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December 11, 2020
Card information on the front of the card is now consolidated on the back. A new era for Diners Club begins | Diners Club
Diners Club | Diners Club
Enhanced security with a redesigned card, plus contactless payment for the new normal.
The Diners Club Card, known as Japan's first credit card, celebrated its 60th anniversary in December 2020 with a design refresh. Information previously on the front of the card, such as the card number, has been moved to the back, enhancing security against shoulder surfing and other forms of personal information theft. Additionally, the card now features "Diners Club Contactless," allowing for smooth payments by simply tapping the card on a terminal without needing a signature or PIN. The card also expands its exclusive gourmet, travel, entertainment, and golf benefits, carefully selected with Diners Club's discerning taste.
Text by Sayaka Ozaki | Edit by Takashi Tsuchida
Embossing-free design consolidates information on the back for enhanced security
In 2020, Diners Club marked its 60th anniversary by enhancing card security and expanding its lineup of benefits and services, leveraging its unique discerning taste to meet the evolving customer needs of the post-pandemic era.
Left: Diners Club Card. Right: Diners Club Premium Card (by invitation only).
The new Diners Club Card meets the customer's need for "peace of mind" when choosing a payment method. Instead of the traditional embossed printing on the front, card numbers, expiration dates, security codes, and names are now consolidated on the back without embossing, protecting against the risk of third-party viewing. Furthermore, a new contactless payment function, "Diners Club Contactless," has been introduced, eliminating the need for signatures or PIN entry and allowing for swift and smooth transactions. This not only enhances the convenience of cashless payments but also reduces contact between customers and staff during checkout, as the card does not need to be handed over.
In response to the increased emphasis on hygiene due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the new contactless payment function "Diners Club Contactless" has been introduced, eliminating the need for signatures or PIN entry. Simply tapping the card on a terminal allows for speedy and smooth payment, enhancing the convenience of cashless transactions. It also reduces contact opportunities for both customers and merchants, as the card is not exchanged during payment.
This contactless payment can be used at various merchants, including Omotesando Hills, The Peninsula Tokyo, Tokyo Musen (taxis), Seven-Eleven, and Ito-Yokado, with plans to expand its availability further. Combined with Diners Club's "Protect Buy" identity verification service and smartphone contactless payments like "Apple Pay," it promises a convenient cashless lifestyle.
The new brand message: "Discover what can only be found here."
In response to needs that have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Diners Club has further enhanced its exclusive gourmet, travel, and golf benefits, carefully curated with its discerning taste. These include "Gourmet Benefits" for securing reservations at hard-to-book restaurants, "Accommodation Benefits" at high-quality hotels and ryokans nationwide, "Exclusive Tours" for private enjoyment, and "Golf Course Reservations."
The "Gourmet Benefits" offer not only rare experiences for special occasions but also cater to everyday dining needs. The "Executive Dining" service, created with the desire for customers to feel comfortable visiting new restaurants, offers one complimentary meal for every two diners on a set course, with an additional option for two complimentary meals for groups of six or more.
"Anchor Point," where you can use the "Executive Dining" service. The spacious interior, with its high ceilings, evokes the changing seasons, creating an open atmosphere. Enjoy steaks grilled over a roaring fire, paired with freshly brewed craft beer and an extensive wine selection.
Anchor Point
Address | 1F Kaiun Bldg, 2-6-4 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
URL |https://www.diners.co.jp/ja/benefit/detail.R1177.html
This standalone restaurant was created with the concept of "a space reminiscent of Tuscany." Here, you can enjoy traditional dishes from various regions of Italy. It's an ideal setting for a delightful meal and conversation with loved ones.
Ristorante EST
Address | 1-7 Gokuraku, Meito-ku, Nagoya, Aichi
URL |https://www.diners.co.jp/ja/benefit/detail.R1094.html
On the top floor of Marronnier Gate, savor A5-ranked Kuroge Wagyu beef. The A5-ranked Kuroge Wagyu, with its beautiful marbling, melts in your mouth. The serene ambiance is suitable for various occasions.
Edomae Nikukappo Miyashita
Address | 12F Marronnier Gate, 2-2-14 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
URL |https://www.diners.co.jp/ja/benefit/detail.R1438.html?service=exd&aa=d_d1&sa=0&fa=1&page=1_970
In a tranquil interior featuring abundant natural wood, crafted in a traditional Japanese architectural style, the restaurant serves "Ozaki Beef," a rare breed with only about 30 heads shipped per month. Savor this exquisite meat, whose natural umami is enhanced through long-term aging.
Ozaki Beef Yakiniku Ginza Himuka
Address | 11F Tokyu Plaza Ginza, 5-2-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
URL |https://www.diners.co.jp/ja/benefit/detail.R1100.html
The lineup includes "Anchor Point" in Hirakawacho, Tokyo, a restaurant where you can enjoy steak grilled with flair in a sophisticated space with high ceilings; "Ozaki Beef Ginza Himuka" in Ginza, Tokyo, where you can fully savor "Ozaki Beef," a rare breed with only 30 heads shipped monthly; "Edomae Nikukappo Miyashita" in Ginza, offering melt-in-your-mouth A5-ranked Kuroge Wagyu beef in a serene wooden setting on the top floor of Ginza Marronnier Gate; and "Ristorante EST" in Nagoya, a standalone restaurant designed with a Tuscan ambiance, serving traditional Italian cuisine from various regions.
The unique service "Gohiki予約.com" (Gohiki Reservation.com), born from member feedback, notifies users via app or email about last-minute cancellations at popular restaurants. This provides members with opportunities to dine at hard-to-book establishments while also helping restaurants reduce food waste – a mutually beneficial service.
Additionally, "Wish Dining with Makky Makimoto" has been newly launched. This is an exclusive gourmet service for Diners Club Premium Card members, where Diners Club secures seats at hard-to-reserve or recommended restaurants, with guidance provided by food journalist Makky Makimoto.
The "Club Hotels & Travel Destinations in Japan" program offers exclusive accommodation benefits at carefully selected high-quality hotels and ryokans nationwide, leveraging Diners Club's discerning taste. Benefits include common accommodation discounts, room upgrades, and complimentary breakfast. The number of participating facilities has significantly increased, promising more attractive and user-friendly accommodation benefits.
For "Golf Course Reservations," starting with play in April 2021, seven golf courses of Prince Hotels & Resorts will be available at special preferential rates (reservations begin February 2020). The participating golf courses are Hokkaido Country Club, Iwate Numakunai Country Club, Karuizawa 72 Golf in Nagano Prefecture, Musashigaoka Golf Course in Saitama Prefecture, Dai Hakone Country Club in Kanagawa Prefecture, Kawana Hotel Golf Course in Shizuoka Prefecture, and Seta Golf Course in Shiga Prefecture.
With a diverse range of benefits and privileges centered around the new brand message, "Discover what can only be found here," and enhanced security features including contactless payment for peace of mind, the Diners Card offers a new experience. Currently, to commemorate the 60th anniversary, a campaign is underway offering the first year's annual fee free, compared to the usual ¥24,200 (tax included). Why not take advantage of this campaign, running until March 31, 2021 (Wednesday), to experience the new Diners Club?
