Which company introduced the first plastic charge card in 1959?

American Express introduced the first plastic charge card in 1959.

Before plastic, early charge cards were commonly made from cardboard or paper-based materials. American Express replaced those less durable cards with a plastic version, helping establish the format that later became standard across the payment-card industry.

The 1959 launch was part of American Express’s expansion beyond its established travelers-cheque business. Its charge card required the balance to be paid in full rather than allowing customers to carry a revolving balance, which distinguishes it from a conventional credit card.

This fact is sometimes confused with the Diners Club card, which was introduced in 1950 and is widely regarded as the first broadly used charge card. The distinction is that American Express is credited with introducing the first plastic charge card, while Diners Club pioneered the earlier charge-card model.