Metal credit cards aren’t new, but they’ve become increasingly popular among credit cardholders because of their aesthetic appeal. What’s more, you no longer have to be wealthy to get one — there are more and more metal cards with a low annual fee or no annual fee at all.
While having a metal credit card sounds cool and could feel like a status symbol, it’s important to pick a card based on the total value you gain from all of its features. For example, there are metal credit cards with no annual fee and those that almost hit $1,000 a year. Plus each card offers different rewards and perks, whether travel, cash back, or things like travel protection and airport lounge access.
Here’s what you need to know about metal credit cards and how to pick the right one.
How we evaluate products
To determine the best metal credit cards, we first compiled a list of metal credit cards available for consumers and business owners. Then, we identified the key features that can provide value in a metal credit card, including:
- Rewards rate
- Welcome bonus
- Lounge access
- Travel benefits
- Annual fee
- Airport lounge access
- Other valuable perks
It is important to note that we did not include all available options. This article is meant to serve as a starting point for further research. It's best to compare your options and do your own research before deciding on the metal credit card that best meets your needs.
Comparison of the best metal credit cards
Excellent for | Rewards rate | Annual fee | |
Travelers comfortable using Chase Travel | 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases | $95 | |
Travelers looking for flat rate earnings | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25 | $95 | |
People who spend a lot on food | 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, after that 1X), 4X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, after that 1X), 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2X on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com, and 1X on all other eligible purchases | $325 | |
Frequent Delta flyers | 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and at hotels; 2X miles per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets; and 1X miles for every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases | $350 | |
Frequent fliers | 1X point per dollar spent on all purchases | $195 | |
Apple Pay users | 3% cash back on Apple purchases and when you use Apple Pay for purchases from select partners, 2% on other purchases made with Apple Pay, and 1% cash back on everything else | $0 | |
Amazon shoppers | Unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases | $0 | |
Business with a large advertising budget | 4X Membership Rewards Points on purchases in the two eligible categories with the most spend each month from 6 eligible categories (up to $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, after that 1X), 3X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com, and 1 point per $1 spent on other eligible purchases | $375 | |
Frequent business travelers | 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amextravel.com; 1.5X points on eligible purchases at U.S. suppliers of construction materials and hardware, U.S. retailers of electronic goods, U.S. providers of shipping, software and cloud systems, and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per year, then 1X), and 1X points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases (purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus) | $695 | |
Amazon Business Prime members | 5% back in Amazon Rewards points or no interest for 90 days on U.S. Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods purchases (on up to $120,000 in purchases per calendar year, after that 1%); 2% back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and purchases with U.S. wireless providers; and 1% back on all other eligible purchases | $0 | |
Frequent luxury travelers | 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases | $695 | |
Bonus travel rewards | 5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases | $550 | |
American Airlines travelers | 10X miles on hotels booked through aa.com/hotels and eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars, 4X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases (after spending $150,000 per calendar year this increases to 5X for the remainder of the calendar year), and 1X miles for every $1 spent on other purchases | $595 | |
Frequent United travelers | 4x miles on United purchases; 2x miles on all other travel and dining; plus 1x mile on all other purchases | $525 | |
Marriott Bonvoy loyalists | 6X points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program, 3X points at worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X points on all other eligible purchases | $650 | |
Frequent fliers | 1X point per dollar on all purchases | $495 | |
Delta flyers | 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and 1X miles for all other eligible purchases | $650 |
Travel credit cards
Frequent travelers can benefit from these cards that offer hefty travel rewards and options to transfer points to travel partners for even more rewards.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Weight: ~13 grams
Annual fee: $95
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Primary rental car insurance
- Trip delay reimbursement
- Delayed luggage reimbursement
This low annual fee credit card offers many benefits and credits, but you must not mind booking travel through Chase Travel℠.
To earn points, Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases. If you then redeem those rewards through Chase Travel, you get 25% more value. You can also transfer them to one of 14 travel partners, which I suggest to maximize your rewards.
