Is Costco Travel Cheaper than AAA?
Costco travel deals are just one amazing perk to purchasing a Costco membership. But is it the best? Costco Travel and AAA are both popular travel companies that offer different services. Costco Travel offers cheaper prices than AAA, but is it worth the money? In this blog post, we will compare and contrast Costco Travel and AAA to see which one is the better deal for you.
Costco Travel is a membership-based travel company that offers discounts on hotels, rental cars, cruises, and more. AAA is a non-profit organization that offers roadside assistance, insurance, and discounts on hotels and rental cars. They may have cheaper prices than AAA, but you have to be a member to use their services.
Costco Travel: What is it?
They also offer members exclusive pricing on cruises and vacation packages. It is a great way for Costco members to save money on their next vacation. In the following paragraphs, I will go into greater detail on the benefits, disadvantages, and ease of use regarding Costco Travel.
Costco Travel Benefits
Costco Travel offers a variety of services. Get in contact with a Costco Travel agent to plan your next trip. They will find the best travel deals for any budget and destination. Costco Travel also offers a variety of benefits such as exclusive Costco member pricing, no booking fees, and more.
If you’re looking for someone to plan your vacation, Costco Travel may be beneficial to you. However, this is not always the case. Although the Costco Travel deals are great for some people, let’s explore some of the disadvantages of using this service.
Disadvantages of Costco Travel
Costco Travel is a popular option for vacation planning, but it has its drawbacks. One disadvantage is that Costco Travel is not available in all areas. Costco also offers limited services compared to other travel agencies. Costco Travel also has strict cancellation policies, so be sure to read the fine print before booking your trip.
Overall, Costco Travel is a good option for vacation planning if you’re willing to do some research and are flexible with your travel dates and destination. However, if you’re looking for a full-service travel agency, Costco Travel may not be the best option. AAA has better travel agents when it comes to planning.
Costco Travel Ease of Use
We know that Costco Travel is great for those who are looking for Travel deals. However, it does not matter how good the deals are if no one can access them. In this paragraph we will look at their usability.
Costco members can easily find the Costco Travel website by logging in to their Costco accounts. From there, they can search for hotels, rental cars, cruises, and more. You will find a plethora of Costco Travel deals on their site. You can also see details on membership pricing. We’ll get into the details of a membership and the Costco Travel deals that come along with it.
Costco also offers a toll-free number for members who need assistance booking their travel arrangements. Overall, Costco Travel is easy to use and offers exclusive discounts for Costco members.
To learn more about Costco Travel and the benefits and services it offers, you can visit its website or call 1-800-767-5338.
AAA Travel: What is it?
AAA Travel is AAA’s full-service travel agency, offering AAA members a wide range of personal travel planning services. They also provide travel agents that can help AAA members with all aspects of their travel planning. From booking flights and hotels to renting cars and planning activities, they have you covered!
Benefits of AAA Travel
AAA Travel also offers AAA members exclusive discounts on travel expenses, such as airfare, hotel rooms, and rental cars. In addition, AAA Travel provides AAA members with 24/7 support while they are traveling. They can always reach someone if they need assistance.
Whether AAA members are planning a quick getaway or a world tour, AAA Travel is there to make sure everything goes according to plan.
Here’s an overview of the travel deals you can expect with a membership:
Disadvantages of AAA Travel
Although AAA Travel may offer a variety of services, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for everyone. AAA Travel has its disadvantages, too. For one thing, AAA Travel can be expensive. AAA Travel also charges for some of its services, which can add up if you use them frequently.
Additionally, AAA Travel may not have the best selection of travel options. You might not be able to find the perfect vacation if you’re looking for something specific.
Finally, AAA Travel isn’t always the most reliable; sometimes AAA Travel reservations get canceled or changed without warning. While AAA Travel has its perks, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
Cost Breakdown of Each
According to Forbes, AAA Travel offers a free service that non-members can use to book flights, hotels, and rental cars without being a member. However, the real perks of AAA Travel come when you purchase a membership.
Costco Travel perks are not free. However, they do offer a wider variety of perks if you are someone who flies often. The cost of an executive membership is relatively cheap if you travel enough.
Let’s break down each travel agency based on its price and benefits, and use that information to decide which company is the more cost-effective option.
