Company Profile

International Student Exchange Cards (ISE Cards), Inc. traces it's founding back to 1958 at the University of Illinois, USA. The idea was to help students by enabling them to afford traveling by utilizing the International Discounts offered by ISE. The company was formally incorporated in 1987 in the State of Illinois, USA. The United States Patent and Trademark Office granted Patent number: 1,564,435 on November 7, 1989. The ISE Card is the only student identification card to attain this accreditation and protection. Initially, ISE Cards were issued only to American students traveling overseas. By the late 1980's ISE Cards were also issued in Asia, followed by South and Central America, the Middle East, Europe, Canada, Australia and South Africa. Today, the ISE Card is sold in over 50 countries around the world.

What is it?
The International Student Exchange Identity Card (ISE Card) is a member's passport to savings. By presenting the ISE Card everywhere, cardholder's will be eligible for a variety of discounts ranging from 5%-50% off on hostels, hotels, restaurants, adventure tours, discos, museums, castles, and other exciting attractions all over the world.

How does it work?
ISE Cardholders present their card wherever they go to see if they are eligible for a discount. Once they know where they will be traveling, cardholders may simply go to our website: www.isecard.com and visit the "Worldwide Discount List” which provides information about the locations offering discounts specifically for THEM. While there, they will find photos and descriptions of many of the locations, which will better enable them to plan their trip. Some of our discount locations prefer that a special "code” be mentioned in addition to presenting the ISE Card as proof of Student, Faculty or Youth status. All codes are listed with the discounts offered on the ISE website. For these discounts, we recommend that cardholders make reservations in advance through the contact phone numbers or web addresses provided on our website.

In addition, the ISE Card is recognized as an International Student ID, so even those places not listed on our website will often honor the ISE card for their existing discounted rates. Therefore we encourage everyone to: Always remember to present the ISE Card.

Who is eligible to receive an ISE Card?
There are three types of ISE Cards available, the Student version, the Faculty/Teacher version and the Youth version.

Students must either currently attend school, have attended school within the past 12 months, or have been accepted to a school to commence studies within 6 months. Faculty/teacher members must be a full-time teacher. Youths must be between the age of 12 and 26 and may or may not be enrolled in school.

Where are the discounts?
ISE Cards enable students, faculty/teacher members, and youths to obtain discounts all over the world. Whether it's a trek in Nepal, an excursion through the Rainforests of Argentina, a visit to the Tower of London, or a Sound and Light show at the Pyramids in Egypt, the ISE Card is their ticket to savings! All ISE Discounts may be found at the following link: www.isecard.com/world/

Below is a list of some of the countries where cardholders can present their ISE Card for discounts:

Europe
In addition to historical castles, ISE Cardholders in Europe will be eligible for discounts in quaint Italian Bed & Breakfasts, wine museums in France, as well as popular nightclubs and restaurants. Youth Cardholders will also receive a special discounted rate on the Eurostar rail pass connecting the UK with Continental Europe as well as the Hoverspeed ships that can transport cardholders over the same route in only one hour!

United States
Cardholders can enjoy discounts at a variety of top attractions throughout the US, as well as on various modes of transportation and restaurants. They will definitely be able to benefit from having the ISE Card in this country, as ISE Cards is the oldest and one of the largest student discount operations in the USA.

Mexico
For those in the mood to experience some of Mexico's most beautiful beach destinations.

Argentina
ISE Cardholders can experience the true culture of Argentina by taking some Tango classes, eating at a typical Argentinean restaurant, or for those in the mood for adventure, taking advantage of the many Treks through the jungle-some of which venture to the famous Iguacu Falls!

Korea
The ISE Discounts in Korea are wonderful for those looking for a good place to eat. Some of the restaurants that offer discounts here are known all over the world!

Nepal
This is one of the top trekking destinations in the world! Cardholders can enjoy a discounted trekking excursion with their ISE Card.

Canada
Discounted ISE adventures involving camping, skiing, rafting, biking, sailing, or golfing (to name a few).

Australia
Another great adventure destination, ISE Cardholders can take a tour to the outback and/or ride a Camel during a desert trek. The ISE Card enables them to enjoy numerous discounts on those tours and excursions that will make their vacation truly memorable.

Nicaragua
For those wanting to see a different part of the world, this is a country not to be missed.

Singapore and Southeast Asia
This part of the world is known for its beautiful wooden handicrafts and pristine waters-ideal for Scuba diving.

Egypt
ISE Cards are accepted by all major sites and attractions in Egypt including the Pyramids, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Philae, Abu Simbel, and Saqara-to name a few! In addition, all of these historical sites, which are maintained by the Ministry of Antiquities, offer a 50% discount so cardholder's can save a significant amount while traveling in this exotic and interesting country.

Eurostar Rail Pass Under the English Channel
Discounted rate for ISE Youth Cardholders on the popular Eurostar train pass connecting continental Europe with the UK. Discounted rates vary depending on points of travel and may be found at: http://www.isecard.com/eurostar/index.html

All Major attractions in Egypt
Discount at all locations maintained by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and the Supreme Council of Antiquities: 50% off on all major sites in Egypt including, but not limited to, the Pyramids, Luxor, Karnak, The Valley of the Kings, The Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Philae, Abu Simbel, The Egyptian railroad, King Tut's tomb and much more…

Schönbrunn Palace in Austria
ISE Cardholders receive 12% off on the Grand Tour of Schönbrunn Palace and 10% off of the Imperial Tour.

