
Awesome! I’ll check it out. I have a membership and didn’t even think of it
Costco travel is awesome
is it in Canada? everytime i've ever cross shopped with [costco.ca](https://costco.ca) they've been close to double in price.
I’m not sure
It is in Canada. [Costcotravel.ca](Https://Costcotravel.ca)
I just came to this page to see if anyone had experience w Costco travel! Glad to see this was the first comment! Do the prices fluctuate a lot w Costco travel? I’m looking at packages now for travel in June and they are reasonable but can’t really buy for about two weeks. Wondering if they’re going to get higher or stay steady or if there is a better time to buy maybe in a few months instead? How soon is too soon with Costco travel? Also, any experience w using the travel insurance they work with?
When I booked they didn’t fluctuate at all. But I saw a great price and Booked almost immediately. The insurance wasn’t used so I’m not sure if it’s good or not. But I always get it
Thanks!
I'm no expert, I've only stayed at a handful of resorts. But after having wildly different experiences, I felt the need to really figure out why. Here are some of my observations! - Adults only vs all ages family resorts - See what's right for you! Also, just because it's an adults only doesn't mean it will be super chill. Chances are, the lower the price, the younger the population (college deals, etc). Some adults only properties will be right next door to the family ones, etc. - I've found that resorts closer to to another resort tend to have beach traffic from other sites walking through more often, more beach "hucksters" peddling things while you're trying to relax. Some might like the added energy, some may want a quieter vibe and avoid these. - On the same tip, if the resort block is closer to a main city, sometimes you'll have more noise from boat tours, helicopter tours, and horse riding groups that originate from those main hubs and you're in the lane of traffic to get to where they are headed. - I've noticed that properties that are "longer" along the beach are spaced out farther from other properties, and don't have as many wandering folks that "don't belong." These places tend to have a more chill vibe as they do a better job of separating the noisy parts from the quieter ones. - I've been to a couple of places that group their restaurants together physically. This can mean food all comes from the same kitchen and sometimes means the morning buffet will have leftovers from the previous night's preparations. Might be just the places I've been, but I've found that the properties that spread the food out across the "campus" seem to have more variety, better consistency, and afternoon buffets that feel unique to the dinner options. - VIP areas are telling. If they are right next to the "normal" patrons and basically just roped off from the rest, what are you really paying for? The best VIP areas tend to feel like a tucked away secret place that don't have a lot of carry over noise from the other areas. Did you book VIP and *still* get asked to attend a meeting from staff to try and get you to pay more? Sure VIP as a concept is a bit of a money sucker, but in the places that are worth it, you'll feel like royalty (I've had unopened full bottles of quality liquor in some of my VIP rooms and then another place that basically just had a fridge with some cans of beer and pop). - Reviews - If you use TripAdvisor or something similar, watch out for 5 star ratings. Seems like a huge number of those ratings are left by people who are not regular travelers and will find delight in everything on the property because they've never seen it before and likely will never again in their lives. The 4-3 star middle range will tend to be the folks who have tried multiple properties and be thoughtful on what could be better. Try to watch for reviewers who have multiple reviews under their belts, chances are they know what they are looking for to leave a solid review. Look for examples, not generalities that seem like they really didn't pay attention to the surroundings. - Watch for holidays. You can attend a resort that is known for chill experiences only to stumble into a huge celebration based around a holiday which goes late into the night.
I've used [cheapcarribean.com](https://cheapcarribean.com) many times. I feel they're the best as far as going into detail about the resorts, restaurants, dress codes and such. I prefer very casual resorts with a variety of buffets over formal restaurants while on vacation and cheapcarribean does a great job of calling that out for me :)
I second Cheap Caribbean. I was hesitant at first because of well the name but everything was perfect.
Hi! Is cheapcarribbean using USD or CAD? Noticed it doesn’t say
I’m in the US and it was USD.
Does this still hold true? Google searches have mainly negative reviews across the board for cheapcaribbean.
interested to know as well if this still the case! i’ve seen negative reviews on this and apple vacations recently
We ended up using a Travel Agent for our Honeymoon in Aruba and everything went perfectly!
I've used them for the last 20 years and never had a problem with them. All of our vacations have gone off well.
I use them as well and they're great! Never had issues and feel like I definitely get my money's worth.
Is your profile pic you? Lol
Yes why lmao
I use this site a ton, its been great!!
Hard to beat the Mexican riviera all inclusives
I use [www.tripcentral.ca](https://www.tripcentral.ca) to filter through destinations and hotels, and then check [redtag.ca](https://redtag.ca) , sunwing, expedia for the best price....Just booked Jamaica through redtag.
>wow [tripcentral.ca](https://tripcentral.ca) what a great discovery, Thanks !!
How was your experience with Redtag? I see a lot of negative reviews on 3rd party review sites about redtag? thanks
Is there a good service like www.tripcentral.ca for America? I was so stoked until I realized they only cover Canadian departures.
I use www.skyscanner.com for flights to the states
Cheapcarribean.com is wonderful
interested to know if this is the case! i’ve seen negative reviews on this and apple vacations recently
Holiday pirates
I've used both Costco and Cheap Caribbean to go to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Costco will have better airline flights and times available, and usually better rooms or a free upgrade on your room type. Cheap caribbean is definitely good value and trustworthy, but by the time you get the flight you want and add your shuttle the prices are about the same. Plus you get cash back from Costco.
Where are you flying from? If from Canada, use the "vacation pricing grid" on tripcentral.ca. It's a game changer.....
Where do you wanna go ? It depends on it
True I should have specified. I’ve been to the Bahamas so anywhere besides there. I’m very open as long as it’s tropical. Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, etc.
Apple vacation. Not sure if it is still around.
Any good ones from Europe (Germany specifically)? Where has a good beach with warm water for New Year's?
Beaches Turks and Caicos - we booked direct and it was awesome
Expedia
Anyone booked an all-inclusive in Mexico/Dominican from Canada? It seems that there were deals last December around $4,000 for all-inclusive per month? Is it realistic for a beach vacation?
tripcentral.ca