costco travel in hawaii

Costco Hawaii Vacation Review: 9 Things to Know Before You Buy

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read about our affiliate policies here .

Sometimes it can feel like booking a vacation is a full-time job. You want to do the research, plan the best itinerary, and get a good deal. Especially if you’re heading somewhere as expensive as Hawaii. With all that work you might wonder if going through a travel agency like Costco Travel is a better idea. 

Booking a Costco Vacation to Hawaii is right for someone who wants to book flights, hotel, and car all in one place for a good price. A Costco vacation to Hawaii isn’t cheap, but you can get some good deals. But there are also some reasons you may want to skip this and book your own trip.

We break down a review of Costo Hawaii Travel by covering nine things you need to know before you book. 

Costco Hawaii Vacation Review: 9 Things to Know

Curious about a Costco Hawaii Vacation? We reviewed different options and found nine things you should know: 

1. Vacation packages can save you money

A trip to Hawaii is expensive, so most people are looking for extra ways to save a few dollars on a trip. That’s where Costco comes in: they offer Hawaii vacation packages that aren’t cheap but offer a good value for the money. 

To see just how much you can save, we priced out a one-week trip to Maui in October 2020, staying at the Westin Kaanapali. The total cost of the Costco vacation package is $3,877 for flights for four people, a hotel room and a rental car. 

In addition to that rate, you also receive a $100 activity credit and a $199 Costco shop card. 

Booking everything separately, the total cost is $4,222, and you won’t receive an activity credit or a shop card. That’s a $345 savings just for booking through Costco. 

2. Booking less than a full package may not save you anything

What if you want to handle your own flight booking? That’s a great way to save money if you’re using miles with an airline. 

But you may not want to use Costco to book the hotel and rental car — you may not actually save any money.

Using the example from above and staying at the Westin Kaanapali for a week, booking the hotel and rental car with Costco costs $2,602. Booking the hotel and rental car separately, the total cost is $2,496, which includes a $100 activity credit. 

Yes, you read that right: using Costco to book the hotel and rental car results in you actually spending more. 

We double-checked this with another hotel on the island, the Fairmont Kea Lani. 

A package for six nights in October 2020 at the Fairmont Kea Lani costs $4,010 through Costco. This includes your rental car and a $100 activity credit. 

Booking the hotel and rental car separately will cost $4,003. Yes, you’re missing out on the $100 activity credit but you’re saving $7. 

Bottom line: the real savings come when you book full packages. 

3. Additional rental car driver added at no fee

Coming with a friend? You can add an extra driver to your rental car reservation for free if you’re booking with Alamo or Enterprise. Being that Alamo charges an extra $10 a day for an additional driver, this cost can add up. 

If you don’t book through Costco but you still want to add an extra driver at no additional charge, try out our favorite car rental booking tool, Discount Hawaii Car Rental . 

4. Easy, one-stop booking

Price isn’t always the biggest motivator. Sometimes you just really want a convenient Hawaiian vacation. Costco travel offers that. 

Just enter your dates and your departure city into the booking portal and they take care of the rest. Your flights, hotel, and rental car will be booked with just a few clicks. Plus, everything is managed all in one place. No need to search through your email for different confirmations. Costco has you covered. 

Free Download!

Hawaiian island cheat sheets.

Sign up & we’ll send you our island cheat sheets so you can get to know the islands like the back of your hand!

We’ll share 4 can’t-miss activities on each island, a map with the main sights in town, & famous local grindz (eats)!

where should we send your free Island Cheat Sheets?

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy . We hate spam and promise to keep your email safe. Unsubscribe at any time.

5. Additional cashback

Have an executive membership? You can get 2% back on your purchase. On a $5,000 vacation package, that’s an additional $100 back in Costco rewards. While 2% might seem like a lot when compared to the total cost, you can just add that to the savings that you get from booking a trip with them. 

If you have a Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, you’ll get 3% cashback. On a $5,000 vacation, you’ll get $150 back. 

6. Activities could be better

Hawaii truly has some of the best activities. Snorkeling, helicopter rides, hiking. The islands offer something for almost anyone. 

And, the Costco travel package comes with a $100 activity credit. This activity credit is generally not enough to pay for one activity for one person. So if you want to use the credit, you will have to pay an additional cost in many situations. 

Herein lies the problem: the activities you can use the credit towards are fine. But, they might not be the activities that you actually want to do. 

For example, the Pride of Maui Sunset Dinner Cruise is a good option to get out on the water and use your credit. But if you had your heart set on a catamaran or a sailboat or a smaller group, this isn’t the activity for you. 

If you have your heart set on very specific activities, like a sunset sail or a luau, it’s probably better to skip booking with the activity credit and pay for the activities that you actually want to do. You’ve likely saved a few hundred dollars on a vacation package

Related read: Should You Book the Feast at Lele or Old Lahaina Luau?

7. Hotels and vacation rentals available

We love a good hotel in Hawaii, but sometimes a vacation rental is a better fit (especially when you’re traveling with kids). Costco offers the ability to book at both hotels and vacation rentals, giving you some great choices. 

Costco hotel options in Hawaii include some top-notch places like:

Maui hotels:

• Westin Kaanapali
• Sheraton Kaanapali
• Fairmont Kea Lani
• Ritz Carlton Kapalua
• Four Seasons
• Grand Wailea

Oahu hotels:

• Disney Aulani
• Outrigger Waikiki Hotels
• Waikiki Beach Marriott
• Hilton Hawaiian Village
• Moana Surfrider
• Turtle Bay Hotel

Kauai hotels:

• Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach
• Kauai Marriott
• Grand Hyatt
• Koloa Landing Resort

Big Island hotels:

• Westin Hapuna Beach
• Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa
• Hilton Waikoloa Village
• Fairmont Orchid

The one thing that’s missing: access to the boutique hotels on the islands. There are some wonderful, smaller, or independently run hotels on the island. If that type of accommodation is more your style, booking with Costco isn’t the best choice for you. 

8. The cancellation policy isn’t great

If you’re the type of person who doesn’t do well with pre-booking commitment (like me), Costco isn’t a good fit. After booking the trip, you’re subject to a fairly rigid cancellation policy, with the highest refunded amount of 75%. 

This isn’t a problem for everyone. But if you think there’s a chance your plans might change, booking with Costco isn’t going to work out in your favor.

I also should note that Costco received terrible reviews during the initial wave of COVID vacation cancellations. People were left without refunds or waiting on hold for hours. I think most travel companies struggled to handle this situation well, but the negative reviews will give you pause. Sometimes in these situations, it’s better to book directly with the hotel or airline. 

9. It’s pre-paid

This can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on who you are. If you love going on vacation knowing it’s all paid for, Costco Hawaii Vacation packages are for you. Everything is pre-paid in advance and you take off knowing that you’re not going to come home to massive credit card bills (well, aside from food and activities which can be very expensive). 

But if you don’t love paying for a vacation before you go, booking with Costco might hurt a little. You can pay on a schedule so you’re not shelling out the entire amount at once, but you will have pre-paid the entire cost of the package you book before you leave for your trip. 

Costco can be a great place to book your travel for Hawaii. You’ll likely save a lot of money by purchasing a full package and you’ll have all of the details taken care of with just a few clicks and decisions. 

But there are some clear drawbacks to using them. Weigh your choices carefully and you’ll book the trip you’re dreaming of your way.

And if you’re planning a trip to Hawaii booking with Costco or not, our free itineraries will be a big help . 

Related reads:

• What is the Cheapest Hawaiian Island?
• Hawaii Vacation Grocery List (with a printable list)
• The 14 Best Things to Do on a Budget in Maui

Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary

Maui Wayfinder Itinerary

Kauai Wayfinder Itinerary

Cruising Hawaii Guide

Big Island Wayfinder Itinerary

I'm the co-founder, with my husband Jordan, of The Hawaii Vacation Guide. We have lived on Maui and Oahu and continue to travel, experience, and learn about the Hawaiian Islands. We travel with our kids, Henry and Edith. I am a planner! I love to plan trips from the mainland and island-hopping adventures, excursion days, and everything in-between. I spend a lot of my time in Hawai'i on a SUP and my favorite time of year in Hawai'i is whale season!

