Diners Club International Card Review

Whether jet‑setting across continents or enjoying a night out closer to home, this card opens doors that ordinary cards don’t. 

The Diners Club International Card is built for people who want their travel, dining, entertainment, and shopping to come with perks, rewards, and recognition. If you love discovering new places, relaxing in lounges, enjoying exclusive experiences, or just getting more from your everyday purchases, Diners Club makes every spend feel more valuable.

From airport lounges and concierge services to special partner deals in food and travel, you get more than a payment method—you get a passport to privileges. With the security, global acceptance, and digital tools to stay in control, the Diners Club International Card is for those who want both style and substance.

Diners Club International Card Benefits

1. Airport Lounge Access / Travel Tools: As a Diners Club member, you get access to well over 1,300 airport lounges in 600+ cities across 140+ countries via the Diners Club Travel Tools and through Priority Pass.  This means long layovers or delays become more comfortable: you have quiet places to relax, work, get snacks, WiFi, etc. 
2. ClubMiles Rewards Programme: Every time you spend with your Diners Club card (eligible purchases, both local & abroad), you earn ClubMiles which can be redeemed for rewards: travel, merchandise, experiences.  This means your regular spending starts pulling double duty—not just paying bills, but earning rewards you’ll enjoy.
3. Add‑on Cards for Family / Others: You can get add‑on cards (secondary / supplementary cards) for family members or close associates, so they can benefit too while linked to your account.  Their spend often contributes to your rewards (ClubMiles etc.), and they enjoy many of the same benefits. 
4. Travel & Lifestyle Privileges: The card gives you special partner privileges in travel, lifestyle, dining, hotels, car hire. For instance, booking hotels via their global partners, discounts and upgrades in car rentals via Avis, special offers in dining & wellness through “Privileges” programme. 
5. Concierge & Member‑only Access: As a Diners Club cardholder you often get access to concierge services, or lifestyle offers only for members: special events, shows, upmarket dining, wellness experiences, etc.  These are extras that make life more enjoyable and exclusive.
6. Digital Tools & Travel Tools App: The “Travel Tools” mobile app lets you see lounges, offers, manage cards, check if lounges are available, possibly use QR codes for access, etc.  It helps simplify travel and maximize benefits.
7. Complimentary Card Delivery: When you get the card, you get face‑to‑face delivery (in South Africa) so the card is delivered securely in person. 

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria

From what is public for the Diners Club Platinum / Beyond / International type cards in South Africa:

• Must be a South African citizen or valid resident (valid ID or passport). 
• Must prove residential address (utility bill not older than ~3 months). 
• Must provide proof of income (e.g. IRP5, salary advice), or bank statements if salary advice missing. 
• Must meet creditworthiness / affordability criteria. The bank will do credit checks. (Debt, income, repayment capacity). — implied by Standard Bank Diners Club Beyond card info. 
• Minimum age requirement (18+) typically. Standard for credit card products. (Not always explicitly published, but general practice.)

How to Apply: Step‑by‑Step

Here are the general steps to apply for a Diners Club International‑type card in South Africa:

1. Visit the Diners Club South Africa website (or the site of the issuing bank, e.g. Standard Bank) and navigate to the Diners Club / Platinum / International card product. 
2. Click “Apply” or “Join the Club” for the card. 
3. Fill in the application with your personal details: name, ID, contact, address.
4. Provide income documentation: either salary advice / IRP5 / bank statements. Also proof of residence. 
5. Consent to a credit / affordability check.
6. If approved, you receive the card (with face‑to‑face delivery in South Africa for some cards). 
7. Activate the card, register for additional benefits (e.g. Travel Tools app, ClubMiles, lounge access).
8. Use the card, pay the statement (ideally in full if possible to avoid interest), manage the card via digital tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many days interest‑free do I get, and what’s the minimum repayment?

With the Diners Club International / related cards (e.g. Beyond), you typically get up to 55 days interest‑free credit on purchases, provided you pay your full statement by the due date.  If you don’t pay in full, interest applies on the remaining balance. The minimum monthly repayment is usually 3% of the outstanding balance. 

• What airport lounge and travel benefits are included, and how do I access them?

As a cardholder you get access to many airport lounges globally via the Travel Tools app / via a Priority Pass partnership (or similar). You’ll need to register in the Diners Club Travel Tools app / your card’s lounge‑benefits service.  You also get special partner discounted rates for car hire, hotels, often concierge‐type services. Note: lounge access is subject to being current / account in good standing, sometimes capacity constraints. 

• What fees and costs should I watch out for?

Key costs include the monthly card fee / service fee, which depends on the variant (Platinum / Beyond etc.). For example, the Diners Club Beyond card has a monthly fee of about R85 plus a monthly service fee of R32.  Also initiate/annual fees may apply depending on variant (some have R0 initiation, others more). Interest rates are personalized and can be significantly above prime + margin. There are also foreign transaction / currency conversion costs, optional insurance or concierge costs, and late payment / fees if minimum repayment not met. Always check the product‐specific fees schedule.