Costco bookings wrap up...

[pirate33]

There are a number of threads on this, some a bit older, so I thought I'd see if i have the details right and get it all in one place...

1. You get an 8% Costco card back
2. You can pay with a Disney Gift Card (which can be had for discounts--look for other threads)
3. You can pay with a Disney Vacation Account (which you fund with gift cards and also get an additional 2% back)
4. You can use an onboard booking with Costco and get those benefits as well

Anyone with recent experience to confirm all this?

Now, here is my extra question. We just got off our first cruise, and I made an onboard booking (no specific date). I used a point rental service as our travel agent for our prior booking. I didn't switch the TA to Costco for for the OBB because I thought I had read one could do that within 30 days but now I see some commentary that one must designate Costco on board to get the Costco gift cards.

All wisdom appreciated!

 

[havaneselover]

On 1-4, yes. Did all these for my last cruise and for Alaska 2018 which I booked in February using a placeholder.

No help on your other question--I designated Costco both times I did my
Onboard booking.

 

[Corfam]

I didn't switch the TA to Costco for for the OBB because I thought I had read one could do that within 30 days but now I see some commentary that one must designate Costco on board to get the Costco gift cards.

My understanding is that you can transfer OBB to Costco within 30 days and still get the Costco gift cards. You fill out a form to do so, but I'm not sure if you have to have your listed TA release your placeholder or not.

 

[FigmentSpark]

You can transfer a placeholder to Costco within 30 days, but you'll get a lot of confusion from them. Just fill out the paperwork for the transfer, have them submit it and then check with DCL that they are listed as your TA. Costco apparently can't 'hold' the placeholder in their system. They can only book something. But by having them listed as your TA with DCL, you should be able to phone Costco travel when the time to book comes, cite the res number you have and they will be able to book it and you'll get your OBB perks.

Now, that's what I've been told, and that's what I've done, but so far, I haven't gotten to the booking part, just the transferring the res to Costco and confirming that DCL has them listed as my TA. Costco says they don't have anything on their system, because they don't. I haven't actually booked anything. But I have kept the transfer paperwork and I have the res number, so they are now my TA for those reservations.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

You can transfer it to costco but not if you left your other ta on the booking. When you do the OBB they always ask, "do u want to leave your current TA on your booking?"

 

[codylamb18]

Can this be done with my parents Costco membership? They will not be on the cruise.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I believe the Costco member has to be traveling.

On the other hand, if you're getting a $600 cash card, you can become a member for $55...

 

[FigmentSpark]

You have to be able to sign in. Whether you have to show proof of it being your membership, I don't know.

 

[LAX]

I believe the Costco member has to be traveling.

On the other hand, if you're getting a $600 cash card, you can become a member for $55...

I am not sure about the requirement, but I personally won't want to risk several hundreds of essentially cash rebate for $55. While I realize some people don't live near a Costco and have no use of a Costco membership or a Costco cash card, but I have read that Costco in some states allow cashing out a cash card. That alone is worth signing up just for the cash rebate, IMHO.

LAX

 

[KalamityJane]

I am not sure about the requirement, but I personally won't want to risk several hundreds of essentially cash rebate for $55. While I realize some people don't live near a Costco and have no use of a Costco membership or a Costco cash card, but I have read that Costco in some states allow cashing out a cash card. That alone is worth signing up just for the cash rebate, IMHO.

LAX

I asked our Costco in Idaho and she said we could cash out without even a second's thought.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

$650 in hummus!

 

[codylamb18]

Well our cruise was around $2,500 and to me I would feel like I was wasting the $60 membership fee. We have tried Costco before and I didn't like it. Sam's Club is more of our liking.

 

[bumbershoot]

I didn't switch the TA to Costco for for the OBB because I thought I had read one could do that within 30 days but now I see some commentary that one must designate Costco on board to get the Costco gift cards.

Not sure what you've read, but you can change to Costco within that 30 days and still get the giftcard.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Well our cruise was around $2,500 and to me I would feel like I was wasting the $60 membership fee. We have tried Costco before and I didn't like it. Sam's Club is more of our liking.

Just out of curiosity, why would you feel $60 is a waste if you received $200 back on a $2500 cruise? You're still saving $140.

 

[Dug720]

Just out of curiosity, why would you feel $60 is a waste if you received $200 back on a $2500 cruise? You're still saving $140.

Because they stated they don't like Costco (I don't blame them), so they would not be able to use the "gift" card. Not every state allows you to simply cash it out.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If Costco really doesn't work for someone, the DU onboard credit is very good. Their gift basket doesn't excite me, but there is also that.

 

[Meriweather]

We booked 2 cruises through Costco now and never got any Costco card cash.....only OBC

 

[FigmentSpark]

We booked 2 cruises through Costco now and never got any Costco card cash.....only OBC

Were they Disney cruises? I know they do different deals for different cruise lines.

 

[codylamb18]

We booked 2 cruises through Costco now and never got any Costco card cash.....only OBC

Interesting... Can anyone else fill me in on this? Is it select cruises only?

If Costco really doesn't work for someone, the DU onboard credit is very good. Their gift basket doesn't excite me, but there is also that.

Yes I got $100 OBC on our current cruise with dreams. It was nice.

 

[DahliaRW]

We booked 2 cruises through Costco now and never got any Costco card cash.....only OBC

2 DCL cruises with Costco

We booked 2 cruises through Costco now and never got any Costco card cash.....only OBC

I've booked 2 with Costco (one in 2015 and one for 2018) and both offer the Costco Cash Card. I would guess the PP either booked a long time ago or another cruise line. In fact, if you go to Costo Travel's website, click on cruises, click on Disney, it clearly lists "Costco Cash Card" under the description of each type of cruise offered on DCL.