Similar Posts

How Many Days Should You Spend in Maui? The Ideal Plan

How to Honeymoon in Hawaii on a Budget

Don’t Miss the 15 Best Restaurants in Wailea & Kihei (by category!)

The 14 Best Things to Do in Wailea (+ how to get to Molokini FIRST)

Ehukai Pillbox Hike: directions, parking, and all you need to know

Hawaii in December: Everything to Know For Your Trip

This is the most comprehensive Hawaii vacation planning resource on the internet!

TOP RESOURCES

• Join Our Newsletter
• Hawaii Itineraries
• Tours & Activities
• Top Travel Gear
• Discount Car Rentals

ISLAND GUIDES

• Planning A Trip To Hawaii
• Oahu Island Guide
• Maui Island Guide
• Hawai’i (Big Island) Guide
• Kauai Island Guide

Your use of the information provided in our Content, Itineraries, Site, and Services is for your informational purposes only and is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Your use of the information described in, your participation in activities presented in, and/or your engagement of any Travel Service Providers presented in our Content, Itineraries, Site, and/or Services may carry the risk of illness, bodily injury, disability, death, or property damage. You voluntarily and freely assume all risks and dangers that may occur pursuant to your access, use, purchase, or participation in any information, activity, good, or service described in our Content, Itineraries, Site, and Services or provided by any Travel Service Providers.

Don’t start planning without our cheat sheets

You’ll get:

• 4 can’t-miss activities on each island,
• a map with the main sights in town,
• and famous local grindz (eats)!

Review Cart

No products in the cart.

FinanceBuzz

15 Dream Vacations You Can Actually Afford With Costco Travel

Posted: October 28, 2023 | Last updated: October 28, 2023

Need a vacation? Your Costco membership might be able to help you find a great deal on a place you actually want to visit, regardless of the reason you need a trip. 

Check out these family-friendly vacations that you can book through Costco Travel and get some extra savings. Using one of the top travel credit cards could help you save even more.

Compare the best travel credit cards for nearly free travel

Cruises offer great family-friendly treats like excursions and onboard activities. Costco’s version of a Mexican cruise starts with boarding a Carnival cruise ship in San Francisco for five days of relaxing in the sun.

One of the best Costco hacks is that you can earn a gift card for booking through the warehouse retailer.

Get expert advice on making more money - sent straight to your inbox.

Oahu, Hawaii

Head to the great Pacific and Hawaii with this Costco trip to Oahu. The package includes a beach-side hotel in Waikiki Beach for ocean surf as well as swimming pools with a water slide.

Perks of booking through Costco include a lei greeting at the hotel and having your resort fees covered as part of your booking.

You can get plenty of extras at the Garza Blanca Cancun when you book a trip for the family through Costco.

Your membership may include a complimentary room upgrade or resort credit depending on the type of accommodations you choose. You’ll also get a Costco gift card when you book through the warehouse retailer.

10 brilliant ways to build wealth after 40

Riviera Maya

This all-inclusive resort includes unlimited meals and 24-hour room service as well as a kids club to send your little ones if you want a break.

The package also includes access to nature parks and tours so you can explore the area or simply relax at the Hotel Xcaret Mexico. Plus, buy your trip with the right credit card and you could earn cash back while taking advantage of the good deals. 

Walt Disney World

Is there any family vacation quite like a trip to Walt Disney World? Check out the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort for all your Disney needs with discounts through Costco.

Booking through Costco can get you an early theme park entry, a complimentary room upgrade, and some free meals for your kids at the resort.

