Diners Club International is a charge card issued by Citibank tailored for those who routinely travel, however I would recommend it to anyone and everyone I know, and therefore am writing this review to introduce the card and it's wide array of benefits to you, if you haven't heard of them already.

I am almost 20 years old and come from an upper-middle class family and have excellent credit. I received my first credit card when I was 18 and was approved for a standard card, without having been required to have someone co-sign on my account. I always pay my bills on time and in full. I consider my credit to be excellent.

After having established credit for more than two years, I applied for an American Express Rewards Green card and was flat out denied. I contacted American Express and spoke to a supervisor in regards to my application. I told the supervisor that I was taken back when I was informed that my application was denied, as I have good credit. In addition, I stressed that my father has been a card member in good standing for the past 25 years (since early 1978), and that I certainly have the financial resources at hand to take care of my purchases. I told the supervisor that I was merely applying for a Green rewards card, American Express's entry level card, and should have been approved. I am self employed and meet the minimum yearly income (US $20,000) required to qualify for the card, and I actually surpass the minimum requirement by about three times. In addition to that I have the financial backing of my family. It need not be said that my application for credit is based on my personal credit history, but surely American Express could have taken other factors into account.

The supervisor at American Express seemed uninterested in what I had to say and I ended the conversation shortly thereafter as she was unwilling to approve my application or even take it into further consideration. I am not getting off topic... but I bring up my ordeal with American Express, as it makes you appreciate the impeccable customer service by their rival, Diners Club. Most long time American Express customers continue to use American Express and remain card members because of the way they were treated in the past, yet many agree that their customer service is degrading and the American Express complaint website at www.amexsux.com is only gaining popularity.

Someone told me they were in a similar situation at my age, they had good credit and were able to obtain credit almost anywhere with out a problem. Even Diners Club approved him, yet American Express declined his application for credit. He wrote a letter to the VP of their credit department explaining his situation and in response they sent him a card. I have decided against this due to the continued complaints I hear in regards to their customer service.

American Express vs. Diners Club

Diners Club allows you pay up to 60 days without interest - American Express only 30 days.
With Diners, you have access to more than 82 airport lounges - Zero with American Express.

American Express's reward program is lousy. Their airline partners are limited while Diners Club allows you to transfer your points to virtually any airline and they even allow you to transfer your American Airlines and United Airlines frequent flyer miles to Club Rewards points. This could possibly help you if you want to convert miles in those frequent flyer programs to Club Rewards points, in order to consolidate frequent flyer miles in another.

With Diners Club you have top notch customer service. You even have your own personal concierge service that you can access via phone or online, 24/7 and they can pretty much do anything you ask, provided it is allowed by law, whether it is making dinner reservations at a fancy restaurant, or obtaining hard to get concert tickets. They can even fax you dinner recipes or refer a top rated restaurant, and recommend services you can use for your home or business. This service is similar to the American Express Centurion "Black" card - without the $1000 + price tag

If you wish to apply for a Diners Club card, if you have not already done so, now would be a good time. You will get 2000 Bonus Club Rewards points each month for one year. Your total bonus would be 24,000 Club Rewards points or 12,000 Airline miles (if you wish to transfer your points to a frequent flyer program on a 2:1 basis). However, their promotion from June 1 through August 31, allows you to transfer your Club Rewards points to British Airways, on a point per mile basis.

Frequent flyer miles are roughly worth between 1.5 to 2.5 cents per mile. At 2.5 cents, 12,000 miles would be worth $300, and 24,000 miles on British Airways would be worth $600. Definitely worth the $95 annual fee.

Recommended:
Yes