Here’s Your Ticket to Substantial Travel Savings : International Youth Card offers bargains for travelers under 26, even non-students.

Just because you are not a full-time student doesn’t mean you’re not eligible for special travel discounts. In some cases, just being under the age of 26, and having the proper international identification, is enough to get you hundreds of special reductions in North America and abroad.

The Federation of International Youth Travel Organizations (FIYTO) is a worldwide body of youth travel organizations that reaches into 46 countries. Its members believe that youth travel, whether by students or non-students, serves to enhance international understanding. So for non-students, it has organized the International Youth Card. The card provides travelers under 26 with discounts like those for students. These include air and land transportation, tours, entrance fees to museums and accommodations suitable for budget travelers.

Some examples:

--In the United States, there are reductions on hostel-style accommodations in the Grand Canyon; museums and a comedy theater in New York City, rafting in Colorado and car rentals in California.

--In Asia, discounts on budget accommodations in Hong Kong and day tours to Macau. The card is also honored for a special rate of $28 for jungle tours from Chiang Mai, Thailand, and for discounted lodging in Japan.

--For those heading toward the South Pacific, discounts are available at a variety of lodgings for backpackers throughout Australia, plus river rafting in Queensland and harbor tours in Sydney.

Even if a service isn’t listed and doesn’t advertise special youth discounts, it’s always wise to pull out your card and ask. I have noticed that some services that offer reduced rates for students will give the same break to a youth card-holder. This may be an act of generosity, or a matter of not understanding the difference between an International Youth Card and an International Student Identity Card.

International Youth Cards and International Student Identity Cards are both available for $14 through Council Travel Offices in the United States. For more details and application forms, contact Council Travel Services, 1093 Broxton Ave., Suite 220, Los Angeles 90024 (include $1 for postage), (310) 208-3551.

International Youth Card-holders also have the opportunity to enter a special competition sponsored by federation members. Card-holders are invited to submit a black and white or color photograph from their trip that somehow illustrates international understanding between young people.

Each photo must be accompanied by one-half to one page of text, explaining the photograph and what the entrant experienced by meeting young people from other countries. The three winners of the 1991-92 Youth For Understanding Awards each receive 2,000 French francs (about $355 U.S.). A photocopy of the entrant’s International Youth Card must also be enclosed. Entries may be submitted through FIYTO member organizations or directly to: FIYTO Secretariat, Islands Brygge 81, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark.