Alpine Hut Discounts - Reciprocal Rights Card

The Reciprocity Fund, managed by the Swiss Alpine Club, enables The BMC to supply MCofS members with a card entitling the holder to discounts (normally between 20% and 50%) in the many huts owned by the organisations that are signatories to the agreement. Currently these are the Alpine Clubs of France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Holland, South Tyrol, Austria and Spain.  The Reciprocal Rights Card is sometimes also recognised by organisations and countries that are not signatories to the fund charter.

The Reciprocal Rights Card
The card is valid for one calendar year from January to December and costs £40.00 (2011). Income from their sale is redistributed amongst the Alpine clubs and used to maintain huts. The card includes one year as an Affiliate to the Alpine Club at no extra cost. This is the leading UK club for alpine climbers.

Typical costs for hut accommodation
The cost of a night in a hut varies from country to country and region. High altitude huts are often more expensive, but typical costs for a night in a French hut (without discount) is around £50 per night for dinner, bed & breakfast, and can be more than that in Switzerland. For details on hut locations and services (such as when the hut is open or a guardian present) you should consult the relevant guidebook for the area or the local Tourist Offices.

The Reciprocal Rights Card can be purchased from the BMC, which administers the scheme in the UK. You can download an application form from the BMC website.

You will need your MCofS individual membership number or name of your MCofS member club.