What a metal credit card is and how it differs from plastic
A metal credit card is a physical card made partly or entirely from metal — usually stainless steel, titanium, or a metal composite — instead of the standard plastic. The card still functions the same way: you swipe, insert, or tap it to make purchases, and you pay the issuer back on a monthly bill. The metal construction is purely physical; it does not change how the card processes payments or how your account works.
Metal cards are heavier and more durable than plastic, and they feel different in your wallet and at checkout. They are also more expensive for the card issuer to produce, which is why they are typically offered only on premium or rewards-focused cards. Some metal cards are solid metal; others have a metal face fused to a plastic core to reduce weight and cost.
The main practical difference is that metal cards can scratch or show wear over time, and some merchants' card readers have trouble reading them if the metal coating is too thick. Most modern readers handle them without issue, but older machines or certain point-of-sale systems may reject them occasionally.
Key Takeaways
- Metal cards work exactly like plastic cards for payments, but cost more to produce, so issuers reserve them for premium accounts.
- Metal cards are heavier, more durable, and more visible in your wallet, but may occasionally fail to read on older card machines.
- You typically cannot request a metal card unless the issuer offers one as part of a specific card product or tier.
- Metal cards are replaced under the same terms as plastic cards if lost, stolen, or damaged, and replacement usually takes 7 to 10 business days.
- The card itself carries no special tax or legal status — it is straightforward a different physical format for the same credit account.
Which card issuers offer metal cards
Major issuers including American Express, Chase, Citi, and Capital One offer metal versions of certain premium cards, usually in their rewards or travel categories. American Express offers metal cards on several Platinum and Centurion products. Chase includes metal cards on some Sapphire Reserve and business Ink cards. Citi offers metal cards on select Prestige and business cards. Capital One includes metal cards on certain Venture and Spark cards.
The availability of a metal card depends on the specific card product, not on your credit score or account history. If a card comes in metal, it comes in metal for all cardholders of that product. You cannot request a metal version of a plastic card, and you cannot downgrade from metal to plastic — the physical format is set when the card is issued.
Smaller or regional issuers and some online-only banks do not typically offer metal cards, as the production cost is higher and the benefit is mostly visual. If metal is important to you, check the card issuer's website or call their customer service line to confirm whether a specific card product includes a metal version.
How to get a metal card when you open an account
If you are opening a new account with a card issuer that offers metal cards, the metal version is usually sent automatically if you are approved for a may have access to product. You do not need to request it or pay extra — it arrives as your initial card in the mail, typically within 7 to 10 business days of account opening.
When you complete the process online or in person, the issuer will tell you whether the card comes in metal as part of the product details. Read the card features section carefully; it will state "metal card" or "premium metal construction" if that is included. If you are unsure, contact the issuer before you explore to confirm the physical format.
Some issuers send a temporary digital card or a plastic card when ready so you can use the account right away, then mail the metal card separately once it is produced. Check your account portal or the welcome email for tracking information on your physical card shipment.
Replacing a metal card if it is lost, stolen, or damaged
If your metal card is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact your card issuer's customer service line when ready. You can usually find the number on your account statement, the issuer's website, or the back of your current card. Report the card as lost or damaged, and the issuer will cancel it and order a replacement.
Replacement metal cards are sent at no charge, just as plastic card replacements are. The replacement usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. While you wait, you can use a digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) if your phone is linked to the account, or request a temporary plastic card to use when ready if the issuer offers that option.
If your metal card is damaged but still functional — for example, it has scratches or a small dent — you can still use it. Replacement is optional in that case. If the card no longer reads on machines or the metal is cracked, contact the issuer and request a replacement; most will send one without requiring you to return the damaged card first.
Metal card fees and annual costs
Metal cards themselves do not carry a separate fee. However, the card products that include metal construction typically have higher annual fees than standard plastic cards. For example, a premium rewards card with a metal format might charge $450 to $695 per year, while a basic rewards card in plastic might charge $0 to $95.
The annual fee is for the card product and its benefits — the metal construction is straightforward part of the package. You cannot reduce your fee by requesting a plastic version instead, and you cannot avoid the fee by downgrading to a different card. If the annual fee is not worth the rewards or benefits to you, you would need to close the account or switch to a different card product entirely.
Some issuers waive the first-year annual fee as a welcome offer, but this applies whether the card is metal or plastic. Read the welcome offer terms carefully to see whether the fee is waived, reduced, or charged in full during your first year.
How metal cards perform at checkout and online
Metal cards work at most modern checkout terminals without any issue. Contactless readers, chip readers, and magnetic stripe readers on newer machines all handle metal cards reliably. You can tap, insert, or swipe a metal card the same way you would a plastic card.
Older card machines — particularly those in small businesses, rural areas, or outside the United States — may occasionally have trouble reading a metal card, especially if the metal coating is very thick or if the machine's reader is worn. If a card fails to read, ask the cashier to try swiping instead of inserting, or try a different machine if one is available. This happens rarely, but it is worth knowing in case it occurs.
Online purchases work exactly the same with a metal card as with plastic. You enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV just as you would for any card. The metal format has no effect on online transactions, fraud protection, or dispute resolution.
Durability and care for metal cards
Metal cards are more durable than plastic in some ways and less in others. They resist cracking and breaking if dropped or bent, and they do not warp in heat the way plastic can. However, metal cards scratch more easily and more visibly than plastic, and the scratches are permanent.
To minimize scratching, store your metal card in a dedicated card slot in your wallet rather than loose in a pocket or bag. Avoid placing it face-down on rough surfaces, and do not clean it with abrasive materials. A soft cloth is fine if you want to wipe it down, but harsh scrubbing will make scratches worse.
Scratches are cosmetic and do not affect how the card functions. The card will read and process payments normally even if the surface is visibly worn. If the scratches bother you, you can request a replacement card from the issuer, though some may ask you to pay a replacement fee if the card is not damaged or lost — check your card agreement or call customer service to confirm the issuer's policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a metal card if my card issuer offers one but I was issued plastic?
No. The physical format is determined by the card product you hold, not by your request. If you were issued plastic, that is the standard format for your card. You cannot upgrade to metal unless you close the account and open a new one with a different card product that includes metal.
Do metal cards have better fraud protection or rewards than plastic cards?
No. The metal construction is purely physical and does not change the card's fraud protection, rewards rate, or benefits. The rewards and protections are determined by the card product itself, not by whether it is made of metal or plastic. Two cards with identical benefits will have the same protections and rewards whether one is metal and one is plastic.
Will a metal card damage my card reader or payment terminal?
No. Metal cards are designed to work safely with standard card readers and terminals. They will not damage machines or cause any harm to the payment system. If a machine fails to read your card, it is usually because the reader is worn or the machine is very old, not because the card is metal.
What happens if my metal card is bent or warped?
Metal cards are much harder to bend or warp than plastic cards. If your metal card does become bent, it will likely still read and function normally. If it is severely bent or cracked, contact your issuer and request a replacement. Most issuers will send a replacement at no charge if the card is damaged.
Can I use a metal card internationally?
Yes. Metal cards work the same way as plastic cards internationally. They read on foreign card machines, work with international payment networks, and are subject to the same fraud protections and currency conversion rules as any other card. Some older machines in certain countries may have trouble reading any card, metal or plastic, but this is not specific to metal cards.