Get more details at our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Weight: ~16 grams
Annual fee: $95
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Hertz Five Star Status
- $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- No foreign transaction fees
- $50 Experience credit when booking a Lifestyle Collection hotel
- Accident insurance1 <p class="">For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above 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.<br></p>
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25. I think the best use of your points is to redeem them through Capital One Travel or as a statement credit for recent travel purchases made with your Capital One card. They also have 15+ travel partners that you can transfer your points to if you prefer, but most people book through Capital One Travel.
Find out more in our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review.
American Express® Gold Card
Weight: ~15 grams
Annual fee: $325
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership
- Over $300 in food credits including Dunkin, Uber Cash, and Resy
- $100 experience credit when booking the Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com
- Baggage insurance coverage2 <p>Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Car rental loss and damage insurance3 <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p>
- Purchase protection4 <p class="">Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. <br></p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.</li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Extended warranty5 <p>When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
Whether you dine out often, or have a large family with a high grocery bill you can benefit from this card. You’ll earn 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, after that 1X), 4X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, after that 1X), 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2X on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com, and 1X on all other eligible purchases. You can then turn those Membership Rewards Points into money for traveling when you book through Amex Travel or you can transfer the points to one of the 18 travel partners, including Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.
Get more details at our American Express Gold Card review.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Weight: ~15 grams
Annual fee: $350
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months
- $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each year
- Get a $1 MQD boost for every $20 spent to elevate your Medallion status
- Up to $120 in rideshare credits annually
- Annual Companion Certificate
- First bag checked free
- Credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
- Hertz Five Star status
- Travel protection, including trip delay and baggage insurance6 <p>Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p> 2 <p>Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Car rental loss and damage insurance3 <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p>
- Purchase protection7 <p>When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.</li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Extended warranty5 <p>When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
I’d only recommend this card if you frequently fly Delta, as you can earn 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and at hotels; 2X miles per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets; and 1X miles for every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. Plus you get other benefits when traveling Delta, such as 15% off when you book travel with miles on Delta flights using Delta.com, 15% back on in-flight purchases, and a $150 Delta Stays credit when you book through Delta Stays using your American Express credit card.
If you don’t fly Delta often, the other rewards categories are pretty common for most cash back cards, so it wouldn’t be worth the annual fee unless you earn at least $350 in rewards flying Delta.
Get more details at our Delta SkyMiles Platinum review.
Mastercard® Titanium Card™
Weight: ~22 grams
Annual fee: $195
Welcome offer: n/a
- 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge
- Hotel benefits, such as room upgrades, free Wi-Fi, and daily breakfast for two
- Trip cancellation/interruption and baggage delay insurance
- Auto rental collision waiver
- Travel accident insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
I’d recommend the Mastercard® Titanium Card™ only if you fly often as it offers some of the highest redemption rewards for airline tickets, even compared to Chase Sapphire Preferred with its 25% bonus when you book through Chase Travel. Cardholders get 2% for airfare redemptions and 1% for cash back, so it makes sense to save points strictly for airline tickets. For example, 50,000 points would earn you a $1,000 plane ticket and there aren’t any blackout dates.
The downside is you only earn one point per dollar spent in any category which is much lower than most of the cards on this list.
Get more details in our Mastercard® Titanium Card™ review.
The right travel card for you is the one that matches your interests and spending habits, allowing you to earn valuable rewards and travel the way you like — for less. Learn more about these top cards and choose what's best for you.
»Compare Travel Credit CardsCashback credit cards
If you prefer a cash rewards credit card over earning points and miles, these cards may be a good fit.
Apple Card
Weight: ~15 grams
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: n/a
- Extra security with all credit card information remaining on your phone
- No fees
- Option to pay for Apple products over time without interest
If you’re an Apple Pay enthusiast, why not turn your shopping into cash back? You earn 3% cash back on Apple purchases and when you use Apple Pay for purchases from select partners, 2% on other purchases made with Apple Pay, and 1% cash back on everything else, which is still a nice reward, and you don’t have to worry about tracking categories.
