Quick answer: Most bank-issued metal credit cards are premium travel cards, and many carry high annual fees. At the time of writing in October 2026, the Amex Platinum lists an $895 annual fee and the Amex Gold lists $325. If you want a metal card without changing your bank or paying for a premium account, a custom metal card is another route. You pay once for a stainless steel card, then move the chip from your current card into it. Your account, PIN and limits stay the same.
This guide explains the options honestly, including when a bank-issued metal card is the better choice.
Which credit cards are made of metal?
Many major issuers now offer at least one metal card. Popular examples include the American Express Platinum and Gold, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve, the Capital One Venture and Venture X, and the Apple Card. Most of them are premium travel or rewards cards, so the metal comes with an account that has its own fees, rewards and approval rules.
Why do metal cards often come with annual fees?
Banks use metal as a sign of a premium product. The card is paired with perks such as travel credits, lounge access or bonus rewards, and the fee pays for those perks. The metal is part of the package. If you want the perks, a bank-issued card is a good choice. If you only want the look and feel of metal, you may be paying for far more than you need.
Three ways to get a metal card
| Bank-issued premium card | Fintech metal card | Custom metal card (Solaris) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Annual fee, often high | Often a monthly subscription | One-time purchase, from $100 |
| Perks and rewards | Yes | Depends on the provider | None added |
| New account or approval | Yes | Yes | No, you keep your own |
| Design choice | Fixed | Fixed | Many finishes, or custom engraving |
| Tap to pay | Usually yes | Usually yes | Yes with a contactless build (metal front, plastic back) |
How a custom metal card works
A Solaris metal card is a solid stainless steel body that ships without a chip. You move the chip from your existing bank card into it, following our free chip installation tutorial. Your bank, account, PIN and limits do not change, and there is no application or credit check. We never ask for or accept your card. You pay once for the card, and your bank's own fees stay exactly as they were.
A metal card is a style upgrade. It does not add bank perks. If you want lounge access or travel credits, those still come from your bank's own card. Many people keep the perks they have and put their card in a metal body they love.
What you get with a Solaris card
- Solid stainless steel with precision laser engraving, not plastic dipped in colour.
- A wide choice of designs. Try the Gold AMEX, Platinum AMEX or Black Centurion AMEX.
- Real personalisation. Add your name with the Name Only | Minimalist Card, your signature with the Signature Card, or design your own with Customize Your Own.
- A free design proof before production.
- Discreet, tracked worldwide shipping. To the USA and EU, standard shipping takes about 9 to 10 days and express about 5 to 6 days, with priority production and engraving.
What about tap to pay?
Metal blocks the tap signal, so a full-metal card works with chip and PIN only. If you want to tap, choose a contactless build with a metal front and a plastic back. Your current card must support contactless. Read How Contactless Metal Cards Work.
When a bank-issued metal card is the better choice
- You will use the travel credits, lounge access or rewards, and they outweigh the fee.
- You want a new credit line or a new rewards programme.
- You want the bank's own card, in the bank's own design.
If instead you want the look and feel of metal on a card you already have, a custom metal card fits better. Read Custom Metal Card vs Bank-Issued Metal Card and Are Metal Cards Worth It? for more.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a metal credit card with no annual fee?
Some bank metal cards have lower fees than the premium ones, but most metal cards come with a premium account. Another route is a custom metal card, which holds your own bank chip. You pay once for the card and your bank's fees do not change.
Which credit cards are made of metal?
Popular examples include the Amex Platinum and Gold, the Chase Sapphire cards, and the Capital One Venture cards. Most are premium travel or rewards cards.
Can I put my own card in a metal card?
Yes. You move the chip from your current card into a custom metal card, using our free tutorial. Your account stays the same.
Does a custom metal card give me perks?
No. It is a style upgrade. Perks still come from your bank's own card.
Do I need to apply or pass a credit check?
No. You use the card you already have.
Can a custom metal card tap to pay?
Yes, with a contactless build that has a metal front and a plastic back. Full-metal cards cannot tap.
Browse the American Express-inspired collection or design your own custom metal card.
Annual fees and card details were checked in October 2026 and can change. Card names belong to their respective owners. Solaris Metal Cards designs are inspired by well-known card styles and are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any bank or card network.
