The 6 prettiest credit cards you can add to your wallet
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
There's no question that credit card rewards are constantly evolving and becoming more valuable than ever before. However, it's not just unique perks such as dining credits, Uber credits and automatic elite status that set cards apart — it's also how they physically look.
Following Chase's highly successful launch of the Chase Sapphire Reserve in 2016, there's been a rapid rise in metal cards on the market as issuers compete to offer the most eye-popping designs. And it isn't just premium credit cards with these sleek new looks — even some low- and no-annual-fee credit cards have been getting spiffy makeovers.
Related: Yes, you too can custom bedazzle your credit cards
Cool-looking cards make for a great conversation starter. Although this factor shouldn't be reason enough to apply for a credit card (head to our best travel credit cards guide if you need help with that), today we're going to take a look at the prettiest cards currently available.
(Notably missing from this list are invitation-only cards like the titanium-crafted Centurion Card from American Express and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card.)
The information for the Centurion Card from American Express and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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1. American Express® Gold Card
The Amex Gold Card doesn't just take the cake for one of the highest returns on dining and groceries, but it's also the best-looking card publicly available, in our opinion. You can get the card in three different shiny metal forms: Gold, the wildly popular Rose Gold or White Gold.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) within the first six months of card membership. Terms apply. According to TPG valuations, this bonus is worth $1,300. Some people may be targeted for an even higher welcome offer via the CardMatch Tool (offers are subject to change at any time).
Standout benefits: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to a $25,000 per calendar year at U.S. supermarkets, then 1 point per dollar spent) and 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel. You also get up to $120 annually in dining credits that you can use at merchants such as Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys as well as up to $120 annually ($10 per month) in Uber Cash, which can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. To receive this benefit you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Related: How I used the Amex Gold dining credit
Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees).
Read our American Express Gold Card review.
Apply here: American Express Gold Card
2. The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Amex Platinum card comes in a sleek — wait for it — platinum-like color. The metal card weighs 0.7 of an ounce and came out as one of the strongest (least bendy) cards in our battle of the metal cards. And as the start of 2022, both new and existing cardholders can also choose a card from options designed by artists Julie Mehretu and Kehinde Wiley.
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This bonus is worth $1,600 according to TPG valuations. Some people may be targeted for an even higher welcome offer via the CardMatch Tool (offers are subject to change at any time).
Standout benefits: This card earns a stellar 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and prepaid hotels purchased through Amex Travel. You also get up to $200 in annual airline fee credits, up to $200 in Uber credits, up to $100 in credit at Saks Fifth Avenue and a rebate for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Additionally, the card offers unparalleled lounge access and automatic elite status with Hilton and Marriott, among other perks. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Related: How to maximize benefits with the Amex Platinum Card
Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees).
Read our American Express Platinum review.
Apply here: Platinum Card from American Express
3. Limited-edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Though no longer available, the limited-edition Boeing 747 Delta Skymiles Reserve American Express Card certainly earned a spot on our list of prettiest cards. The sleek design is made with 25% metal from a retired Delta Boeing 747 aircraft and was available to new and existing cardholders while supplies lasted through early August 2022.
Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months of account opening. TPG values Delta SkyMiles at 1.41 cents each, making this bonus worth $705. Some people may be targeted for an even higher welcome offer via the CardMatch Tool (offers are subject to change at any time).
Standout benefits: This card earns 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. As a cardholder, you get complimentary Delta Sky Club access when traveling on a same-day, Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. You also get access to American Express Centurion Lounges for free when flying Delta with a ticket purchased on a U.S.-issued American Express card. Additionally, you'll receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+ or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year when you renew the card.
Related: Why I applied for the Delta Reserve Card
Annual fee: $550 (see rates and fees).
Read our Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card review.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
4. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The 0.5-ounce Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a minimalist design and was so popular when it first came out that there was a shortage of the metal the card was made out of. You'd be surprised how often people mistake the Reserve for the Amex Centurion due to its dark color scheme.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. This bonus is worth $1,200 according to TPG valuations.
Standout benefits: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel (excluding the $300 travel credit) and dining at restaurants and 10 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through March 2025). You get a $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel, which covers virtually every trip-related charge from airfare to Uber rides, Priority Pass lounge access and a rebate for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Other benefits include primary auto rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage and no foreign transaction fees.
Related: What purchases count as travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Annual fee: $550.
Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
5. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One may not be the bank that first comes to mind when you think of sleek cards, but the Venture X comes with a design that looks right at home next to other premium cards. In addition to the design, though, the card sports a lower annual fee than some of its competitors, which adds to its value.
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. According to TPG valuations, this bonus is worth $1,388.
Standout benefits: With this card, you'll earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar spent on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. You'll also get 10,000 bonus miles every year on your anniversary, and a $300 annual credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel and an up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. As a cardholder, you also will enjoy unlimited complimentary visits to Capital One Lounges.
Related: How to use the Venture X travel credit
Annual Fee: $395.
Read our Capital One Venture X review.
Apply here: Capital One Venture X
6. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
An eye-catching cash-back option from Capital One, the Savor Rewards credit card has a unique brushed copper design and now comes in metal.
Sign-up bonus: Earn $300 after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Standout benefits: Earn 4% cash back on dining, entertainment purchases, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) and 1% on everything else, in addition to the no foreign transaction fees.
Annual fee: $95.
Related: A year with the Capital One Savor credit card
Read our Capital One Savor review.
The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
Issuers want you to feel proud when handing over your credit card to merchants. Despite most cards on this list being made of higher-end materials than plastic, I believe that the most important trait of a good-looking card is if it shuns the standard design of the name and account number on the front rather than what it's made out of. After all, wallets with too many metal cards become heavy and difficult to open and close — first-world problems, I know.
As a reminder, although the prettiest cards are often also the most rewarding, looks shouldn't be a determining factor when applying for new cards. We have plenty of resources here at The Points Guy, such as our best travel credit cards guide and monthly roundup of limited-time and new welcome offers, which you can refer to if you need help deciding which credit card to apply for next.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex, click here
Additional reporting by Emily Thompson.