Which Metal Card is Right For You?
Metal cards come in a variety of styles and can offer premium credit card perks such as travel rewards, cash back or exclusive benefits. However, the best metal credit card for you depends on your spending habits and financial goals.
These heavyweight cards are gaining popularity thanks to their luxe aesthetic and premium features. But how do they work and are they better than plastic?
Edge-to-Edge Metal Cards
Whether it’s for a rewards travel card or a credit card that earns cash back, metal cards are a symbol of wealth and status. These cards are crafted from a variety of materials, including brass, copper, brushed stainless steel, titanium or even gold. They are also available with hip holographic foil designs. Foil edge cards can elevate business cards, custom postcards or even backer cards to the next level. With their stunning shine and unique feel, these cards make a lasting impression on recipients.
The heaviest metal card in our portfolio, the Full Metal Card is a testament to luxury and power. Combining a stainless-steel core with PVC layers front and back, it is the ideal choice for mass affluent and high-net-worth Metal Card segmentsations. The discernable weight, contactless certification from major payment schemes and innovative printing features make this a true flagship card that will set you apart in your customers’ wallets.
This 14pt paper stock offers a beautiful balance of texture and thickness level for your metal cards with painted edges. With its semi-gloss finish, this card has a slight sheen to it that makes the edges of your cards glow and stand out from their surrounding areas. It is also a perfect choice for cards with minimal text as it allows the colors to pop. Its thickness level is also great for edge painting as it allows the painted edges to stand out and look deeper than normal.
Integrated Fingerprint Sensors
The most luxurious metal credit cards feature built-in fingerprint sensors for enhanced security. These sensors allow cardholders to unlock their accounts with a simple tap of the card. They also help prevent fraudulent transactions by verifying identity and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive personal information.
However, despite the sturdiness of the metal, these cards are still thin and small enough to fit in most wallets. In addition, the integrated sensor is positioned inside the card’s casing to protect it against damage. Additionally, the sensor is powered by a miniature battery that requires minimal space to operate.
In some embodiments, the sensor (104) lies roughly flat and is oriented to sense fingerprint swipes applied along the larger plane of the smart card (132). The sensor circuitry that drives the sensor can be embedded on the backside of the card to further conserve space.
Alternatively, the sensor (104) can be configured with guides such as an indentation or recess (138) that are designed to orient the finger to swipe the sensor in the correct direction to provide an adequate fingerprint image. These configurations may be particularly useful when the sensor has a nxp mifare desfire smaller sensing surface area and/or lower power utilization than conventional full-fingerprint scanners that employ a number of electrodes to detect both the ridges and valleys of the fingerprint.
Aesthetics and Functionality
Metal cards are a unique payment card option that stand out from traditional plastic cards. They’re often crafted from premium materials like stainless steel and metal alloys and are available with a variety of perks including higher rewards and lower interest rates. Additionally, they’re known for their sleek appearance and distinctive weight that conveys a sense of luxury, status, and wealth.
Despite their luxurious looks, most metal credit cards still operate the same as their plastic counterparts and can be swiped at any terminal in the world. However, they do have some quirks – for example, they’re more likely to set off metal detectors and may be more susceptible to damage than plastic cards. Additionally, they often require an EMV chip to activate contactless payments.
But what’s most fascinating about metal cards is how they are transforming the way consumers think about their credit card – and how they’re making them more desirable. In a time of shrinking branch networks and commodified payments services, the rise of metal cards is a reminder that there’s still value in providing consumers with an experience that stands out from the rest.
To make the most of the benefits of a metal credit card, it’s important to choose a card that reflects your personal style and fits with your lifestyle. A plethora of metal cards are available from all major issuers, ranging from minimalist to intricate designs – some even feature artwork by famous artists.
Flexibility
Credit cards are typically made out of plastic, but some issuers now offer metal cards to add a premium feel. Some are pure metal plates, while others are plastic-metal hybrids. Regardless of how they look, these cards operate exactly the same as other credit cards, allowing you to swipe and tap them in the same way. Moreover, metal cards often come with premium perks, though the rewards programs on these cards are generally more modest than those on other cards.
Many metal cards also charge high annual fees and require excellent credit to qualify. While this can be tempting, it’s best to select a card based on its value, not simply its aesthetics or perks. The best metal cards are those that offer substantial value on the things you spend money on — for example, travel and dining — and complement your spending habits and financial goals.
You can find metal cards from many different issuers, but some cards are better than others. NerdWallet evaluates cards based on the value they provide, including annual and other fees, earning structure (rewards rates, bonus categories, and redemption options), perks and other offerings, introductory offers, and more. We’ve compiled our picks for the best metal credit cards that fit that criteria, below. Check out our full reviews of these cards to learn more.