Membership FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
One of the main reasons why people contact us is to ask questions. Many ask us the same things, so to help you we have listed answers to these Frequently Asked Questions about Hostelling International Membership. Check out the links below - it is probably the quickest way to find the information you need.Questions about…
- Why and how to join Hostelling International
- Membership types and costs
- Lost membership cards
- Renewing my membership
- Using my membership overseas
- Member benefits
- Further help
Why and how to join Hostelling International
Do I have to become a member to stay in a youth hostel? Hostelling International is a membership organisation; members receive many benefits in addition to staying in HI hostels. Your HI membership card opens the door to the world’s largest network of safe, clean, welcoming hostels. And you can take advantage of discounted member prices in many places, special savings and discounts. In many countries HI membership is compulsory if you wish to stay in hostels listed on this site. In other countries, HI members enjoy discounted overnight prices while non-members are required to pay a small surcharge. To find out what is applicable in the country you wish to visit, please check the Preferred Access Through Membership page. Have you read the Membership page? This explains the many reasons why you should join the more 3 million members who save money and have much more fun when they travel! How do I join Hostelling International? Joining Hostelling International is very easy. In your country of residence: The simplest option is to purchase a membership from your nearest Youth Hostel Association office or membership selling outlet before you start your journey. This way you can benefit from national discounts immediately. And when you set off on your travels, your National Association membership card is valid in all other HI hostels throughout the world too. Outside your country of residence: If you have already set out on your journey, or have lived in your country of residence for less than 12 months, do not worry: you can purchase an international card when you arrive at a hostel outside your country of residence. To confirm costs and availability, please contact the hostel direct (see hostel page for contact details). Please note: this type of membership is not available if you stay at a hostel in your country of residence - you should buy a National Association membership. Once you have a Hostelling International membership, you can start claiming member prices and specially negotiated member discounts. A membership card is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. When you get home, keep on enjoying all the member benefits by joining your National Youth hostel Association. Read the Why and how to Join page - this gives detailed information about joining your National Youth Hostel Association before you set off on your travels - and how to join if your journey has already begun, with links to relevant online joining pages.Membership types and costs
How much does full membership cost? Membership costs and membership types (for example Adult, Child, Family or Life Membership) vary around the world. It is impossible to list all the options on this site - please see the Why and how to join page for more detailed information and links to your National Youth Hostel Association website for further information.Lost membership cards
I have lost my membership card while travelling - what should I do? National YHA Membership cards: please contact the Youth Hostel Association where you purchased the membership card for further information. Hostelling International membership cards: sorry, currently these are not replaceable.Renewing my membership
My membership card will soon expire – how do I renew it? Your membership card can only be renewed by the National Youth Hostel Association which issued it. You may be able to do this online, by post or by telephone - please contact the Youth Hostel Association where you purchased the membership card for further information.Using my membership card overseas
Is my National YHA membership card valid in Youth Hostels overseas? If your National Youth Hostel Association is listed on this site, your membership card is valid at any Hostelling International hostel anywhere in the world. If your country is not listed on this site or you have lived in your country of residence for less than 12 months, you can purchase a Hostelling International membership card which is valid worldwide. Read the Why and how to join page for full details on purchasing membership at home or during your travels.Member benefits
Does Hostelling International membership offer any kind of travel discounts? In some countries listed on this site HI members receive a discount on the overnight price in a hostel, while non-members will be required to pay a small supplement. In other countries only HI members are permitted to stay in the hostels. For full details, please see the Preferred Access Through Membership page. Hostelling International has negotiated a vast range of discounts around the world covering everything from reduced price coach tickets, to special deals in shops and entertainment venues. To find out more, follow the links to each country's discounts on the Member Discounts page. In addition, Hostelling International has set up special deals with a small number of selected partners for communications, insurance, guidebooks and more! See Travel Deals for further details.Further help
I cannot find the answer to my question - what do I do? Take a look at the other FAQs on this site – questions about:- Hostels and hostel facilities (who runs hostel, costs, opening times, bedrooms and bedding, meals and cooking, smoking, other facilities, activities)
- Bookings (how to make, amend or cancel a booking, accessing your hihostels account, length of stay, prices, proof of booking)
- Guests and Pets (who uses hostels, children, guests with disabilities, pets)
- Employment opportunities
- Commercial opportunities
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