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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our pick for best metal credit card overall. The card has a surprisingly low annual fee compared with many other metal credit cards. This, combined with a generous welcome bonus, lucrative rewards structure and top-notch travel coverage make it an excellent value for anyone seeking a metal card.
Metal credit cards have grown in popularity, and next to ordinary plastic cards they offer premium perks, durability and a satisfying sound when you plunk one down to pay. A metal card may also serve as a status symbol for cardholders ranging from frequent flyers to business owners.
But keep in mind that most metal cards tend to require good to excellent credit and the best metal credit cards with rich perks tend to have drawbacks such as high annual fees, so they’re definitely not for everyone.
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Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is made of an embedded metal with a proprietary mix of metals.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card weighs 13 grams.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of only a few metal cards that has an annual fee under $100. It also offers a lucrative welcome bonus that can cover the cost of a trip, along with some of the most robust travel insurance coverage on the market.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also is one of our top picks for best credit card overall, as its value, flexibility and perks stack up well next to almost any competitor. As one of the cheaper metal credit cards on the market, it’s a good first metal card for travelers who are used to carrying plastic in their wallets and want an upgrade.
You’ll need excellent credit to qualify for this card.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is made of stainless steel with a thin PVC veneer on the front and back.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card weighs about 16 grams.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is our pick for the best international travel credit card. It has a low annual fee compared to most metal cards, and it comes with travel perks that are excellent compared to other cards with a $95 annual fee.
This card is geared toward applicants with good / excellent credit.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is made of stainless steel metal veneer with a polymer back layer.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express weighs 18 grams.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers a blend of travel and business card benefits that outshine many other metal cards on the market. It comes with one of the most generous welcome offers for business owners, as well as benefits that make flying more convenient and luxurious.
Although this card comes with an astonishing number of perks, its high price tag is only worth it for business owners who travel frequently for work and will spend a significant amount on the card.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.The Platinum Card® from American Express is made from stainless steel with a polymer back layer.
The Platinum Card® from American Express weighs 19 grams.
The Platinum Card® from American Express has one of the highest annual fees on the market, but frequent flyers may find this card well worth the cost. As our best card for airport lounge access, it offers more lounge options than you would get with most other metal cards on the market. Benefits include access to Centurion lounges and other lounges that offer luxury benefits like signature cocktails, locally inspired menus and spa therapy. The array of lounge access benefits, travel credits and other credits and perks more than make up for the eye-popping annual fee for anyone who can take advantage of all the benefits.
You’ll need good / excellent credit to qualify for this card, and it’s geared toward cardholders who spend a significant amount on travel every year.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is made of a stainless steel core with a thin PVC veneer on the front and back.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card weighs 16 grams.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit, which is offered on some but not all metal cards, with a lower annual fee than many competing cards. The card’s other travel benefits stack up nicely compared to other metal cards, and the unlimited airport lounge access for you and two guests is a standout feature most competitors don’t offer.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express is made from 100% metal.
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express weighs 15 grams.
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express is our top pick for the best metal hotel credit card. It offers a stellar welcome offer that outshines many competitors.
The annual flight and resort credits also offer more dollar value and flexibility than the credits on many competing cards, more than canceling out the high annual fee if you use them. Additionally, the generous bonus categories for rewards earning also stack up very well next to competitors, making the card extremely rewarding for travelers who frequently book hotel stays.
Keep in mind that this card requires good / excellent credit and will be the best match for serious Hilton loyalists who book stays frequently.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.The American Express® Gold Card is made of stainless steel.
The card weighs 15 grams.
The American Express® Gold Card is not only our top pick for best American Express card. It’s also our choice for the best metal card for dining because it offers one of the highest rewards earning rates for restaurants, including carryout and delivery in the U.S., and U.S. supermarkets. The card also has a monthly dining credit for select food and wine merchants (enrollment required), a foodie benefit most competing metal cards lack.
Keep in mind that the card requires good / excellent credit, offers very low value on cash-back redemptions, and it’s best for those who want to redeem rewards for air travel.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
The Prime Visa is made of metal.
The Prime Visa weighs a little over 12 grams.
The Prime Visa is one of just two metal cards on our list with no annual fee, which means it’s also a good choice for value-conscious online shoppers. The cash back you earn by shopping with the Prime Visa is easy to redeem, and can be cashed in as soon as the next day, unlike with other metal cards.
If you don’t already have an Amazon Prime membership, you’ll need to consider that cost when deciding whether the Prime Visa is right for you.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® is made of metal.
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® weighs around 16 grams.
