
Bank card rewards are continuously evolving and turning into extra precious than ever earlier than. Nonetheless, it isn’t simply distinctive perks equivalent to dining credits, Uber credits and automatic elite status that set playing cards aside — it is also how they bodily look.
Following Chase’s extremely profitable launch of the Chase Sapphire Reserve in 2016, there’s been a speedy rise in metal cards in the marketplace as issuers compete to supply essentially the most eye-popping designs. And it is not simply premium credit cards with these glossy new seems to be — even some low- and no-annual-fee credit cards have gotten spiffy makeovers.
Cool-looking playing cards make for a terrific dialog starter, however this should not be the one cause to use for a bank card. When you’re on the hunt to your subsequent card — whether or not it is for traveling, airport lounge access or past — we’ve got you covered.
When you’re all about aesthetics, try our picks for the prettiest playing cards. (Notably lacking from this checklist are invitation-only playing cards just like the titanium-crafted Centurion Card from American Categorical and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card).
The knowledge for the Centurion Card from American Categorical and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
American Categorical Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card does not simply take the cake for one of many highest returns on dining at eating places and groceries at U.S. supermarkets, however it’s additionally the best-looking card publicly out there, in our opinion. You may get the cardboard in two totally different shiny steel varieties: Gold and the wildly fashionable Rose Gold. There was additionally a interval in mid-2024 the place you might get a limited-edition White Gold card.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards factors after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Based on TPG’s January 2025 valuations, this bonus is price $1,200. Some folks could also be focused for a good greater welcome provide through the CardMatch Tool (although needless to say affords are topic to alter at any time).
Standout advantages: Earn 4 factors per greenback spent at eating places (on as much as $50,000 in purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback) and at U.S. supermarkets (as much as $25,000 per calendar yr at U.S. supermarkets, then 1 level per greenback spent) and three factors per greenback spent on flights booked immediately with airways or with American Categorical Journey. You additionally stand up to $120 annually in dining credits per calendar yr that you should utilize at retailers equivalent to Grubhub, The Cheesecake Manufacturing facility, Goldbelly, Wine.com and 5 Guys, in addition to as much as $120 yearly ($10 per 30 days) in Uber Cash, which can be utilized on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides within the U.S.
To obtain this profit you have to have downloaded the most recent model of the Uber App. The Amex Gold additionally affords as much as $84 per calendar yr (as much as $7 per 30 days) for Dunkin’ purchases within the U.S. and as much as $100 in Resy credit each calendar yr. This credit score is split into $50 credit biannually. Enrollment is required.
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Associated: A complete guide to the Amex Gold dining credit
Annual charge: $325 (see rates and fees)
To study extra, learn our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
Apply right here: American Express Gold Card
The Platinum Card from American Categorical
The Platinum Card® from American Express is available in a glossy — look forward to it — platinum coloration. The steel card weighs 0.7 ounces and got here out as one of many strongest (least flexible) playing cards in our battle of the steel playing cards. Since 2022, each new and current cardholders also can choose a card from choices designed by artists Julie Mehretu and Kehinde Wiley.
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. This bonus is price $1,600 in keeping with TPG’s January 2025 valuations. Some folks could also be focused for a good greater welcome provide through the CardMatch Tool (affords are topic to alter at any time).
Standout advantages: This card earns a stellar 5 factors per greenback spent on airfare booked immediately with the airline or Amex Journey (as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar yr), 5 factors per greenback on pay as you go inns bought by Amex Journey, and 1 level per greenback on all different purchases.
Each calendar yr, you stand up to $200 in annual airline charge credit, as much as $200 in Uber credit, as much as $100 in credit score at Saks Fifth Avenue and as much as $240 digital leisure credit score with Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Instances, Peacock and The Wall Road Journal.
The perks do not cease there; for avid vacationers, the cardboard affords as much as $200 on pay as you go Nice Inns + Resorts or The Resort Assortment (requires a two-night minimal keep) per calendar yr and as much as a $120 assertion credit score to your International Entry or TSA PreCheck utility charge. Moreover, the cardboard affords unparalleled lounge entry and computerized elite standing with Hilton and Marriott, amongst different perks. Enrollment is required. An Amex Card should be chosen because the cost methodology to your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Money profit within the US.
