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Some of the best metal credit cards more than carry their weight with premium perks and rewards. Many also offer large intro bonuses for new cardholders. However, a metal design isn't necessarily a good indication that a card is worth getting. Go beyond the surface to see which metal credit cards belong in your wallet.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the most popular premium cards available. After it first launched in 2016, Chase ran out of metal due to high demand and had to print some new cards on plastic. However, they quickly caught up production, and all cardholders now get a metal card.
The card's features and fees have changed since its launch, but it can still be a great pick, particularly for frequent travelers. While the $550 annual fee is certainly high, much of the fee can be offset by the card's $300 annual travel credit, which you can use to be reimbursed for travel purchases charged to the card. There's also no foreign transaction fee, and Chase has regularly offered limited-time statement credit opportunities for travel, food and lifestyle-related purchases.
You can earn 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals and 5 points per dollar on flights when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually). Cardholders also get 3 points per dollar on eligible dining and travel purchases once you've used up the travel credit, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. The Chase Ultimate Rewards® you earn are worth 1.5 cents each when you book travel through Chase's Ultimate Rewards® portal. You can also transfer them to a variety of hotel and airline loyalty programs.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
APR
22.49% - 29.49% Variable
Intro APR
Rewards
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. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
5x Points on Flights Purchased Through Chase
3x Points on Dining
3x Points on Other Travel
1x Points on All Other Purchases
Intro Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Annual Fee
$550
Card Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- 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. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
- Member FDIC
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a metal travel rewards card with no foreign transaction fee.
With this card, you can earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all your purchases and 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You don't have to keep track of different rewards categories. You can then redeem the rewards for travel, such as flights and hotels. You can also transfer the miles to partner travel loyalty programs, which can sometimes result in a more valuable redemption.
The card has a $95 annual fee, but new cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles after making $4,000 worth of purchases in the first 3 months with the card. You can also get up to $100 toward the application fee credit for either the TSA Precheck or Global Entry programs.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
on Capital One's website
Recommended FICO® Score*
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Intro APR
Rewards
2x Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 5x Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x Miles on All Purchases
Intro Bonus
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Annual Fee
$95
Card Details
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- 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
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card won't be a good fit for everyone, but this metal credit card can certainly be rewarding. Amazon Prime members can earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. All cardholders earn 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and drug stores; and 1% cash back elsewhere.
You can redeem your cash back rewards for a statement credit or use them to make purchases on Amazon.com.
The card doesn't have an annual fee, although you need to maintain an Amazon Prime membership to continue earning 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods. There's also no foreign transaction fee on this card.
How to Decide if a Metal Card Is Right for You
When choosing a new credit card, the card's design and material should probably be a low priority.
A metal card might indicate a luxury product with valuable perks. However, you can also spend hundreds of dollars on annual fees for a metal card that may offer worse benefits than a plastic card that doesn't have an annual fee.
If you want a metal credit card, start by reviewing how credit cards work and how you plan on using your new card. Also, check your credit score to see which cards you may qualify for. Then, narrow down your list based on your personal circumstances.
For example, if you're planning to do a lot of traveling, you may want a metal card that has travel-related benefits. However, if you're planning on a large purchase that you'll pay for over time, see if you can find a metal card with an introductory 0% APR offer on purchases.
Why Get a Metal Credit Card?
Many people want metal credit cards because of how they feel or look. The weight can certainly be nice in your hand and wallet, and they can be a status symbol as other people will notice when you give them a heavy card. However, the growing popularity and availability of metal credit cards means they've lost some of their exclusivity and grandeur.
If you're in the market for a premium credit card anyway, many of the best options are metal credit cards. But, in general, you may want to consider the card's material as one of its perks rather than the core feature.
Do I Need a Good Credit Score to Get a Metal Credit Card?
Many metal cards are premium cards, which may require a good or excellent credit score. However, the specific requirements will depend on which metal card you want.
Credit card issuers also consider more than your credit score when deciding whether to approve or deny your application. Your credit history, income, monthly housing payments and history with the issuer can all impact the decision.
Having a good credit score may help you get a lower APR on a new card, which can be important if you carry a balance. However, premium cards tend to have high interest rates, even if you qualify for the low end of the card's APR range.
If you might not be able to pay off the balance in full every month, you may want to get a low-interest card instead. Or, have a premium metal card for purchases that you pay off immediately, and another card for purchases you pay off over time.
See if You're Matched With a Metal Credit Card
Credit card issuers don't always advertise whether a specific credit card is made of metal, plastic or a combination of the two. However, you can look for credit cards that have benefits that align with your lifestyle and then narrow down the list to metal cards.
Experian's CreditMatchTM credit card marketplace can be a good place to start. You can quickly get matched with partners' cards and offers, and filter the results by your preferences. You can even choose several cards to make a side-by-side comparison before applying.
All information about the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card has been collected independently by Experian and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card.