Diners Club Credit Cards in India | History, Availability, Benefits & Process
Everyone nowadays is looking for better deals, discounts and rewards. And every credit card company is looking to show more and more benefits out of their credit cards and increase the user base.
In recent news you must have heard that HDFC is the market leader in credit cards.
What is a Credit Card? (In case you don’t know)
Credit card is a tool that allows you to borrow money from the bank to make purchases, which you repay later. You don’t need to carry cash for every purchase—just use your card, and you can pay the bill at the end of the month.
Some cards come with extra benefits like rewards, discounts, and travel perks. One such premium credit card brand is the Diners Club.
Diners Club Credit Cards are known for offering exclusive privileges, especially for people who enjoy traveling, dining, and living a premium lifestyle.
In India, HDFC Bank provides several types of Diners Club credit cards, each offering unique benefits suited to different needs.
History and Background of Diners Club Credit Cards
Diners Club International started in 1950 in the United States, and it was the world’s first-ever credit card company.
The idea was simple: instead of carrying cash, people could use a card to pay for meals and later settle their bills. This concept soon grew popular, and Diners Club expanded its reach globally, offering its premium services to customers worldwide.
Diners Club Credit Card in India
In India, HDFC Bank partnered with Diners Club to bring these credit cards to the Indian market. These cards became known for their exclusive travel, lifestyle, and dining benefits, attracting people who enjoy these premium experiences.
Today, HDFC Diners Club credit cards are recognized for their high-end rewards and luxury privileges.
Global and Premium Appeal for Diners Club Credit Card
Diners Club credit cards are used globally, and they are known as premium credit cards. The card is accepted in over 185 countries, and provide premium access like Airport lounge, Golf clubs, premium hotels and more.
Types of Diners Club Credit Cards by HDFC in India
As we discussed in India HDFC Bank offers four different types of Diners Club credit cards, each designed for specific customer needs. Let’s take a look at each one in detail:
HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card
Overview: This card is packed with travel and lifestyle benefits, making it ideal for people who travel frequently.
Key Features:
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- Complimentary lounge access at airports in India and worldwide.
- High reward points on travel, dining, and international spending.
- Offers on air tickets, hotel stays, and exclusive deals with travel partners.
Annual Fee: ₹ 2,500 (Plus GST)
Who It’s For: Ideal for frequent travelers who want extra travel benefits.
HDFC Diners Club Black
- Overview: This is one of the most premium credit cards offered by HDFC. It’s known for its unlimited lounge access, concierge services, and luxury rewards.
- Key Features:
- Unlimited lounge access at over 1,000 airports worldwide.
- Up to 10X reward points on selected categories like travel and dining.
- Concierge services that can help with travel bookings, restaurant reservations, and event planning.
- Access to premium events, golf courses, and fitness centers.
Annual Fee: ₹ 10,000 (Plus GST)
Who It’s For: People who want the ultimate luxury experience and visits airport very frequently, like 2 times in a month.
HDFC Diners ClubMiles
Overview: This card is focused on rewarding frequent flyers. It helps customers earn air miles and enjoy travel perks.
Key Features:
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- Earn air miles on every spend that can be used for future flight bookings.
- Lounge access at airports in India and abroad.
- Travel insurance coverage and discounts on hotel bookings.
Annual Fee: ₹1,000 (plus GST).
Who It’s For: People who frequently fly for work or leisure and want to collect miles to save on future flights.
HDFC Diners Club Rewardz
Overview: This is a more affordable option compared to other Diners Club cards. It focuses on offering rewards and cashback for everyday purchases.
Key Features:
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- Earn reward points on everyday spending such as shopping, dining, and fuel.
- 2 complimentary airport lounge visits per quarter.
- Exclusive dining offers at partner restaurants.
Annual Fee: ₹1,000 (plus GST).
Who It’s For: People who want a balance between affordability and rewards for regular spending.
Key Features of Diners Club Credit Cards
1. Reward Points
2. Lounge Access
3. Travel Benefits
- Discounts on flight bookings, hotel stays, and travel packages.
- Travel insurance that covers flight delays, lost baggage, and accidents.
4. Dining and Lifestyle Privileges
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
To apply for a Diners Club credit card, you need to meet certain criteria:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
- Income: Different Diners Club cards have different income requirements. For example, for the Diners Club Black, you may need a higher monthly income compared to the Diners Rewardz card.
- CIBIL Score: Your CIBIL score (credit score) must be good, as this shows the bank that you have a history of managing credit responsibly.
