What You Should Know About a Metal Credit Card
A metal credit card strikes a satisfying thud when you toss it on a table, and its exclusivity and premium perks speak to your status. But it’s important to weigh other factors, including rewards, benefits, and costs, before picking one up.
It’s also worth noting that you typically have to mail your metal card back to the issuer when it expires or is closed, rather than return it in person.
Aesthetics
Metal credit cards have long been associated with luxury and prestige, offering a premium feel and exclusive perks that cater to high-spenders. These cards typically carry a higher annual fee than plastic credit cards. However, they can offer a more durable design and unique aesthetics. They can also be embossed with intricate patterns, logos or the cardholder’s information to add a personal touch.
Choosing the right metal credit card depends Metal Card on a number of factors, including your spending habits and preferences. For example, you may prefer a credit card that offers rewards for categories that you spend most in, or one that comes with unique travel benefits and protections. It’s also important to consider whether a metal credit card will meet your lifestyle needs, including if its annual fees are worth the extra expense.
For example, the brushed metal business card that we designed for Beehive Basin Brewery combines the rugged and professional elements of their brand. A surface etching technique is used to apply the imagery and logo, creating a monochromatic look that stands out against the raw stainless steel card stock. This card is an excellent example of how a metal business card can be used to create a unique and memorable impression on potential clients.
Security
Credit card companies may have made metal credit cards a status symbol, but they’re not inherently more secure than plastic ones. They are usually made from brushed stainless steel, brass, titanium, palladium or other metals. Some have a noticeable in-hand feel that some people find appealing. They can also be added to a digital wallet and used for the same purposes as a plastic credit card.
In fact, the most significant difference is how they are disposed of. If you decide to stop using a metal credit card or it expires, your credit card issuer will probably require you to return it to them for secure destruction and disposal. This is because your credit card information is encoded in the magnetic stripe and EMV chip. This information is readable by scanners at most payment terminals, even when the physical card is not present.
If you’re interested in getting a metal credit card, it’s important to do your research. Look at the different cards that are available, their rewards rates and benefits, as well as the annual fees. Then, choose the one that fits your budget and financial needs. Metal credit cards can be a great addition to your wallet, but they shouldn’t be the only consideration when shopping for new cards. The best credit card for you is the one that fits your spending habits and provides worthwhile perks.
Utility
Unlike plastic cards, which are easy to shred, metal credit cards are difficult to destroy. Most are too thick to be cut with a normal pair of scissors and have warnings not to use them in shredders. However, many card issuers will help you return the metal card when you cancel it or when it expires. Some will even provide a free return envelope.
Credit cards are a status symbol in their own right and are used by millions of people around the world. They’re a great way to show your wealth and status, which is why the most expensive cards often come with the best rewards. Besides the prestige factor, the benefits and perks that are included with these premium cards will also boost your brand reputation.
Metal credit cards are gaining popularity because they’re perceived as a status symbol and look more rugged than their plastic counterparts. While the trend started more than two decades ago with a premium metal card for big spenders, some credit card issuers now offer them to ordinary consumers who meet their lending criteria.
While a metal credit card may have more appeal than a plastic one, it’s important to compare all the other features that matter before making a final decision. Consider things like annual fees, sign-up bonuses, earn rates, and benefits when choosing a credit card.
Disposal
Most of us dispose of old credit cards by throwing them away or putting them in the recycling bin. While that works for most plastic cards, it’s not always possible with metal credit cards. Since they’re sturdier, they are more difficult to destroy upon expiration or account closure.
Typically, you will need to mail them back to the card issuer to have them destroyed. Most metal card issuers provide a prepaid envelope for smart card you to do so at no cost to the cardholder. This method is usually the safest and most efficient way to dispose of a metal card.
If you decide to take more extreme measures, it is possible to render a metal credit card useless by drilling holes in its magnetic stripe and chip. This may damage the card enough to render it unusable by identity thieves.
Alternatively, you can cut up the card using tin snips. Although regular scissors could work, tin snips are designed specifically for cutting up metal and can provide the most thorough results. Just be sure to thoroughly cut up the card to disable its EMV chip and magnetic stripe for maximum security. Lastly, you can also try burning your credit card in a backyard fire pit. However, it’s important to note that the heat from the fire will likely melt the card and make it less useful.