Would anyone recommend any discount cards (YHA/VIP etc) or are they a waste of money?
I know they are cheap but are any of the discount cards actually worth buying?
I been told different things by different people! Some say they're great others say dont bother.
ANy advice?
Cheers
Reply to this YHA - Youth Hostelling is necessary if you want to stay in YHA/HI hostels. If you stay without them, you end up paying an additional $5 or so for not being a member. If you like quiet hostels that arn't the center of action and like the fact that there are curfews and noise rules then they're great. If you stay in independent hostels.. probably not.
ISIC is a good card to have. Its only about $17 and worth it as its recognized worldwide. If you only bring your regular student card from your school back home it might not be valid. ISIC gives great discounts... better on greyhound than I get with a regular student membership.
Can't say I've ever used VIP so I wouldn't know...
Reply to this I think it depends where you're going. I wouldn't know about ISIC as I stopped using that one many moons ago! (damn, when did I get so old??), but the YHA seems to be good value for money. It's not just about getting cheaper rates in their hostels, as when you're out and about you'll find there are many other cheaper and better ones, so you won't always stay with them. YHA hotels tend to be overpriced in my opinion.
In Argentina they give you discounts on bus travel and other services. In Bolivia, Peru and the US they don't give you discounts for anything. Unless you have a student card, which is always a good one to have. We found some places offered discounts ot YHA card holders in New Zealand too.
Hope this helps a little. Happy travels!
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