Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
currency. Getting your membership in the USA costs $28 USD, while it costs $42 USD to
get the same membership in Australia. Since membership is open to everyone, it's best to
get your membership in the United States before you travel so you can avoid paying more
money for it in other countries. Your membership will be valid worldwide.
The YHA card gives you access to more than four thousand Hostelling International
Youth Hostels in more than eighty countries around the world. The card also provides dis-
counts on train passes and bus tours, and members receive basic travel insurance. (Don't
get too excited! They only cover $1,400 in medical bills and $1,250 in trip interruption.)
Depending on the country you are in, you also receive discounts at local attractions. You'll
find a full list available at hiusa.org/membership/member_benefits.
But the main reason to get the card is for the 10 percent discount on accommodations.
You can check out their main international website for more information at hihostels.com.
VIP (General Purpose Discount Card Primarily Used in Australia and New Zealand):
This card provides discounts on global tours, travel, and accommodations, but it is mostly
used in Australia and New Zealand. You can purchase it at hostels and tour operators
throughout Australia and New Zealand or online at vipbackpackers.com.
It has a steep cost at $43 USD, but this card can pay for itself very quickly, and since
it is good for multiple countries, you have plenty of chances to recoup your costs. You can
generally save $3-4 on accommodations, get free bus tickets, up to 20 percent off tour pro-
viders, and much, much more. The VIP membership card also doubles as a rechargeable
phone card to make international calls. Since the card is widely accepted among hostels,
using it for only eleven nights' accommodation will allow you to recover your costs. Add
in 10 percent off tours, which in Australia (see prices in the next section) cost at least $300,
and just two tours pay for the card and then some.
BBH Card (Budget Backpacker Hostels):
This is a New Zealand hostel card that saves
you $2.50 USD when you topic at participating hostels. The card costs $37 USD per person,
and membership is valid for one year. You can purchase this card online at bbh.co.nz, at
New Zealand visitor centers, or at any of the participating hostels in New Zealand.
Most independent hostels and guesthouses in New Zealand are members of this organ-
ization, so if you are staying awhile, you will find that it will quickly pay off as you move
from place to place. Members also get special discounts at around one hundred tour and
activity operators in the country. You can find the latest discount offers on their website at
bbh.co.nz/bbh_ClubCardDeals.aspx.
Nomad Card:
The Nomad MAD Card offers discounts at hostels and on activities and res-
taurants and is used primarily in Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand. It is offered through the
Nomads Hostel chain and is similar to the VIP card. It costs $37 USD and can be purchased
at nomadshostels.com/Buy-your-MAD-card or at any Nomads Hostel in the region.
The card gets between $1 and $3 USD off every night you stay, or stay for six nights
and get the seventh night for free. You can also use your card for discounted Internet at the
Global Gossip chain in the region, and receive party vouchers worth up to $1,200 USD that
include free meals, free drinks, and free club entry. Unlike the VIP, this card is much more
focused on Nomads Hostels and their partners.
I strongly recommend getting travel discount cards. The ISIC card and its youth and teacher counterparts
will get you many discounts around the world. When I was eligible for them, I loved getting 50 percent off