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® is our pick for the best no annual fee metal credit card. Most metal cards come with high annual fees but the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® has a $0 annual fee while helping build credit on your largest recurring expense: rent. Cardholders get elevated point earning opportunities on the first of the month,
You’ll need good / excellent credit to qualify for this card. This card is best for cardholders want a credit card with no annual fee and a convenient way to pay rent without pesky transaction fees. It’s also a top option if you’re looking for a no-annual-fee travel card.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Welcome Offer | Regular APR | Annual Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Winner
|
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 20.99% - 27.99% Variable | $95 |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
International travel
|
75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable) | $95 |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
|
Business travel
|
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. | 18.74% - 27.74% Variable | $695 | |
|
The Platinum Card® from American Express
|
Airport lounge access
|
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | See Pay Over Time APR | $695 | |
|
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Global entry/TSA PreCheck®
|
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel | 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable) | $395 |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express*
|
Hotel
|
Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. | 20.24% to 29.24% | $550 | |
|
American Express® Gold Card
|
Dining
|
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | See Pay Over Time APR | $325 | |
|
Prime Visa
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Amazon
|
Get a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members | 19.99%–28.74% Variable | $0 |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
Bilt World Elite Mastercard®
Apply Now
on Bilt Rewards's secure site Rates & Fees |
No annual fee
|
Bilt cardholders can earn double points on purchases made on the first of the month (excluding Rent) up to 1,000 bonus points. You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points. | See rates & fees | $0 |
Apply Now
on Bilt Rewards's secure site Rates & Fees |
A metal credit card is a card that is made of metal rather than plastic. Metal credit cards tend to be premium cards, and a few are offered only to those who receive an invitation to apply, like the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card. Metal cards used to be pricey, but loaded with high-end perks and were seen as a status symbol. Metal cards have become more common, and now there are several on the market with annual fees under $100.
The weight and type of metal(s) used to make a metal credit card varies by card and issuer. In some cases, they may be composed of a hybrid mix of metal and plastic. Metal credit cards work exactly like plastic ones, and can be tapped, swiped, or slid into a chip reader.
The most common way to get a metal credit card is to apply online through a card issuer that offers metal credit cards. As with any other card, you should check out the costs, rewards structure and benefits to make sure the card is a good fit for you and your spending style. Then look into other cards, including plastic cards, before you apply. Make sure you meet the credit requirements, as most metal cards require a good to excellent credit score to qualify.
If you really want a metal credit card but find a plastic one is a better fit, or don’t want to apply for a new card, a custom metal credit card might be an option. To get one, you have to work with a company that will convert a plastic card into a metal one. Most companies offer a variety of design options.
However, there may be drawbacks. For example, you might not be able to “tap to pay” with a custom metal card. A custom card might also mean spending as much as, or even more than, the annual fee for a metal card.
Household scissors just won’t cut it when you need to destroy a metal credit card. Instead, you can use tin snips to cut up a metal card before throwing the pieces away. You also have two other alternatives to safely dispose of a metal card: Mail it back to the card issuer or drop it off at one of their bank branches for recycling.
As with any card, it’s important to destroy a metal card when you’re done using it to protect yourself from identity theft. ID thieves may fish through household garbage to find intact credit cards.
Although the best metal credit cards normally have hefty annual fees, the Prime Visa and Bilt World Elite Mastercard® are the two metal cards on our “best of” list that have no annual fees. So if you want to plunk down a metal card without paying for the privilege, these may be the cards for you.
In addition to these $0 annual fee credit cards, a few cards have annual fees under $100. That’s fairly low compared to most metal cards, which typically cost hundreds of dollars a year.
You can get a custom metal card from a variety of suppliers who will convert an ordinary plastic card into a custom metal credit card featuring the design of your choice. If you want a custom metal credit card, make sure you’re working with a reputable company. You may not be able to keep certain features, like tap to pay, depending on your card and the company you work with.
Metal credit cards typically weigh anywhere from 7 grams to 21 grams, depending on the type of metal card. Cards that are made of full metal tend to be heaviest, while metal veneer and metal hybrid cards weigh less. The heaviest metal credit card on our list is The Platinum Card® from American Express, which weighs 19 grams.
Metal credit cards may be seen by some as a status symbol as they tend to have high annual fees and come loaded with premium perks such as airport lounge access. They also have a more substantial feel than plastic cards. But it’s wise to look for the card that’s the best fit for you overall, rather than looking solely at the material from which it’s made.
Chase has two metal credit cards. The Chase metal credit cards are the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
The Amazon Prime Visa from Chase is made of metal. It’s our top pick for the best metal card for online shopping because it has a $0 annual fee and a high cash-back rate (5%) on Amazon purchases.
A black metal credit card may be considered a double status symbol. In addition to the cache metal cards carry, there has always been a certain mystique around black credit cards. The Centurion® Card from American Express and the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card are two examples of black metal credit cards. Both cards are available only to those who receive an invitation to apply.
The information related to the Centurion® Card from American Express and the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
We reviewed metal credit cards and made our picks based on a variety of factors, including annual fees, annual bonus potential, rewards points and miles, welcome bonuses and APRs. We also looked at other card benefits offered, including credits for flights, hotels and more.
Although many metal credit cards have excellent benefits, our picks either had lower annual fees than most metal cards, or had benefits that made those high annual fees worth the expense.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by third parties such as Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
The information related to the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, J.P. Morgan Reserve Card and Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
