1950
We became the world’s first multipurpose charge card, launched by Frank McNamara after he forgot his wallet at a New York restaurant.
Over 75 Years of Diners Club History
Celebrate our legacy and the extraordinary moments still to come.
Over 75 Years of Diners Club History
Celebrate our legacy and the extraordinary moments still to come.
It started with a lost wallet
In 1949, businessman Frank McNamara dines out with clients in Manhattan, New York. When the check arrives, he realizes he had forgotten his wallet. Determined to never let this happen again, Frank envisions a universal way to pay—no cash, no checks. This marked the birth of the world’s first multipurpose charge card.
Milestones
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
1951
Membership reached 42,000, expanding acceptance to major US cities.
1953
Diners Club becomes the first internationally accepted charge card when businesses in the U.K., Canada, Cuba, and Mexico agree to accept the card.
1955
The issuing network extended globally to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.1
1958
We sponsored the New York Giants and entered the travel market, accepting payments for airline, steamship, and cruise tickets.
1959
We reached one million Clubmembers and get listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
1960
Issuers in Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and New Zealand offer Diners Club cards.
1961
Issuers in Argentina and Austria offer Diners Club cards.
1966
Financial establishments in Bulgaria and Hungary became Diners Club agencies.
1967
The first automatic air travel insurance program for airline tickets purchased with a Diners Club card.
1968
Issuers in Israel and Turkey offer Diners Club cards.
1969
Reservations World, a Diners Club subsidiary, and RCA launched the first computerized hotel reservation system..
1973
Issuers in Indonesia, Panama, and Singapore offer Diners Club cards.
1974
Five out of six tourists entering the US with a credit card carried a Diners Club card.
1975
We introduce the industry’s first corporate card program.
1976
Issuers in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates offer Diners Club cards.
1978
We introduce Doublecard, which covers both business and personal expenses.
1979
Issuers in Guatemala and Qatar offer Diners Club cards.
1980
We become the first charge card used in China.
1981
Citicorp acquires Diners Club International.
1982
We begin a multimillion dollar ad campaign targeting business travelers: “You can drop our name where it counts.”
1984
We launch the industry’s first rewards program: Club Rewards.
1989
Issuers in Taiwan offer Diners Club cards.
1990
Life Magazine names Frank McNamara one of the 100 Most Influential Americans of the 20th Century.
1991
We begin a new advertising campaign with the theme “The International Symbol for Yes.”
1992
Issuers in the Czech Republic offer Diners Club cards.
1993
Issuers in Saudi Arabia offer Diners Club cards.
1994
We establish the inaugural Diners Club Matches professional golf tournament.
1996
DinersClub.com is launched.
1998
A panel sponsored by the American Management Association International declares that Frank McNamara’s Diners Club card was one of the “75 greatest management decisions ever made.”
1999
For the second consecutive year, we win the prestigious Freddie Award for the “Best Frequent Traveler Affinity Charge/Credit Card.
2000
We release the super-premium Black card.
2007
Our multinational corporate card program spans 40 countries.
2008
Discover Financial Services acquires Diners Club International.
2009
We reinvigorate our brand with a new global advertising campaign and expand airport lounge access.
2012
We launch our presence on social media.
2014
We launch the Belong II global advertising campaign.
2016
We launch a new global website.
2019
We increase airport lounge access to over 1,000 worldwide.
2025
We celebrated 75 years of togetherness.
Cheers to 75 Years
To celebrate our 75th anniversary, Diners Club created a digital collection of 75 cocktails and mocktails to share with Clubmembers.
Disclosures
- Countries that recognize the Diners Club card include Spain, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Finland, Denmark, Greece, Norway, Syria, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Bermuda, the British West Indies, Venezuela, Egypt, the Dominican Republic, Iraq, and parts of North Africa. Return to content