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FAQ:

What is ISTC?

The International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC) is a not-for-profit organisation, founded in 1949 by the travel departments of a group of national student unions, to explore the needs of the growing numbers of student and youth travellers.

Thanks to the ISTC, students, young people and teaching professionals have access to a global network of leading travel specialists, offering low priced flights, travel tickets, insurance, accommodation, work and study abroad programs as well as special deals on entertainment, sightseeing and shopping in countries all over the world.

Member organisations of the ISTC meet the changing needs of students and youth travellers by developing and negotiating new and reduced-cost products and services.

The ISTC network includes over 5000 offices in 106 countries worldwide, which collectively serve the needs of over 10 million student and youth travellers each year

What is ISIC?

As an ISIC holder, you become part of a worldwide community of over 4.5 million students who share a passion for travel, adventure and discovery.

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is the only internationally accepted student ID card. Since its launch in 1968, the ISIC has helped over 40 million students to get the most out of their travel experience.

With access to a global network of affordable and specialised student services, the ISIC is your passport to more than 32,000 discounts and benefits in 106 countries worldwide.

The Benefits of Being an ISIC Holder

You can travel further, stay longer and experience more with an ISIC - take advantage of the following benefits worth USD500 million worldwide:

  • Internationally recognised proof of student status
  • 1,200 discounts on flights, buses, trains and ferries
  • 2,800 discounts on entrance to the world's leading museums and cultural sites
  • 2,700 discounts on entertainment and attractions
  • 2,400 discounts on youth hostels and hotels
  • 21,000 discounts worldwide on bars, restaurants and shopping!
  • Access to a free 24-hour, multilingual ISIC Emergency Help Line
  • ISIConnect an all-in-one discount communications package including phone, SMS, email and voicemail
  • Access to a global network of 5000 travel organisations that specialise in the needs of student and youth travellers in 106 countries
  • Access to a personalised trip planner and travel guide - save all the useful travel advice and destination information you find on this website on your personal web page to check out while you're travelling or to email to a friend

Not a Student?

If you are not a full-time student, but aged under 26 or you are a full-time teacher or professor, the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) or International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) could be for you. The IYTC and ITIC offer similar benefits, services and savings to the ISIC card.

Make a Difference

You can make a valuable social and economic contribution to the countries you visit. The exchange of ideas and values is key to the international student travel experience and creates respect and understanding between different cultures, beliefs and traditions. To find out more go to Travel Advice.

ISIC and UNESCO

UNESCO endorses the ISIC and recognises it as the unique document for student travel and cultural exchange, as well as the only official internationally recognised proof of student status. Since 1968, the ISIC Association has maintained a close relationship with UNESCO and together they promote student travel, cultural exchange and international understanding.

How does it look?

There are a few types of cards:

CLASSIC ISIC/ITIC has a form as a credit card. The next description is standardized for all countries: On front size:

  • on top is the name International Student/Teacher Identity Card
  • on the right hand side is a photo of user
  • on the left hand side from top down, there are name of school/faculty, cardholders first and last name, date of birth, validity
  • on the bottom of right hand side there is a serial number

On the back of the card there are:

  • signature panel
  • local or international web address
  • ISIConnect logo
  • magnetic strip
  • ISIC help line

CLASSIC IYTC has a form as a credit card. The next description is standardized for all countries: On front size:

  • on top is the name International Youth Travel Card
  • on the right hand side is a photo of user
  • on the left hand side from top down, there are serial number, cardholders first and last name, date of birth, validity

On the back of the card there are:

  • signature panel
  • local or international web address
  • ISIConnect logo
  • magnetic strip
  • ISIC help line

CO-BRANDED ISIC card-a combination between a credit card of some bank OR UNIVERSITY ID with ISIC card. In this case the design of the front is being slightly changed with university/ bank logo

Could someone else use the card instead of the member)?

Basically, no! The card is IDENTIFICIONAL, which means that it can be used only by the member (a person which personal data is on the card). But it's on a salesman how would he act in that situation.

What If I go to the restaurant with my friends?

It's in the interest of the restaurant owner to get as many customers as he can, in order to get high bills, so it's in his best interest to give the discount to everyone. But, as in the prior case, he is OBLIGATET to give the discount to the card owner, and everything else is a matter of his will.

How can I be sure that my discount will be granted?

With every discount giver we, as an association, have signed a special contract, by witch he is obligated to give a certain discount. But if there is a problem users can always contact ISIC representative. We will get the shop owners attention on the signed contract. Be careful, especially in restaurants or large shops because they could have hired new people (waiters or salespersons) which haven't been informed about all of their duties, so it is better to look for someone in charge and check with him. Anyway, first be sure that you can get a discount and then go shopping!

How can a discount giver be sure that there will be no mistreatment?

First, there is a protective foil that secures the card. All of the cards are printed in The Netherlands. There, the card is being protected, so the safety is at maximum. Basic problem of restaurant owners is in the control of their staff (how can they make sure that their waiters will not report 10 discounts, instead of the 2 real, and then keep the money?). For this problem, there are two solutions:

  • We can print some coupons in our brochure that will be valid in specific restaurant (Example: 6 coupons on one page witch could be presented to the waiter along with the card, so he can later show it to his boss). This option is in expectable to the most discounters because these coupons are printed in the full color with the add and it is being paid.
  • We can give to the discounters a special lists where they can write down all of the card users in their shop, restaurant. If some card user would appear too often or if the discounter had any other reason to doubt the validity of the card, he can call the local REPRESENTATIVE of ISIC where is a database of all the users. Then we can call the user and verify if he actually used his card.

What if the user loses his card?

It is possible to get a new card, but a user must pay a full membership fee.

How can I get a list of all of the discounters from some other country ?

On website isic.org there is a database of all ISIC discounts worldwide. Please check list of local discount providers before you will ask for discount. Please contact our colleagues from the country you are staying in (list of travel offices is also on www.isic.org ) if you will face with any problems.