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Group membership
It is often a requirement of certain countries that to receive the best booking price for your group, you may need to take out a group membership.
Not all members of the party need to purchase the membership (if required), it is usually sufficient that the group leader (or the person who is the lead contact for the booking) may purchase this on behalf of the entire party. Separate memberships for each traveller are not required in the majority of cases.
The group’s membership card will ensure that the very best rate for your booking is achieved and in some countries there may be additional benefits such as discounts on organised tours.
In 2013 the following countries provided this information in relation to group’s membership. If you have any queries regarding this, then please contact the person who has been dealing with your booking.
Please note that Hostelling International does not stipulate that a group’s membership card is mandatory, this is something which is decided – and the price set – by the National Association of the country you will be visiting.
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria V
Austria W
Belgium LAJ
Belgium VJH
Canada ASL hostels
China
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
England & Wales
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malta
The Netherlands
Northern Ireland
Norway
Portugal
Republic of Ireland
Scotland
Slovenia
Spain
Spain CAT
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
USA
Group membership is not compulsory in Argentina.
Group membership is not compulsory in Armenia and it’s free for group leaders. There is only one type of membership which can be purchased through our office. It offers a 10% discounts on bookings and further discounts on packages.
Groups wishing to stay at any YHA Australia hostel will need to hold a current group membership; available to a valid constituted group of 10 people or more.
Group membership is compulsory in Austria V at the cost of €25 per calendar year. It can be purchased at our national office, by email, phone or via Austria V's website or at the reception once in the hostel. There are no discounts or advantages associated with the membership.
Group membership is compulsory in Austria W. Foreign groups without a card will be charged €25. National groups can purchase membership cards at the national office by email, phone or via Austria Q's website or at the reception once in the hostel. There are no discounts or advantages associated with the membership. A customer can buy a personal card as a group leader or they can buy an impersonal card for the school or organisation. A personal card could be cheaper if the group leader is under 26 years
Group membership will not be compulsory in Belgium LAJ’s hostels from 2014.
Group membership is compulsory in Belgium VJH. Year members purchase a membership card at a cost of €22 and receive a 10% discount on accommodation. Day members buy a 1 day membership included in the accommodation price.
National groups can purchase a group membership by contacting the groups’ department at our head office. International groups purchase a membership from their HI Youth Hostel Association office.
Group membership is not compulsory in Canada and it is only available to Canadians.
Group membership is not compulsory in China.
Group membership is compulsory in Croatia and it costs 240HRK or €33 per booking.
This entitles groups to various special discounts.
Group membership is not compulsory at Czech Hostels however they do offer benefits to those who have one.
Group membership is not compulsory at any Danhostel
Group membership is compulsory in England and Wales and differs from each other depending on the type of group. A young person’s group membership is free to those organisations that focus on the development of young people – educational groups, scouts and guides, youth clubs etc. For ‘adult focused’ groups there is a charge of £24.95 for an annual group membership.
Both group membership types entitles group members, as long as more than five are travelling at the same time, to receive member discounts (£3 discount for an adult and £1.50 discount for an under 18, per night) off published rates.
Group membership is not compulsory in Finland. There are no discounts or advantages associated with the membership.
More information: http://www.hostellit.fi/en/etusivu/ryhmille/
Group membership is compulsory in Germany. National groups are charged between €25 and €50 whereas international groups are charged nightly at €12.40.
There are no discounts or advantages associated with the membership.
Group membership is not compulsory in Hungary but they cost 20,000HUF per party for those groups wanting to enjoy discounts and advantages on offer at the discretion of each individual hostel.
Group membership is not compulsory in Iceland.
Group membership is compulsory in Italy and can be purchased at the hostels upon on arrival or in their country of origin. It is charged nightly at the rate of €2.
There are no discounts or advantages associated with the membership.
A group membership card costs CHF55 per booking. A family membership card costs CHF44 per booking.
Group membership is compulsory in Luxembourg and it can be purchased at the hostel on arrival or at our national office at a cost of €24. Group membership card offer discounts and advantages.
Group membership is not compulsory in the Netherlands.
Group membership is not compulsory in Northern Ireland
Group membership is not compulsory in Norway.
Group membership is compulsory in Portugal and can be purchased at the hostel on arrival at a cost of €37.50. School groups receive a discounted rate of 30% and pay €26.25. There are no discounts or advantages associated with the membership.
Group membership is not compulsory in Ireland, however, it does offer some benefits to our members and it’s free for group leaders. It can be purchased by contacting the groups’ department at our head office. Those groups with a group’s membership card and booking directly with An Óige, will receive a 10% discount.
Group membership is compulsory in Scotland and can be purchased at the rate of £25 by contacting our national office. There are no discounts or advantages associated with the membership other than those offered to individual travellers.
Group membership is compulsory in Slovenia at it costs €42 per party. In some occasions you might have to purchase a family membership which is charged at €18. Membership can be purchased through our national office: http://www.youth-hostel.si/anglesko/vsebina.asp?id=13
There are no discounts or advantages associated with the membership other than those offered to individual travellers: http://www.youth-hostel.si/anglesko/popusti.asp?id=21
Group membership is compulsory in Spain and can be bought at the rate of €16 at one of our 200 sales points across the country. The membership entails groups to some advantages and discounts.
Group membership is compulsory across our network of hostels and can be purchased for €16 at the hostel upon arrival. Groups must have a minimum of 10 people aged 29 or younger, except group leaders who can be older. There are no discounts or advantages associated with the membership.
Group membership is not compulsory in Sweden.
Group membership is compulsory in Switzerland. It can be purchased at the hostel upon arrival at the rate of CHF55 per booking. A family membership card costs CHF44 per. Nationals can purchase it via our national office. There are no discounts or advantages associated with the membership.
Group membership is not compulsory in Turkey.
Group membership is compulsory in the US, however, there is currently no charge for this. It is complimentary for groups of 10 or more traveling together. They can apply online at http://www.hiusa.org/membership. We offer free youth memberships for guests under the age of 18. There are no discounts or advantages associated with the membership other than those offered to individual travellers.