The Taj group of hotels along with Citibank and Diners Club card launched India's first co-branded credit card offered by a hotel chain today. 'Taj InnerCircle Epicure Diners Club Card' will allow members to earn and redeem points online along with being able to use it as a standard credit card and will be available in the market in August.

According to Taj Hotels vice president (marketing) Jyoti Narang, the tie-up with Diners Club was in complete synergy with the image of the hotel chain. "We found that Diners Club had a very up-market image and was understood by us as a good fit. With the launch of our dining programme, we found that the Diners Club database of proprietors was of great use," she said.

Taj Epicure program, apart of the Taj loyalty program, is a dining plan with rewards for a customer's stay and dining experiences within the chain. Members earn 10-12 per cent of their food and beverage spend through points earned. The card will be India's first chip-cum-magnetic stripe and will offer powerful features of Diners Club International and the Taj InnerCircle Epicure programs.

Card members enrolling in the program will get automatic membership in the Taj InnerCircle and earn points based on its offered programs. According to Ms Narang, the card has a great value concept. "It's good value for money. People who take this card not only pay what they would normally for a credit card, but get an added benefit of a free membership with Epicure," she said.