Universal Orlando

Another theme park highlight in Florida is Universal Orlando. You can take advantage of all it has to offer with a stay at Universal’s Adventura Hotel.

You can pick up Universal Orlando tickets with this package through Costco and also enjoy a $50 Universal Orlando resort gift card if you have a Costco membership.

Will you be able to retire early? Take this quiz to find out.

San Diego, California

Take advantage of the California sun with your family at San Diego’s Mission Bay resort. Check out Costco’s deal for families, which includes $45 in resort credit.

You can also have your resort fees waived if you book through Costco Travel, which can help you keep more money in your bank account .

Western Caribbean

You don’t have to stay at a theme park to enjoy a Disney vacation. In fact, Costco can book you a Western Caribbean vacation on a Disney cruise if you want to head out on the water.

A great Costco perk for booking through the retailer is a Costco gift card to help you stock up on travel essentials before you head out for a fun family cruise.

Want to try something a little more unusual? Pack up the family and head to Fiji to really get away from it all.

Booking your vacation through Costco includes water sports and meals while you’re at the resort. And Costco’s price also covers airfare and access to Fiji Airways’ departure lounge.

9 nearly secret things to do if you fly Southwest

Scottsdale, Arizona

If you want to stick closer to home, try Costco’s deal with the Hyatt Regency hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. The hotel boasts a water playground, spa, and golf course for all your sporting needs.

You can also get waived resort fees, complimentary breakfast, and a rental car included in your package when you book through Costco.

Take a trip to Tahiti with the family and stay at a luxury bungalow out on the water for a unique vacation experience.

Your Costco booking includes airfare, breakfasts and dinners, and a complimentary mini-bar. You can also get a lei greeting for the whole family when you arrive for your trip away from the everyday world.

Take a four-night cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. The trip from Los Angeles includes two days at sea and a stopover at Ensenada on the Baja peninsula of Mexico.

There are plenty of onboard activities for kids as well as adults. You’ll also get a Costco gift card if you book with their travel department.

5 things you need to know before retiring with $500,000

European cruise

Check out several ports in Italy, France, and Spain with a trip on the Norwegian Epic cruise ship.

The cruise stops in many cities, including Cannes, Barcelona, and Rome. The vacation also includes a Costco gift card if you book with Costco Travel.

Head to Costa Rica and the all-inclusive Westin Reserva Conchal.

If you book through Costco, your stay will include five nights in a deluxe junior suite as well as meals and a kids club for extra fun for your little ones.

Dominican Republic

Another tropical oasis you may want to take the family to is the Dominican Republic.

The Majestic Elegance is an all-inclusive resort on the beach for plenty of fun along with a stocked mini-bar and meals that are all included. You can also get a Costco gift card if you book your trip through Costco Travel.

Bottom line

Take advantage of your Costco membership to get some extra perks on your next trip, especially if you have an Executive Membership.

You can also get more perks and points if you use the best credit cards for Costco when you shop at the warehouse retailer. 

And don’t forget to check out Costco for things you might need for your trips like swimsuits, pool toys, or books. You might be surprised what you can find at Costco, especially during the right season. 

More from FinanceBuzz:

• 6 genius hacks Costco shoppers should know
• 9 things you must do before the next recession.
• Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.
• 9 simple ways to make up to an extra $200/day

More for You

Samuel Alito Tells Congress to Change Gun Law After Supreme Court Ruling

WWII-Era Bomber Plane Found on the Bottom of Lake Mead

China Offloads $53 Billion in US Treasuries in Unprecedented Move That Sends Strong Message to Biden

The US Navy has put its hypersonic-stopper missile on fighters. But there’s a problem

Iconic 80s rock band perform together for the first time in 17 years

VA Compensation Rates Increase: Could VA Disability benefits increase soon? This is what you must know

Donald Trump's Milwaukee 'Error' Could Cost Him Election

Mark Cuban Says Not To Use Credit Cards — Should You Take His Advice?

