How to Join the Youth Hostel Association

Young people can take advantage of hostels to make travel less expensive.

People who join hostels can take advantage of inexpensive lodging while traveling in the U.S. and around the world. Hostels provide no-frills, safe lodging for travelers who enjoy sharing quarters with others. Annual memberships are available to citizens of the U.S. The organization, Hostelling International USA, charges nominal membership fees for people 18 and over and offers free memberships to people under 18.

Instructions

1. Go to the Hostelling International USA website (see Resources), and click on the first bullet, "Ways to Join." Fill in your information.

2. Fill out the form that appears. Besides offering inexpensive accommodations, all members of International Hostelling USA receive minimum amounts of trip insurance covering accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, and even death or dismemberment. People who join the organization have the option to buy additional insurance that will increase the amount of coverage.

   If you choose the insurance, the Hostelling International USA site will take you to a form where you can fill in the contact information for your beneficiary. The coverage will protect you on U.S. and foreign soil.

3. Click on "Faster Shipping Options" if you want your membership in less than two weeks. Hostelling International USA ships by UPS, and the site states that it will take about two weeks for delivery. There is an extra charge for choosing expedited shipping for your package. Once you have signed up, you will receive an email confirmation and a member number that provides immediate access to the members' area on the organization's website.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also print a form, fill it out and mail it, but this delays the membership processing. To expedite the process, fax the form to the number that Hostelling International USA provides on its Contact page.

• You can also sign up at bricks and mortar institutions that sell these memberships.

References

• Hosteling International USA: Ways to Join

Resources

• Hosteling International USA: Ways to Join