8 Best Metal Credit Cards

Earning Structure:

• 4× Membership Rewards® points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000/year, then 1×)
• 4× points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year, then 1×)
• 3× points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
• 2× points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel bookings via Amex Travel
• 1× point per dollar on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

New cardholders can earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 in the first six months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $325
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Metal card body (~15 g), contactless payment enabled
• Includes dining and travel perks like Uber Cash and hotel credits

Key Benefits:

• Up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (in $10/month increments)
• Up to $120 in dining credits across eligible partners
• Up to $100 annual hotel credit when booking two-night stays via Amex Travel
• Access to exclusive ticket presales, American Express experiences, and event offers

Redemption Options:

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

Credit Requirements:

Typically requires a credit score in the range of 720 to 850 (Excellent) for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The high annual fee may not be ideal for low spenders who don’t maximize dining or grocery rewards.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers straightforward rewards on common spending categories and includes useful credits, making it easier to gain value without complex strategies.

Earning Structure:

• 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $395
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Metal card body (~17 g), contactless payment enabled
• $300 annual travel credit (Capital One Travel) and 10,000-mile anniversary bonus
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Key Benefits:

• Access to Capital One lounges and Priority Pass lounges
• 10,000-mile anniversary bonus each year (worth $100+)
• Travel insurance and purchase protections included
• Authorized users earn 2X miles on all purchases

Redemption Options:

Miles can be redeemed for travel at a fixed rate or transferred to several airline and hotel partners. Points never expire.

Credit Requirements:

Typically requires a credit score in the range of 740 to 850 (Excellent) for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The $395 annual fee may not suit light spenders despite travel credits that offset part of it.

Why it Works for Beginners:

The card earns simple flat-rate miles with extra travel credits that help reduce the cost, making it easy to use and valuable even for new cardholders.

Earning Structure:

• 8× points per dollar on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠
• 4× points per dollar on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3× points per dollar on dining worldwide
• 1× point per dollar on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $795
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Metal card body (~13 g), contactless and chip-enabled
• Automatically applies up to $300 in annual travel credit to offset travel purchases
• Includes Priority Pass™ Select lounge access and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit

Key Benefits:

• $300 annual travel credit automatically applied
• Priority Pass lounge access for cardholders
• Travel insurance and purchase protections
• Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® fee credit
• Primary rental car insurance coverage

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, and statement credits. Using points through Chase Ultimate Rewards® offers more value, especially for travel bookings.

Credit Requirements:

The card requires excellent credit, typically a FICO score above 740.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The $795 annual fee may be high for casual users. Benefits are mostly valuable if you travel frequently.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Its straightforward rewards and built-in travel protections make it a strong choice for new travelers wanting premium card perks.

Earning Structure:

• 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout
• 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 in the first 3 months. This is worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards® for travel.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Variable, typically around 19.99%–28.24%
• Metal card (~13 g), contactless and chip-enabled
• Annual hotel credit: Up to $50 toward hotel stays booked via Chase Travel
• Anniversary bonus: Earn 10% of your annual spending in points each year

Key Benefits:

• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Primary rental car insurance
• Purchase protection and extended warranty
• Access to Chase travel customer service

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or transferred to several travel partners like airlines and hotels.

Credit Requirements:

Typically requires a credit score in the range of 670 to 739 (Good to Excellent) for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The card has a $95 annual fee, which may not appeal to those seeking a no-fee card. Rewards on general purchases are modest.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers straightforward rewards and valuable travel perks with a lower fee compared to premium metal cards. This makes it a good choice for those new to travel rewards.

Earning Structure:

• 14 points per $1 spent at Hilton properties
• 7 points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com
• 3 points per $1 on other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $550
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Variable rate (approx. 20%–29%)
• Metal card body; contactless and chip-enabled

Key Benefits:

• Automatic top-tier Hilton Diamond elite status
• Multiple statement credits that reduce net cost
• Priority room upgrades and late checkouts
• Access to Hilton Honors free night certificates

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for free hotel stays, room upgrades, or through Hilton’s travel partners.

Credit Requirements:

Typically requires a credit score in the range of 700 to 850 (Good to Excellent) for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

High annual fee means the card is only worthwhile for those who stay often at Hilton and use the credits fully.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It may not be ideal for beginners due to the fee and spending needed, but suits those who plan to travel frequently and stay at Hilton.

Earning Structure:

• 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5X points on prepaid hotels booked via Amex Travel
• 1X point on other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $695
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Stainless steel card (~18.5 g), chip-enabled and contactless
• Extensive lounge access via the Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges

Key Benefits:

• Up to $200 annual hotel credit on Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings
• Access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide
• Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Gold status
• Up to $200 per year in Uber credits
• $100 airline fee credit for incidental charges

Redemption Options:

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

Credit Requirements:

Typically requires a credit score in the range of 720 to 850 (Excellent) for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The high annual fee may not suit infrequent travelers or those who don’t fully use the card’s benefits.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It is best for those new to premium travel cards who plan to travel often and can use the card’s credits and perks to offset the cost.

Earning Structure:

• 1× point per dollar on rent payments (up to 100,000 points per year, requires five monthly transactions)
• 3× points per dollar on dining and Lyft rides (boosted on Rent Day)
• 2× points per dollar on travel purchases (excluding rent)
• 1× point per dollar on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

No traditional welcome bonus; instead, cardholders earn double points on the first day of each month for qualifying purchases (excluding rent), up to 1,000 bonus points per day.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Metal card body, contactless and chip-enabled
• Requires a minimum of five purchases per statement to earn rewards
• Access to World Elite Mastercard® travel and lifestyle services

Key Benefits:

• No fees for rent payments
• Points can be used for rent, travel, hotels, and fitness
• Trip protections and purchase credits
• Credit-building benefits
• Access to premium travel offers

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed toward rent, travel on airlines and hotels, credit card statements, fitness classes, or a down payment on a home.

Credit Requirements:

Typically requires a credit score in the range of 670 to 739 (Fair to Excellent) for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Rewards are earned only if the cardholder makes five transactions per month, which may limit earning potential for some users.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers simple rewards on everyday spending like rent and dining, with no annual fee, making it easy to manage and build credit.

Earning Structure:

• 5× miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2× miles per dollar on all other purchases, with no caps
• Miles never expire as long as your account remains open

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of card membership.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Metal card body (~16 g), contactless and chip-enabled
• Built-in auto rental insurance and travel accident coverage
• Complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star Status after activation

Key Benefits:

• Complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star status after registration
• Ability to transfer miles to various travel loyalty programs
• Travel accident insurance and rental car insurance are included
• No blackout dates for rewards travel

Redemption Options:

Miles can be redeemed as travel statement credits to reduce recent travel purchase expenses or transferred to airline and hotel partners for more value.

Credit Requirements:

Typically requires a credit score in the range of 670 to 739 (Good to Excellent) for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The annual fee might not suit occasional travelers, and the flat-rate rewards may not maximize benefits for those who spend heavily in specific categories.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Its simple earning structure and easy redemption options make it user-friendly for those new to rewards credit cards.