Associated: How to maximize benefits with the Amex Platinum Card
Annual charge: $695 (see rates and fees)
To study extra, learn our full review of the American Express Platinum.
Apply right here: Platinum Card from American Express
Restricted-edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Categorical Card
Although not out there, the limited-edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card actually earned a spot on our checklist of prettiest playing cards. The sleek design is made with 25% steel from a retired Delta Boeing 747 plane and was out there to new and current cardholders whereas provides lasted by early August 2022. A brand new model of the cardboard was released earlier this year whereas provides lasted, and it is attainable we might see one other return sooner or later.
Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Primarily based on TPG’s January 2025 valuations, the welcome bonus is price $840. Some folks could also be focused for a good greater welcome provide through the CardMatch Tool (affords are topic to alter at any time).
Standout advantages: This card earns 3 miles per greenback spent on Delta purchases and 1 mile per greenback spent on all different purchases. As a cardholder, you get complimentary Delta Sky Membership entry* when touring on a same-day, Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
You additionally get free entry to American Categorical Centurion Lounges when flying Delta with a ticket bought on a U.S.-issued American Categorical card. Moreover, you will obtain a home first-class, Delta Consolation+ or fundamental cabin round-trip companion certificates every year if you renew the cardboard.
The companion move is legitimate in all 50 U.S. states (together with Hawaii and Alaska), Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Cardmembers additionally earn 1 Medallion Qualification Greenback for each $10 spent, with no restrict on what number of MQDs you may earn, plus an MQD enhance of two,500 MQDs every calendar yr.
*Starting in February 2025, Delta Sky Membership visits are restricted to fifteen free annual visits, with limitless annual visits after spending $75,000 in a calendar yr.
Associated: Delta Amex changes in 2024: Higher annual fees, new and enhanced perks
Annual charge: $650 (see rates and fees)
To study extra, learn our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Apply right here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The 0.5-ounce Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a minimalist design and was so fashionable when it first got here out that there was a shortage of the metal it was manufactured from.
Signal-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening. This bonus is price $1,230, in keeping with TPG’s January 2025 valuations.
Standout advantages: Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on journey (excluding the annual $300 journey credit score) and eating at eating places and 10 factors per greenback spent on Lyft rides (by March 2025). The annual $300 credit score covers travel-related prices equivalent to inns, airfare, tolls, practice tickets and nearly something that codes as a journey buy by the service provider.
Different advantages embody main auto rental insurance coverage, journey cancellation protection and no overseas transaction charges.
Associated: Which purchases count as travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Annual charge: $550
To study extra, learn our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Capital One is probably not the financial institution that first involves thoughts if you consider glossy playing cards, however the Venture X comes with a design that appears proper at dwelling subsequent to different premium playing cards. Along with the design, although, the cardboard sports activities a decrease annual charge than a few of its rivals, which provides to its worth.
Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases throughout the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s January 2025 valuations, this bonus is price $1,388.
Standout advantages: With this card, you will earn 10 miles per greenback spent on inns and rental automobiles booked by Capital One Journey, 5 miles per greenback spent on flights and trip leases booked by Capital One Journey and a pair of miles per greenback spent on all different purchases. You may additionally get 10,000 bonus miles yearly in your anniversary, a $300 annual credit score for bookings made by Capital One Journey and as much as $120 International Entry or TSA PreCheck credit score. As a cardholder, you additionally will take pleasure in limitless complimentary visits to Capital One Lounges and Precedence Go lounges, with the flexibility to convey as much as two visitors at no extra value.
Associated: How the Capital One Venture X travel credit can save you $300 on your next trip
Annual charge: $395
To study extra, learn our full review of the Capital One Venture X
Study extra: Capital One Venture X
Backside line
Issuers need you to really feel proud when handing over your bank card to retailers. Whereas the prettiest playing cards are sometimes additionally essentially the most rewarding, how a card seems to be should not be a figuring out issue if you’re interested by which one to use for subsequent. We provide loads of sources, equivalent to our month-to-month roundup of limited-time and new welcome offers, that you should utilize as a information to resolve which card could be essentially the most useful addition to your pockets.
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold Card, click on here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum Card, click on here.
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex, click on here.
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