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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our overall top pick for a metal credit card. Its remarkably low annual fee, highly valuable rewards and exceptional travel coverage make it an obvious choice for anyone looking for a metal credit card that offers both fashion and function. Plus, it also offers a lucrative welcome bonus.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Weight | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Winner (Best metal credit card for travel)
|
13 grams | 1X - 5X points
| $95 |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
The Platinum Card® from American Express
|
Best metal card for airport lounge access
|
18 grams | 5X points
| $695 | |
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
|
Best metal credit card for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck®
|
17 grams | 2X - 10X miles
| $395 | |
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
|
Best metal card for business travel
|
18 grams | 1X - 5X points
| $695 | |
Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express*
|
Best metal hotel credit card
|
Not publicly disclosed by the issuer | 3X - 14X points
| $550 | |
American Express® Gold Card
|
Best metal card for dining
|
15 grams | 1X - 4X points
| $325 | |
Bilt World Elite Mastercard®
Apply Now
on Bilt Rewards's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best metal credit card with no annual fee
|
16 grams | 1X - 5X points
| $0 |
Apply Now
on Bilt Rewards's secure site Rates & Fees |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
|
Best airline metal credit card for Delta
|
12 grams | 1X - 3X miles
| $650 | |
Robinhood Gold Card*
|
Heaviest metal credit card
|
36 grams | 3% - 5% cash back
Get 5% cash back when you book travel through the Robinhood Travel portal; 3% cash back on all categories
| No annual fee with Robinhood Gold membership |
To bring you the list of best metal credit cards, we use an objective rating and ranking system that compares features across a large set of credit cards (over 200 of them from over 50 issuers). We use calculations to estimate the value of each card for the average cardholder, based on LendingTree and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Note that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best rewards credit cards that are metal. However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder. You should consider the amount you’re likely to spend in a card’s bonus categories and which benefits you value to choose the best card for you.
We calculate the rewards earned for the average cardholder using Bureau of Labor Statistics data and an annual spend of $20,000, minus the annual fee. This value includes sign-up bonuses and annual bonuses (including annual free night certificates). We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.
We consider how easy the rewards are to use, looking at factors like expiration dates, minimum redemption thresholds, blackout dates and the availability of flexible redemption options like travel statement credits and cash back.
We also compare a card’s benefits — such as purchase protections, travel protections, elite status benefits and travel credits — against benefits from other cards.
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 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card weighs about 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 offers access to its robust flexible Ultimate Rewards program, and its value and perks stack up well next to almost any competitor with a similar annual fee. 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.
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 weighs 18 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 metal 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 Delta Sky Clubs (10 visits per year when flying an eligible Delta flight) 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.
It’s best for 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.The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card weighs 17 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 credit 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 complimentary airport lounge access is an excellent feature. Even better, you can add additional cardholders for no fee, which allows them to enjoy the same lounge access. This is a standout feature that 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 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 a great array of credits and perks and is well tailored for business travel, its high price tag is only worth it for business owners who fly 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.Weight not publicly disclosed by the issuer.
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 competitor hotel cards.
The annual flight and resort credits also offer more dollar value and flexibility than the credits on many competing cards. If you use them well, these credits alone more offset the high annual fee if you use them. Additionally, the generous earning rate at Hilton hotels make it extremely rewarding for Hilton loyalists — plus, the other rewards categories stack up well next to competitors, giving you a solid return as a general travel card.
Keep in mind that this card will be best 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 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 worldwide (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 credit cards lack.
Keep in mind that the card has a high annual fee, and offers very low value on cash-back redemptions.
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® weighs around 16 grams.
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® is our pick for the best $0 annual fee metal card. It’s rare to find a metal credit card without an annual fee. Most metal cards come with high annual fees, but the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® has a $0 annual fee and letting you pay your rent entirely without transaction fees. This is an excellent feature, as it’s often your largest monthly expense. Additionally, cardholders get elevated point earning opportunities on the first of the month.