The 7 Best New Movies on Amazon Prime Video in June 2024

I spent 5 years interviewing 233 millionaires—here are 5 things they never waste money on

Chiefs’ $40,000 Super Bowl Ring Appears to Have Embarrassing Error Engraved

FAA investigates Southwest flight which plunged off Hawaiian coast

Kevin O'Leary Issues Warning About Housing Market

Which Aircraft Carrier Was Used In Top Gun: Maverick?

Tubi becomes a modern day David and Goliath story, soaring above other streaming giants

Finland to deploy NATO land command and troops

Suze Orman: Here’s the Minimum You Need To Retire Early

You could get in big trouble for throwing these items in trash

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max sustains 'substantial' damage from 'Dutch roll' incident

Prince William Responds to Kate's Return to Public Life

Advertisement

Supported by

Costco Plans to Stop Selling Books Year-Round

The decision, which will be implemented in January 2025, could significantly impact publishers.

• Share full article

By Elizabeth A. Harris and Alexandra Alter

In a blow to publishers and authors, Costco plans to stop selling books regularly at stores around the United States, four publishing executives who had been informed of the warehouse retailer’s plans said on Wednesday.

Beginning in January 2025, the company will stop stocking books regularly, and will instead sell them only during the holiday shopping period, from September through December. During the rest of the year, some books may be sold at Costco stores from time to time, but not in a consistent manner, according to the executives, who spoke anonymously in order to discuss a confidential business matter that has not yet been publicly announced.

Costco’s shift away from books came largely because of the labor required to stock books, the executives said. Copies have to be laid out by hand, rather than just rolled out on a pallet as other products often are at Costco. The constant turnaround of books — new ones come out every Tuesday and the ones that have not sold need to be returned — also created more work.

A Costco representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

The decision could be a significant setback for publishers at a moment when the industry is facing stagnant print sales and publishing houses are struggling to find ways to reach customers who have migrated online.

While Costco isn’t as critical a retail outlet as bookstore chains like Barnes & Noble, it has provided a way for people who might not otherwise seek out books to see them and perhaps grab a new thriller or a cookbook while shopping for socks and paper towels. Shoppers could also browse books at Costco in a way that is difficult to do online.

Costco had already stopped selling books in some markets, including Alaska and Hawaii. Publishing industry executives say other big box retailers remain committed to carrying books and have seen some success with the category.

“It’s an easy place to just grab the latest in a series you’re reading or pick up a book for your kid,” Brenna Connor, the director of U.S. Books at Circana, a market research firm, said of big box stores like Costco or Target. “They are important for the book market overall.”

The retailer’s impact also comes from the size of its orders. As with tubs of hummus or camping chairs, when Costco decided to stock a book, it often went big, ordering tens of thousands of copies at a minimum. For major blockbusters, they might stock hundreds of thousands of copies of a single title.

Robert Gottlieb, a literary agent and chairman at Trident Media Group, said he’d spoken about the changes at Costco to a number of publishers who were alarmed by the potential blow to sales.

“Costco across the country was a big outlet for books,” he said. “There are now fewer and fewer places to buy books in a retail environment.”

The change may also impact Costco customers, particularly those who live in areas without a bookstore. And because many books at Costco were impulse buys, some of those sales may not shift over to Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Instead, they might not happen at all.

  More about Elizabeth A. Harris

Alexandra Alter writes about books, publishing and the literary world for The Times. More about Alexandra Alter

Explore More in Books

Want to know about the best books to read and the latest news start here..

New Orleans is a thriving hub for festivals, music and Creole cuisine. The novelist Maurice Carlos Ruffin shared books that capture the city’s many cultural influences .

Joseph O’Neill’s fiction incorporates his real-world interests in ways that can surprise even him. His latest novel, “Godwin,” is about an adrift hero searching for a soccer superstar .

Keila Shaheen’s self-published best seller book, “The Shadow Work Journal,” shows how radically book sales and marketing have been changed by TikTok .

John S. Jacobs was a fugitive, an abolitionist — and the brother of the canonical author Harriet Jacobs. Now, his own fierce autobiography has re-emerged .

