Best metal credit cards no annual fee

Table of Contents Show

• Compare Bankrate’s top metal credit cards
• A closer look at Bankrate’s top metal credit cards
• Chase Sapphire Preferred card: Best for sign-up bonus
• The Platinum Card from American Express: Best card for luxury travelers
• American Express Gold Card: Best for foodies
• Bilt Mastercard: Best for renters
• Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for frequent travelers
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card: Best for Marriott loyalists
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for low annual fee travel
• Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: Best for online shopping
• What is a metal credit card?
• Pros and cons of metal credit cards
• Who should get a metal credit card?
• When to skip getting a metal credit card
• How to choose a metal credit card
• How we choose our best metal credit cards
• Base rewards value
• Rewards restrictions/ flexibility
• Perks and features
• More information on high-end credit cards
• Frequently asked questions about metal credit cards
• What banks give you a metal card?
• Is there a metal credit card?
• Which Amex card is made of metal?
• Does Capital One offer metal cards?

Rewards rate

• 5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• 3x 3x on dining.
• 2x 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.

Regular APR

18.99% - 25.99% Variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

Rewards rate

• 5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• 5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

Rewards rate

• 4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• 3X Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

Regular APR

19.74%-26.74% Variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

Rewards rate

• 3X Points 3x points on dining
• 2X Points 2x points on travel
• 1X Points 1x points on other purchases
• 1X Points Earn 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 50,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

Regular APR

19.99%, 22.99% or 27.99% Variable.

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

Rewards rate

• 10x Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• 5x Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• 3x Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
• 1x Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

Regular APR

19.99% - 26.99% Variable

Rewards rate

• 6X Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program.
• 3X 3 points at Worldwide Restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines.
• 2X 2 points on all other eligible purchases.

Regular APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

Rewards rate

• 5X Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• 2X Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.

Regular APR

18.99% - 26.99% (Variable)

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

Compare Bankrate’s top metal credit cards

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).
• Who this card is good for: Travelers who spend enough to justify the card’s (relatively) reasonable $95 annual fee.
• 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.
Jump back to offer details.

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 out of 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.
• Who this card is good for: Travelers who want luxury perks, like access to high-end airport lounges.
• Alternatives: For more infrequent and budget travelers who want to save money, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card may be a wiser choice.

Read our full Platinum Card from American Express card review.
Jump back to offer details.

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.
• Who this card is good for: Foodies who love eating out and saving on their gourmet ingredient purchases, as this card offers an industry-leading return 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.
Jump back to offer details.

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 their high travel redemption value and the card’s long list of airline and hotel transfer partners.
• 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 travel.
• 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.
Jump back to offer details.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for frequent travelers

• What we love about the Chase Sapphire Reserve card: This card earns big rewards on car rentals 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 lot of flexibility in points redemption.
• Who this card is good for: Explorers who want to save some cash on their next adventure and appreciate the long list of travel protections provided by this card.
• 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 the best alternative.

Read our full Chase Sapphire Reserve review.
Jump back to offer details.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card: Best for Marriott loyalists

• What we love about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card: Weighing in at 14.6 grams, 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.
• Who this card is good for: Marriott devotees who travel frequently 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.
Jump back to offer details.

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, lucrative sign-up bonus and no foreign transaction fees—while skipping the steep annual fee associated with more premium products. Plus, its current sign-up bonus is worth as much as $750 for travel (75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first three months).
• 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 online shopping

• What we love about the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card: Unlike most retail cards, this card offers a decent sign-up bonus: New cardholders receive a $150 Amazon gift card at account opening. You’ll also receive extra purchase protections and an extended warranty when making purchases on Amazon. If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you’ll definitely 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.
• Who this card is good for: Shoppers who frequent Whole Foods Markets and Amazon Prime members who make frequent purchases on Amazon.com
• Alternatives: People who do not have an Amazon Prime account will not benefit as much from this card, therefore a non-specific flat-rate rewards card for daily purchases, such as the Apple Card, may be a better option.

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 excelling 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.

Lightbulb

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

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

When to skip getting a metal credit card

If you’re looking for the chance to obtain a luxury card but have not looked too deeply at what that card can provide you, then it may be best to skip getting a metal credit card. People in the situations below should avoid getting a metal credit card:

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.

Lightbulb

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.

How to choose a metal credit card

While a metal credit card may evoke feelings of luxury, the best metal credit card for you will come with benefits that fit into your overall financial goals. When choosing a metal credit card, take into account everything from annual fees to protection and reward programs offered. It’s important to ask yourself certain questions when considering any credit card, including a metal one:

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:

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.

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.

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.

More information on high-end credit cards

• Best-looking credit cards
• What is a black credit card?
• Are elite cards worth it?

All information about The Centurion Card from American Express, Apple 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.

Frequently asked questions about metal credit cards

about the author

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 rewards.

about the editor

Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at Reviews.com and worked as the loans editor at The Simple Dollar.

* 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.

What banks give you a metal card?

Is there a metal credit card?

Which Amex card is made of metal?

Does Capital One offer metal cards?