You have two options for cashing out: an Apple Cash card, which you can cash out daily, or send to a savings account through Apple and Goldman Sachs Bank to earn interest on your rewards. The downside is that you can’t split your earnings between the two. If you open the savings account, all earnings go there.
Learn more in our Apple Card review.
Prime Visa
Weight: ~12 grams
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: $150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
- Auto rental coverage
- Baggage delay and lost luggage insurance
- Travel accident insurance
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’ll benefit the most from this card, and if you shop Amazon frequently, a Prime membership makes sense. However, even if you aren’t, there are still benefits. You earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
The feature I love the most is that rewards are available as soon as the next day and you can redeem them on Amazon, which I consider cash back. You can also save them up and redeem on Chase.com for typical rewards, like travel, cash back, or gift cards.
*Please note that some cardholders have recently stated that the new cards they are receiving are plastic and not metal.
Find out more in our Prime Visa review.
Metal business credit cards
If you have business-related expenses, you may be better off with a business credit card than a personal card. Here are a few business cards that are made of metal.
American Express® Business Gold Card
Weight: ~15 grams
Annual fee: $375
Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months
- Up to $240 worth of annual credits for business expenses at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores
- No foreign transaction fees
- Baggage insurance2 <p>Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Car rental coverage3 <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p>
- Trip delay insurance6 <p>Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Purchase protection7 <p>When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.</li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Extended warranty5 <p>When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
Finding the right business credit card is a big decision. I like the American Express Business Gold Card because it rewards you in your top two spending categories from a small list of six categories on up to $15,000 spent annually. The most rewarding category is advertising, something which most businesses need and is where I think the card’s sweet spot is, otherwise the categories include dining out, gas station purchases, transit costs, and monthly wireless bills.
The other rewards aren’t bad either, including 3X on flights and prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com and 1X points on other eligible purchases.
Get more details at our American Express Business Gold Card review.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Weight: ~15 grams
Annual fee: $375
Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months
- Access to the Global Lounge Collection at 1,400 airports
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold status
- A fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
- Premium car rental privileges
- Trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance8 <p>The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Car rental insurance9 <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. </p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p>
- Baggage insurance coverage10 <p>Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Vendor Pay by Bill.com
- Seamlessly connect to QuickBooks
If you travel frequently for business, you can enjoy 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amextravel.com; 1.5X points on eligible purchases at U.S. suppliers of construction materials and hardware, U.S. retailers of electronic goods, U.S. providers of shipping, software and cloud systems, and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per year, then 1X), and 1X points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases (purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus). The card also includes hefty credits, such as up to $400 in statement credits on Dell purchases, up to $360 in statement credits back from Indeed purchases, up to $150 in statement credits for Adobe purchases, and up to $120 back on wireless purchases. Plus you get an up to $200 statement credit per year on the airline of your choice and an up to $199 CLEAR Plus statement credit.
While the annual fee on this card is high, if you travel frequently enough, you can quickly make back the fee and then some.
Get more details at The Business Platinum Card from American Express review.
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
Weight: ~14 grams
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: Earn a $125 Amazon gift card upon approval
- Purchase protection7 <p>When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.</li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Car rental insurance3 <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p>
- Baggage insurance2 <p>Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- No foreign transaction fees
If your business does most of its shopping through Amazon Business, Amazon.com, or Whole Foods, you can earn 5% back in Amazon Rewards points or no interest for 90 days on U.S. Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods purchases (on up to $120,000 in purchases per calendar year, after that 1%); 2% back at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and purchases with U.S. wireless providers; and 1% back on all other eligible purchases.
Learn more in our Amazon Business Prime American Express Card review.
