Most affiliations require its member hostels maintain certain basic requirements before membership is allowed. In addition, some affiliations regularly inspect its member hostels to insure a particular level of quality, customer service and cleanliness. Networks tend to have a regional focus and, unlike affiliations, operate independently of any governing body. Hostels may or may not choose to belong to and participate in any of the above organizations. In fact, many hostels throughout the world do not belong to any hostelling organization at all.
Many organizations offer a hostelling membership or discount card.
To our knowledge a hostelling card is not mandatory at any hostel, anywhere in the world. However, a membership or discount card will save you money when you stay in hostels belonging to the corresponding issuing organization. Here are some of the hostel affiliations, networks and discounts we know about and codes used in The Worldwide Hostel Guide to represent them. Some hostels offer discounts to students holding the ISIC card. According to Hostelling International, these hostels are not operating according to HI governing rules.