How To Get A Metal Credit Card

Best Metal Card With Plush Travel Benefits

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Apply Now

On American Express's Secure Website

Apply Now

On American Express's Secure Website

5X Reward Rate

Earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel; earn 5 Membership Rewards perRead More

Welcome Bonus

100,000 Membership Rewards® Points

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Score

Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

Why We Picked It

The Platinum Card is destined for frequent travelers who intend to fully leverage the rich set of luxury travel benefits and Platinum Concierge service. In the right hands, the classic status card's staggering annual fee is well justified.

Pros & Cons

High reward potential on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel
Multiple credits can help justify the fee
Comprehensive airport lounge access
Luxury travel benefits and elite status with Hilton and Marriott with enrollment

High annual fee
Maximizing the statement credits takes some work and could be unworkable for many
Reward rate outside of travel is sub-par for a premium card

Card Details

Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on select Equinox memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
$179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.
See Rates & Fees

Best Metal Card For Traveling Foodies

American Express® Gold Card

Apply Now

On American Express's Secure Website

Apply Now

On American Express's Secure Website

Up to 4X Reward Rate

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery; Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at US supermarkets onRead More

Welcome Bonus

60,000 Membership Rewards® Points

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Score

Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

Why We Picked It

Foodies and travelers can leverage the American Express® Gold Card to the hilt, earning up to 4x points. The annual fee may seem intimidating, but by using the included benefits and doing some spending, it's easy to come out ahead.

Pros & Cons

High rewards earnings possibilities
Points transfer option to many partners
Add up to 5 authorized users for no additional annual fee
Can choose from regular or rose gold versions

No lounge benefits
Limited options to carry a balance
High APR for pay over time feature
High pay over time penalty APR

Card Details

Rose Gold is here to stay. Card Members can choose between a Gold or Rose Gold Card.
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $250.
Terms Apply.
See Rates & Fees

Best Metal Card With Bonus Travel Redemption Value

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Up to 10X Reward Rate

5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel throughRead More

Welcome Bonus

50,000 points

Regular APR

16.99%-23.99% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent (750 - 850)

Why We Picked It

This card offers superior points earning rates if you spend frequently on travel and dining out. The $300 travel credit justifies much of the annual fee, and redeeming points for travel on Chase Ultimate Rewards or when using the Pay Yourself Back feature nets you a 50% bonus.

Pros & Cons

$300 annual travel credit is incredibly flexible
Generous welcome bonus
Get 50% more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase, or for select purchases through Pay Yourself Back℠ program
Points transfer to valuable airline and hotel partners

High annual fee
High variable APR on purchases
Excellent credit recommended

Card Details

Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. Through December 31, 2021, gas station & grocery store purchases will also count towards earning your Travel Credit
Earn 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 50% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more

Best Metal Card With Bonus Rewards On Mobile Wallet Spending

U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card *

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center. Earn 3X points forRead More

Welcome Bonus

50,000 points

Regular APR

16.99% - 23.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Credit Score

Excellent (750 - 850)

Why We Picked It

Considering its lavish travel perks and the $325 annual travel credit, frequent travelers can easily justify the $400 annual fee. The U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is only available to U.S. Bank customers.

Pros & Cons

50% points bonus when redeeming for travel
Up to $325 in annual travel credit
Luxurious engraved metal card
No limits on points earnings

$75 fee for each additional card
Only available to applicants with an existing U.S. Bank relationship
No points transfer options available

Card Details

Earn 50,000 points worth $750 on travel after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening
Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude RewardsCenter
Earn 3X points for every $1 on eligible travel purchases and mobile walletspending.
Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other eligible net purchases
Use your mobile device to instantly redeem points for almost any purchase
Airport Lounge Access: Complimentary 12-month Priority Pass™ Select membership to more than 1,200 VIP lounges worldwide
World Class Service: Elevated service levels 24/7 with dedicated service advisors and Visa Infinite Concierge"

Best Metal Card For Hotel Loyalty Rewards

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card

Apply Now

On American Express's Secure Website

Apply Now

On American Express's Secure Website

Up to 6X Reward Rate

Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. 3Read More

Welcome Bonus

75,000 points

Regular APR

15.74%-24.74% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

Why We Picked It

Just a few Marriott stays per year is enough to make the $450 annual fee worthwhile via up to $300 in annual Marriott credits and an anniversary night. The complimentary status, lavish Bonvoy perks, and substantial welcome bonus add sweetness to the deal.

