Still Value in Diners?

[TonyHancock]

This is becoming more complicated than a Fred Perry tasting menu........but dare I say more interesting!!

So.....I think there is still some value left in Diners. :shock: :shock: :shock:

The Amex Plat charge is my go to card for restaurants, 3 points per $, travel 2 points per $ and overseas transactions 2 points per $, and now ATO with a paltry 0.5 points per $.

Diners 2 points per $ works at Supermarkets, Petrol Stations, and anywhere else where Amex only offers 1 point per $.

The MasterCard that comes with diners is only of use where neither Amex or Diners is accepted.

This is based on transfer to SPG and then on to BAEC.

Am I missing something? I must be.

 

[whughes3]

They are still offering 1:1 transfers to QF (in multipoles of 10K). Better than most other offerings?

 

[Spongbob]

They are still offering 1:1 transfers to QF (in multipoles of 10K). Better than most other offerings?

ANZ FF Black is 1:1 (with a monthly earning limit).

 

[albyd]

Unfortunately, DC points earn has been downgraded to not significantly more than MC/Visa even though their merchant rates are likely still very high and can afford a more generous points earn. They would be killing it now if they revamped it. I think while acceptance is nowhere like MC/Visa or even Amex, there should be sufficient merchants left to be able to put a decent portion of our monthly spend on it (speaking for myself). Great untapped shame.

 

[p--and--t]

I'm quite happy with my Diners card even though I don't get it for "free" from CitiBank.

I am only a lowly QF Bronze and often travel in Y and therefore overseas rarely get to use a lounge outside AU via my airticket.

I am ANZ Visa Black which gives me up to 7K QF points 1 per $1 spend (and allegedly access to some lounges which sees like a total con job as haven't been able to use it anywhere yet).

As I regularly top the $7k with ANZ I looked for something else that I can use as a credit card for the additional $1K per month and still get good value.

I have a Qantas FF Diners which is $95pa plus $55 for benefits for me and $55 for partner card benefits. This gives me 1 QF point per $1 spend plus unlimited access to lounges in hundreds of places around the world.

I use the Diners for supermarkets and fuel, sometimes hotels and generally earn around 15K points pa. In addition the two of us travelling overseas generally get 6-8 free lounge accesses (sometimes more depending on itinerary) pa.

Given the free accesses from Diners, I have never seen the value in Priority Pass, nor paid for it.

I value a lounge access visit at around $50 so we are getting about $400 worth of lounge accesses plus 1:1 points for expenditure for an outlay of $205. I consider this to be good value.

 

[newmarket]

I agree. I use a DC Lounge several times per year and the 2 Velocity points / $ uncapped is the best the I am aware of.

 

[Bell21]

I agree. I use a DC Lounge several times per year and the 2 Velocity points / $ uncapped is the best the I am aware of.

I feel like I must be missing something, as given the recent AMEX deval, 2 VA pts / $ is attractive - is it the lack of general acceptance that's the main issue with the card?

 

[p--and--t]

Depends on what you mean by "general acceptance".

Domestically : The two major supermarkets and associated chain stores accept for any purchase with no loading, most major hotels, some major retailers, some petrol stations. The retail outlets that add a surcharge for Diners are usually (not always) the same ones that add a surcharge for AMEX.

Overseas : In some countries very widely accepted for purchases, particularly high penetration in South America when I was there a few years back. In other countries, really only hotels and full service airlines accept.

Accepted for free lounge access in most major (and many minor) airports of the world. Hundreds in fact.

 

[Bell21]

Thanks! Sorry, I meant general acceptance in Oz - I've stopped using AMEX for anywhere where the surcharge exceeds MC/V, but for 2 pts/$, I'd consider using DC in those outlets

The free lounge access is very attractive I have Plat Charge, which gives myself and partner each lounge access, but one of my older kids may be travelling a lot next year, so it would be neat to have DC to give her lounge access too.

I had completely discounted DC pre mid-April (as I was generating 2 pts/$ on Explorer and transferring to Plat Charge, which was fantastic), but it seems like I should consider it now, both for VA and KF earn.