5 slick metal cards with no annual fee (+ best perks)

American Express is the company that pioneered metal cards with the industry’s maiden metallic card, dubbed the Centurion.

Introduced in the late 90s, it was an invitation-only card that granted the most exclusive perks, including airfare rebates and white-glove customer service.

The catch? It came with an annual fee of $5,000. But times have changed.

Today, finding no-annual-fee metal credit cards is no longer a herculean task. But choosing the wrong card could leave you out of pocket and disappointed.

In this article, you’ll learn about some of the best metal credit cards with no annual fee so you can decide for yourself which ones are worth their weight in gold—or titanium.

What are metal cards and how do they differe from plastic ones?

Technically, metal credit cards (which can be made of stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, or a mix of those) work similarly to their plastic counterparts.

You can swipe, tap, or insert them at the point-of-sale to complete a transaction, depending on whether it’s got RFID technology.

With a waived “predatory” annual fee, however, you’re likely to experience a greater value than with traditional plastic credit cards—thanks to a host of exclusive rewards.

Which banks offer metal credit cards?

You’ll find there are traditional issuers behind no annual fee metal credit cards, including banks like Chase and Capital One, among others.

But there’s also a cohort of non-banks behind these cards, including e-commerce giant Amazon and iPhone maker Apple, which have been trying to muscle their way into financial services.

Often you’ll see these companies pair up with payment giants like Visa or Mastercard for their products.

How much money do you need for a metal card?

When it comes to getting a metal card with no annual fee, the strength of your credit is key.

Banks and fintechs have different criteria for their respective cards. And some issuers will also be interested in your income.

But as a rule of thumb, they’ll require applicants to have a credit score that’s between excellent and good.

Can the average person get a metal credit card?

You don’t have to be in the millionaire’s club to qualify for a metal credit card. You just need to have a positive credit history and enough income to give the issuer confidence you’ll be able to make your payments.

So without further ado, let’s dive into the best metal credit cards with no annual fee (in no particular order).

Apple Card

Not surprisingly, Apple, with its sleek and shiny design, probably has one of the best-looking metal credit cards with no fee.

Apple partnered with investment bank Goldman Sachs to issue the titanium Apple Card. This card may be powered by the iPhone, but there’s still a physical card.

Apple’s titanium credit card has zero fees, including any hidden ones, and encourages users to save money on interest.

Instead of attempting to hide the reality of interest, Apple communicates to users just how much a purchase will cost them in interest so they can make an informed decision from there.

Other features include:

• Zero fees, including any annual fees
• As of mid-2023, variable APRs range from 15.99% to 26.99%, depending on the applicant’s creditworthiness
• Comprised of titanium (90%) and aluminum (10%), making it hardy
• Weighs roughly 15 grams, or about half an ounce, so it won’t weigh down your wallet
• As much as 3% daily cash back at select merchants to spend or save
• Ability to purchase new Apple products with the card using the Apple Card Monthly Installments program, available at Apple Store locations, for zero interest

Prime Visa

Not to be outdone, e-commerce giant Amazon is also behind a metal card with no annual fee, a physical card that is issued with the backing of Chase bank.

Among the perks, Amazon’s card offers users a $200 Amazon gift card upon approval, which can be obtained in near real-time. While you won’t need a Prime membership to qualify, having one will unlock more of the perks.

Features unique to Amazon include:

• Zero annual credit-card fee and access to cardholder perks
• Variable APR ranging from 19.24%–27.24%
• Weighs approximately 12 grams, slightly lighter than the Apple Card
• Contactless card, just tap and go
• Earn 5% back on Amazon.com purchases as a Prime member
• Earn 5% back when grocery shopping at Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh, in store or online (reserved for Prime members)
• Earn 5% when booking travel via Chase Travel (Prime members only)
• Earn 2% back at restaurants and select gas stations, for both dine-in and take-out

Capital One VentureOne Rewards

Capital One’s VentureOne Rewards card is a metal card with zero annual fee that specializes in travel rewards.

But based on Reddit reviews, you’ll need to apply for the card outright to receive the metal version. If you’re upgrading a different card to Venture, they may send you a plastic card.

Also, don’t confuse this card with Capital One’s Venture X card, which carries a hefty $395 annual fee. Here are some of the perks of the VentureOne:

• Zero annual fee
• 0% APR for the first 16 months on balances and transfers (with a 3% fee). After that, APR ranges between 19.99% and 29.99%.
• Weighs somewhere between 16 grams and 17 grams[3] , comprised of stainless steel veneer
• Earn 1.25 miles for every dollar spent on each purchase. Miles can later be redeemed for purchases.
• New users earn 20,000 bonus miles upon spending $500 in the first three months of opening an account. Cardholders appreciate the discounts, which help offset the otherwise lofty APR.

X1 Visa Card

Fintech company X1 is behind the X1 Visa Card, a metal credit card with no annual fee that specializes in rewarding cardholders.

Given that X1 is not a bank, its nimble tech platform separates it from the pack by offering unique features.

Chief among these is an app to make purchases and a point system that incentivizes consumers to use the card for everyday purchases, including Amazon, Uber, and Lyft.

Below is a list of some of the top features of this metal card with no annual fee:

• No annual fee or late fee
• Card weighs 17 grams of stainless steel
• As of mid-2023, variable APRs range from 19.99% to 29.99% commensurate with creditworthiness
• As cardholders spend, they earn points that can be redeemed at major brands across tech, retail, fitness and travel. Users can even direct their points toward investing in the stock market or just exchange them for cold hard cash.
• Credit limits are determined by current and future personal income.

U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card

U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card is the last metal card with no annual fee on our list.

This card also uses a points-based system that can be redeemed instantly toward purchases. Cardholders can take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers made in the first dozen billing cycles.

Here’s a list of some of the perks:

• No annual fee
• 0% APR for the first 12 billing cycles. Then it changes to a variable rate between 19.99% and 28.99%.
• As users spend, they can redeem points in real-time that can be directed toward merchandise, gift cards, cash, travel, etc. Those points have no expiration date. In the first year as a cardholder, earn as many as 20,000 points, equivalent to $200 in cash or other purchases.
• U.S. Bank also offers a $15 credit when you purchase annual content streaming subscriptions from Netflix, Apple TV+, Spotify, and others.