Luxury travel metal credit cards
If you travel on the regular and want a VIP experience every time, these luxury cards can make the difference you’re looking for. Just be prepared for the likelihood that you'll need an excellent credit score as well.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Weight: ~17 grams
Annual fee: $695
Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months
- Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Gold status
- Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection
- Platinum travel service
- Premier car rental services from major carriers
- Car rental insurance9 <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. </p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p>
- Trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance8 <p>The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Purchase protection4 <p class="">Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. <br></p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.</li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
The hefty annual fee on this card makes it best for frequent luxury travelers. You can earn 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases. The nice thing is you can book airline tickets directly through the airlines and still get credit, but you must still book your hotels through AmexTravel.com.
Between the 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and prepaid hotels booked on Amextravel.com, and the numerous credits, it’s easy to spend enough to make up for the annual fee, as long as you’ll use the credits and other perks, including:
- Up to $200 annual hotel credit when booking Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection
- Up to $200 annual airline credit from the airline of your choice
- Up to $200 Uber Cash annually when you use your card to pay for Uber Eats or rides
- $199 CLEAR Plus credit
- Fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
Even just a couple of these credits plus points earned from luxury travel will quickly cover the annual fee.
Get more details at The Platinum Card from American Express review.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Weight: ~12 grams
Annual fee: $550
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- $300 annual travel credit
- Complimentary airport lounge access
- Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Auto rental coverage
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Travel accident insurance
- Baggage delay or lost luggage insurance
The Chase Sapphire Reserve combines the strength of the Chase Travel program and a suite of elite travel perks. Cardholders earn 5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases. You’ll get the greatest benefits from using this card for travel, but you’lll still earn 1X points on all other purchases.
When redeeming rewards, I suggest going through Chase Travel as you’ll get 50% more value for them and can maximize your rewards. You can also transfer your points to the bank’s travel partners.
Get more details at our Chase Sapphire Reserve review.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Weight: ~18 grams
Annual fee: $595
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
- No foreign transaction fee
- First checked bag free
- 25% off in-flight purchases
- Credits on Lyft, Avis, and Budget purchases
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
If American Airlines is your airline of choice, you may more than benefit from the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. You’ll earn 10X miles on hotels booked through aa.com/hotels and eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars, 4X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases (after spending $150,000 per calendar year this increases to 5X for the remainder of the calendar year), and 1X miles for every $1 spent on other purchases. The annual fee is $595.
While this credit card has the typical benefits like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit and trip cancellation and interruption insurance, the real standout benefits include:
- Complimentary Admirals Club membership
- Priority check-in at the airport
- Dedicated concierge service
While you will likely make up for the annual fee quickly, the above benefits make it well worth the cost.
Find out more in our Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard review.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Weight: ~12 grams
Annual fee: $525
Welcome offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening (limited-time offer)
- Priority check-in and screening at the airport
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
- 25% statement credit on in-flight purchases
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status
- Access to the Avis President’s Club
- Exclusive United Card events
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Baggage delay or lost luggage coverage
- Trip delay coverage
- Auto rental coverage
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty protection
This card’s real meat and potatoes are from United purchases. You can earn 4x miles on United purchases; 2x miles on all other travel and dining; plus 1x mile on all other purchases.
What really stands out with this card is that the cardmember and one companion get their first two bags checked for free, and you get a United Club lounge membership annually, which is worth $650.
Get more details at our United Club Infinite Card review.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Weight: ~15 grams
Annual fee: $650
Welcome offer: Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
- Up to $25 per month dining credit when you dine at eligible restaurants
- Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
- $100 property credit for Ritz-Carlton stays
- Priority Pass Select
- Car rental coverage
- Trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance11 <p>Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. </p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p> 8 <p>The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Baggage insurance10 <p>Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Purchase protection4 <p class="">Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. <br></p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.</li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Extended warranty5 <p>When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Return protection12 <p>With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won't take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.</li></ul><p></p>
If you’re a fan of Marriott Bonvoy hotels, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card may add a lot of value to your experience. Cardholders earn 6X points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program, 3X points at worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
You also get one free night annually during your card anniversary month, plus if you spend over $60,000 annually, you get to choose a reward from the following:
- 5 nightly upgrade rewards
- 1 free night reward
- $1,000 off a Marriott Bonvoy bed
Plus this card offers the most extra perks I’ve seen in a credit card.
