Using discount cards you’ll never pay full price if there is a cheaper option… with a wallet full of discount cards you should be able to drastically reduce the cost of travel... and you'll find your accommodation is clean, comfortable and top value for your money.

What to expect
The hostel chains we sell provide a lot more than just a bunk bed… Most hostels will offer you a choice of either a dorm, single, twin, double or family room, and are a great place to meet people and swap travel stories. So if you’re travelling on your own you need never be lonely… To receive discounted rates and use multi-stay vouchers at hostels you will normally need to be a member of the appropriate association.

Booking your hostels
All hostel chains allow you the option to book a bed online… To do this you’ll need a credit card, but it is a more relaxing option than frantically calling from place to place in search of beds.

Be aware that hostels need to set aside a certain number of beds for online customers, so if you phone and are told they are full, there’s a chance you might be able to book a bed online, and vice versa… our booking system is secure and easy to use, so save yourself time by purchasing one or more membership cards below, then book online.

About the cards
Discount cards come in two varieties – hostel cards and student/youth cards. Both types of cards are worth taking, particularly if you’re travelling for a while…

Student cards are generally best for getting cut price admission to museums and other attractions and often allow for discounts on the price of transport…

With hostel cards the emphasis is on cheaper accommodation although these also give you excellent discounts on bus and train fares, car hire, international phone calls etc. There are three main networks of hostels in Australia which provide discounts to card holding members. YHA, VIP and Nomads are the big three.

Many travellers take along two cards, a YHA or Hostelling International card and one issued by an independent hostelling organisation such as VIP Backpacker Resorts or Nomads.

*Membership scards are non-transferable, non-refundable and not replaceable in the event of loss, damage or theft so look after it as you would your passport.

As a VIP member you'll have access to hundreds of global tours, travel and accommodation discounts - plus the best range of hostel accommodation in Europe, Southern Africa, North, Central and South America, Europe, Australia, NZ and Asia.

With the VIP Membership Card (which doubles as a rechargeable phone card) you are entitled to cheaper accommodation at VIP hostels, discounts on airline fares, coach/bus passes, trains, car hire, international phone calls, ferries, restaurants, safari tours, dives, skiing, rafting, horse trekking, photo processing, store purchases, bike hire and lots more ... it's the best way to ensure you get more for your money.

The VIP Backpackers membership kit is available to all travellers... made up of a handy plastic wallet, the VIP membership card and an accommodation and discount guide.

With approximately 100,00 memberships sold each year the VIP Backpackers membership card is more than just a piece of plastic - it's the budget traveller's passport to saving money

Discounts are available on:

• Accommodation - minimum $1 off per night (Australia & New Zealand) or 5%-10% off per night in any member hostel internationally.
• Coach, rail and ferry transport
• Tours, activities and sightseeing
• International phone calls - The VIP Backpacker membership card is also a rechargeable Ekit phone card. Simply by purchasing VIP membership a traveller will receive free voicemail, travel assistance and information, discounted international calls and US$5 worth of free phone calls.

Backpackers who choose VIP are predominantly young, independent travellers and most are aged between 18 and 35. They are keen to purchase tours and travel that offer value for money and as VIP members, will seek out products that offer special discounts.

Find out about VIP pre-paid accommodation vouchers

Hostelling International (HI) has the largest chain of hostels in the world with 4,300 hostels in over 60 countries!

The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) is the Australian branch of Hostelling International (HI) and its hostels have a fairly consistent standard … In Australia the YHA’s main market is independent travellers as opposed to school groups that fill a lot of European hostels and consequently youth hostels in Australia have a much better atmosphere than the institutional hotels that you find in Europe... you won’t find any hostels in Australia with chores, a curfew or a lockout.

Although YHA hostels in Australia are better than Hostelling International hostels elsewhere, they still have a reputation as a relatively staid place to stay… very few hotels fit the description of ‘party hostel’. But if cleanliness and security are your main concerns then buy a YHA membership because you’ll be happy with the hostels.

Membership of Hostelling International or YHA allows you to stay at HI or YHA properties worldwide for a discounted price. Plus YHA membership gives you access to thousands of discounts which will save you heaps of money. YHA hostels are however, great meeting places for adventurous travellers from across the world to get together, share stories, swap advice and have a great time in a laid back, safe environment.

Most budget travellers purchase a YHA or Hostelling International card. This hostel card allows the biggest discounts and is good at any of the thousands of hostels around the world, including over 140 in Australia, that are part of the Hostelling International organisation.

Most YHA hostels only give discounts on this card so it is essential if you plan on staying at a lot of YHA hostels... Many independent backpackers hotels will also extend the Nomads or VIP discount to YHA members making this a good card to bring along … The YHA card also has good discounts on transport including discounts on car rental, bus and train travel.