AAA Travel
A travel agency that not only plans your trip, but also protects it is AAA. AAA Travel is a AAA service that provides members with access to exclusive travel deals and discounts. There are three pricing tiers: AAA Basic, AAA Plus, and AAA Premier. AAA Basic members receive the lowest prices on AAA-rated hotels, cars, and vacation packages.
Members receive the same discounts as Basic members, plus additional perks like early check-in and late checkout at hotels, and free upgrades on car rentals. AAA Premier members receive the same discounts as AAA Plus members, plus even more perks like complimentary breakfast at hotels and free one-way car rental drops.
The cost varies depending on the tier of membership; AAA Basic memberships start at $59 per year, while AAA Premier memberships start at $99 per year. Whether you’re looking for the best deals on hotels, cars, or vacation packages, they have you covered.
Here’s an annual breakdown of membership costs:
Basic Membership: $55
Plus Membership: $97
Premier Membership: $137
The biggest thing to note is that no matter what tier membership you have, all AAA members get discounts on hotels, car rentals, and other travel. The only travel difference between the 3 tiers is that the plus and premier have options to upgrade for RV benefits, which include $500 towards recreational vehicles, motorcycles, and more.
AAA members can also take advantage of travel agents to assist in the various bookings and reservations that take place when preparing for a vacation. This is a fantastic option that is great for those who have a busy schedule or do not want to plan their vacation.
Using AAA for travel bookings is a great option because it’s free for anyone. However, if you’re looking for more roadside protection or travel often and want to take advantage of discounts, it could be worth it to look into a Plus membership through AAA. It all depends on what you’re looking for in a travel agency.
Costco Travel
Every Costco member can access their website to book travel plans and save money.
The website offers a variety of services at a fraction of the cost of other travel websites. For example, you can book a hotel room through them for less than half the price of booking the same room through another website. Even AAA Travel!
In addition, they offers discounts on rental cars and activities such as zip-lining and whale watching. Overall, it’s is an affordable option for traveling that provides great benefits for members.
The price breakdown of an annual membership:
According to Costco, it costs $120 a year to be an Executive Costco member. But don’t let the high price scare you. If you are someone who travels often, especially someone who books flights and hotels often, you may actually save money (and make money) with this membership.
The Executive Costco membership offers an annual 2% reward for those who spend money on any Costco service, including travel. If you are buying multiple plane tickets a year and booking cruises, hotels, or excursions often, you could literally make money just from being a Costco member!
What’s the verdict?
It depends on what you’re looking for.
If you are someone who travels mainly by road (road trips!), an AAA membership could be a great option for you. Everyone knows that AAA is a sure way to grant everyone peace of mind when traveling by road. Here are some of the benefits that come with having an AAA membership:
- Flat-tire service (all tiers)
- Battery jumpstart and replacement service (all tiers)
- Vehicle lock-out service (covers cost based on tier)
- Theft reward from $500 to $2,000 (depends on tier)
- Free emergency gas delivery–complimentary (Premier tier)
- Trip interruption protection up to $1500 (Premier)
…and more!
However, if you are someone who flies or goes on cruises often, Costco travel may be the travel service for you. At a price of only $120 a year with a 2% annual reward, Costco travel is great for those who find themselves spending large amounts of money on travel-related purchases.
Not only that, but also the 2% reward applies to any purchases made from a Costco business. You can make cash-back on groceries, furniture, and travel! Definitely a good deal.
Which is better?
Both travel agencies are great. Depending on what your needs are, either option could work for you. If you are someone who roadtrips more, AAA would probably be the better option. However, if you are someone who flies or goes on cruises more, Costco is the best option for you.
This is because AAA Travel also offers a variety of perks, including discounts on hotels and rental cars. However, AAA’s benefits far outweigh those of Costco’s benefits if you are someone who is on the road a lot.
If you are a frequent flyer, Costco is the better deal because it offers a wider variety of perks and discounts. It all depends on your specific needs. What do you want in a Travel agency?
Ready to plan your trip?
Ready to start planning your trip? Whether you’re looking for a solid protection agency for your next road trip or you’re trying to find the best deals to save you money for this summer’s family vacation, there are some great options out there.
I hope you found this article helpful in deciding which service is best for you. Just remember this, and you’ll be fine: Costco for flights and hotels, and AAA for road trips!
Leave a comment if you have experienced either membership and let us know what you think!
