I notice that Costco offers deals on various tours. I don't think Costco actually arranges and manages the tour, they just are a medium to offer it to the public at what they hope is a very competitive price.
Has anybody booked a tour through Costco? How did it compare to an RS tour?
I recalled someone had posted about such a tour earlier, so I did a quick search:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/italy-schedule-via-costco-travel-june-2016
Several people on Cruise Critic have mentioned that they use Costco because they like the gift cards perks that come with booking. My son has just rented a car via Costco for an upcoming trip.
Costco does not run tours....just sells tours provided by other firms. Do your research as to tours you are interested in purchasing. I have used Costco Travel a number of times for cars, hotels, cruises, etc. Their pricing is generally at least competitive if not superior after comparing prices. Humans answer phone inquiries! Apart from pricing, there are no surprises or spendy gotchas (e.g. taxes/fees are clearly included or excluded). Bonus: 3% rebate on travel purchases with the new Citi/Costco credit card.
I've used Costco Travel for car rentals in U.S. and found them to be good value. So just out of curiosity, I just did a side-by-side comparison with the RS Best of Venice, Florence, & Rome tour for May 5-14, 2017.
Costco was about $2695 pp vs RS for $2995. RS, of course, has 3 dinners and a couple of lunches, full time guide, local guides and lots of tours with admissions to the major sites. Lets not forget group camaraderie.
Let's also remember only 24-28 tour members instead of 52. Much more comfortable and intimate.
The smaller number of people in the big bus is an important thing for me. If I was petite little guy that would be one thing, but I am cramped a bit even when I get an entire two seats for myself.
Wow.. just looked at the Costco travel site.. I priced out of Seattle since they don't offer Vancouver for me.. and the prices for a similar trip I have already booked via a charter airline (Airtransat) for my trip to an AI in Mexico this November.. were WAY higher than I already paid.. whew.. not missing any great deal there.
I think like anything you have to do your homework.. and check out and compare prices yourselves.. I do think you likely get some great deals.. but I think they have some not so great deals at all.. sort of "loss leaders"..
I might add, that I could do the same as Costco on my own (same hotels, same transportation) for the same price, but that would be the cost for 2 people, not per person.
@Emma, You made me LOL! Wray
Special on extra large boxes of laundry detergent on aisle 26.
Emma, you aren't missing anything unless you need a gallon (4 liters?) of mayonnaise or a 2-pack of giant shampoo bottles.
Or free lunch! Ours almost always gives out lots of good samples.
They have great wool hiking socks. I compared them to my Lands End wool socks, and Costco's are better.
My experience with Costco travel has been limited to US car rentals but I have received lower rates than when trying to book direct.
There are 27 Costco locations in the UK. I wonder if you can "do" lunch with their snack ladies?
Oh Emma, My husband tries to visit Costco's wherever we go. I think the one in the UK we visited was in Derby, this was several years ago. He loved it, especially the menu in the snack bar. It had jacket potatoes.
emma, I keep reading it the same way and thinking "Why would you need a tour through Costco, it's just a store you shop at!"
But on the topic, I'm not so sure I would buy a tour offered at Costco. Not where I would think you would get the best most knowledgeable travel agent.
