What was the first United States credit card?
Daniel Santos
Updated on February 06, 2026
Diners Club
Most historians trace the modern credit card to the founding of Diners Club in 1950, the first charge card that could be used to make purchases at multiple retailers. Diners Club was a new twist on an ancient practice.
What was the first ever credit card?
Diners’ Club, Inc.
The first universal credit card, which could be used at a variety of establishments, was introduced by the Diners’ Club, Inc., in 1950. Another major card of this type, known as a travel and entertainment card, was established by the American Express Company in 1958.
When was the credit score created?
1950’s
Credit scores were invented in the 1950’s. In 1956, engineer Bill Fair teamed up with mathematician Earl Isaac to create Fair, Isaac and Company, with the goal of creating a standardized, impartial credit scoring system. Within two years, they had begun selling their first credit scoring system.
Where was the first credit card used?
In 1958, Bank of America launched the BankAmericard in Fresno, California, which would become the first successful recognizably modern credit card.
Where was the first credit card issued in the USA?
It could only be used in the shops which issued it. In 1950, Diners Club and American Express launched their charge cards in the USA, the first “plastic money”. In 1951, Diners Club issued the first credit card to 200 customers who could use it at 27 restaurants in New York.
Where was the first MasterCard issued in the world?
In 1988, the first MasterCard was issued in the Soviet Union. With over 37 offices around the world and having it headquarters in New York, MasterCard was the first to introduce the co-branding strategy in the credit card industry. MasterCard was previously called as Interbank Card Association (ICA).
What was the first general purpose credit card?
In 1966, BankAmericard went national to become the nation’s first licensed general-purpose credit card. It would be renamed Visa a decade later to acknowledge its growing international presence.
What was the first credit card to offer revolving credit?
The BankAmericard came with a $300 limit and was the first credit card to offer revolving credit, which gave people the ability to carry a balance. In 1970, BankAmericard was spun off into National BankAmericard, Incorporated, an interbank card association that issued and managed credit cards.