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Best metal credit cards for November 2024

Updated November 08, 2024

Advertiser Disclosure: The listings that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which Bankrate receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Here's an explanation for and how we rate our cards.

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Showing 7 results

Best overall

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Bankrate score

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4.9
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on Chase's secure site

Intro offer

$300 Chase Travel℠ Credit + 60,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

1x - 5x

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.99% - 27.99% 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.

Best for big spenders

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Bankrate score

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4.8
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

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.

Best for foodies

American Express® Gold Card

Bankrate score

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4.9
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

60,000 points

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.

Best for renters

Bilt Mastercard®

Bankrate score

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4.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Bilt's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

N/A

Rewards rate

1X Points - 3X Points

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

See Terms

Best for frequent travelers

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Bankrate score

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5.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(740 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Chase's secure site

Intro offer

60,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

1x - 10x

Annual fee

$550

Regular APR

21.99% - 28.99% 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

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Bankrate score

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4.6
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points

Rewards rate

2X - 6X

Annual fee

$650

APR

20.49%-29.49% 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

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

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4.9
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Capital One's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

75,000 miles

Rewards rate

2 Miles - 5 Miles

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.74% (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.

4.9 / 5

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(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
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

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
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

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
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.

4.0 / 5

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(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
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

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(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
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

4.6 / 5

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(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
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

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(Read card review)
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on Capital One's secure site

What types of credit cards are metal?

Many credit cards are made of metal, which 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.

Though you shouldn’t prioritize form over function, you should be able to find a metal credit card that fits your goals and spending habits.

  • 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), it’s likely you can find one that’s made from metal. Most 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 like the Prime Visa and Apple Card sport a sleek metal form factor and are a solid choice if you’re looking for a decent low-cost rewards card 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. 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, most cash back cards are plastic. 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 aren’t typically made of metal. Metal cards often have annual fees, which could weigh heavily in a student’s wallet.
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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 Amex Platinum still doesn’t make sense for most people despite having a ton of special offers.

Expert advice about metal credit cards

Metal cards often come with perks that match their hefty price tags. 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. A metal credit card is more durable than a standard plastic card but isn’t typically more or less secure. 

Why have a metal card?

Initially seen as a status symbol, today’s metal cards are generally as accessible as their plastic counterparts. Many seek out these cards as an accessory or an expression of personality. Metal 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 and generous credits that help offset high annual fees. Such cards may also allow you to transfer your rewards to travel partners, potentially boosting their overall value. However, being made of metal doesn’t mean that card will be a fit for your needs. 

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Bankrate’s take

Metal cards might not provide the same value over time. Here’s why one of our experts canceled their Amex Gold after some negative changes.

Here’s what our experts say

Several members of Bankrate’s editorial staff hold metal 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

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.

What people say about metal cards

Metal credit cards can offer a great mix of utility and style but are often difficult to maximize due to a higher annual fee and perks that may require too much effort to use.

First-hand experience with metal credit cards

One Reddit user thinks the Amex Platinum card is overhyped and underdelivers, commenting, “The Amex Platinum is an influencer credit card and I'd be willing to bet most people who hold it aren't getting enough value to justify owning it.”

This is a potential trap of a metal card. You can easily become exhausted trying to optimize your card to justify its cost.

“As someone who went super hard into churning/optimizing from 2016 to 2021-ish—picking the right card at the right time for everything became exhausting in a way. I’ve been down the path of the trifectas and ecosystems and…at this point I have just been using the Chase Freedom Unlimited for everything.

The result? Near equal/negligible ROI for rewards but way less mental capacity committed to maximizing the points. Net positive for the brain.”

MoonBasic

If you’re looking for style without the high price tag, there are a few metal cards with no annual fee or an annual fee under $100 on the market, which can be useful if you want a simpler card experience.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Frequently asked questions about metal credit cards

How we assess the best metal credit cards

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250+
cards rated
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50+
rewards programs valued
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5000
data points analyzed
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40+
perks evaluated

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. 

How we rate rewards cards
  • Value 65.00%
  • Flexibility 15.00%
  • Perks 15.00%
  • Customer experience 5.00%