Membership FAQs

Note that Mad! Travels will commence this program at the end of 2003 or early 2004 and will be available for members travelling in Europe only. Other continents will come online during the latter half of 2004.

What types of membership do you offer?
There are currently two types of memberships available for Mad! Travels members – Backpackers and Explorers. Both membership types come in two flavours – Discount Card and Internet Only. Internet Only members do not receive a membership kit or card, but can make online bookings and receive the benefits that their chosen membership level offers when booking online. Discount Card holders receive all the features that Internet Only members receive plus they receive a membership card and a membership kit containing a region map and a lodging guide. Discount Card holders are permitted to receive their specific lodging discount at the reception of their nominated lodging without making a booking (subject to availability). Backpackers membership is intended for budget travellers and guarantees a minimum of 5% off accommodation costs from lodgings offering discounts to members of that level. Explorers membership is intended for all types of travellers and guarantees a minimum discount of 10% off accommodation costs from affiliated lodgings offering any discount to Mad! Travels members.

What benefits are there in purchasing one of your membership cards or Internet Only membership options?
For all members:

For the Backpackers membership level: For the Explorers membership level: For members who select the full membership option (as opposed to the Internet Only option), you:

I am interested in your discount travel cards, but I’m not sure which one to get. How should I decide?
The Backpackers Card is intended for budget travellers. If you are likely to want to stay in hostels and budget hotels, you should get this card. The Explorers Card is intended for individuals and couples who are likely to stay in mid range to high end hotels, pensions and resorts.

How much discount can I expect off hostels, hotels, etc. when presenting my discount card?
The minimum discount you can expect when presenting your Backpackers Card at an affiliated lodging is 5%. The minimum you can expect when presenting your Explorers Card at an affiliated lodging is 10%. Typically most lodgings will offer between 5 – 20% discount.

How long does it take for the Backpackers Card or the Explorers Card to pay for itself?
Both cards (and Internet Only memberships) normally pay for themselves within a week; i.e. the discounts you receive from using the card will normally equal or be greater than the cost of the card within a week of using it.

Do all lodgings listed on this site offer discounts for your discount cards?
No, not all do. Some lodgings listed on this site will not offer a discount to Mad! Travels members. These lodgings are clearly labelled. Where a lodging offers a discount, you will be presented the difference between paying the lodging’s full/standard rate and the discounted rate for Mad! Travels discount card holders and Internet Only members. If you are a member or a non-member and book a lodging through this site that does not offer discounts to members, you will be required to pay a deposit of 10% towards the lodging charge. The remainder is paid upon arrival (or checkout) at the lodging.

If I book a lodging through this site, do I have to pay anything when I make the booking?
If you are a member and book a lodging that is offering a discount for the membership level that you belong to, you will not have to pay anything initially. The full balance of the lodging charge is payable upon arrival (or checkout) at the lodging. If you are a non-member making a booking on this site or if you are a member booking at a lodging that does not offer your membership level a discount, you will be required to pay a 10% deposit when you make the booking.

Do you charge a booking fee?
No, we currently do not charge a booking fee.

What is your cancellation/refund policy when making bookings?
All lodgings that are listed on this site have their own cancellation periods. Typically the cancellation period is 24 hours before arrival. If you cancel your booking before the cancellation period begins, any debits made to your credit card for that booking will be credited onto your Mad! Travels account. You can use this credit to make payments towards another booking or it can be credited back to your credit card at your request (through this site). There is a small fee of €3 (approximately $US3) for each cancellation made that results in crediting payments back to your credit card. If the amount being credited back to your card is less than this fee, you will not be able to credit this amount back to your credit card (i.e. it will remain on your account).

What is your cancellation/refund policy when purchasing Mad! Travels membership cards or Internet Only membership?
There is no refund for discount cards or memberships purchased on this site.

How long does it take to receive the Mad! Travels membership kit if I order it on this site?
That depends on where you are in the world. The typical delivery time is 3 weeks although you should plan on it taking up to 5 weeks just to be sure. If you do not have this time available, you may purchase a membership kit upon your arrival at certain lodgings or travel agencies. A list of all membership kit resellers is available on this site.

Do I have to purchase my Mad! Travels discount card on this site or can I purchase it at my destination?
If you have the time to purchase your selected membership option prior to leaving home, it would be better to purchase your kit from this site. This lessens the risk that the reseller at your destination has run out of membership kits. If you do not have sufficient time to order the kit through this site you can purchase a membership kit at one of our many reseller locations. A full list of reseller locations is available on this site. Resellers are normally contactable through this site, so you can verify the availability of membership kits before you leave.

Alternatively you can purchase an Internet Only membership and upgrade once you are in a location to which a membership kit can be sent to you.

If I become an Internet Only member can I upgrade later and what does it cost to do this?
Yes you can. The upgrade cost for both the Backpackers membership and the Explorers membership from Internet Only to a full membership is €8 (approximately $US8) plus postage and handling. Local taxes may apply. Upgrading your membership does not extend the period of your membership, so if you are going to do this, you should do so soon after purchasing the Internet Only membership to take advantage of it.

Do you have a membership that lasts longer than one year?
No we do not, however from time to time we have promotions including renewing the second year for half price, refer a friend and extend your membership free and so on. To hear more about these promotions, select “I would like to receive updates and promotions from Mad! Travels” in the “My details” section of this site.

If I purchase my Mad! Travels membership card from a reseller, how will I get the online benefits, e.g. booking online?
You should register your card at this site as soon as possible after purchasing it to enable the online benefits. You can do this in the members’ area of the site. Resellers will often register the card on your behalf.