7 Best Metal Credit Cards for Everyday Perks

Jodie Price

By Jodie Price | Updated November 10, 2025

Metal credit cards have become popular for more than just their sleek design—they also offer strong rewards and everyday perks that make them practical choices. The best metal credit cards stand out by combining style with real value while providing travel benefits, dining rewards, and flexible redemption options that fit different lifestyles.

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a metal travel rewards card that balances strong perks with simple features. Crafted from a proprietary metal mix and weighing 13 grams, it offers a premium, durable feel. It is often chosen by people who want flexible rewards for both travel and everyday spending.

    This card focuses on points that can be redeemed in several ways and is useful for different types of cardholders. It also provides travel-related protections that add extra value when used on trips.

    Earning Structure:

    • 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
    • 3x points on dining
    • 2x points on other travel purchases
    • 1x point on all other purchases

    Welcome Bonus:

    New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 within the first three months.

    Card Details:

    • Annual fee: $95
    • APR: 19.99%–28.24% variable
    • Other benefits: Travel protection, purchase coverage, partner transfer options
    • Network: Visa
    • Type: Travel rewards credit card
    • Foreign transaction fees: None

    Key Benefits:

    • Strong rewards for dining and travel
    • Flexible redemption through Chase Ultimate Rewards
    • Transfer points to airline and hotel partners
    • Travel insurance protections
    • No foreign transaction fees

    Redemption Options:

    Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or transfers to airline and hotel partners.

    Credit Requirements:

    Good to excellent credit is recommended (typically FICO 670–850).

    Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

    The card has an annual fee and limited bonus categories outside travel and dining.

    Why it Works for Beginners:

    Its simple earning structure and flexible redemption options make it easy for new users to understand and use effectively.

  • The Platinum Card® From American Express

    The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium metal card for frequent travelers who want strong rewards and travel perks. Known for its elite features and services, it appeals to people who value comfort, convenience, and exclusive experiences. The stainless steel card weighs 18.5 grams for a high-end feel.

    This card focuses on lifestyle and travel benefits rather than everyday spending categories. It suits people who travel often and prefer premium access and personalised service.

    Earning Structure:

    • 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
    • 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
    • 1x points on other eligible purchases

    Welcome Bonus:

    New cardholders can earn up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months.

    Card Details:

    • Annual fee: $695
    • APR: 20.24%–29.24% variable
    • Other benefits: Airport lounge access, travel credits, hotel status upgrades
    • Network: American Express
    • Type: Charge card with Pay Over Time option
    • Foreign transaction fees: None

    Key Benefits:

    • Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide
    • Hotel and airline elite status upgrades
    • Annual travel credits for eligible purchases
    • Strong travel protection and insurance
    • Premium concierge service

    Redemption Options:

    Points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, gift cards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

    Credit Requirements:

    Applicants generally need good to excellent credit to qualify, with a FICO score of at least 670.

    Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

    The card carries a high annual fee, which may not be worth it for those who travel rarely.

    Why it Works for Beginners:

    Beginners who travel often can benefit from the lounge access and credits, making it easier to offset costs while learning to maximize rewards.

  • American Express® Gold Card

    The American Express® Gold Card is a stainless steel metal card that weighs 13 grams, giving it a solid, premium feel right from the first swipe. It is designed for people who spend often on food and travel and provides a strong rewards program to earn points on daily purchases.

    This card is well-suited for those who want to maximize rewards in categories like dining and groceries. With its sturdy stainless steel build and appealing perks, it also includes credits and benefits that add value when used consistently.

    Earning Structure:

    • 4x points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
    • 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1x)
    • 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel
    • 1x points on all other purchases

    Welcome Bonus:

    New cardholders can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 within the first six months.

    Card Details:

    • Annual fee: $325
    • APR: 20.74%–29.74% variable
    • Other benefits: Dining credits, airline fee credits, purchase protection
    • Network: American Express
    • Type: Charge card with pay-over-time option
    • Foreign transaction fees: None

    Key Benefits:

    • Strong rewards for food purchases
    • Travel protection included
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Monthly dining credits
    • Flexible pay-over-time feature

    Redemption Options:

    Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, merchandise, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

    Credit Requirements:

    Applicants generally need good to excellent credit, often starting around a 670 FICO score.

    Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

    The card may not be ideal for those who prefer cash back or cannot use all the available credits.

    Why it Works for Beginners:

    It helps new rewards cardholders earn points quickly in common spending categories like dining and groceries.

  • Bilt Mastercard®

    The Bilt Mastercard® is a metal credit card made from aluminum. It weighs 16 grams and has a light yet sturdy feel. It is designed for renters who want to earn rewards on monthly rent payments and stands out for allowing cardholders to earn points on rent without extra fees.

    Beyond rent, the card also provides rewards on everyday spending categories. It is a convenient choice for those seeking one card for both housing costs and daily purchases.

    Earning Structure:

    • 1x points on rent payments (up to 100,000 points per year)
    • 2x points on travel when booked directly with airlines, hotels, or car rentals
    • 3x points on dining purchases
    • 1x points on all other purchases

    Welcome Bonus:

    The card currently does not offer a traditional welcome bonus.

    Card Details:

    • Annual fee: $0
    • APR: 20.49%, 23.49%, or 28.49% variable
    • Other benefits: Cell phone protection, Lyft credits, and access to Bilt Rent Day promotions
    • Network: Mastercard
    • Type: Rewards credit card
    • Foreign transaction fees: None
    • Extra perks: World Elite Mastercard benefits

    Key Benefits:

    • No annual fee to maintain the card
    • Earn points on rent without transaction fees
    • Double points on non-rent purchases on the first of each month (Rent Day)
    • Strong dining and travel bonus categories
    • No foreign transaction fees

    Redemption Options:

    Points can be used for travel with airlines and hotels, fitness memberships, home décor, or a future home down payment.

    Credit Requirements:

    Applicants generally need good to excellent credit to qualify, with a FICO score between 670 and 850.

    Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

    The card does not provide a welcome bonus, and rent rewards max out at 100,000 points per year.

    Why it Works for Beginners:

    It’s great for beginners since it has no annual fee and allows easy rewards on important expenses like rent.

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel rewards card made of a brass alloy infused with metal palladium and weighing 13 grams. It is designed for frequent travelers who want strong rewards and flexible redemption options.

    This card focuses on travel and dining perks while also offering useful protections for purchases and trips. Its distinctive metal build and premium benefits make it a top choice among luxury credit cards in the market.

    Earning Structure:

    • 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel, including The EditSM
    • 4x points on flights booked direct
    • 4x points on hotels booked direct
    • 3x points on dining worldwide
    • 1x points on all other purchases

    Welcome Bonus:

    The card offers 125,000 bonus points for new cardholders after spending $6,000 in the first three months of joining.

    Card Details:

    • Annual fee: $795
    • APR: Variable, typically around 20.24%–28.74%
    • Other benefits: Travel credits, trip protections, lounge access
    • Network: Visa
    • Type: Credit card
    • Foreign transaction fees: None

    Key Benefits:

    • Flexible rewards redemption through Chase Ultimate Rewards
    • Strong travel protection and insurance
    • Access to airport lounges
    • Purchase protection and extended warranty
    • Wide merchant acceptance as a Visa card

    Redemption Options:

    Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

    Credit Requirements:

    Applicants need excellent credit, with a FICO score of 740–850, to qualify.

    Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

    The high annual fee may not be worth it for people who do not travel often.

    Why it Works for Beginners:

    It offers simple earning categories and flexible redemption, making it easier for new cardholders to maximize rewards.

  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

    The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium travel card made of stainless steel and weighs 15 grams. It is designed for those who often stay at Marriott properties and offers strong hotel perks and rewards that appeal to frequent travelers.

    Cardholders receive benefits that enhance hotel stays and everyday spending. The card suits people who value hotel loyalty and want to maximize rewards through travel and dining.

