Step 1 : Introduction to the question "Which was the first universal credit card usable at a variety of establishments?"
...A credit card authorizes the designated user to charge goods and services to an account. The cardholder is then billed periodically, usually monthly. This practice began in the U.S. in the 1920s with local oil companies and hotel chains issuing them for select customers to use at company outlets. The first universal credit card that could be used at a wide variety of establishments appeared in 1950. Diners Club, Inc., issued this prestigious "Diners Club" card. Other credit card companies sprang up, eventually leading to the bank credit card system. Source: Britannica. com