So what about the ISIC (International Student Identification card) card that Rick Steves suggests in Europe through the backdoor? The US version that I just ordered comes along with the ability to be a prepaid mastercard. Has anyone used this before? I know showing the card is for discounts and such, but I was also wondering if there was extra benefit and a difference between this prepaid card and others like it. Has anyone gotten any significant benefit from using this card? Whether with just the discounts or the prepaid feature?
Posted by
OP
Fernandina Beach, Florida, United States
11 posts
Thanks guys, yeah I mostly got it for the basic travel insurance and discounts. I would use my school ID, but I lost it and actually graduated college in May so, can't get another one. Celeste I would really appreciate that, I'm hoping it would be a good benefit to get rid of conversion fees.
Posted by
Reston, VA, USA
810 posts
Luis, I'll chime in since you haven't gotten any responses yet. I tried to get my daughter to get an ISIC card and she never did. But we found that most places were just interested in her age and for the others, if there was a discount for college students, her college ID was all that was needed. I would check the prepaid aspect carefully; on some of the prepaid cards I've seen, there are a number of hidden costs (like a charge to add funds, or to withdraw the rest of the money on the card...). Just be sure to read the fine print to see if it's worth it for you.
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1138 posts
Luis - We got one for my stepdaughter but haven't used it. It was only $25 to get it, and came with some basic travel insurance which was part of the appeal. We don't plan to use it for the mastercard, though, just the discounts. I can let you know how it works when we get back (July 7).
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1138 posts
Hi Luis. I am in Europe now and we have used the card a few times for discounts in Paris. They did actually want to see the card to give the student discount. It was a savings of 3-5 euros at each place.
Can tell you more as we go through Switzerland, Germany, and Italy over the next few days.
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1138 posts
Hi Luis. I am in Europe now and we have used the card a few times for discounts in Paris. They did actually want to see the card to give the student discount. It was a savings of 3-5 euros at each place.
Can tell you more as we go through Switzerland, Germany, and Italy over the next few days.