Metal credit cards come with sleek designs and a hefty feel. But fancy looks aren’t a good enough reason to apply for a credit card.
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The top-rated metal credit cards offer much more than a satisfying clinking sound when you put them down to pay. In this guide, we’ll explore the best metal credit cards and break down the top contenders’ features and costs so you can make an informed decision.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Regular APR
21.49% – 28.49% Variable
On Chase Bank USA, NA’s Secure Website
Methodology
Our metal credit cards comparison included over 30 cards, and we considered factors such as the sign-up bonus value, rewards rates and benefits. Using a data-based approach, our team of experts narrowed down the list to the top 10 credit cards that scored highly based on our weightings. Read our full methodology below.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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Best metal credit card
Key takeaways
2X
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
5X
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options.
5/5
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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Best premium card
Key takeaways
2X
Earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases.
2X
Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights.
10X
Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel.
4.6/5
Best premium card for flexible travel rewards
Key takeaways
5X
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
3X
Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
4.2/5
Best premium card for flexible travel rewards
On Chase Bank USA, NA’s Secure Website
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best mid-tier travel rewards card
Key takeaways
5x
Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
2x
Earn 2x on all other travel purchases
4.5/5
Best mid-tier travel rewards card
On Chase Bank USA, NA’s Secure Website
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Best metal airline card
Reward rate
3X
Earn 3X Miles on Delta flights and Delta Vacations®.
1X
Earn 1 mile per dollar for all other eligible purchases.
3/5
Best for no annual fee
Key takeaways
5%
5% back on purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership.
2%
2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare).
1%
1% on all other purchases.
3.5/5
Capital One Venture X Business Card
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Best small-business card
Key takeaways
2X
Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase
5X
Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights and 10 miles on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel portal
4.4/5
Our picks at a glance
A metal credit card is a credit card that is made from a material such as stainless steel or a titanium alloy rather than the usual plastic (though some cards mix plastic and metal). These cards have a distinct appearance and feel thanks to the cool quality and weight of metal.
Beyond their materials, metal credit cards often feature sleek designs. For example, the Delta Reserve offered a limited-time design featuring a retired Boeing 747. And the card was made, in part, of metal from the actual plane. As another example, the rose gold option on the Amex Gold card boasts an eye-catching color. Some versions of the Amex Platinum showcase designs crafted by artists, essentially turning your card into a mini art piece.
And because they’re often higher-end cards, many metal cards offer premium perks like high rewards rates, statement credits and travel benefits.
You can find metal credit cards that fall into any of the major rewards credit card categories:
- Flexible points cards: These credit cards offer versatile rewards that can be used in a variety of ways. You can sometimes transfer them to hotel and airline loyalty programs.
- Cash back cards: Cash back credit cards provide cash rewards worth a percentage of your spending.
- Airline cards: Airline credit cards are tied to specific airline loyalty programs, and the rewards you earn are in the form of airline miles or points.
- Hotel cards: Hotel credit cards are associated with specific hotel chains, and you earn points within that hotel rewards program when you make purchases with the card.
Metal credit cards offer a handful of advantages. On the surface level, metal cards are less likely to bend or break than plastic cards.
Additionally, many metal credit cards come with premium benefits, such as higher rewards earning rates, travel perks and airport lounge access.
However, metal credit cards also have disadvantages. As far as materials go, their added weight can be burdensome, especially if you prefer a smaller wallet or purse. Plus, some metal credit cards are premium cards with high annual fees. Though uncommon, some merchants may not have the technology to process a thicker metal card.
The annual fees of metal credit cards vary widely, offering options to suit different budgets. For example, the Prime Visa charges no annual fee (though an eligible Prime Membership is required). Among premium cards, Venture X is on the more affordable end of the spectrum. Its $395 annual fee is quite reasonable considering the card’s valuable welcome bonus and ongoing perks.
In contrast, the ultra-exclusive Amex Centurion card, also known as the “Black Card,” sits at the far end of the spectrum. Being a Centurion cardholder will cost you thousands per year –– $5,000, to be exact. And that doesn’t include the card’s $10,000 initiation fee. It provides privileges like elite travel perks and a personalized concierge service, but it’s clearly geared toward high-rollers.
Regardless of the metal credit card you choose, ensure you can get enough value from the card to make the annual fee worth it.
If you’re considering a metal credit card, it’s important to base your decision on how well the card aligns with your financial needs and spending habits. The material alone doesn’t make one card superior to another.