Application process for Diners Club Credit Card
You can apply for a Diners Club credit card through:
- Online Application: You can visit the HDFC Bank website, select the card you want, and fill out an application form.
- Offline Application: You can also visit an HDFC Bank branch and apply for a credit card in person by filling out a form and submitting your documents.
Required Documents
- Proof of Identity: Aadhar card, passport, or voter ID.
- Proof of Address: Utility bill or Aadhar card.
Income Proof: Salary slips for the past 3 months or income tax returns for last assessment year.
Fees & Charges Associated with Diners Club Credit Cards
While Diners Club credit cards offer many benefits, they also come with certain fees and charges that you need to be aware of. (These charges may vary and can change on the official HDFC website without notice)
1. Annual Fees
- HDFC Diners Club Black: ₹10,000 (plus GST).
- HDFC Diners Club Privilege: ₹2,500 (plus GST).
- HDFC Diners ClubMiles: ₹1,000 (plus GST).
- HDFC Diners Club Rewardz: ₹1,000 (plus GST).
2. Other Charges
- Late Payment Fees: If you miss your credit card payment due date, you’ll be charged a late payment fee, which can range from ₹100 to ₹1,000, depending on your bill amount.
- Interest Rates: If you don’t pay the full amount on your bill, you’ll be charged interest on the remaining balance. This interest can range from 3.5% to 3.6% per month.
Foreign Transaction Fees: When you use your Diners Club credit card for purchases abroad, a foreign transaction fee may apply, usually around 2-3% of the transaction amount.
Advantages of Using Diners Club Credit Cards
1. Travel Benefits
Diners Club cards provide travel perks like free airport lounge access, discounts on flights, and travel insurance. This makes your trips more comfortable and affordable.
2. Earning and Redeeming Points
The more you use your Diners Club credit card, the more reward points you earn. These points can be redeemed for flights, hotel bookings, shopping, and gift vouchers, helping you save money on future purchases.
3. Security and Global Acceptance
Diners Club cards are accepted worldwide, making it convenient for international travelers. Additionally, they offer protection features such as fraud detection and emergency card replacement.
Disadvantages or Limitations of Diners Club Credit Cards
While Diners Club credit cards have many advantages, they also have some drawbacks:
1. Limited Acceptance
- Acceptance: Diners Club cards may not be as widely accepted as Visa or MasterCard, especially in smaller towns or with certain merchants. You may need to carry a backup card for places that don’t accept Diners Club.
2. Higher Fees
- The annual fees for premium Diners Club cards, such as the Diners Club Black, are high. This can be a drawback for people who don’t use the card enough to justify the fee.
3. Strict Eligibility Criteria
Some Diners Club credit cards, like Diners Club Black, have strict eligibility requirements, including high income and a good credit score, which may not be suitable for everyone.
Comparison with Other Premium Credit Cards in India
Diners Club credit cards offer great rewards and perks, but how do they compare with other premium cards?
1. American Express
Similarities: Both Diners Club and American Express are known for travel and lifestyle perks. Both offer airport lounge access and rewards for spending.
Differences: American Express is more widely accepted in India compared to Diners Club, but it often has higher fees.
2. Visa and MasterCard Platinum Cards
Visa and MasterCard Platinum cards offer similar benefits, but Diners Club cards often provide more travel-related perks like unlimited lounge access.
Wider Acceptance: Visa and MasterCard are accepted at more places, especially in smaller cities and online shopping platforms.
3. HDFC Infinia
Infinia vs. Diners Club Black: Both are premium credit cards from HDFC Bank, but Infinia offers wider acceptance. However, Diners Club Black offers 10X reward points in select categories, which may make it more rewarding for frequent users.
For better comparison we’ll compare every type of credit cards in details later.
Tips for Using Diners Club Credit Cards Effectively
1. Maximize Reward Points
Use your Diners Club card for purchases in categories that offer extra reward points, such as travel, dining, and international spending. This helps you accumulate more points faster.
2. Stay Within Credit Limits
Keep your spending within the credit limit to avoid penalties and interest charges. Going over the limit can hurt your credit score.
3. Make Full Payments
Always try to pay the full bill every month to avoid high-interest charges. This helps you manage your credit effectively and keeps your expenses in check.
How to Manage and Monitor Your Diners Club Credit Card
1. HDFC NetBanking
Through HDFC’s NetBanking portal or mobile app, you can manage your Diners Club credit card, check your statements, pay your bills, and even redeem your reward points online.
