Credit Card Insider is an independent, advertising supported website. Credit Card Insider receives compensation from some credit card issuers as advertisers. Advertiser relationships do not affect card ratings or our Editor’s Best Card Picks. Credit Card Insider has not reviewed all available credit card offers in the marketplace. Content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information, though all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on any ‘Apply Now’ button, the most up-to-date terms and conditions, rates, and fee information will be presented by the issuer. Credit Card Insider has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Credit Card Insider and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. A list of these issuers can be found on our Editorial Guidelines.
In recent years, more credit card issuers have started offering metal cards. They range widely in their annual fees, additional benefits, and weights.
Credit Card Insider receives compensation from advertisers whose products may be mentioned on this page. Advertiser relationships do not affect card evaluations. Advertising partners do not edit or endorse our editorial content. Content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when it's published. Learn more in our Editorial Guidelines.
The information related to Amazon Business Prime American Express Card, American Express® Business Gold Card, and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express have been collected by Credit Card Insider and have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of these products.
The American Express Centurion® Card (or “black” card) was one of the first metal credit cards. Unfortunately, it’s invitation-only and costs $5,000 per year.
Banks have started offering more metal credit cards in recent years, and the annual fees are much lower.
Some people like the feel of a metal credit card and the reactions they get when making purchases. Metal credit cards are usually heavier than regular plastic cards. You may want one for the practicality: members of our team have used a Chase Sapphire Preferred to scrape ice off a car window in the winter, and to open a door after getting locked out.
Here’s a list of our favorites that you can actually apply for directly, followed by a full alphabetical list of 27 metal cards.
If you’re a Prime subscriber, there’s pretty much no reason not to get this card. You’ll get 5% back on Amazon purchases and there’s no annual fee for the card.
This is probably the cheapest option if you’re trying to get a metal card without paying a high annual fee as long as you’re subscribed to Prime. Read our full review of both Amazon Visa cards here.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
This card is loaded with benefits like airport lounge access and travel credits. It’s made of metal and has a dark blue and black design. When you look at benefits and cost, it’s in the same category as the Platinum Card from American Express. The Sapphire Reserve offers 3x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining, compared to 2X on the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
It has a relatively high annual fee of $450 compared to most credit cards, but you can easily make up for that if you use all the benefits, credits, and rewards. Read our review of this card here.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
The Platinum Card is a high-end card designed for frequent travelers. This card’s been around for a while, but was refreshed in 2017 and changed to a metal design.
It includes many travel benefits, like airport lounge access, Uber credits, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. It earns travel rewards. There’s a $550 annual fee (Rates & Fees), but if you use all the benefits the card can be well worth it. Read our full review here.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
The Savor card is designed for foodies, with bonus categories that include dining and grocery stores. Capital One began issuing metal versions of this card in January of 2019; current cardholders will receive metal versions when their cards expire, or when they request replacements.
The Savor now has a stainless steel veneer front, produced with 75% recycled materials. The back half of the card has a layer of plastic.
This card has a $95 annual fee, making it one of the less expensive metal cards you can get.
Learn more in our full review of the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card here.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
If you’re a Prime subscriber, there’s pretty much no reason not to get this card. You’ll get 5% back on Amazon purchases and there’s no annual fee for the card.
This is probably cheapest option if you’re trying to get a metal card without paying a high annual fee as long as you’re subscribed to Prime. Read our full review of both Amazon Visa cards here.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
securely on the issuer's website
The Gold Card is designed for frequent travelers and people who spend a lot of money at restaurants. In 2018, this card replaced the plastic Premier Rewards Gold Card with the new metal design available in gold or rose gold, although the rose gold version is no longer available for new applicants.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
securely on the issuer's website
The Platinum Card is a high-end product designed for frequent travelers. This card’s been around for a while, but was refreshed in 2017 and changed to a metal design.
It includes many travel benefits, like airport lounge access, Uber credits, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. It earns travel rewards. There’s a $550 annual fee (Rates & Fees), but if you use all the benefits the card can be well worth it. Read our full review here.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
securely on the issuer's website
The newly-launched Apple Card is designed to be used primarily through Apple Pay. However, cardholders also get a minimalist titanium card that they can use for in-person transactions at the lowest 1% cash back rewards rate.
There’s no annual fee for this card. You can’t apply directly online, but you can through the Wallet app on iPhone.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
securely on the issuer's website
The Savor card is designed for foodies, with bonus categories that include dining and grocery stores. Capital One began issuing metal versions of this card in January of 2019; current cardholders will receive metal versions when their cards expire, or when they request replacements.
The Savor now has a stainless steel veneer front, produced with 75% recycled materials. The back half of the card has a layer of plastic.
This card has a $95 annual fee, making it one of the less expensive metal cards you can get.
Learn more in our full review of the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card here.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
This card is designed for travelers, but it doesn’t have the same benefits as some of the other premium travel cards listed on this page.
