Booking a trip with Costco Travel- which CC to maximize +

[Alps79]

I'm booking a large extended family vaca through Costco travel- probably around $30K. If I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve will I get 3x points since it's a travel expense or is it just a "Costco" expense? 

I'm asking bc when I book VRBO using my Chase SR it doesn't hit as a travel expense and I only get 1x point.

Since this is such a large amount I really want to maximize my points. I have never booked through Costco Travel so I don't know how it gets billed. 

Thanks!

[smock]

I'm not sure how Chase would code it, but I use a Costco credit card to book Costco travel. It's 3% cash back on travel expenses.

[mmmomof2]

If you are an executive Costco member you would also get 2% back regardless of card you use. If you are not, you should definitely upgrade!

[wanderingback]

I would call Costco and Chase to find out. I wouldn't want to chance it by asking online with such a large amount of points.

[tripleshot]

According to a few links I found, it does count as travel, but I’d probably call Chase to confirm.
pointmetotheplane.boardingarea.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-annual-travel-credit-allowable-expenses/

Basically, what counts as a travel purchase and earns 3 points/dollar should also qualify for the $300 annual travel credit. To break it down a bit, Chase Sapphire Reserve travel reimbursement credit is very broadly defined. The credit is applied to most travel-related purchases:

Airline gift cards purchased directly from the airline and various fees, including seat upgrade fees paid before the flight
Hotels and AirBnB
Online travel agencies (Orbitz, Expedia, Hotels.com, Priceline etc.)
Costco Travel
Rental Cars
Cruises

[mich1]

We use the Costco card for all (not just Costco) travel to get the cash back. Costco returns 3% for travel. $900 cash is a lot to walk away from, and you have far more flexibility as to what you do with it.

[just]

Feb 3, 2020 13:02:12 GMT -5 mich1 said:

You have far more flexibility as to what you do with it.

I don't think this is true. With both cards you can get the rewards as cash, which is as flexible as you need it to be.

But if she does get it approved through SR, she gets the 3% back (same as costco) but IF used for travel in the future gets another 1.5%.

ETA: Edited to question math error. CSR points used towards travel are worth 50% more .... so an extra .5%? or an extra 1.5? Dunno ... just more.

[kanga1]

Feb 3, 2020 14:43:39 GMT -5 just said:

Feb 3, 2020 13:02:12 GMT -5 mich1 said:

You have far more flexibility as to what you do with it.

I don't think this is true. With both cards you can get the rewards as cash, which is as flexible as you need it to be.

But if she does get it approved through SR, she gets the 3% back (same as costco) but IF used for travel in the future gets another 1.5%.

ETA: Edited to question math error. CSR points used towards travel are worth 50% more .... so an extra .5%? or an extra 1.5? Dunno ... just more.

They are an extra 1.5%.....so if you have 30,000 points you can either redeem them for $300 cash or if you book travel through the CSR website they are worth $450 on travel booked through their site.

[Alps79]

Feb 2, 2020 15:32:21 GMT -5 mmmomof2 said:

If you are an executive Costco member you would also get 2% back regardless of card you use. If you are not, you should definitely upgrade!

This is good info! Yes, we are, thanks! I share the membership with my mom and had no idea she was getting cash back. She's paying for the trip so def. deserves the cash back. Any bit helps. That plus the 3% (+) I'm hoping to get with CSR will be quite nice. If ONLY Costco would release the darn travel dates, lol. They're two days short and I cannot yet book.