While a metal card’s weight and heaviness might be remarkable, go with the card that gets you the most bang for your buck in the long term. Aesthetically appealing metal credit cards are not new, but they’ve gained in popularity among credit cardholders. Furthermore, you no longer need to be affluent to obtain one, as more and more metal cards offer minimal or no annual fees.
However, while having a metal credit card sounds good and may seem like a status symbol, it’s crucial to choose a card according to the overall value you obtain from all of its qualities. How to choose the best metal credit card for your needs is explained here.
What’s the deal with metal credit cards?
During the 1920s, department shops began offering metal charge plates and coins that allowed consumers to buy on credit. Only one store might benefit from these “cards”, though.
There were 28 restaurants and two hotels that accept Diners Club cards when they first appeared in 1950. The Diners Club card was made of cardboard and could be used for this purpose. Back in 1958, when Bank of America introduced its first general-purpose credit card—the one we’re all familiar with—plastic took over as the preferred payment method.
A titanium-plated Centurion Card from American Express was introduced in 1999 as an exclusive offering from the credit card giant. The debut of the Visa Black Card — now the Mastercard® Black CardTM — spawned a slew of additional premium metal credit cards, including the MasterCard® Black CardTM.
There are already more than a dozen metal credit cards available for purchase. The yearly costs for some can be prohibitively high, but others are more reasonable, making it accessible for anybody to own one.
Brass, the copper, brushed stainless steel, gold, and palladium are all possible materials for playing cards. In certain cases, plastic and metal alloys are used to make cards.
In order to compare the weights of metal cards, below are a few examples:
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express weighs 0.7 ounces
- Chase Sapphire Reserve weighs 0.5 ounces
- Regular plastic cards, on average, weigh about 0.2 ounces
If you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious than a plastic credit card, a metal credit card may be the right choice for you. If you decide to terminate your account, you’ll have a harder time erasing them. The metal detectors at the airport and other sites that need the same screening may also be triggered by them.
4 Metal credit cards for frequent travelers
In the event that you adore traveling but can’t bear the thought of a hefty annual cost, these cards may be a good option for you.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
As an overview, the Chase Sapphire Preferred gives 5X points on Lyft rides and travel booked via Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3X points on qualified restaurants; certain streaming services; and online grocery purchases; and 2X points on travel.
If you’re a regular traveler, the Chase Ultimate Rewards program is a great option because it offers a 25 percent bonus when you use your points to book travel via Chase. Rewards transfers to one of Chase’s travel partners may provide you with additional value. When compared to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the card offers a much lower annual cost of $95.
It’s a freebie, spend $4,000 in the first three months and get 60,000 bonus points.
Other advantages, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, main rental vehicle insurance, trip delay compensation, delayed luggage reimbursement, and more are all included in your travel protection plan. On your card anniversary each year, you will receive bonus points equivalent to 10% of the total purchases you made in the preceding year.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
On hotel and vehicle rental reservations made through Capital One Travel, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card gives 5X miles, and on all other transactions, it offers 2X miles. When booking a trip, you may use the card’s points to obtain a statement credit that can be applied toward the cost of the trip. There’s a $95 yearly charge for this card.
After spending $3,000 in the first three months, you’ll get 60,000 additional miles.
Other advantages: TSA PreCheck and Global Entry can be applied for free with this card once every four years. There is also the opportunity to establish temporary credit card numbers for safe online buying and travel accident insurance.
American Express Gold Card
The annual fee for the American Express Gold Card is $250, which is rather pricey. They may easily make up for it by eating out a lot or shopping a lot of traveling a lot. At U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (up to $25,000 annually; after that, 1X), you’ll earn 4X Membership Rewards points, while flights booked directly with airlines or through Amextravel.com get 3X points, and all other transactions earn 1 point.
There is a freebie for newbies, after making $4,000 in purchases in the first six months, you will receive 60,000 Membership Rewards points. Other advantages, Up to $120 in annual meal credits are available from participating stores and food delivery providers when using the card. Enrollment is required for some benefits.
IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
This credit card may be a no-brainer for IHG hotel guests with a history of loyalty. Stays at IHG hotels and resorts earn 25X points for $1 spent; petrol stations, groceries, and restaurants earn 2X points; all other transactions earn 1X points. IHG’s platinum elite status will also be granted to you. Annually, you will be charged $89 for this service.
It’s a freebie, when you spend $3,000 in the first three months of the year, you will receive 125,000 points. Other advantages, every year, cardholders may earn up to 40,000 points toward a free night at participating hotels. If you book a hotel stay for four nights or more, you’ll receive a free fourth night when you use points to pay for it.
2 metal credit cards for cashback enthusiasts
It’s possible that you’d be happier getting cash back instead of miles and points with one of these cards.
Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card is an excellent option for those who enjoy dining out. Through January 2023, it gives 8 percent cashback on tickets purchased via Vivid Seats, as well as 4 percent for all restaurants and entertainment, 3 percent at grocery shops, and 1 percent for all other purchases, including groceries. The price for the entire year is $95.00.
An early-spending reward, in the first three months, you may earn $300 in extra money by spending $3,000 in total. Access to tailored culinary experiences, as well as discounts and VIP packages at music and athletic events, are all included as extra benefits of the card’s use
Mastercard Titanium Card
Mastercard Titanium Card delivers 1X points on all transactions, plus one cent per dollar in cashback redemptions and two cents per dollar for flight redemptions when redeemed with the MasterCard Titanium Card. There are some nice perks for premium travel, but it’s not much.
For some more perks, the card comes with a variety of travel benefits such as chauffeured transportation, cruise privileges, charter services, worldwide luggage delivery, cheap vehicle rental upgrades, and numerous trip protection options.
3 no-fee metal credit cards
Apple Card
If you’re looking for a credit card that doesn’t charge any fees and is primarily designed for use with Apple Pay, the Apple Card is the best option for you. Purchases from certain partners earn you 2% cashback, all other purchases earn you 1% cashback, and purchases done with Apple Pay earn you 3% cashback. Daily payouts of cashback are made.
Other advantages: The card’s key advantages are its connectivity with the Wallet app and its security. It comes with a real card that has no numbers on it and doesn’t collect purchase data through Apple Pay, which utilizes a virtual card number for applications and websites.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card comes with no annual charge, but it is exclusively accessible to Amazon Prime subscribers. Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market earn 5% cashback, restaurants and gas stations get 2% cashback, while pharmacies get 1% cashback. Rewards can be redeemed for Amazon.com gift cards or cash. When you sign up, you’ll get a $100 Amazon gift card.
Other advantages, among the card’s other benefits, are travel injury insurance, luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and more.
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
Business owners who are members of Amazon Prime or Prime for Business can apply for the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card. The card itself, on the other hand, has no recurring yearly cost. No interest for 90 days on purchases from Amazon.com, Amazon.com, AWS, and Whole Foods in the United States; 2% back in U.S. restaurants and petrol stations; 1% back on all other purchases made through U.S. cellular service providers; and 5% back in Amazon Rewards points.
Upon acceptance, you’ll get a $125 Amazon gift card as a welcome incentive.
Additionally, you’ll be able to add receipts and comments to transactions, receive free employee cards, and take advantage of a variety of purchasing and travel protections with this card.
How do I destroy a metal credit card?
Major credit card issuers often give postage-paid envelopes to mail back an old metal credit card if you choose to destroy it. This is a simple and cost-free alternative, as most shredders and scissors are inadequate for the job. You may also be able to have your card destroyed at a local branch of your credit card provider.
Bottom line
A growing number of credit cards are made of metal, and many of them do not need an annual charge. To choose the best new credit card for you, it’s crucial to take a holistic approach while looking for travel credit cards and other reward cards. A metal credit card will provide an extra “wow” element to your wallet if it’s the perfect one for you. Even if you don’t, you can be assured that you’re receiving the greatest deal possible.