Like the Savor card above, this card has a $95 annual fee.
Capital One has told us that not all accounts are eligible for a metal card. Your eligibility will be determined when you apply.
See our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards here.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
The Sapphire Preferred is a metal card with a blue finish. It earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, with 2X points on travel and dining purchases.
This card has a much lower annual fee than the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve, but does not have all the same benefits and rewards. You can see our full review of the Sapphire Preferred here.
You are ineligible for this bonus if you have a Sapphire card, or you’ve received a new cardmember bonus for any Sapphire card in the past 48 months.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
This card is loaded with benefits like airport lounge access and travel credits. It’s made of metal and has a dark blue and black design. When you look at benefits and cost, it’s in the same category as the Platinum Card from American Express. The Sapphire Reserve offers 3x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining, compared to 2X on the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
It has a relatively high annual fee of $450 compared to most credit cards, but you can easily make up for that if you use all the benefits, credits, and rewards. Read our review of this card here.
There’s another fancier-looking version of this card called the JP Morgan Reserve, but it is only available to JP Morgan Private Client customers. Rumor has it you need to have $10 million in assets with Chase to be able to get the JP Morgan Reserve.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
securely on the issuer's website
This premium travel card for flying American Airlines is made of metal, and offers 2X miles per dollar spent with its co-branded airline.
It also provides Admirals Club access for the primary cardholder as well as up to ten authorized users, a better airport lounge offer than most other cards. But you’ll need to pay $450 per year for the Executive World Elite Mastercard.
Bonus miles are not available if you have received a new account bonus for a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive account in the past 48 months.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
securely on the issuer's website
The Citi Prestige® Card (Review) is an excellent card for travelers who book long hotel stays thanks to its 4th night free benefit. It also provides a $250 travel credit and a Priority Pass Select membership.
You are ineligible for this introductory bonus if you’ve either closed or received an introductory bonus from any of the following cards in the past 24 months:
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
securely on the issuer's website
The Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card is quite the rewarding luxury card, with annual airline and lounge credits, plus Priority Pass Select membership and a bevy of other travel perks. You’ll need to be an existing bank client to apply.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
securely on the issuer's website
The Grand Reserve™ World Mastercard® is an interesting new offer, with some unique point categories you probably won’t find on any other card (yet). It’s all about alcohol — mostly wine, but liquor stores and bars are part of the game too.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
securely on the issuer's website
The HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card is a premium travel card that’s a step below the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve, with a different airport lounge program along with air travel and rideshare credits.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
This card is designed for people who frequently stay at IHG hotels and want to earn lots of rewards points for spending at those hotels.
Some people have reported that the IHG Premier card is no longer made of metal, but we contacted Chase and were told that this card is indeed still metal. Don’t get it confused with other IHG cards, like the IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card (Review).
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
securely on the issuer's website
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (Review) is a premium hotel card designed for anyone who’ll stay with Marriott Bonvoy a few times per year. It offers plenty of hotel and travel perks, including a free night every year, airport lounge access, and complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
Welcome bonus is not available for applicants who:
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
securely on the issuer's website
Unlike the Centurion card, this is a credit card and anyone can apply for it. If you’re looking for a heavy, thick, metal credit card, it’s hard to beat the card construction of this one and the other two cards from Luxury Card.
It has a $495 annual fee, and comes with a set of high-end benefits, like valuable hotel discounts, but its rewards value doesn’t stack up well compared to other premium cards in this price range, like The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review) and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review). See our review of the Mastercard® Black Card™ card here.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
securely on the issuer's website
If you want a heavy, thick, metal credit card plated in actual 24k-gold, this may be the card for you.
It has high-end travel benefits, but only earns the equivalent of 2% cash back on all purchases.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
securely on the issuer's website
The Mastercard Titanium Card is a thick, heavy metal rewards credit card.
It earns 1X point per dollar and provides a host of benefits geared toward the frequent traveler. You may be able to get more rewards or benefits with other cards that are less expensive, but if you’re looking for the heaviest card with the lowest annual fee, this is it.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
This card is designed for people who frequently travel on United Airlines. There’s also a business version of the card.
It has a $450 annual fee, with benefits you’d expect, like United Club lounge access and the ability to check some bags for free. If you purchase United airfare frequently, you may be able to justify the annual fee, since it earns 1.5 United miles per dollar spent on all purchases and 2 miles on all purchases of United airfare.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
securely on the issuer's website
With a wide array of useful bonus categories, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card (Review) comes in strong for a card with no annual fee.
You’ll earn 4X points at restaurants, more than most dining cards, and 2X points on other purchases like streaming services (a rare category).
There’s even a $15 annual streaming credit, good for services like Netflix and Spotify. Credits like these are practically unheard of for no annual fee cards — just by having the card you can save money, assuming you don’t rack up any interest charges.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
securely on the issuer's website
Like several other cards on this page, it’s a premium card designed around travel benefits.
