Hostel loyalty cards used to actually get you something

I pulled out an old HI USA membership card from 2008 last week when I was packing for a trip. Back then a $28 annual fee got me a solid $3-$5 off per night at most hostels, and some places even threw in a free breakfast. I figured I'd renew it for old times sake but when I checked the current deals, the discounts were barely a dollar off and most hostels didn't even honor it. I ended up just booking dorm beds direct on Hostelworld like everyone else. Has anyone found a hostel loyalty program that's actually worth the money these days?

2 comments

2 Comments

vera_lewis10h agoMost Upvoted

Man I feel this. My old HI card from 2009 got me free breakfast and a solid $4 off in Portland. I renewed two years ago and got maybe 80 cents off in New Orleans, and the front desk lady didn't even know what the card was. Hostelworld rewards are a joke too, like 50 cents back after ten bookings. All these loyalty programs got gutted around 2015 when hostels started filling up anyway. The only thing I've seen worth it is a few indie hostels in Europe that do a punch card for a free night after five stays. But that's not a real system, just the owner being nice.

charliehill7h ago

Wait, they actually tried to charge you an annual fee for an 80 cent discount? That's wild. I remember when my old HI card paid for itself in like two nights. These days it sounds like they're just hoping people don't check the math before signing up. The indie hostel punch card thing is probably the best bet honestly, at least the owner remembers your face. Hostelworld rewards are basically a participation trophy that costs you money to earn.