Take Advantage Of Costco's Sneaky Travel Perk When Booking Your Next Vacation

If you don't already have a Costco membership, it might be time to get one. Not only does the retail chain let you buy household items like toilet paper, garbage bags, and snacks in bulk, but you can also book travel through Costco and even score a sneaky travel perk when booking your next vacation: a Costco Shop Card rebate. It gives you credit to spend at a future Costco visit, and the value never expires.

Granted, this underrated benefit is only available with certain travel packages. But it's proof that Costco wants you to save on all fronts, no matter what you do or where you go. You'll receive the Shop Card card after booking a qualifying trip through Costco Travel, essentially being refunded for parts of your trip that you can now use at Costco stores. 

Just how soon you'll get your card has everything to do with your reservation and how you used Costco Travel. For example, if you booked a cruise or vacation package, your card will be emailed to you about 10 days after the start of your trip. Comparatively, if you booked a rental car through Costco Travel, you'll receive your card roughly three to four weeks after you return the car. 

You can use your Costco Shop Card at any location in the U.S., Canada, or Puerto Rico, or online at Costco.com. Because each card can only hold a maximum of $2,000, if your rebate or other benefits exceed this, then you'll receive multiple cards. For example, if you're receiving $4,150 in shop card benefits, you'll get three digital cards: two for $2k each and one for $150. The Costcop Shop Card can also be transferred to someone else via email.

The big selling point with this sneaky travel perk is that after booking your trip through Costco, the rebate doesn't have to be spent on anything travel-related and can be used for other things that you may deem more important. However, there are a few restrictions. While the physical Costco Shop Cards can be used at gas stations, the digital ones can't, and all cards are non-refundable and can't be exchanged for cash. If you're stuck on what to use your Costco Shop Card on, there are lots of travel items from Costco that make perfect Christmas stocking stuffers.