There are so many different cards that promise to save you money on Hotels/hostels/travel etc...

But are any of them any good ??? That is the question !

If you are staying in hostels, then the most useful card is still a Hostelling International card (HI) in Australia and UK called YHA.

Although there are more and more independent hostels, not all hook up to the same discount scheme and a lot of them are HI/YHA affiliated, which means they will give you a discount. It is still the only card that I know of that is internationally recognised.

The best thing to do is to get a complete list of discounts for each card and then ask yourself if you really need it - even a HI/YHA card is almost useless in S.E. Asia.

www.itchyfeet-uk.com

www.dmfreedom.com

Rich,

If you're a member of the AA (Automobile Association) in the UK you can get a "Show Your Card and Save" card which entitles you to discounts in the United States, for example on accommodation with certain hotel/motel chains. I've tried it - it works.

Pete