2. Mobile App
Along with HDFC Bank mobile app other apps like Cred allows you to monitor your card transactions, track your spending, and receive notifications about offers and rewards.
Common Issues with Diners Club Cards & How to Resolve Them
1. Card Decline Problems
Diners Club credit cards may be declined at some merchants who don’t accept this brand. To avoid this, always carry a backup card (such as a Visa or MasterCard).
2. Lost or Stolen Card
If your card is lost or stolen, immediately contact HDFC Bank’s customer service to block the card and request a replacement.
Customer Support and Help
How to Contact HDFC Support: You can reach out to HDFC Bank’s customer support through their helpline numbers (1860 267 6161 or 1800 202 6161), email support, or by visiting the bank branch.
Concierge Assistance: For premium cardholders, you can use the concierge services for assistance with booking tickets, making reservations, or even sending gifts.
Conclusion
Is a Diners Club Credit Card Right for You?
Diners Club credit cards offer excellent benefits, especially if you travel frequently or enjoy dining at premium restaurants. The travel perks, lounge access, reward points, and lifestyle privileges make these cards a good choice for people who value luxury experiences.
However, these cards come with higher fees and may not be accepted everywhere, so it’s essential to consider your spending habits and financial needs.
If you’re looking for premium services and can meet the eligibility requirements, a Diners Club credit card can be a great option to enhance your travel and lifestyle experiences in India and abroad.
The lounge access is tempting, but I heard Diners Club isn’t accepted everywhere. Anyone else have trouble with this?
You’re right, Diners Club cards are not as widely accepted as Visa or MasterCard, especially in smaller towns.
It’s something to keep in mind if you’re considering this card mainly for everyday use. Many Diners Club cardholders find it helpful to carry a backup card just in case. If lounge access and travel perks are your priority, the benefits could still outweigh the occasional inconvenience. Think about this
I applied for the Diners Club Black card, but the process seems to be taking forever. Has anyone else experienced delays?
We’ve heard that the application process for the Diners Club Black card can sometimes be slower, especially with the strict eligibility checks.
It might be worth giving HDFC’s customer support a call to check on your application status. Hopefully, it’s just a matter of processing time, but getting an update directly can help put your mind at ease.
I like the travel perks, but the annual fee is quite high. Are the benefits really worth it for someone who only travels a few times a year?
Good point.
If you only travel a few times a year, the high annual fee might not be fully justified. The lounge access and travel perks you might find better value with a card that has lower fees but still offers occasional travel benefits. It really depends on how often you’ll take advantage of the premium perks.
And benefits on Apple products are also gone, so you can think and analyse before applying for a new one
Interesting read, but I wish you’d included more about where exactly Diners Club cards are not accepted in India. It’s a bit confusing.
it’s very difficult to mention, where Diners club is not getting accepted. But if you’r ein tier 1, most of the places will accept this card.
Does the concierge service actually work well in India? I’ve had mixed experiences with similar services from other cards.
Valid question. The concierge service with Diners Club is generally well-regarded, especially for travel and dining bookings, but experiences can vary.
It might not always match the convenience you’d expect, particularly outside major cities in India. If you primarily need it for big cities, you might find it quite helpful, but for more general requests, results can be mixed.
The benefits sound great, but are the reward points really as valuable as they make them out to be? 1 point = ₹0.5 seems a bit underwhelming.
Fair observation. The value of reward points can feel a bit underwhelming, especially when compared to other premium cards.
It’s important to consider how often you can earn those points—like the 10X categories—because that can significantly boost their worth. Still, if you don’t spend much in those categories, the regular value might not be very exciting.
I like the rewards, but I wish Diners Club had better acceptance in smaller towns. It’s a hassle sometimes
It’s something that many cardholders have pointed out. While the rewards and perks are great, it can be frustrating when you can’t use the card everywhere. Having a backup card like Visa or MasterCard is definitely recommended if you’re frequently in areas where Diners Club isn’t widely accepted.
The Diners Club Black card seems great, but the eligibility criteria are too strict. Not everyone can meet the high-income requirement.
The eligibility criteria for the Diners Club Black card are quite stringent, especially the high-income requirement.
It’s definitely a card targeted towards high earners, which can make it inaccessible for many. If the perks are what you’re after, there are other cards with fewer restrictions that still offer good rewards and benefits.
I’ve had a Diners Club card for a year now, but I’ve been turned away by merchants several times. The limited acceptance is frustrating.
The travel perks are cool, but I’m wondering if it’s worth carrying this card just for lounge access. Thoughts?