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Best Metal Credit Cards in 2025 – Are They Worth the Hype?
February 6, 2025
Why Choose a Metal Credit Card?
Metal credit cards have an undeniable cool factor. Made of materials like stainless steel or titanium, they feel heavier and more durable than plastic cards. Originally rare status symbols, today you’ll find metal cards for all kinds of users – from luxury travelers to everyday shoppers. The appeal isn’t just appearance: issuers tend to reserve metal for cards loaded with premium perks. Functionally, a metal card works the same as any credit card, but it can turn heads when you hand it over.
That said, metal cards aren’t automatically better than plastic ones – it’s all about the benefits. A metal coating doesn’t improve your interest rate or approval odds. In fact, some metal cards carry high annual fees and require excellent credit. Bottom line is choose a card for its features, not its composition. If you want a combination of flash and substance, the cards below deliver both. We’ve rounded up the top metal credit cards in 2025, highlighting what each does best.
Top 5 Metal Credit Cards for 2025
Each card on this list is made of metal and offers outstanding rewards. From travel luxuries to everyday cash back, here are our picks:
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Best Overall Metal Card
Why it's great: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a fan-favorite that proves you don’t need a $500+ fee for premium value. This metal travel card comes with a reasonable $95 annual fee yet packs a punch: a hefty points sign-up bonus, 2x–5x rewards on travel and dining, and flexible points you can transfer to airline/hotel partners. It’s also surprisingly hefty for its price – around 12.4 grams of metal, giving it a solid feel in hand.
Perks: Earn bonus points after meeting the initial spend. Get 5x points on travel booked through Chase, 3x on dining, 2x on other travel, and 1x on everything else. It even includes trip insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
Drawbacks: No lounge access or luxury extras – for those, you’d need its pricier sibling, the Sapphire Reserve. But for most users, Preferred hits the sweet spot between cost and benefits.
Ideal for: Points enthusiasts and travelers who want a prestigious-looking card and high value returns, without a sky-high fee.
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2. The Platinum Card® from American Express – Best for Luxury Perks
Why it’s great: The Platinum Card® from American Express is the classic status metal card – if prestige had a physical form, it might be this 18.5-gram titanium beast!. Yes, it’s heavy, and yes, it commands a $695 annual fee – but it showers cardholders with high-end benefits.
Perks: Where to start? Enjoy airport lounge access worldwide, up to $200 in airline fee credits, $200 in Uber Cash, $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit, elite status with Hilton and Marriott, and generous travel protections. There’s also a massive welcome bonus for new cardmembers. Every purchase earns 5x points on flights and hotels and 1x on others.
Drawbacks: The annual fee is among the highest in the consumer card market. It’s only “worth it” if you fully utilize the perks. Also, reward earning categories beyond travel are limited.
Ideal for: Frequent travelers and luxury seekers. If you want the metal card experience – the one that turns heads at the restaurant and grants you VIP treatment – the Amex Platinum is it. It’s not about the weight – it’s about the lifestyle it unlocks.
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3. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Best for Travel Rewards
Why it’s great: A newer entrant, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is Capital One’s flagship metal card aimed at travelers. It’s metal, sleek, and loaded with travel perks, yet its $395 annual fee undercuts similar premium cards. This card is all about earning flexible travel miles and making trips smoother.
Perks: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after qualifying spend. Ongoing rewards: 2x miles on all purchases, plus 5x–10x on flights and hotels via Capital One Travel. Cardholders get an annual $300 credit for Capital One’s travel portal and 10,000 bonus miles each anniversary. Perks include unlimited access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges, Hertz President’s Circle status, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck.
Drawbacks: To get full value, you’ll need to book some travel through Capital One’s portal. Its lounge network, while growing, is smaller than Amex’s.
Ideal for: Globetrotters and points geeks. If you want a metal card that gives Chase and Amex a run for their money, Venture X delivers premium rewards for a mid-premium price. It’s especially great if you value simplicity – the flat 2x earning means no need to juggle category bonuses in daily spending.
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4. Apple Card – Best No-Annual-Fee Metal Card
Why it’s great: Believe it or not, you can get a metal credit card with no annual fee. The Apple Card is a titanium Mastercard issued by Goldman Sachs, and it’s completely free to carry. It’s designed for iPhone users, integrating seamlessly with Apple Pay and the Wallet app. The card itself is minimalist – a conversation starter.
Perks: Simplicity and privacy. You earn 3% cash back on Apple purchases (and at select partners like Uber, Walgreens, etc.), 2% back on everything when using Apple Pay, and 1% back when swiping the physical card. Cash back is daily – it goes right into your Apple Cash balance. The Apple Card also has no foreign transaction fees, no late fees, and an APR that ranges based on credit. While it doesn’t have luxury travel perks, the no fee makes it a guilt-free addition to your wallet.
Drawbacks: If you’re not an Apple user, this card’s benefits dwindle. Also, 1% back when using the physical card is low – you’ll want to use mobile payments for the higher reward rate. No sign-up bonus or traditional perks like insurance coverage.
