Before there was a metal card at virtually every price point, there was the invitation-only American Express Centurion Card (aka the "Amex Black Card"), the longest-lived metal card since its release in 1999.
The release of the Amex Black Card kicked off a trend amongst the more expensive premium cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Now, there are plenty of metal credit cards available, and you don't have to pay a $5,000 annual fee nor have an excellent credit score to qualify.
Below, Select rounds up four of our top picks for those with a good credit score looking to upgrade their plastic to metal.
Our best selections in your inbox. Shopping recommendations that help upgrade your life, delivered weekly. Sign-up here.
Best metal credit cards
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Rewards
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$695
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the heaviest publicly available cards and is not only heavy in weight — but it also packs a punch in benefits. However, this card is designed for consumers looking for luxury travel and benefits as the card has a steep $695 annual fee. (See rates and fees)
To start off the, card comes with a large welcome offer: you can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 within six months of card membership.
With the Platinum Card, you'll have a long list of perks, including:
- Up to $200 annual hotel credit
- Up to $200 annual airline fee credit
- Up to $300 per calendar year Equinox credit
- Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit
- Up to $189 credit to enroll in CLEAR® Plus (subject to auto-renewal)
- Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit
- Up to $155 annual Walmart+ credit. Plus Ups not eligible. Subject to auto renewal.
- Worldwide airport lounge access, including Delta SkyClubs and Amex Centurion Lounges
- Up to $200 annual Uber credit. Benefit renews annually.
- Up to $100 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Complimentary Amex concierge service
- Terms apply
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rewards
$50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 3X points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.24% - 28.24% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® are both made out of metal. In fact, when the Reserve made its debut in 2016, it was so popular that the card issuer temporarily ran out of metal to make more.
Though the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a bit lighter than its heavy metal counterpart, it's a more affordable metal card option and ranked as Select's best travel credit card with an annual fee under $100. Its $95 annual fee is on the lower end for a popular rewards travel card, and cardholders earn enough benefits to easily offset this cost.
If you would shamelessly enjoy the feeling of throwing down a metal card while traveling or dining out, this card may be for you.
With the Preferred, you can earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining and 2X points on all other travel purchases. New cardholders also benefit from 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening — which gives you ample reasoning to bring it out with you.
If you redeem points for travel or for eligible purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, they're worth 25% more, making that welcome bonus worth up to $750.
Apple Card
Apple Card
Rewards
3% cash back on goods or services purchased directly from Apple (including Apple retail stores, the Apple online store, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music and other Apple-owned properties) on Uber and UberEats, at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores, on the Walgreens app and on Walgreens.com, in T-Mobile stores, at Nike, at Exxon and Mobil stations and at Panera Bread, 2% cash back on Apple Pay purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
15.74% to 26.74% variable
Balance transfer fee
None
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
N/A
Terms apply.
There was a lot of hype around the Apple Card when it launched in August 2019, partly because of the fact that it's almost completely made out of titanium. True to Apple's clean branding, the card has some unique design elements as well. It's laser etched with the cardholder's name and doesn't have a printed credit card number, expiration date or security code.
When it comes to rewards, the Apple Card has a competitive "Daily Cash" cash-back program. Cardholders earn 3% cash back on goods or services purchased directly from Apple, on Uber and Uber Eats, at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores, on the Walgreens app and on walgreens.com, in T-Mobile stores and at Nike. It is then 2% cash back on Apple Pay purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
While there is no welcome bonus for this card, the Apple Card is one of the few credit cards on the market that has no fees whatsoever. There are no annual fees, no foreign transaction fees and no late payment fees.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Prime Visa
Rewards
5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market; 5% back on purchases made through Chase Travel; 2% back on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores; 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $150 Amazon gift card and 5% cash back on all purchases (up to $2,500 in purchases) for the first three months after account opening
Annual fee
$0 (but Prime membership is required)
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
18.99% to 26.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, $5 minimum
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature® Card ranked as Select's best credit card for online grocery shopping for its high 5% back on purchases at Whole Foods Market or Amazon.com — and there's no limit to how much cash back you can earn. While there is no annual fee, a Prime membership is required ($139 for an annual membership and $14.99 for a monthly membership).
Cardholders also earn 2% back on purchases at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores, and 1% back on all other purchases. Upon approval for the card, you receive a $100 Amazon.com gift card, making it one of the few welcome bonuses that isn't connected with a certain spending requirement.
Bottom line
Metal credit cards can be fun to show off to friends, but it's a better strategy to pick a credit card based on its welcome bonus, spending rewards and other benefits. If you're set on getting a metal credit card, make sure to pick one that matches your spending habits and has a large welcome bonus.
FAQs about metal credit cards
Select analyzed the most commonly asked questions about metal credit cards and found the answers to those questions. With this information, you'll be able to make a decision on which metal credit card is best for you.
What are the best metal credit cards?
The best metal credit card is the one that fits your needs most closely. Whether it's a card that earns travel rewards or cash back, it should complement your spending habits and financial goals.
How do I get a metal credit card?
There are several metal credit cards available for consumers to apply for. Simply find the one that works best for you and apply for it. You'll also need to have a good enough credit score to be approved for the metal credit card that you want.
What's the heaviest metal credit card?
The heaviest metal credit cards are the Mastercard Black Card or the JP Morgan Palladium card (the latter is not easily available to consumers). One of the heaviest cards that's publicly available is The Platinum Card from American Express.
How do you dispose of a metal credit card?
Many issuers offer a service where you can mail it in to be destroyed. You may want to contact your issuer for further guidance.
Are metal credit cards more secure than regular credit cards?
No. The metal material is simply a feature of the card, so be sure to keep your credit cards in a safe place.
What do metal credit cards mean?
Metal credit cards are simply cards made out of a metal material.
Read more
Information about the American Express Centurion Card, U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve® Visa Infinite® Card, Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature® Card and Apple Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication. If you purchase something through Amazon links, we may earn a commission.
For rates and fees of the Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.