Best metal credit cards for September 2024
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- Best overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for big spenders: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for foodies: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for renters: Bilt Mastercard®
- Best for frequent travelers: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best for Marriott loyalists: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Best for affordable travel: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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Showing 7 results
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points
Rewards rate
1x - 5x
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Why you'll like this: Its flexible rewards program allows you to earn valuable points on travel and dining purchases that can be redeemed for various travel options.
Intro offer
Earn 80,000 points
Rewards rate
5X - 5X
Annual fee
$695
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Why you'll like this: It has a variety of high-end travel perks, including airport lounge access, annual statement credits and elite status with hotels and car rental programs.
Intro offer
60,000 points + earn up to $100 back
Rewards rate
1X - 4X
Annual fee
$325
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Why you'll like this: It offers valuable travel credits and one of the highest rewards rates on dining and U.S. supermarket purchases.
Intro offer
K.A.
Rewards rate
1X Points - 3X Points
Annual fee
None
Regular APR
See Terms
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points
Rewards rate
1x - 10x
Annual fee
$550
Regular APR
22.49% - 29.49% Variable
Why you'll like this: Not only can you earn boosted rewards on travel and dining, but you can also get a 50 percent rewards boost for travel redemption through Chase Travel℠.
Best for Marriott loyalists
Intro offer
Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points
Rewards rate
2X - 6X
Annual fee
$650
APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Why you'll like this: The card offers an impressive annual free night award at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, redeemable for a one-night stay worth up to 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at participating hotels.
Best for budget-conscious travelers
Intro offer
75,000 miles
Rewards rate
2 Miles - 5 Miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It offers well-rounded travel perks for a low annual fee and a simple rewards structure that allows you to accumulate miles toward travel redemptions easily.
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Compare Bankrate’s top metal credit cards
Card name | Rewards rate | Bankrate review score |
---|---|---|
|
5X points on travel purchases made through Chase TravelSM 3X points on dining 2X points on all other travel purchases. |
4.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Chase's secure site
|
|
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 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
|
|
4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1X points) and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1X points) 3X Membership Rewards points flights directly on airlines or with Amex Travel |
4.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
|
|
3X points on dining 2X points on travel Up to 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). See Rewards and Benefits terms. |
3.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Bilt's secure site
|
|
10X points on hotels and car rentals when purchased through Chase Travel℠ 5X points on air travel when purchased through Chase Travel℠ (after earning your $300 travel credit) 3X points on all other travel and dining purchases |
5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Chase's secure site
|
|
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
2X points on all other eligible purchases |
4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
|
|
5X miles on hotels and rental cars when booked through Capital One Travel 2X Capital One miles on all purchases |
4.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|
Why have a metal card?
Initially seen as a status symbol, today’s metal cards are generally as accessible as their plastic counterparts. Many who seek out these cards see them as an accessory or an expression of personality. Sleek and refined, these cards command a certain presence when you take them out of your wallet (or accidentally drop them on the floor).
Metal cards not only have the look, but also back it up with functionality and value. Higher-end metal cards are often “luxury” cards, which include helpful benefits like travel and luggage protections, as well as generous credits that help offset steep annual fees. Such cards may also allow you to transfer your earned rewards to travel partners, potentially boosting the overall value of those rewards.
What types of credit cards are metal?
Many credit cards are made of metal, but a metal form factor tends to be associated with luxury rewards and travel cards. You can also find some co-branded cards made of metal. Here are some of the card types that most often feature metal cards.
Some of the best travel and rewards cards are made of metal, but that’s not all. Though you shouldn’t prioritize form over function, you should be able to find a card that fits your goals and spending habits, even if you’re set on a metal credit card.
- Travel credit cards: Many of the top travel credit cards are made from metal, so if you’re searching for a new travel card (especially a higher-tier card with an annual fee), it’s likely you can find one that’s made from metal. Most (though not all) metal travel cards offer valuable perks like airport lounge access, free hotel nights or elite status, credits for TSA Precheck or Global Entry and more.
- Credit cards for excellent credit: Most metal credit cards — even those you wouldn’t think of as premium cards — require excellent credit for approval.