Ideal for: Tech-savvy spenders and modest reward seekers. This is for someone who wants the novelty of a metal card and straightforward cash back. It’s a great starter metal card – you get the feel of metal without an annual fee weighing you down.
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5. Prime Visa – Best for Everyday Spending (No Fee)
Why it’s great: Another $0 annual fee metal card, the Prime Visa is a powerhouse for cash back, especially if you’re one of the millions of U.S. Amazon Prime members. It’s made of metal and built for daily use.
Perks: Earn 5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases, which is huge if you do a lot of online shopping or grocery spending there. Also, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% everywhere else. New cardholders often get a $100-$150 Amazon gift card upon approval. No foreign transaction fees, and Visa Signature benefits like travel accident insurance and purchase protection are included.
Drawbacks: Outside the Amazon/Whole Foods ecosystem, the rewards are decent but not category-leading. And of course, if you cancel Prime, your earn rate drops to 3% on Amazon/Whole Foods. No glamorous travel perks or big sign-up bonus beyond the initial gift card.
Ideal for: Avid Amazon shoppers and families. If a lot of your budget goes to Amazon or Whole Foods, this metal card maximizes that spend with 5% back — effectively a sizable discount on every order. Plus, it’s nice to have a sturdy card for everyday swipes. It won’t get you into airport lounges, but it will earn you serious cash back on groceries, gas, and dining in a stylish form factor.
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FAQ: Metal Credit Cards – Your Questions Answered
What is a metal credit card?
A metal credit card is a credit card made with metal (such as stainless steel, titanium or alloys) instead of the usual plastic. Functionally it works like any other card – swipe, tap and earn rewards – but its weight and design make it stand out. Banks often reserve metal cards for their premium products, so these cards tend to come with more perks (and sometimes higher fees). In short, a metal card is a fancier credit card material-wise, but it won’t magically improve your interest rate or credit limit. It will, however, feel cool in your wallet!
Are metal credit cards better than plastic cards?
Not automatically. In terms of benefits, metal cards aren’t inherently superior – it’s just that many premium cards happen to be metal. A metal card won’t give you better rewards just because it’s metal. That said, metal cards are more durable. If you drop one, you’ll hear a nice clink, and it may even survive a trip through the washing machine better than plastic. But they also can be heavier to carry and most metal cards come with high annual fees.
How do I dispose of or destroy a metal credit card?
With plastic cards, we’re used to grabbing scissors or a shredder. Don’t try that with metal cards! Metal credit cards are too tough for standard scissors and can even damage shredders. Instead, the typical method is to send the card back to your issuer for secure destruction. Most banks will mail you a prepaid envelope if you request one when your card expires or if you close the account.
Do metal credit cards set off metal detectors or airport security?
It’s possible, but generally not a big concern. A single metal credit card doesn’t contain enough metal to alarm most modern detectors. In airport screenings, TSA usually has you place your wallet and phones in the bin anyway. If you leave a metal card in your pocket, a sensitive detector could beep – experiences vary. The safe move is to treat your metal card like keys or coins: put it in the tray when going through airport security. TSA is used to seeing them.
Are there any metal credit cards with no annual fee?
Yes – not all metal cards are ultra-premium. A few no-annual-fee metal credit cards exist, giving you the best of both worlds. The most well-known is the Apple Card, a titanium card with $0 annual fee and straightforward cash back. Another is the Amazon Prime Visa – it’s metal and great for cash back on Amazon purchases. Keep in mind, while you save on fees with these, they won’t have lounge access or luxury travel credits – those typically come with the high-end metal cards. But if you want a flashy card without yearly costs, options are out there. You can always start with a no-fee metal card and upgrade later if you crave more perks.
Conclusion: Which Metal Card Should You Get?
Choosing the “best” metal credit card comes down to what fits your lifestyle. Are you a frequent traveler hungry for lounge access and first-class perks? Look at cards like Amex Platinum or Venture X. More of a casual spender wanting solid rewards? A no-fee metal card like Apple or Prime Visa might be your perfect match. Remember, a metal card should have metal-worthy value – don’t get seduced by looks alone. A plastic card with better rewards will always beat a metal card that doesn’t suit your needs.
On the bright side, there’s never been a better time to go metal. In 2025, most major issuers offer at least one metal card, making high-end card perks more accessible than ever. Whichever card you choose, make sure it earns strong rewards on your biggest expenses, and that you can take advantage of its benefits. If you’re paying an annual fee, the perks should pay you back.
Finally, maximize what you get out of your new metal card. Don’t leave perks on the table! This is where a tool like Kudos can be your best friend. Kudos automatically tracks your credit card rewards and optimizes your spending. It even nudges you at checkout with the card that will earn you the most points or cash back.
In other words, Kudos makes sure your sleek new metal card actually delivers solid gold value. (Psst – as a new user, you can use code GET20 to get $20 back after your first eligible purchase, just for trying Kudos!) By pairing the right credit card with smart tools, you’ll enjoy the status and the savings. Happy spending, and welcome to the metal club!
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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