Pros & Cons

Free Night Award each card anniversary year worth up to 50,000 points (resort fees may apply)
Complimentary Bonvoy Gold Elite status
Increased earnings rate at Marriott hotels
15 annual Elite night credits
Up to a $300 annual Marriott Bonvoy credit at participating hotels

The APR can be high, depending on your creditworthiness
High annual fee
No introductory APR offer

Card Details

Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Plus, earn up to $200 in Statement Credits for eligible purchases at U.S. Restaurants within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Enjoy up to $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program.
Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. 3 points at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
Receive 1 free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points) at a participating hotel. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Enjoy unlimited airport lounge visits when you enroll in Priority Pass™ Select membership.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
$450 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.
See Rates & Fees

Best Metal Card For Online Shopping

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card *

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5% Back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market; Earn 2% Back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores; Earn 1%Read More

Welcome Bonus

$200 Amazon.com Gift Card

Annual Fee

$0 with Prime membership

Regular APR

14.24% - 22.24% variable

Credit Score

Good/Excellent (700 - 749)

Why We Picked It

For existing Prime members who frequently shop at Amazon and Whole Foods, the 5% rewards rate is stellar. To further sweeten the deal, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card offers a 2% rewards category plus Visa Signature benefits.

Pros & Cons

Earn a welcome bonus without a spending requirement
No foreign transaction fee
Unlimited 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods
Visa Signature benefits

No intro APR offer
5% back excludes non-US Amazon sites
APR can be high, depending on your creditworthiness
High balance transfer fee

Card Details

Get a $200 Amazon.com gift card upon approval. Offer ends on November 30, 2021.
Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores and earn 1% back on all other purchases
No minimum rewards balance required to redeem
Use Amazon Rewards to pay for all or part of your purchase
Visa Signature Concierge service

Best Metal Card For Socializing

Savor Rewards Credit Card

Up to 4% Reward Rate

Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 3% cash back at grocery stores and 1%Read More

Welcome Bonus

One-time $300 cash bonus

Regular APR

15.99% - 23.99% variable for purchases and balance transfers

Credit Score

Good/Excellent (700 - 749)

Why We Picked It

The Capital One Savor card is an ideal cash back credit card for those who love to splurge on bars, restaurants and an active social life. It's easy to justify the annual fee and accumulate great rewards with a remarkable 4% cashback rate on dining and entertainment (including popular streaming services), 3% cash back at grocery stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Pros & Cons

4% cash back on eligible categories
Entertainment is a rare rewards category
No foreign transaction fees
Unlimited reward earnings

Annual fee
No introductory APR for purchases or balance transfers
Higher standard APR

Card Details

Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services
Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores
Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn

Best Metal Card For Easy Travel Redemption

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase,Read More

Welcome Bonus

60,000 miles

Regular APR

15.99% - 23.99% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Why We Picked It

Casual travelers who don't plan to carry a balance will find good value in this card's rewards rate.

Pros & Cons

High rewards rate
Solid welcome bonus

No intro APR offer
Annual fee

Card Details

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 60,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $600 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get our best prices on thousands of trip options
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
No foreign transaction fees

Methodology

To find the best metal credit cards we studied a cross-section of cards to examine a variety of features and attributes. Then, we selected the best cards for individual categories such as travel perks, dining and rewards rates. The best cards were chosen due to its welcome bonus, earnings rates, redemption opportunities and other perks. That said, what is best for others in the market for a metal card might not be right for you. Do your research before deciding which cards will best help you achieve your goal with a new metal credit card.

The Best Metal Credit Cards

How to pick a metal credit card

With so many options available, picking the right metal credit card can seem daunting. Before applying, consider the options available to you. Here are some questions to ask.

Will the rewards offset the annual fee? It only makes sense to pay an annual fee for a rewards card if you're going to earn enough to offset the carrying cost.

Can you realistically meet the minimum spend requirement for the welcome bonus? Typically the larger the welcome bonus, the higher the requirement minimum spending amount to earn it. Don't chase that bounty if it means spending more than you normally would. No matter how tempting it may look, if you end up carrying a balance as a result of extra spending, it will eat away at the value of any rewards earned.

Will you use the benefits? There's no point in shelling out big bucks for a card laden with perks if you aren't going to use them.

Does the card's earning structure match up with where you spend the most? If you rarely travel, then a card that pays elevated rewards on flights or hotels probably isn't the best choice.
How are any rewards redeemed? A point isn't necessarily worth the same no matter how you redeem it or with every credit card's type of points earned. Every rewards card comes with its own unique redemption plan and sometimes a point can take on more or less value depending on how you use it.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this page .

To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please visit this page.

To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant(TM) American Express® Card, please visit this page.

Next Up In Credit Cards

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