- Select co-branded cards: Some co-branded cards boast a luxury metal form factor without charging a high annual fee. Cards like the Prime Visa and Apple Card not only sport a sleek metal form factor, but can also be decent low-cost rewards cards available with good credit.
You’re unlikely to find a metal card option in the following categories:
- Credit-building cards: People building credit are generally out of luck when it comes to getting a metal credit card, as next to no cards available with bad credit, fair credit or a limited credit history are made of metal. If you’re at this stage of your credit journey, you should prioritize good credit-building habits and with time you may qualify for higher-tier metal rewards cards.
- Typical cash back cards: Although the best cash back cards can offer terrific upfront and long-term value, not many of them are metal. Most cash back cards are plastic — especially those that charge no annual fee. If you want to earn cash back but are set on getting a metal card, you may have more luck with a general rewards card that lets you redeem points or miles for cash back without sacrificing redemption value versus redeeming for travel.
- Student cards: Like credit-building cards, student cards typically aren’t made of metal. Students may want to wait on a metal card, anyway, as annual fees — which metal cards usually have — could weigh especially heavy in a student’s wallet.
Bankrate’s take: While metal cards more often fall into a premium card category, there’s no guarantee that the card will have good value. For example, the Mastercard® Gold Card™ arguably boasts more style than substance, with its design impressing more than its rewards rates.
What people say about metal cards
Metal credit cards can be a great mix of utility and style but often carry a higher annual fee reflective of their numerous perks. Still, they constantly have high ratings for a reason: these perks are well worth the cost of admission.
Here’s what our experts say
It shouldn’t be your priority to get a metal credit card simply because it’s metal, but many of the best cards out there happen to be made of metal. Several members of Bankrate’s editorial staff hold one or more of these cards because of their valuable rewards or perks.
Bilt Mastercard
“I initially was very skeptical about the value of the Bilt card. I've been proven wrong. While it's a little outside of the box, that's what gives it an edge. Doubling points earned on ‘Rent Day’ is a great feature. I'll save travel and dining purchases for that day just to earn the high rates. They always have great promos for card members, and Bilt points are one of the most valuable currencies available. The unique ability to pay rent with your card with no additional convenience fees is also vastly underrated and a great tool to have.”
— Ryan Flanigan, Writer
Prime Visa
“I have a relatively busy lifestyle and simply don’t have enough time for shopping around between superstores and home goods stores to find the best deals on household essentials. I started using Amazon to save time and became a Prime member for all its benefits, like fast shipping and discounts. Soon after, I applied for the Prime Visa. Although a Prime membership is required, the cash back I earn from Amazon purchases offsets the Prime membership fee without straining my budget.”
— Brendan Dyer, Writer
Apple Card
"As an iPhone user, I've found paying with and paying off the Apple Card very convenient. I especially love the Wallet app's notifications and straightforward interface, which help me track spending and ensure I always make my card payments on time. And I won't lie, that titanium clank you get when you set the card down is always satisfying."
— Nouri Zarrugh, Senior Editor
Tips on choosing the best metal credit card for you
Metal cards are often elite cards that come with a ton of perks that match their hefty price tags. The best metal credit card for you will come with benefits that fit into your overall financial goals.
Here are a few steps to follow to help you make your decision.
All information about the Apple Card and Amazon Business Prime American Express Credit 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.
*For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
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 assess the best metal credit cards
When evaluating the best metal credit cards, we take into account several factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether they offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards to scoring a large sign-up bonus to saving on interest.
We analyzed over 250 of the most popular credit cards and selected standouts that feature a metal construction. We scored each card based on the factors most relevant to its primary category, including its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, intro APR period, ongoing APR, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.
Most metal cards earn rewards or cash back. Our rating methodology for these cards focuses heavily on rewards value — what kind of return we’d expect based on the average person’s spending and a card’s added bonuses and annual fee.
Here’s how overall scoring breaks down for rewards and cash back cards.
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Value 65.00%
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Flexibility 15.00%
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Perks 15.00%
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Customer experience 5.00%