    Earning Structure:

    • 6x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels
    • 3x points at restaurants worldwide
    • 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines
    • 2x points on all other purchases

    Welcome Bonus:

    Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.

    Card Details:

    • Annual fee: $650
    • APR: 20.24%–29.24% variable
    • Other benefits: $300 annual dining credit, complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
    • Network: American Express
    • Type: Metal credit card
    • Foreign transaction fees: None

    Key Benefits:

    • High rewards on Marriott stays
    • Dining credits each year
    • Complimentary elite hotel status
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Premium travel protection

    Redemption Options:

    Points can be redeemed for free hotel nights, room upgrades, and transfers to airline partners.

    Credit Requirements:

    Excellent to good credit (FICO score of 670–850) is recommended for the best odds of approval.

    Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

    The high annual fee may not be worth it for those who do not stay at Marriott hotels often.

    Why it Works for Beginners:

    It offers simple earning categories and valuable hotel perks, making it easy for new cardholders to use rewards effectively.

  • Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

    The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is made of stainless steel, weighs 16 grams, and has a premium, substantial feel. It balances everyday usability with travel-focused perks and appeals to a wide range of cardholders.

    This card is designed for people who want straightforward rewards without complex earning categories and provides consistent value for those who spend across a wide range of purchases.

    Earning Structure:

    • 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
    • 5x miles on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25
    • 2x miles on every purchase, including ride-hailing services

    Welcome Bonus:

    New cardholders can earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card membership.

    Card Details:

    • Annual fee: $95
    • APR: Variable, around 19.99%–29.24%
    • Other benefits: Travel accident insurance, extended warranty protection, and access to Capital One Travel portal
    • Network: Visa
    • Type: Travel rewards credit card
    • Foreign transaction fees: None

    Key Benefits:

    • Flat 2x rewards rate on all purchases
    • Extra rewards on travel bookings through Capital One
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Simple redemption process
    • Metal construction for durability

    Redemption Options:

    Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases, transferred to airline partners, or used for gift cards and statement credits.

    Credit Requirements:

    Applicants generally need good to excellent credit to qualify, often with a FICO score of 670 or higher.

    Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

    The card has an annual fee and does not offer bonus categories outside of travel, which may limit value for some users.

    Why it Works for Beginners:

    The straightforward 2x earning structure makes it easy for beginners to track and redeem rewards without confusion.

Why Choose a Metal Credit Card

Metal credit cards attract users for more than their sleek design. Their durable build gives a premium feel and a sense of exclusivity. Many also include strong rewards, from travel perks to dining bonuses. These benefits provide practical value that matches the card’s high-end appearance and sturdy construction.

How to Pick the Right Metal Card for You

The right metal credit card depends on your spending habits and lifestyle. Frequent travelers may want lounge access and airline transfer options, while everyday users might look for dining or grocery rewards. Compare annual fees, earning structures, and redemption flexibility to find a card that matches your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do metal credit cards offer better security than plastic cards?

Metal cards use the same EMV chip and magnetic stripe technology as plastic cards, so the security is virtually identical. Their heavier material doesn’t affect fraud protection or encryption. However, the premium status of these cards often includes stronger customer service for lost or stolen cards.

Are replacement metal cards more expensive or slower to ship?

Replacement times are usually similar to plastic cards, but some issuers offer expedited shipping due to the premium service level. There’s rarely an extra fee for standard replacements. Premium cards often include free overnight shipping if you report a lost or damaged card.

Are metal credit cards harder to get approved for than plastic cards?

Approval depends on creditworthiness, not the card’s material. Many metal cards do target higher-income or excellent-credit customers, but the application process itself is the same as any other credit card. Meeting credit score and income requirements is what really matters.

Is it possible to upgrade to a metal credit card?

Yes, many issuers allow existing customers to upgrade to a metal version if they qualify for the higher-tier product. The process usually involves a credit review and may require a strong payment history. Contact your card issuer to check eligibility and learn about any fees or changes to your account terms.