Get more details at our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card review.
Mastercard® Black Card™
Weight: ~22 grams
Annual fee: $495
Welcome offer: N/A
- 24/7 concierge service
- $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- $100 airline credit to an airline of your choice
- VIP Priority Pass Select Lounge access
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Auto rental coverage
- Travel accident insurance
- Baggage delay insurance
- Access to Mastercard special offers
The Mastercard® Black Card™ is an elite travel card that provides luxury perks you can’t get with most other metal credit cards. Cardholders can redeem their rewards for airfare at a rate of 2% and will get 1.5% back when they redeem for anything else.
The 2% airfare redemption value is an incredible value, but this card also includes many luxurious benefits that frequent fliers may enjoy that make the higher annual fee worth it.
Get more information in our Mastercard® Black Card™ review.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Weight: ~12 grams
Annual fee: $650
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months
- Complimentary Delta SkyClub access
- 15% off reward travel booked through Delta.com
- Four one-time guest passes to Delta SkyClub
- Complimentary access to Centurion Lounge
- Free annual companion certificate
- Complimentary upgrade list
- Up to $120 in rideshare statement credits annually
- Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Up to $200 in statement credits if you book a hotel stay through Delta Stays
- First checked bag free
- Baggage insurance2 <p>Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance11 <p>Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. </p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p> 8 <p>The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Car rental coverage9 <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. </p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p>
- Extended warranty5 <p>When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- Purchase protection4 <p class="">Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. <br></p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.</li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
You really only benefit from the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card if you fly Delta frequently. You earn 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and 1X miles for all other eligible purchases, so if you don’t fly Delta, the annual fee doesn’t make sense to pay. Plus there are many other cash back credit cards that pay more on most categories.
But if you fly Delta, there are plenty of other benefits besides the elevated miles on Delta purchases to enjoy. I encourage you to ensure it makes sense with the high annual fee so you come out ahead each year.
Get more details at our Delta SkyMiles Reserve review.
What are metal credit cards made of?
Depending on the card, it could be made of brass, copper, brushed stainless steel, gold, or palladium. Some cards are made from alloys or a combination of plastic and metal.
The weights of metal cards also vary — here are a few cards we weighed to compare:
- 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
Metal credit cards are heavier and sturdier than plastic credit cards and can add a little prestige to your experience. But they’re more difficult to destroy if you decide you want to close your account. Also, they may set off metal detectors at the airport and other places that require similar screening.
FAQs
What is the heaviest metal credit card?
The heaviest metal credit card is the J.P. Morgan Reserve, an invite-only rewards card from Chase that weighs 27 grams. For comparison, the Amex Platinum weighs around 18 grams, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve weighs about 13 grams.
Are metal credit cards better?
Metal credit cards tend to feel and look better than many non-metal cards, and these aesthetic differences can often be a good indicator of increased rewards and benefits as well. Many premium credit cards are made out of metal and offer more benefits than their non-premium counterparts.
But this doesn’t always mean that metal credit cards are the best cards available and non-metal credit cards are worthless. For example, many Chase cards, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex®, aren’t made out of metal, but still provide a useful rewards rate and benefits for everyday cashback earning.
How do I destroy a metal credit card?
Major credit card companies that issue metal credit cards will typically provide postage-paid envelopes to send an old metal credit card back if you want it destroyed. This is an easy and free option, as most common shredders and pairs of scissors won’t be up to the task. You might also be able to stop by a local branch of your card company to have your card destroyed there.
Bottom line
Metal credit cards are becoming more accessible than ever, and some of them don’t even have an annual fee. As you consider different travel credit cards and other rewards cards, it’s important to view them holistically to find the right new card for you. Check out our list of the best travel credit cards for more information.
If the best credit card for you happens to also be made of metal, you’ll get the extra “wow” factor that comes with it. If not, you can still have the certainty that you’re getting the best value that you qualify for.