Diners Club International operates like many credit cards. It has a rewards model focused on travel, dining, and leisure activities, but is accepted at gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retail and service providers at over 15 million locations in over 100 countries.

Diners Club was the first charge card company in the world. It was founded in 1950 by Frank McNamara who realized, at a business dinner, that he forgot his cash in a different suit. He was embarrassed to have his wife bring him the money to pay, and had the idea to create a credit card that he could use at restaurants. 

The first Diners Club cards were issued in New York City in 1951, and they were accepted at more than 1,000 restaurants in Manhattan.

Today, Diners Club is owned by Discover Financial Services.

For merchants who accept Diners Club cards and apps, they are tapping into an established network or consumers. Payments are charged directly to the consumer, without having to interact with banks or other financial institutions.