Consider factors like welcome bonuses, earning rates, bonus spending categories and travel benefits.
How to apply for a metal credit card
In most cases, you can apply for a metal credit card like any other –– by visiting the card issuer’s website to fill out an online application, calling the issuer, or going to a physical branch and applying in person.
However you decide to apply, you’ll need to provide certain personal and financial information like your name, Social Security number, income and employment status.
Approval for most metal cards depends on meeting the issuer’s credit requirements. The American Express Centurion card, which is invitation-only, is the exception, not the rule. So don’t be deterred by the idea that metal cards aren’t available to the majority of qualified applicants.
Methodology
Our money and data analytics teams reviewed nearly three dozen metal credit cards currently available to new applicants. From there, we selected the best metal credit cards by giving them a star rating out of five, based on the following factors and our editorial judgment:
Rewards value (30%)
Metal credit cards typically earn points, miles or cash back, but you won’t always get the same value from these rewards. Using spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and estimates of rewards values from travel website The Points Guy, we determined which cards dole out the most value.
Select fees (25%)
Most metal credit cards charge an annual fee (and sometimes a substantial one). We looked at what the card offers in exchange for an annual fee, and credit cards with low or no annual fee got a leg up in this category. Similarly, cards that don’t charge a foreign transaction fee got a boost.
Sign-up bonus value (20%)
Most metal credit cards offer a welcome bonus to new cardholders who spend a certain amount in their first months with the card. We determined how much those bonuses are worth using points valuations from The Points Guy, and rated cards that offer more value highly.
Benefits (20%)
Premium metal credit cards with matching luxury benefits — think airport lounge access or elite status — got high grades in this category. We also considered perks such as travel insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty.
Annual credits/bonuses (5%)
Credit cards that come with bonuses for meeting spending thresholds or credits toward certain purchases, such as airline incidental fees, received a boost.
What didn’t make the cut
- Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card: While being a solid choice for earning cash back on business purchases, the inability to transfer the Ultimate Rewards® points to travel partners makes it less appealing.
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
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The information for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
: Although recently upgraded to a metal card, it now also comes with a $550 annual fee, which some may find hard to justify when compared to the card’s benefits. - The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: With premium perks, it’s tailored to business and luxury travelers. However, its high annual fee might not make sense if you can’t utilize these benefits.
- Apple Card
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The information for the Apple Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
: A no-annual-fee card is appealing, but this one is primarily geared toward Apple/iOS users, limiting its broader appeal. - American Express® Business Gold Card: This card comes with a high annual fee and bonus spending categories geared toward business owners, making it more suitable for businesses with high expenses. But it doesn’t come with some of the upscale travel benefits offered by the Venture X Business.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The weight of a metal credit card depends on the alloys used in its construction. But you can expect your metal card to weigh more than a plastic card.
Numerous banks offer metal credit cards with unique benefits and features, and the “best” card will depend on your needs. Chase is a popular choice with its Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Sapphire Reserve. Capital One offers the Venture X, known for its simple rewards program and relatively reasonable annual fee. American Express also issues a couple of metal cards, including the personal and business Amex Platinum.
As one might expect, destroying a metal credit card is more challenging than destroying a plastic card. Some metal credit cards can be cut into small pieces with heavy-duty scissors or shears. Some card issuers provide postage-free return envelopes to send the card back for safe disposal. Regardless of the method you choose, avoid simply tossing the whole card in the trash to safeguard any sensitive information.
The credit score needed for a metal credit card depends on the specific card you’re applying for. It doesn’t have anything to do with the card being made of metal. Because many metal credit cards are more premium cards, they’re reserved for those with good to excellent credit. You should aim for a score above 700 for better chances of approval. However, some issuers offer metal credit cards with lower credit score requirements.
Yes, there are no-annual-fee metal credit cards. There’s the Apple Card
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The information for the Apple Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, geared toward Apple/iOS users, and the X1 Card
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The information for the X1 Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, a stainless steel card that doesn’t charge an annual fee, for example. Most metal credit cards are mid-range or premium cards and charge an annual fee.
*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by CNN Underscored Money: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Prime Visa, American Express® Gold Card, Capital One Venture X Business Card
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The information for the Capital One Venture X Business Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, X1 Card
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The information for the X1 Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, and Apple Card
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The information for the Apple Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
To view rates and fees for Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for American Express® Gold Card, please visit this page.
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