Remember back in the 80s, 70s, 60s when truly sophisticated business people would pull out a Diners Club or a Carte Blanche Card. It was mysterious and prestigious because you didn't have one in your wallet. You were lucky to get a crappy Visa or MasterCharge (the old name for MasterCard).
Believe it or not these cards are still around. Citibank has bought both brands and issues these cards with a MasterCard logo on them, so you can use them wherever MC's are accepted (virtually everywhere). But, are they worth it in today's competitive credit card market? Do they still have superior perks and benefits that make the elite spenders want them.
Not really, but I am tempted to get one anyway. Here's how they stack up ...
It is worth noting that both Diners and Carte Blanche are charge cards like the traditional Amex cards and you have to pay your balance in full every month.
Diners Club has a annual fee of $95 for which you receive ...
1. Membership in their rewards program which pays out at 1% - $0.01 for every dollar spent
2. Airport lounge access in special DC lounges (which may mean that you have to shlep overt to a different terminal to vist the DC lounge). There are 2 in the US (Miama and Newark), 3 in the UK, 20 in Japan ... 80 or so across the world
3. Concierge Service -- call and have them help you get reservation, etc.
4. plus the standard insurances, extended warranties and other goodies that come bundled with most high end cards
Carte Blanche has an annual fee $300 for which you receive all of the above and ...
1. companion tickets on British Airways when you fly business class ro above
2. Carte Blanche travel service (not really sure why this is such a perk, but we'll give them the benefit of the doubt
for more info you can visit here
So, are they compelling cards with compelling rewards? My vote is NO. For the same $300 you can get an Amex Platinum Card which gives you airport lounge access at Delta, Continental and Northwest Airlines; companion tickets on 17 different airlines (including Continental, Air France and AeroMexico), access to their Membership Rewards program ( which pays oout at roughly $0.01 per $1 spent). That's not to say that they are perfect, but you do get more bang for buck.