Best metal credit cards for June 2023

Written by
Sarah Estime
Edited by
Tracy Stewart
Edited by
Tracy Stewart
Updated May 30, 2023

While more common than they once were, metal cards are still reserved for those who can afford more than most and don’t mind showing it. The best metal credit cards boast form and function. Once geared towards luxury travelers and wealthy individuals, you can now find many metal credit cards for the everyday consumer. If you still think of metal credit cards as a luxury financial tool, you’ll learn that metal credit cards have both style and substance.
Image of Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best for sign-up bonus

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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4.9 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

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Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Image of The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best for luxury travelers

The Platinum Card® from American Express
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4.8 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

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Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Image of American Express® Gold Card

Best for foodies

American Express® Gold Card
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5.0 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

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Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Image of Bilt Mastercard®

Best for renters

Bilt Mastercard®
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on Wells Fargo's secure site
4.0 Bankrate review
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See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

N/A

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Image of Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Best for frequent travelers

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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5.0 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

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Annual fee

Recommended credit

Excellent (740 – 850)
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Image of Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Best for Marriott loyalists

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
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on American Express's secure site
4.6 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

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Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Image of Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for low annual fee travel

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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on Capital One's secure site
4.9 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

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Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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On This Page

Compare Bankrate’s top metal credit cards

Card name Best for Rewards rate Bankrate review score
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Sign-up bonus 5X points on travel purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3X points on dining and 2X points on all other travel purchases. 5 / 5
(Read our full review)
The Platinum Card from American Express Luxury travelers 5X Membership Rewards points for prepaid hotels and flights when you book with American Express Travel or an airline directly (up to $500,000 spent in a calendar year). 4.8 / 5
(Read our full review)
American Express Gold Card Foodies 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per year. then earn 1X points), 3X Membership Rewards points flights directly on airlines or with American Express Travel 5 / 5
(Read our full review)
Bilt Mastercard Renters 3X points on dining, 2X points on travel, 1X points on rent payments (up to a maximum 100,000 points per calendar year) and other purchases (Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period). 4.0 / 5
(Read our full review)
Chase Sapphire Reserve Frequent travelers 10X points on hotels and car rentals and 5X points on air travel when purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program (after earning your $300 travel credit), 3X points on all other travel and dining purchases, and at least 1X points spent on all general purchases. 5 / 5
(Read our full review)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card Marriott loyalists 6X Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 3X points on flights booked directly with an airline and at restaurants worldwide, and 2X points on all other eligible purchases. 4.6 / 5
(Read our full review)
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Low annual fee travel 5X miles on hotels and rental cars when booked through Capital One Travel, 2X Capital One miles on all purchases. 4.9 / 5
(Read our full review)
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card Frequent Amazon shoppers 5% cash back on all purchases made at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Markets, 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases 4.2 / 5
(Read our full review)

A closer look at Bankrate’s top metal credit cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred card: Best for sign-up bonus

  • What we love about the Chase Sapphire Preferred card: It’s a solid step up from a beginner travel card that allows you to easily recoup the cost of the annual fee (if used strategically). The value of the sign-up bonus is significant at $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards (receive 60,000 points after $4,000 required spend in the first three months with the card).
  • Weight: 12.4 grams
  • Who this card is good for: Travelers who will take advantage of the bonuses, such as the 25 percent points-value boost through the Chase Ultimate Portal and anniversary credits.
  • Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card may be more valuable for travelers searching for additional premium-level amenities, such as free checked baggage or access to airport lounges.

Read our full Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review.
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The Platinum Card from American Express: Best card for luxury travelers

  • What we love about the Platinum Card from American Express: If you are looking for a laundry list of luxury perks and can maximize the annual credits, you can reap a lot of value from this premium American Express card. This card offers a bevy of credits for a variety of expenses like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, eligible Equinox memberships and Saks Fifth Avenue purchases.
  • Weight: 18.5 grams
  • Who this card is good for: Travelers who want luxury perks, like access to high-end airport lounges, complimentary hotel elite status and premium trip protections like baggage and trip delay insurance.
  • Alternatives: If you find yourself traveling more for work the Business Platinum Card® from American Express is also a good alternative. Not only do you still get amazing travel credits and earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels through amextravel.com, but you also earn 1.5X points on eligible purchases in key business categories (see terms).

