Membership FAQ's

Why wouldn't you? For just $30 you get discounts on all YHA accommodation in New Zealand when you book direct - if you're booking a couple of nights in a private room, it will save you money straight away! 

You also get access to (and discounts on!) quality assured accommodation in 3,000 hostels in over 80 countries. You can be sure that you're staying in safe, secure, clean and friendly hostels when you're staying with HI and YHA.

See discounts

Our new member portal helps you view and update your details online. An email was sent to all current members with a valid email address in December 2022. Please check your email (including your spam) for details on how to activate your membership and access the member portal. 

Click here >> and follow the instructions to Join or Login. Once you've purchased or accessed your new membership, you can view your own digital membership card, manage your profile, easily renew memberships, purchase new memberships for yourself or as gifts for others. 

And of course, as part of your YHA membership you still get 10% off YHA and HI accommodation worldwide.

New memberships are $30 for one year.

For those renewing memberships this is at a reduced rate of $25 for one year.

If you are a New Zealand member you will receive a renewal notice by email about one month before you are due to renew.

You can renew at any time by logging into your profile & following the renewal prompts.  

No problem at all, we'll get you back on again in no time!

Please click here to reset your password. A password link will then be sent to your email address.

Apple iPhone or iPad

1. On Safari, tap the SHARE icon (look for a box with an arrow pointing upwards) on the bottom tab bar.
2. On the menu, tap “Add to Home Screen.”
3. Voila! Your digital membership card can now be accessed directly from your iPhone

Android

1. On Google Chrome, tap the menu icon (3 vertical dots in upper right-hand corner).
2. On the drop-down menu, tap "Add to Home Screen."
3. You're all set. Tap on the YHA New Zealand Membership icon on your phone to access your digital membership card.

When booking direct through the YHA website or directly with the hostel, as a member you are entitled to 10% off the standard rate. If you pay the standard rate through our website, when you check-in and present proof of membership the hostel will then apply a 10% refund.

When booking at the hostel front desk, show your membership card and your 10% discount will be applied there and then.

We are working hard to relaunch our website booking engine which will allow members to book the member rate on the YHA website.

Yes, of course! Your plastic membership card will still be valid and accepted at all YHA and HI hostels. 

If you don't have a smartphone, chances are you've got one of our physical membership cards. These are still valid and accepted at all YHA hostels!

New Individual (NZ Resident) and International memberships will be offered in digital format only. 

You're never too young or too old. YHA is for everybody - if you're a New Zealand Resident under 18 years of age you are not required to show a YHA membership card but at check-in we may request proof of your age.

Non-members are more than welcome to stay at any of our YHA New Zealand hostels by booking in at the standard rate. YHA/Hostelling International (HI) Members save 10% on accommodation when booking directly with hostels or at hostel reception.

We don't offer family memberships, but if you're all staying together in a private room then only one of you needs to be a member to get our awesome 10% room rate discount. Sweet!

New Zealand residents are eligible for our free youth memberships!

If you’re a New Zealander under 18 and you’re travelling overseas, be sure to sign up for membership before you depart by emailing YHA Customer Services at membership@yha.co.nz.- most hostels require membership for anyone who wants to receive member benefits, regardless of age. If you sign up for membership in New Zealand, it’s free. But if you sign up overseas, you may have to pay the standard adult rate in that country.

Yes, but you don't need a membership to bring your group to YHA New Zealand.

Endorsed Group status is available to any bona-fide New Zealand based organisation wanting to travel overseas; participants must be New Zealand residents. YHA Endorsed Group status is issued on an annual basis. All group members are covered by a single group membership. Email membership@yha.co.nz to enquire about YHA Endorsed Group Membership.

Yes, absolutely!

If you were an existing member when we launched our new member portal in December 2022, or if you became a member after this date, then this can be easily done on our membership portal. Simply login to your profile and renew your membership yourself.

However, if your membership expired prior to December 2022, then you will have to purchase a new membership through our member portal on our website.

From December 2022 we will only have digital memberships available for members.

If you did not have a valid email address when we launched our new membership portal, do not worry. Please contact our Customer Services team and provide us with your current email address and we will register your details so that you can access your new digital membership card.

Absolutely! YHA has moved to digital memberships so as soon as you join or renew your membership, you will receive your digital membership card/instructions via email almost instantly! Cool right!

Because YHA is part of Hostelling International, joining here means you get discounts on accommodation, travel, and activities all over the world for as long as your membership is valid. The good stuff doesn't stop just because you stop travelling!

And of course, you'll get 10% off YHA and HI accommodation worldwide.

If you’re an overseas visitor coming to New Zealand, you’ll need to have a YHA or HI membership card to receive our membership discounts. If you’re under 18, we recommend you join YHA in your home country, as membership is likely to be free.

Don't forget we have 20+ of the best hostels in the world right here in New Zealand - you can still explore in your own backyard!

Absolutely - you've got over 3,000 hostels to choose from! YHA New Zealand is part of Hostelling International (HI) which is the brand name of more than 90 Youth Hostels Associations in over 80 countries. HI operates under a variety of names depending on the country – StayOkay in the Netherlands, SYHA in Scotland, etc. Your YHA New Zealand membership card can be used at any HI hostel around the world. If you have a Hostelling International membership card from another National Association, you can use that here too.