Backpack to Buggy

Pineapple Princess: Mirielle on her first trip to Hawaii

While picking up basics at Costco – bread, bananas, blueberries and wine – I noticed the sign for Costco Travel and checked if they could save me money on a luxury hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii for our last minute vacation.

I checked their website and priced five nights at the Fairmont Orchid, our first choice, with car rental.  CostcoTravel’s package, including taxes, a second driver, an ocean view room with breakfast for two every day and $265 in resort credit was priced $600 less than I could find elsewhere.  Essentially, the second driver, breakfasts, resort credits and room upgrade were free.

I was looking to spend 10 nights on the Big Island – five at a great resort relaxing and five exploring the island and Kilaeua volcano, so I called CostcoTravel to see if they could book 10 days car with five days hotel.  The staff at the call center were wonderful – helpful, patient, and had contagiously good attitudes.   (I learned a lot talking to them while waiting for their booking system).  A+ for customer service!

Bottom line – I saved 20% booking with Costco Travel vs. booking the same itinerary myself or through other online packages.   Looking at it another way, I was able to travel on specific days, upgrade to non-stop flights (four hours less travel time with a toddler and skipping connections is worth a lot), add a second driver on the rental car, upgrade to an ocean view room, include the breakfast buffet (which means we can skip lunch), and have $265 to spend at the resort (mai tais and massages?) for no additional cost.

I plan to ask for upgrades all along the way, following Delicious Baby’s success, and hopefully will be able to get a room where we can listen to the waves crashing.

If you are a Costco member, check out their website, or give them a call to see if you can save money.

(Note:  I am writing this review because I was really impressed.  No one has given me any special gifts, discounts, treatments, etc.)