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

• Help Center
• 1-866-921-7925

Start Searching

• Packages  
• Hotels  
• Cruises  
• Rental Cars  

* Indicates required fields

Rental Period:

pickUpDate - dropOffDate

Pick-Up: pickUpTime - Drop-Off: dropOffTime

Pick-Up Location:

pickUpAddress

pickUpAgencyName

pickUpAgencyAddress

Drop-Off Location:

Same as Pick-Up Location

dropOffAddress

dropOffAgencyName

dropOffAgencyAddress

Coupon Override

Please call.

For drivers under the age of 25, additional fees and/or restrictions may apply.

For information and assistance in completing your reservation, please call:

We're unable to find your location.

Alaska Cruise Tours:

A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

Oceanfront Boutique Hotel

Digital costco shop card.

• Mandatory Daily Resort Fee Included

Kauai: The ISO Package

True to the name, you'll find The ISO - which stands for Island, Sky, and Ocean - situated on a private oceanfront expanse on Kauai's east coast. Soak in views of the gorgeous pacific ocean from your private lanai or find your adventure with a variety of on-site activities. The ISO offers an island-style experience you can carry with you forever.

Vacation Package Details

Executive member benefit.

Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,000, on qualified Costco Travel purchases

Digital Costco Shop Card (per room, per stay)†

Vacation Includes

Rental car or transfers (based on availability)‡

Accommodations at The ISO

Mandatory daily resort fee

Hotel and car taxes

Accommodations

Costco Member Reviews

4-796 kuhio hwy, kapaa - kauai, hi, 96746, united states.

Located in the seaside town of Kapa'a on Kauai's east coast, this boutique hotel encompasses all of the best things about the Garden Isle, from charming guest rooms to a variety of on-site activities and amenities. Daily complimentary grab and go breakfast is served with island fruits, granola, yogurt and more.

The Costco Star Rating assigned to each hotel is only intended as a guideline. The rating is based on information that has been compiled by Costco Travel buyers and might differ from other references.

Property offers the ultimate in elegance and sophistication, with highly personalized service and hospitality.

Property offers upscale design and decor, superior dining venues, manicured grounds, and a high level of service and hospitality.

Property offers above-average accommodations, service, comfort, facilities and grounds.

Property offers basic accommodations, decor, facilities and grounds.

You can navigate into the Hotel property pages, Costco warehouse locations and Region maps by clicking on the following icons on the map:

• Hotel Property

You can see the names of other important landmarks by pointing your mouse over the following icons on the map:

Available Dates & Prices

Blackout dates apply. Other room categories and lengths of stay are available. Airfare is available at an additional cost. The vacation shown is based on availability. The price and inclusions will vary based on the selected travel dates.

Terms & Conditions

†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your vacation. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

‡Rental car includes unlimited mileage, one additional driver, all taxes and service fees. It does not include gasoline, optional insurance charges, underage driver charges, upgrades, overtime, drop charges or infant-child seats.

See Full Terms & Conditions - Opens a dialog

Package ID: HAWLIHTHEISO20220209

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Activities Details

We are processing your payment.

Do not refresh your browser or exit this page.

Costco is switching up how it sells books. What it means for shoppers.

• Costco plans to stop regularly selling books throughout the year starting in January.
• The decision is meant to ease labor for Costco staff.
• The shift is a symbolic blow to an industry that has already taken a hit from rising costs and lagging print sales.

The large stack of books in the middle of your nearest Costco may not be around much longer.

The New York Times reported earlier this week that Costco plans to stop regularly selling books year-round starting in January 2025, citing four anonymous publishing executives. Instead, the wholesale retailer will consistently sell books only during the last four months of the year, when holiday shopping picks up.  

Costco representatives did not respond to requests for comment, but a publishing company confirmed the company's decision to USA TODAY. 

