Originally Posted by
SAPMAN
OK.. I have not been exposed to the DC program much. But interested in it as I read they have Primary rental car coverage, which I would use. Also going to Italy and will have a rental car there for a week (in the coutryside - not Rome)
I assume this works pretty much like any other Credit card, or am I wrong?
Are there any sign up bonuses?
What in annual cost?
How does one apply? I read no on line. Must you call to apply?
Any other comments appreciated. Thanks.
Diners Club is not a credit card, so doesn't work "pretty much like any other creidt card".
If you are talking about the card itself (not the car coverage), it's a charge card, and in that sense works much like the traditional AMEX. Except that Club Rewards is way better than Membership Rewards IMHO, the annual fee is a bit less, they are more likely to give retention bonuses (but no signup bonuses any more apparently).
The collision/theft coverage is indeed primary, but only applies if you turn down EVERY LAST CENT of that coverage. There are a few countries where that may be hard to do, and Italy may or may not be one of them, so make sure you know you can do this with your particular rental company before you rely on Diners for that particular rental. (And remember that, unlike in the US, CDW in Europe is not complete coverage, it's more like a "doughnut" coverage! You have to typically get something like "Super CDW" to really cover it to the last dime. So if your European rental car reservation says it includes CDW, be very concerned, because it may not cover you all that much, yet will preclude Diners from covering you.)
The annual fee is $95. After your first year (once you have accumulated points), you can choose to pay it with points, although it tends to be a poor redemption ratio.
Yes, you must call to apply. (They used to have an online app but it disappeared a while back.)