Tower of London in England
30% discount on the entrance fee for ISE Student Cardholders

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Spain
50% off for ISE Cardholders on entrance to the museum

Kensington Palace in England
10% off on gifts and souvenirs of £5 or more (not including books)

Arc de Triomphe in France
Discounted rate on the entrance fee for ISE Youth Cardholders

Sydney Aquarium in Australia
25% off for ISE Cardholders

Tango Show at el Viejo Almacen in Argentina
ISE Cardholders can enjoy 20% off of this traditional Tango show

Nepal Trekking with Ramdung Treks and Expeditions
25% off of trekking excursions for ISE Cardholders

Spring Tide Whale-Watchng Tours in Canada
25% off of this tour for ISE Cardholders in Victoria, British Columbia

Great Southern Railway in Australia
50% discount for ISE Cardholders on trains connecting Sydney and Perth as well as trains from Melbourne to Alice Springs. These trains will eventually have continuing service Darwin in the north.

Universal Studios Hollywood in the USA
10% off regular admission tickets for groups of 6 or more or $3 off admission for individuals

ISE Medical Assistance
One of the added benefits to being an ISE Cardholder is the automatic medical coverage they will receive through Worldwide Assistance. In cases of emergency, ISE cardholders are eligible to receive up to $2,000 basic medical coverage, and up to $5,000 evacuation coverage. Detailed information about the type of coverage available may be found at: www.isecard.com/worldwideassistance/

Bankruptcy Protection
Cardholders will also receive up to $2,000 in bankruptcy protection, which covers any airline tickets issued to cardholders that are no longer honored by the airlines. This is a huge advantage while traveling and is a nice supplement to insurance packages that students may already have. Additional information about the Bankruptcy protection offered by ISE maybe be found at: www.isecard.com/bankruptcy/

Worldwide Assistance
The ISE Card provides its members with important protection while abroad. Each ISE cardholder has access to a 24-hour toll free emergency phone number that may be called from anywhere in the world. Whether they need assistance with lost passports, sending cash abroad, arranging travel documents or legal issues, a hotline representative is always available to assist them. Since Worldwide Assistance representatives are able to converse in 24 different languages, even those whose native language is not English will be able to communicate and receive the assistance they need. ISE Cardholders with the medical and bankruptcy protection features will use this hotline to receive those benefits.

Unsurpassed Guarantee
The ISE Card guarantees that all of the discounts and benefits listed on it's website or printed in it's Handbooks will in fact be granted to the ISE Cardholder by the establishments listed. Further, the ISE Card discounts are guaranteed to be equal to or better than the discounts offered to holders of other cards. ISE Cards would reimburse the cardholder double the amount of the difference and extend the validity of the cardholders ISE Card by one year, free of charge. The ISE Card is the ONLY international identification card to guarantee it's discount benefits.

Validity
One of the major advantages of ISE Cards is that they are valid for ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. Therefore, no matter when an ISE Card is purchased, cardholders will be able to benefit from enjoying discounts for one full year.

Student Airfares
The ISE Card qualifies you for special airfares worldwide. Airline tickets for ISE Cardholders are available from ISE Card issuing organizations around the world. For more information about where cardholder's can obtain these special rates, please visit: www.isecard.com/airfares/

Worldwide Distribution
ISE Cards are available at over 50 countries around the world. In order to support our issuing offices, we have listed them on our website under "Where to Purchase” at the following link: www.isecard.com/worldagencies/

In this way, those who wish to purchase an ISE Card can look for the location closest to them.

ISE Associations and Memberships
ISE Cards has maintained memberships with a variety of organizations dedicated to assisting students. One of these is The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), which is dedicated to providing education professionals in alumni relations, communications, and development with essential tools to advance their institution. Under this program, ISE Cards matches dollar for dollar the voluntary contributions made by ISE Student Cardholders to the school of their choice. ISE is also dedicated to increasing student awareness about the world and the plights of those living in situations less fortunate than our own. That is why ISE supports UNICEF, which is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, and to expand their opportunities so they can reach their full potential. For every dollar that is contributed by our cardholders, ISE Cards contributes two dollars more (see: http://www.isecard.com/unicef/index.html for more details about our program with UNICEF)

The Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA), and the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) are also organizations of which ISE Cards is a member. Both of these associations promote and facilitate travel for students by making it easier for them to afford visiting different areas of the world. In addition, ISE Cards is a member of The Association of International Educators (NAFSA), which promotes the exchange of students and scholars to and from the United States. The Association sets and upholds standards of good practice and provides professional education and training that strengthen institutional programs and services related to international educational exchange. ISE shares the belief that international educational exchange advances learning and scholarship, builds respect among different peoples, and encourages constructive leadership in a global community.

For additional information about each of these organizations, please visit: www.isecard.com/corporate/memberships/

ISE Letters of Reference
ISE Cards, Inc. is proud of the relationship it has maintained with companies and establishments it's worked with over the years. A few of the letters we have received are listed at the following site: www.isecard.com/lettersofreference/