Costco may not be the country's largest bookseller – Publishers Weekly editor-at-large Jim Milliot estimates that the retailer along with other big-box stores like Target make up just 4% of book sales – but the shift is a symbolic blow to an industry that has already been struggling to keep up with rising operating costs.

“It was sort of a point of pride within the industry, that books are not just elitist, books had a really solid mass market play,” publishing industry analyst and author Thad McIlroy said. “It really meant a lot to the industry that Costco was a strong outlet, and to have it turned into just Christmas gifts, that’s not a good thing.”

What does this mean for Costco members?

Costco's decision stems from the amount of labor required to stock books. Each title has to be unboxed and stacked by hand, whereas other products are simply rolled out on pallets. The company had already stopped selling books in its Hawaii and Alaska warehouses in 2022.

While Costco's book selection is limited, it has been a convenient way for shoppers to pick up their next beach read or check out a new cookbook while running errands. Now, there will be one less exposure point to books – a “big deal” for consumers, according to McIlroy. 

“(Some people are) just not bookstore people. They don't buy books on Amazon. So I think there's a significant group of people who find their reading enjoyment via Costco, and that's going to be much diminished,” he said.

Pennie Clark Ianniciello, who worked as Costco's book buyer for 32 years before leaving the company in 2021, made a post on LinkedIn noting she was saddened to hear the news, but Costco "needs to make changes for their own business needs" and the publishing industry will find new ways to sell and promote their publishing lists.

"I do hope true book readers will find a new independent bookstore and others who used to 'cruise' the book selection will once again check other retailers and libraries for their literary treasures," she said in her post. "It will be unsettling for a time and uncomfortable adjustments will be made. I too, will be making new shopping plans for my books."

Costco $1.50 hot dog: Costco's hot dog price 'is safe,' company's new leadership announces

'It's a really tough time to be a publisher'

Costco's decision comes as U.S. print book sales dwindle. The industry’s print volume hit 767 million last year, down 3% from 2022 , according to a February report from market research company Circana.

The firm notes that increased household debt could further tighten consumer spending, especially on higher-priced titles after the holiday season. 

“It’s a really tough time to be a publisher, regardless of your size,” McIlroy said. “So having something like this kick you in the face when you're down is not a good thing.”

While certain titles see a good chunk of their sales from Costco members, the company's decision means little for the average author, according to publishing industry analyst Jane Friedman.

“Costco typically sold books and authors that were already wildly successful,” she said in an emailed statement. “If you're a bestselling author or a big publishing house, this isn't welcome news, but it's not going to change how publishing decisions get made. No one acquires books thinking ‘This is a Costco book!’ It's more like icing on the cake.”

McIlroy agreed that it'll likely be a specific subset of authors and publishers who “are really going to feel some pain.”

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

• Help Centre
• 1-855-863-0357

Start Searching

• Packages  
• All-Inclusive  
• Cruises  
• Rental Cars  
• Hotels  

* Indicates required fields

Rental Period:

pickUpDate - dropOffDate

Pick-Up: pickUpTime - Drop-Off: dropOffTime

Pick-Up Location:

pickUpAddress

pickUpAgencyName

pickUpAgencyAddress

Drop-Off Location:

Same as Pick-Up Location

dropOffAddress

dropOffAgencyName

dropOffAgencyAddress

Coupon Override

Please call.

For drivers under the age of 25, additional fees and/or restrictions may apply.

For information and assistance in completing your reservation, please call:

We're unable to find your location.

Alaska Cruise Tours:

A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

Sorry, but the requested page was not found.

Please explore some of our great offers.

Limited-Time Deals

Book Before They're Gone These Deals Won't Last!

Last-Minute Cruises

Summer Sailings Still Available Digital Costco Shop Card with Every Sailing

Universal Orlando Promotional Packages

THREE PARKS. ENDLESS AWESOME. Member Savings on Hotel and Theme Park Tickets

Cancun: Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Package

All-Inclusive Resort Kids' Club Digital Costco Shop Card

Last-Minute Travel

It's Not Too Late to Book Vacation Package Getaways

Family-Friendly Fun

Value, Quality and Features for Families Choose from Resorts and Cruises

Featured Travel

Sedona: courtyard by marriott sedona package.