This card is a great choice for renters looking for a travel credit card with a $0 annual fee, as Bilt offers an excellent array of partner programs for redeeming your points.
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 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card weighs 12 grams.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is our top pick for metal credit cards for committed Delta flyers. The Delta Sky Club® access it offers as well as the ability to rack up bonus Medallion Qualification Dollars it offers make it a great choice if you frequently fly with the airline. You can earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. You can also get a 15% discount when redeeming miles on Delta Award flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app and enjoy some other annual credits. There’s no surprise it’s one of the top-tier Delta credit cards.
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 solid gold Robinhood Gold Card weighs 36g.
If your goal is to get the heaviest metal credit card, you can’t beat the 10k Robinhood Gold Card. It’s also got some of that old-fashioned metal credit card cache — even the regular version of the card isn’t easy to get, and there’s currently a waitlist to apply for the card. You can skip to the head of the line — and get the heavy metal card — if you can refer 10 friends who are willing to sign up and pay for Robinhood Gold Card.
That being said, depending on your spending habits, a different, less flashy credit card might help you save more money.
A metal credit card is made from metal rather than plastic. The first metal credit card was launched all the way back in 1914, under a Western Union product called “Metal Money.” It was also one of the earliest credit cards. The credit card evolved through the 1950s to incorporate cardboard, followed by plastic, a cheaper and more durable material to use for credit cards.
In 1999, the Centurion® Card from American Express, more commonly known as the Black Card, was launched. The exclusive Centurion® Card from American Express could only be obtained by invitation, setting it apart from other cards and adding an element of prestige to having a metal card. Other credit card companies soon followed with their own products, and metal cards became more mainstream.
Although metal credit cards are now accessible to most consumers with good credit — which means they’re significantly more accessible than the Centurion® Card from American Express — metal credit cards still have an exclusive feel due to the high annual fees most require.
Metal credit cards are typically premium credit cards that provide exclusive perks and benefits, such as airport lounge access. They often offer higher rewards rates and charge higher annual fees than the typical credit card, and many see them as a status symbol. Lately, metal credit cards have become more common, and now there are several on the market with annual fees under $100. While not as exclusive as they once were, they still are a sign of luxury today, and all require a good to excellent credit score to qualify.
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. In some cases, a plastic card may offer better rewards for your situation. Before applying, check 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.
One of the benefits of metal credit cards is their durability. While this is a great thing when you’re using your card, it will become an issue if you ever cancel your card or are sent a replacement when it expires. You’ll want to make sure you know how to destroy a metal credit card. Ordinary methods of destroying cards won’t work.
To dispose of your metal credit card safely and securely, you have a few options. You can mail your card back to your issuer, take your card to a bank branch, or cut it up using tin snips. If you use tin snips, be sure to cut through the magnetic stripe and EMV chip for maximum security. Don’t try to cut it up with scissors, put it through a shredder, or simply toss it directly into the garbage. The safest and surest way to dispose of your metal credit card is to mail it back to your issuer. When some card issuers send out replacement credit cards, they also include prepaid packaging so you can ship back your old card.
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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 10 grams to 27 grams, depending on the type of metal card. Cards that are made of full metal tend to be the heaviest, while metal veneer and metal hybrid cards weigh less. The heaviest metal card on our list is the Robinhood Gold Card, which weighs 36 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 three metal credit cards. The Chase metal credit cards available to new applicants are the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card is also metal, but is no longer available to new applicants.
The Prime Visa has historically been made of metal. However, there are many recent reports of replacement cards being made of plastic instead.
Metal credit cards originated as a status symbol marker for the wealthy. Their history dates back to 1999 when American Express launched its invite-only Centurion® Card from American Express made from titanium. Now, there are many brands that offer metal credit cards for their luxury feel and aesthetic appeal.
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 benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, Robinhood Gold Card, Centurion® Card from American Express, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, U.S. Bank Smartly Visa® Card and The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card has been independently 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.
