There is something sleek and fashionable about carrying a credit card made of metal. There are a number of metal cards on the market that are also excellent for accumulating rewards, travel privileges, and other perks. However, this feature by itself should not be a deciding factor in your selection. Comparing the highlights, pros, and negatives of the metal credit cards on the list enables you to select the best metal credit card for you.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best metal card with plus travel benefits
Weigh: 18.5 grams
Welcome Bonus: Earn 100,000 points
Annual Fee: $695
Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Credit Score: Excellent/Good (700 – 749)
Why We Selected It
The American Express Platinum Card® has long been regarded as one of the classiest credit cards. It added Uber credits for rides or food orders in the U.S. up to $15 per month and $35 in December. Moreover, it added access to different types of airport lounges, special dining experiences, and more in a 2017 glow-up that also included a move to a metal design. Significantly, the card also offers an annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit.
- If you spend $6,000 on purchases with your new card within the first six months of card membership, you will earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points.
- You can apply for a metal card and select your chosen design: original Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- You can earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, up to a maximum of $500,000 per calendar year. Additionally, you can earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel.
- Spend a minimum of two nights at Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. You will receive $200 back in statement credits annually when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Moreover, if you travel, you can receive up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits after selecting a qualifying airline and having incidental expenses charged to your Platinum Card® by the airline.
- You can get up to $20 back each month on purchases made with your Platinum Card® on Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and more. However, enrollment is required.
- This card provides $155 Walmart+ Credit. It covers the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ subscription with a statement credit after using your Platinum Card to pay for Walmart+ each month. The cost includes $12.95 + any local sales tax. Importantly, Plus Ups are not permitted.
- American Express has added over 40 Centurion Lounge and Studio locations to The Centurion® Network. There are many more locations where Platinum Card® holders receive gratis access and exclusive benefits.
- This Card offers a $200 Airline Fee Credit. You can receive up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits for baggage fees and other eligible airline costs.
- This Card provides $200 Uber Cash. The benefit of Uber VIP status can be up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or food orders in the United States annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status are exclusively accessible to Basic Card Members.
- This Card also offers $300 Equinox Credit. You can get up to $25 back each month when you use your Platinum Card® to pay for the Equinox+ digital fitness app or qualified Equinox club memberships. As previously mentioned, this credit must also enroll to get the benefit.
- This Card has $189 CLEAR® Credit. With your Card, you can receive up to $189 per year back on your CLEAR® membership. CLEAR® is offered at several airports and stadiums.
- The terms can be applied.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Best metal card with bonus travel redemption value
Weight: 12.4 grams
Welcome Bonus: 60,000 bonus points
Annual Fee: $550
Regular APR: 19.24% – 26.24% Variable
Credit Score: Excellent (750 – 850)
Why We Selected It
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the older sibling of the Sapphire Reserve® Card. However, it weighs somewhat less at 12.4 grams. It has a lower annual fee of $95. The earning rate is lower, and you do not receive the same travel perks. However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a consistently excellent sign-up bonus and packs a punch.
- When activated by December 31, 2024, you will receive complimentary access to DashPass, which enables $0 delivery fees and cheaper service fees for a minimum of one year.
- This card provides Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance, and other insurance options.
- During the promotional period, your Pay Yourself BackSM points are 25% more valuable when redeemed for statement credits against existing purchases specified.
- You can get 25% more value when you redeem with Chase Ultimate Rewards® for travel, hotels, auto rentals, and cruises. For example, 60,000 points are equivalent to $750 in travel expenses.
- You can enjoy perks such as a $50 yearly Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x points on dining, and 2x points on all other travel purchases, among others.
- If you spend $4,000 during the first three months of account opening, you can earn 60,000 bonus points. When you redeem with Chase Ultimate Rewards®, you will receive $750.
Pros
- Great welcome bonus
- Extremely adaptable $300 yearly travel credit
- Get a 50% bonus when redeeming points for travel through Chase or for certain purchases through the Pay Yourself BackSM program.
- Transfer points to prestigious airline and hotel partners.
Cons
- High annual Fee
- Good credit required
- High fluctuating APR on buys
American Express® Gold Card
Best metal card for traveling foodies
Weight: 14.7 grams
Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points
Annual Fee: $250
Regular APR: 18.99%-25.99% Variable
Credit Score: Excellent/Good (700 – 749)
Why We Selected It
The American Express® Gold Card offers generous rewards in two of the most common household spending categories: restaurants and U.S. grocery stores. It lacks the travel features of its cousin, The Platinum Card® from American Express, at 14.7 grams. However, if you are more of a gourmand than a road warrior, the American Express® Gold Card is well.
- This card provides an Updated $120 Dining Credit. It can satisfy your appetite by providing up to $10 in monthly statement credits when you use your American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations. Nevertheless, enrollment is required.
- It also provides $120 Uber Cash on Gold. When you add your Gold Card to your Uber account, you will receive $10 in Uber Cash each month for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the United States for up to $120 a year.
- You can earn three times as many Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- You can earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 4X Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets.
- If you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first six months of Card Membership, you can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points.
Pros
- Great earnings potential
- Option to transfer points to numerous partners
- Can choose between standard or rose gold versions
- Add up to 5 authorized users at no extra annual cost
Cons
- High cost of penalty APR
- High rate of interest for payments over time
- Few possibilities for carrying a balance
- No lounge benefits
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best metal card for easy travel redemption
Weight: 16.6 grams
Welcome Bonus: 75,000 miles
Annual Fee: $95
Regular APR: 18.99% – 26.99% (Variable)
Credit Score: Excellent, Good (700 – 749)
Why We Selected It
The Capital One Venture Points Credit Card has a luxurious feel at 16.6 grams. It provides the ease of redeeming rewards for travel expenses. It is simply to request a statement credit to be reimbursed for converting your miles into cash.
- You can transfer your miles to more than 15 travel loyalty programs.
- You can use your miles to receive reimbursement for any travel purchase or redeem them by booking a trip with Capital One Travel.
- You can earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel, where hundreds of travel alternatives are available at the greatest pricing.
- You can enjoy two complimentary visits annually to Capital One Lounges or more than one hundred Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network.
- You can get a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
- Miles will not expire. Moreover, there is no maximum number of miles that can be earned.
- You can earn double miles on all purchases.
- If you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening, you can receive a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles, equivalent to $750 in travel expenses.
Pros
- Quickly redeemed miles through partner transfers or by applying them to travel purchases
- Additional travel benefits, including rental car collision damage waiver
- No foreign transaction fees
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit on your statement
- Good rewards rate
Cons
- No introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Best metal card for online shopping
Weight: 12.4 grams
Welcome Bonus: Amazon gift card
Annual Fee: $0 with Prime membership
Regular APR: 16.49% to 24.49% variable
Credit Score: Good/Excellent (700 – 749)
Why We Selected It
Existing Prime members who frequently shop at Amazon and Whole Foods will receive a special 5% rewards rate. In addition to Visa Signature perks, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card includes a 2% rewards category.
- Prime members can receive 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% at restaurants, petrol stations, and pharmacies, and 1% on all other purchases.
- You can obtain an Amazon gift card immediately after approval.
- There is no needed minimum rewards balance to redeem.
- There is a Visa Signature Concierge service.
- You can use Amazon Rewards to pay for a portion or the entire transaction.
Pros
- Visa Signature benefits
- Unlimited 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases
- No foreign transaction fee
- Earn an Amazon Gift Card Bonus with no minimum purchase required
Cons
- 5% back excludes non-American purchases
- High APR depending on creditworthiness
- Outside of Amazon family spending, other cards offer superior benefits.