The Best Metal Credit Cards of 2021

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You should not choose a credit card based on what it looks like, but it’s undeniable that metal credit cards,  which are heavier and sturdier than plastic ones, are becoming more and more common. And while metal cards started out as a status symbol — the top rewards cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express, with annual fees up to $695, are metal — the trend has expanded to far cheaper ones. 

If you want to hear the satisfying clunk of a metal card when you put it down on the table, you can choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred, for example, with an annual fee of $95.   

Like plastic cards, metal ones come with many perks and benefits that can offset their annual fees, and let you earn points that you can later redeem for nearly-free travel, or cash back. In general, metal cards tend to be more premium than plastic ones, offering higher rewards rates and more perks. 

In any case, while a metal card may come in handy to scrape ice off a windshield in a pinch, what it’s made of should not be the deciding factor.

Cards Offered in Metal

If you’re considering a premium travel rewards credit card these days, chances are it’s going to be metal. These cards have annual fees from $0 to $695, and come with a wide range of perks and benefits. Let’s take a closer look.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a popular travel rewards credit card. In fact, with an annual fee of $95, it’s our favorite credit card with an annual fee under $100 — and now is the best time to sign up for it. It’s offering a 100,000-point bonus after you spend $4,000 in your first three months of card membership. Those points are valued at over $1,250, according to Chase, and can take you quite far.

The card earns 2 points per dollar on dining and travel as well as 1 point per dollar on everything else.

You’ll also get perks such as a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership (must be activated by December 31, 2021), up to $60 in statement credits towards a Peloton membership, 5x points per dollar on Lyft rides, and more. Additionally, through March 2022, you’ll earn 5x points per dollar on a Peloton Bike, Tread or any accessory purchase over $1,800 (up to 25,000 points). Those benefits can offset the annual fee, if you use them. 

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Preferred’s sister card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, is the more premium of the two. It has a $550 annual fee and comes with perks like a $300 travel credit, up to a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry, up to $60 in DoorDash credits (through December 31, 2021) and up to $120 in Peloton membership credits.

You’ll get a one-year complimentary Lyft Pink membership, which gives you priority access and up to 15% savings on Lyft rides (activate by March 31, 2022); Lyft Pink would otherwise cost $19.99 a month. The card also gives you free access to airport lounges around the world that are part of  the Priority Pass network, and earns 3 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases. In addition, more benefits are rumored to be on the way for both Sapphire cards.

Like many other travel rewards cards, the Reserve can pay for itself if you take advantage of all the benefits it offers, but it’s not a good choice if you do not travel enough to justify having it. 

American Express® Gold Card 

The Amex Gold card is another popular travel rewards credit card. While it has a $250 annual fee (See Rates & Fees),  you’ll earn 4 points per dollar at restaurants and U.S. grocery stores (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), as well as 3 points per dollar on travel booked on amextravel.com or directly with airlines. The card is also currently featuring a welcome offer of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 in the first six months of membership.

It comes with other perks like a $120 annual dining credit, a $100 yearly Uber credit, and an Uber Eats Pass membership. With this membership, you’ll get perks like $0 delivery fees and 5% off on eligible orders of $15 or more. Otherwise, this service would cost you $9.99 per month.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum card now has an annual fee of $695 as of July 1. (See Rates & Fees.) For a limited time, you can earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.

The card comes with notable perks such as $200 annually in Uber Cash, up to a $100 credit on a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, a $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit, and access to global lounges such as the Amex Centurion Lounge and Delta SkyClubs (when flying same-day Delta flights). Amex has introduced new perks with the fee hike. Those include a $200 hotel credit as an annual statement credit for prepaid bookings through the Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection properties made through American Express Travel, $179 annual statement credit for a Clear membership, $240 in annual statement credits ($20 per month) on purchases or subscriptions with Audible, The New York Times, SiriusXM and Peacock, and $300 in annual statement credits ($25 per month) on select Equinox memberships or a digital subscriptions to Equinox+, an on-demand fitness app.

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card

The Amazon Prime Rewards card is geared towards frequent Amazon shoppers, rather than people who want to travel using credit card points. There’s no annual fee, but you can only get the card  if you are an Amazon Prime member. You’ll also earn a $150 Amazon gift card upon approval, which offsets the price of your $119 Amazon Prime membership in your first year.

The card earns 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods, plus 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores, and 1% cash back on everything else.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is a travel rewards credit card that earns 2 Capital One miles per dollar on every purchase. You can qualify for 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $20,000 within the first twelve months of account opening, or earn 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months. The card has a $95 annual fee.  It also offers  a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry that you’ll receive every four years.

Are Metal Credit Cards Better?

In terms of the material, the major benefit of using a metal credit card is that it will be more durable than a plastic one. Plastic can break or snap easily, and while you can have a broken card replaced easily by calling the number on the back, it’s an annoyance you likely won’t have with a metal card.

However, in terms of perks, it really depends on what your budget and preferences are. If a certain metal card does not suit your needs or budget, choose a credit card that does, regardless of the material.

How Much Do You Have to Spend to Get a Metal Credit Card?

There’s no minimum spending requirement to get a metal credit card; getting approved for one depends on your credit score. The credit score you need to get approved for a given metal credit card can vary from card to card and issuer to issuer.

However, many metal credit cards have a welcome offer or sign-up bonus, where you can earn bonus points or miles for hitting a minimum spending requirement in a set timeframe. While those bonuses can be very attractive, we encourage you to only spend what you would have spent anyway; do not overspend to meet a bonus requirement.  

Are Metal Credit Cards More Secure?

Metal credit cards are not more secure than plastic credit cards; the safety of your account does not depend on what the card is made of. They are, however, more durable and weigh more than a typical plastic credit card.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

All information about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by NextAdvisor and has not been reviewed by the issuer.