Would any of you guys recommend buying one of those International Student Identification Cards? (I think thats what there called)I guess they're supposed to give you discounts of stuff world wide in select shops. I guess what I'm asking is have any of you ever seen these cards accepted anywhere in Madrid or in the major cities or would it be worthless to get one?

This is a good question.

I have seen these ISIC cards offered by a few people like Forocio: ISIC CARD but never have seen or heard of any place that accepts or uses them here in Madrid.

I am sure that the card must come with some list of suggested places that will take it but I would like to hear more about where it is accepted and what kind of discounts that you would get as well.

quote:

but never have seen or heard of any place that accepts or uses them here in Madrid.

it is actually accepted at MANY places in all of spain. you have not seen places that accept it since you never asked (i am guessing). the places that accept it do not normally put up any signs, it is up to the cardholder to ask.

many student travel agencies will take it. there is a list of places that take it in spain at the following page on the isic website...

http://www.isic.org/sisp/index.htm?fx=isic.discounts.co...ISIC&country.code=ES

the list is long and ranges from optical shops to museums. have a look but since they only list the first 10 discounts in each section, don't forget to click the "Show All ..." links next to each category to see them all.

Kyle, not sure what the card would cost you back in u.s.a. but since it only costs like 6 euros here (see the forocio link by Madrid Insider above), you may want to just come over without it as i can't imagine it will be cheaper back in u.s.a.

you can ask at places you go to and if you find that many do, you can go get one.

i think that is the best plan for you. at 6 euros you can't go wrong!!!

saludos,
jer...

i had one years ago in madrid...i got it here. and i remember it was a bit of a hassle as they wanted my student id, and at that time my university in the states was using paper ids, no photos. i ended up having use an id card from the escuela oficial de idiomas.

anyway, for that reason, i think it is better to just get it there in the us. you don't want to come here, thinking you are all set, and then run into some goofy bureaurcratic glitch.

also, remember the card is good all over europe, not just spain.

cheers,candela

Another couple of reasons for getting it in the US. 1) There is accident and life insurance included, the one here I believe does not, I'm not 100% sure but 95%. 2) There is an age limit for the one here, they will not give it to you if you are above 24 or 26, no matter how many certificates you have from acredited educational institutions, so I always suggest to our grad students they get it in the US before coming because once you have it no one bothers about your age and they do accept that it means you are a student. I know that students have also used it as official ID when requested by the police and it seems to be well accepted then. For cashing checks and such it also comes in handy. And yes, it is valid all over Europe and many other countries in the world. Most museums in Spain have special rates for students and many travel agencies will accept it as well but YOU, the student, are responsible for asking. ISIC is a recognized institution and so the card is well received world wide. I say it's definitely worth it, I had it myself years and years ago when I was a sophomore in Austria and then again when I came to Spain as a grad student, used it every chance I got.
Lena

Thanks for all your input on this. I'll definately think about getting one....