The unique feature of this card, which I’ve never seen on any other card, is a 3X reward point multiple for mobile wallet purchases. Many rewards cards offer a multiple on a certain category of purchase, but I’ve never seen a multiple based on how the transaction is processed. Maybe U.S. Bank pays lower fees to mobile wallet providers than when you swipe or dip your card, so they’re passing the savings along? Or maybe they’re just trying to be different.
Read our full review of the Altitude Reserve here.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
The Verizon credit card is a relatively new addition to the credit card market. It has strong rewards and decent benefits, but is designed exclusively for Verizon Wireless customers.
You’ll earn cash back at a nice variety of retailers, including 2% at Verizon. But your rewards (in the form of Verizon Dollars) can only be redeemed for Verizon products and services, like phone plans, as well as devices like cell phones — but only when purchased through Verizon. It’s not a bad offer, but you have to commit to Verizon for the long haul to get the most out of it.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
securely on the issuer's website
This card offers 3 points per dollar spent on restaurants, gas stations, travel, and eligible streaming services. Points can be redeemed for 1¢ each, so that’s basically like 3% cash back in those categories.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
securely on the issuer's website
This is a great card for business owners who have Amazon Prime or Business Prime and spend a lot of money on Amazon.com or Amazon Web Services. It also provides the option to have more time to pay off the card without interest fees instead of getting rewards.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
The information related to Amazon Business Prime American Express Card has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
The Business Gold Card from American Express is unique because it provides 4X Membership Rewards points in the two categories you spend the most in, out of six possible categories (up to $150,000 in combined purchases per year, then 1X).:
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
The information related to American Express® Business Gold Card has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
This business version of the Amex Platinum card costs $595 per year (Rates & Fees). It comes with benefits like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Gold statuses, airport lounge access, and more. Read our full review here.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
The information related to The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
securely on the issuer's website
This card business credit card is designed for people who frequently travel on United Airlines.
Like the personal version, the business card has a $450 annual fee, United Club lounge access, and the ability to check some bags for free. You may be able to justify the annual fee if you travel frequently on United, since it earns 1.5 United miles per dollar spent on all purchases and 2 miles on all purchases of United airfare.
A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.
Borrowing cash on your card is a cash advance. Cash advances usually come with very high fees. Even worse, cash advances can signal to lenders that you’re being irresponsible with money.
There’s no single card that can claim the title of “best” metal credit card. What’s best for you ultimately depends on what you’re looking for.
For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review) might suit you best if you’d like luxurious airport lounge access, whereas the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card (Review) is probably a better fit for foodies.
There are even metal business credit cards, like the American Express® Business Gold Card (Review) and the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card (Review).
Most metal credit cards are travel rewards cards, so it’ll be much easier finding a metal card that makes sense for you if you’re an avid traveler.
If you find a metal card that complements your goals, spending habits, and credit standing, you have to apply the same way you’d get any credit card.
Submit an application and wait for a decision. That’s all there is to it. Just bear in mind that you’ll get a credit inquiry on your credit reports, and in many (but not all) cases, pay an annual fee.
Unlike the plastic credit cards that find a home inside your wallet, you probably can’t grab a pair of scissors and simply cut up your metal card. Whether you’ve decided it no longer makes financial sense to keep open or have become the victim of a credit card scam and need a replacement, you’ll likely have to take a different approach.
The safest way to destroy metal credit cards is to contact your card issuer directly and inquire about any disposal procedures it may have. Issuers like Amex and Chase will send you a prepaid envelope to return your metal credit card so they can destroy it for you. You may have even received a return envelope when you first got your card.
If you’re a DIY-kinda person and want to try destroying a metal card on your own, take note that you’ll have to be quite thorough — information is stored in the chip, the magnetic strip, and as text on the card itself.
You could mangle the metal, but that won’t necessarily be enough. Do you know how to demagnetize a mag strip? Can you make sure no personal information can be retrieved? It might be harder than you think, so consider sending the card to the issuer.
These are currently the heaviest metal credit cards you can apply for, all weighing in at 22 grams:
These cards (issued by Luxury Card) aren’t particularly great, because you can get better features from less expensive reward and travel cards. But their benefits may make the cards worthwhile in some cases.
For some better options take a look at the heaviest metal credit cards you can get.
Metal credit cards aren’t inherently better than their non-metal counterparts. The material the card is made of typically has no effect on the card’s features, although there have been a few cases of metal cards getting stuck in card readers.
Several of the best premium credit cards are metal, but that doesn’t really mean anything, because there are metal cards we don’t like, too.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, please click here.
Do you have a correction, tip, or suggestion for a new post? Contact us here.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by bank advertisers. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by bank advertisers. It is not the bank advertisers' responsibility to ensure all posts are accurate and/or questions are answered.