Read our full Platinum Card from American Express card review.
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American Express Gold Card: Best for foodies

  • What we love about the American Express Gold card: This card is one of the most affordable in Amex’s portfolio of high-end cards and the annual dining credit (enrollment required) is great for people who love to go out to eat. Not to mention, it’s one of the best-looking cards on the market.
  • Weight: 14.7 grams
  • Who this card is good for: Foodies who love eating out, ordering in and saving on their gourmet ingredient purchases, as this card offers industry-leading rewards on food purchases.
  • Alternatives: Cardholders who want more luxury travel benefits and don't mind paying a higher annual fee may want to opt for the Platinum Card from American Express instead.

Read our full American Express Gold Card review.
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Bilt Mastercard: Best for renters

  • What we love about the Bilt Mastercard: This card punches above its weight, offering renters a unique opportunity to earn rewards and avoid fees on rent payments. Plus, the rewards you earn are some of the most valuable out there thanks to perks like travel and cellphone insurance as well as World Elite Mastercard Concierge.
  • Weight: 16 grams
  • Who this card is good for: Renters who plan to continue renting long term and want to redeem rewards to cover rent payments, a future home down payment or earn interest on cash back points.
  • Alternatives: While it offers tremendous travel rewards value for a no-annual-fee card, this card doesn’t come with luxury perks like airport lounge access. If you’re a frequent traveler looking for a metal card with top-tier benefits, you may need to put up an annual fee. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a great option due to its simple rewards program, practical perks and annual credits, which can easily justify its cost.

Read our full Bilt Mastercard review.
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Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for frequent travelers

  • What we love about the Chase Sapphire Reserve card: This card earns big rewards on car rentals, flights and hotels when cardholders take advantage of the Chase travel portal. It also pairs well with other Chase cards, given you can easily pool points and boost their value by 50 percent when booking travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Plus, it offers a $300 annual travel credit on the cardholder’s anniversary.
  • Weight: 12.6 grams
  • Who this card is good for: Explorers who want to earn big and can take advantage of the long list of travel protections provided by this card more often than most.
  • Alternatives: If you are an infrequent traveler looking for points for daily spending with a reduced annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card may be a better alternative.

Read our full Chase Sapphire Reserve review.
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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card: Best for Marriott loyalists

  • What we love about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is one of the rare metal hotel credit cards on the market. Brand loyalists looking to upgrade their travel experience will also enjoy the suite of popular Amex perks this card grants them.
  • Weight: 14.6 grams
  • Who this card is good for: Marriott devotees who travel frequently enough to enjoy the flight benefits and are looking for a fast track to Elite status.
  • Alternatives: Budget-conscious, infrequent or non-brand loyalists may prefer the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, due to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card’s $650 annual fee.

Read our full Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card review.
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for low annual fee travel

  • What we love about the Capital One Venture Rewards card: It offers all the hallmarks of a metal travel card — decent rewards, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, lucrative sign-up bonus and no foreign transaction fees — while skipping the steep annual fee associated with more premium products, the annual fee only $95).
  • Weight: 16.6 grams
  • Who this card is good for: Travelers who value savings and want a variety of options for redeeming miles.
  • Alternatives: Capital One offers a variety of airline partners, but hotel options are limited, so those seeking loyalty status with a hotel brand may choose to use a card like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card.

Read our full Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review.
Jump back to offer details.

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: Best for frequent Amazon shoppers

  • What we love about the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card: Unlike most retail cards, this card offers a decent sign-up bonus of a $150 Amazon gift card at account opening. You’ll also receive extra purchase protections and an extended warranty when shopping on Amazon. If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you’ll find value in this card. In fact, it’s an easy way to recoup the cost of your Prime membership and get extra protections for your purchases.
  • Weight: 12.4 grams
  • Who this card is good for: Whole Foods Markets and Amazon shoppers who want Visa Signature benefits and travel perks.
  • Alternatives: Like the Amex Gold and Platinum, this card also comes in a business version. The Amazon Business Prime American Express Card comes with all the perks and features of the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa but also offers cash back on business purchases, perfect for business people who regularly order from Amazon.com.

Read our full Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card review.

What is a metal credit card?

Often seen as a status of wealth, metal cards are often a more rewarding version of common plastic cards. Some are only available by invitation while others are offered to those with excellent credit scores. Metal credit cards can be made of any number of different metals including brass, stainless steel, copper, titanium, gold, palladium or any mix of these, sometimes even with plastic. Material composition aside, metal credit cards function in the same way as their more well-known plastic counterparts. They do have an edge over plastic cards when it comes to durability – one of the most desirable qualities of a metal credit card – and make great traveling companions because of it.

Although the metal finish is uncommon, there are no special requirements for obtaining these types of cards. As long as you have a good credit score and can pay the annual fee, should it have one, metal cards are just as available to you as any other. If you have a good credit score and can pay the annual fee, metal cards are just as available to you as any other.

