Unpopular opinion: Hostel loyalty programs are a waste of money

I stayed at a HI hostel chain for 3 weeks across Spain last summer and paid $12 extra per night for their "member" rate because I thought I'd rack up points. After 21 nights, I got a free night at a dump in Barcelona with broken AC and mold in the bathroom. The regular booking sites like Hostelworld had the same price without the commitment. Has anyone else found these loyalty gimmicks actually worth joining?

3 comments

3 Comments

hayden_craig951mo ago

Ever tried skipping their app and just asking for a discount at check-in?

reese_hayes711mo ago

Wait, has anyone ever actually compared what that "free night" would cost you in real life if you just paid yourself? I mean factor in the extra money you spent staying at their places to earn the points, the time you wasted jumping through hoops, and the fact that the free room is always the worst one in the building. You could probably take that same cash you dropped at their properties, stick it in a jar, and have enough to rent a nice Airbnb somewhere with actual windows that open. These loyalty programs are just a way for them to collect your data and sell it to advertisers while you think you're getting a deal. The math never works out in your favor unless you're staying 200 nights a year.

taraross1mo ago

12 euros a night for 21 nights? That's 252 bucks for a free night in a place with mold. I'd rather spend that on 20 McDoubles and a sad nap in a bus station. My own loyalty story is just as bad. Signed up for a hostel card in Thailand because they promised a free night. Got a room that was basically a closet with a fan that sounded like a dying lawnmower. The free night was on a Tuesday in low season. Real bargain. I think these programs are just a way to make you feel special while you're paying more for the exact same bed. The moldy AC was just a bonus.