Get a Travel Discount Card

Travel discount cards are a great way to save money on the road. These cards help you save money on hostels, airfare, transportation, and tours. While some of them are only for students or those younger than 25, quite a few are available for everyone. They are typically around US$20 and offer a range of benefits. The biggest discount cards are:

ISIC (student card)- This discount card is available for students and provides discounts on tours, hostels, and transportation. You can also get great discounts on travel products and flights with leading airlines. Many offer exclusive student/youth fares to ISIC card holders. This is truly a great card to have and will definitely help you save money, especially on accommodation and attractions. You must be a student or someone with a student ID to get this card. If you’re not a student, there is also a version of this card for teachers and youths under 26.

YHA (hostel card)- This hostel discount card is good for Hostel International or Youth Hostels Association hostel members and provides a discount on prices. If you normally stay in their hostels, make sure you get this card. The YHA card gives you access to over 4000 Hostelling International Youth Hostels in over 80 countries around the world. The card also gives you discounts at some local attractions and retailers.

 

VIP (general purpose card- primarily used in Australia and NZ)- This discount card provides discounts on global tours, travel and accommodation discounts, though it is mostly used in Australia and New Zealand. The VIP membership card also doubles as a rechargeable phone card.  This card can save you a lot of money if you are spending a lot of time in the South Pacific. You generally can save $3-4 on accommodation and at least $10 on tours. It has a steep cost at $43 dollars but quickly pays for itself.

For more information and purchase, check out STA Travel for many of these travel cards.