Complimentary Daily Self-Parking

Las Vegas: Bellagio Las Vegas Package

Costco Member Savings World-Class Restaurants Iconic Fountain Performances

Tahiti: InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Package

Daily Buffet Breakfast Executive Member Benefit

Dominican Republic: Dreams® Onyx Resort & Spa Package

Family-Friendly, All-Inclusive Resort Beachfront, Digital Costco Shop Card

Orlando: Universal Orlando Resort Vacation Package

Exclusive Savings on Vacation Package Promo Tickets Exclusive Theme Park Benefits Digital Costco Shop Card & More

Maui: The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali Package

Stay 5 / Pay 4, US $ 125 - US $ 250 Resort Credit Daily Breakfast for Two US $ 100 Social Space Game Card

Included Extras Valued at US $ 475

Featured Destinations

Calgary, alberta.

Discover What Calgary Has to Offer

Nashville, Tennessee

Music City U.S.A.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Stunning Sunrises, Boardwalk Arcades and More

Featured Cruises

Eastern caribbean and perfect day cruise.

Royal Caribbean | Symphony of the Seas® Digital Costco Shop Card, Round-Trip Miami

Mediterranean with France and Italy Cruise

Princess Cruises | Sun Princess® New Ship, Digital Costco Shop Card Barcelona to Rome

Kirkland Signature Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

Holland America Line | Koningsdam® Exclusive Savings and Included Extras Digital Costco Shop Card

Hawaiian Cruise

Disney Cruise Line Vancouver to Honolulu 10-Night Cruise Aboard Disney Wonder Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

Canada & New England Cruise

Princess Cruises | Emerald Princess® Digital Costco Shop Card, Round-Trip Boston

Royal Caribbean | Icon of the Seas Digital Costco Shop Card, Round-Trip Miami

All-Inclusive Resorts & Cruises

Member favorites.

We are processing your payment.

Do not refresh your browser or exit this page.

Costco plans to stop selling books outside the holiday season, publishing execs say

• Costco plans to stop selling books on a regular basis, publishing execs told The New York Times.
• They said Costco would sell books only for the holidays and maybe on some other occasions.
• The decision was mainly down to the labor required to stock books, they said.

Costco plans to stop selling books on a regular basis, largely because of how much labor it requires, four unidentified publishing executives told The New York Times .

They said the warehouse giant would stop stocking books regularly from January and would instead sell books between September and December for the holidays, as well as potentially selling some books sporadically at other times of the year.

Costco didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider made outside regular US working hours.

Related stories

The executives said the decision was mainly down to staffing demands. Stocking books requires large amounts of labor as they have to be laid out manually by workers rather than rolled out on a pallet and replaced frequently, they said.

The Times reported that Costco had already stopped sales of books in some areas, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Reddit users have lamented the decision, with many arguing Costco should at least continue to sell children's books.

"Stopping selling kids books would be like cancelling the hot dog in the food court," one user commented.

Sales of books at non-bookstores such as Costco are largely impulse purchases, with shoppers going to their local warehouses to stock up on groceries and perhaps adding eye-catching books to their carts. As the Times pointed out, not all of these sales are expected to be transferred to other retailers.

The market-research company Circana found that US sales of print books dropped 3% in 2023 compared with the prior year, with the biggest decline in children's books. There were fewer sales of children's fantasy, magic, and humor books, as well as non-fiction, but adult-fiction sales grew, led by fantasy, romance, coming-of-age, and historical-fiction books, Circana found.

BookTok has been credited with boosting print-book sales in an age of Kindles and other e-readers. The publisher Bloomsbury reported record sales in the year to February 29, which it credited largely to the fantasy author Sarah J. Maas, whose series "A Court of Thorns and Roses" has become a BookTok darling.

Watch: Thousands of bags pile up at US airports after flight cancellations

• Main content