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Bankrate Insight

The American Express Centurion card, the first metal credit card on the market launched in 1999, is made of anodized titanium. Unofficially referred to as the black card, it can only be obtained by invitation from American Express.

Pros and cons of metal credit cards

Pros

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    More durable: One of the best features of a metal credit card is its durability. Plastic cards tend to bend and will likely need to be replaced periodically throughout the life of the card due to accidental damage.

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    Luxury feel: There’s a sense of luxury (and a certain “plunk” factor) associated with metal credit cards that some consumers might count as a pro.

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    Premium perks and benefits: The best metal credit cards typically come with premium benefits. Much like other elite cards, metal credit cardholders will gain access to perks like airport lounge access, elevated status with car rental and hotel brands, and annual travel credits.

Cons

  • Difficult to destroy: The card’s durability can become a headache at the end of your credit card account. Metal credit cards are notoriously difficult to destroy because you can’t bend them, cut them with scissors or put them through a shredder.

  • Annual fees: Elite benefits that metal credit cardholders enjoy typically come with a hefty price tag. If you’re not strategic with the use of the card, those higher annual fees can quickly burden your finances.

  • May be more difficult to use: Having a metal credit card might be considered a statement or conversation piece that’s fun to bring up at parties but using them can be a real hassle. Merchants may use older credit card terminals that can’t read or even fit the more modern metal credit cards.

Who should get a metal credit card?

If you’re looking for a card that is more durable with lucrative perks, then a metal card may work well for you. A metal credit card can be the right choice for the following cardholders:

Still unsure if a metal credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

Luxe perks to look out for

As stated earlier, a metal card will more than likely mean that you are applying for an elite card. When looking for a metal credit card, the major factor to weigh is whether the perks equal the price tag. Here are a few benefits to look out for while searching: 

  • Premium travel perks: Depending on the type of card — whether general or co-branded — you can get great perks like hotels and resort upgrades, in-flight benefits and airport lounge access along with plenty of premium travel protections and insurance. 
  • Concierge services: A feature of luxury cards that can be easily overlooked is the concierge service. Whether it’s finding tickets for a big event or coordinating a celebratory dinner, issuers often have a service dedicated to helping you figure out the details. Many offer 24/7 access that is only a call away. 
  • Exclusive events and memberships: On metal cards, the list of perks and benefits can feel endless and can often include exclusive memberships. This could include gym memberships, elite airport lounges or even early access to popular concerts.  
  • Huge welcome bonuses: Big spenders will enjoy the welcome bonuses that are frequently attached to metal cards, easily ranging from $750 and up. Not only can this help offset the annual fee, giving cardholders room to take full advantage of the card. 
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Bankrate Insight

Weighing in at a substantial 22 grams, the Mastercard® Gold Card™ is the heaviest metal card we’ve reviewed. If you’re searching for a card that screams luxury, this is it. The card comes with a few luxury perks and is plated in gold around a stainless-steel base. Outside of the obvious luxury appearance of the card, the sky-high annual fee and lack of substantive rewards can lessen some of this card’s luster.

All information about The Centurion Card from American Express, Apple Card, Amazon Business Prime American Express Credit Card, and Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer. Eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

How we choose our best metal credit cards

Our team of writers, editors and industry experts evaluate cards based on a 5-point system that assesses the value of a card. We award points based on a number of factors including:
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    Base rewards value
    The best metal credit card for you will offer value on an ongoing basis. We considered a card’s average rewards rate, along with the value of its sign-up bonus relative to its annual fee and APR.
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    Rewards restrictions/ flexibility
    When considering the best metal card for your financial needs, remember, the rewards structure and perks should fit neatly in with your spending habits and financial goals. Most metal credit cards will be flexible in terms of rewards redemption. When determining the rating for this category, we consider whether or not rewards earned will expire or have any limits or minimums for redemption.
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    Perks and features
    Premium credit cards tend to feature more than just base rewards. They also often tout ancillary benefits that can significantly increase their value. These benefits include anything from travel insurance to lounge access to free services or amenities. We considered a card’s full suite of benefits, relative to its annual fee, to identify the most valuable metal credit cards on the market.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

Frequently asked questions about metal credit cards

Sarah Estime Arrow Right Associate Writer
As a staff writer for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, Sarah offers sound advice that will improve your financial life and help simplify topics like travel hacking and credit card…
Tracy Stewart Arrow Right Senior Credit Cards Editor
Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.