The heaviest credit cards are metal rather than plastic, giving them an air of permanence and solidity. Just holding one in your hand can make you feel, well, good.
Modern plastic credit cards weigh around 5 grams (5g). The heaviest metal card is more than five times heavier. Of course, a heavy card is not necessarily a great card, and that’s why we review here the best of the heavyweights.
If you are going to weigh down your wallet, you may as well get the most value per gram.
-
Navigate This Article:
Heaviest Credit Cards You Can Apply For
You can apply for any of the following cards without waiting for an invitation, as some of the heaviest credit cards require. All weigh at least 11g, and the trio of Luxury Cards tip the scales at 22g. As you’ll see, weight and value are not the same.
1. Luxury Card™ Mastercard® Gold Card™: 22g
The gold-plated Luxury Card™ Mastercard® Gold Card™ weighs in at 22 grams. Getting it will cost you and your co-owner more than $1,000, but you’ll receive good perks for airfare and cash back redemptions.
- 24K-Gold-Plated and stainless steel card. Tailored to be an everyday essential. Rewards and protection benefits that are designed to be used everywhere you go, rather than select categories and purchases. Plus, no foreign transaction fees.
- Simple and flexible rewards without the hoops. 2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. 2% value for cash back redemptions. Earn one point for every one dollar spent. No minimum threshold requirement for cash back or airfare redemptions.
- Annual Airline Credit—up to $200 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. Just pay for airline purchases with your Mastercard Gold Card and we will automatically apply the credit to your account. That’s it. No need to activate or designate an airline.
- Up to a $100 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry. Also, enjoy automatic enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with no guest or lounge limits. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
- 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®—available by phone, email, SMS and chat in the app. Around-the-clock service to help you save time and manage tasks big and small. There is no requirement to make a purchase in your requests and no fees are associated with using the concierge’s assistance.
- Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties. Plus, peace of mind protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay.
- Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
- Annual Fee: $995 ($295 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening.
|
19.99% Variable
|
$995 ($295 for each Authorized User added to the account)
|
Excellent
|
The card provides VIP travel benefits, including a subscription to Luxury Magazine and complimentary Priority Pass lounge access. Luxury Card Concierge can help with your access to exclusive events, personal requests, and travel bookings through Luxury Card Travel.
2. Luxury Card™ Mastercard® Black Card™: 22g
The Luxury Card™ Mastercard® Black Card™ has a more reasonable annual fee than its gold sibling. It offers the top rate on airfare redemptions but reduces its yearly airline credit and cash back rewards.
- Stainless steel and carbon card. Tailored to be an everyday essential. Rewards and protection benefits that are designed to be used everywhere you go, rather than select categories and purchases. Plus, no foreign transaction fees.
- Simple and flexible rewards without the hoops. 2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. 1.5% value for cash back redemptions. Earn one point for every one dollar spent. No minimum threshold requirement for cash back or airfare redemptions.
- Annual Airline Credit—up to $100 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. Just pay for airline purchases with your Mastercard Black Card and we will automatically apply the credit to your account. That’s it. No need to activate or designate an airline.
- Up to a $100 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry. Also, enjoy automatic enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with no guest or lounge limits. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
- 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®—available by phone, email, SMS and chat in the app. Around-the-clock service to help you save time and manage tasks big and small. There is no requirement to make a purchase in your requests and no fees are associated with using the concierge’s assistance.
- Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties. Plus, peace of mind protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay.
- Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits. Annual Fee: $495 ($195 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening.
|
19.99% Variable
|
$495 ($195 for each Authorized User added to the account)
|
Excellent
|
As with the other Luxury Cards, this one may offer a 0% intro APR, and it never charges a foreign transaction fee. Luxury Card Concierge can arrange spa services and reservations for five-star restaurants anywhere you travel.
3. Luxury Card™ Mastercard® Titanium Card™: 22g
The Luxury Card™ Mastercard® Titanium Card™ is the trio’s bargain option but still has the same 22g weight and high airfare redemption rate.
- Brushed stainless steel and carbon card. Tailored to be an everyday essential. Rewards and protection benefits that are designed to be used everywhere you go, rather than select categories and purchases. Plus, no foreign transaction fees.
- 2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. 1% value for cash back redemptions. Earn one point for every one dollar spent. No minimum threshold requirement for cash back or airfare redemptions.
- 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®—available by phone, email, SMS and chat in the app. Around-the-clock service to help you save time and manage tasks big and small. There is no requirement to make a purchase in your requests and no fees are associated with using the concierge’s assistance.
- Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties. Plus, peace of mind protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay.
- Members-only LUXURY MAGAZINE®.
- Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
- Annual fee: $195 ($95 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening.
|
19.99% Variable
|
$195 ($95 for each Authorized User added to the account)
|
Excellent
|
You don’t lose any Luxury Card Concierge privileges with this card. You also get a free subscription to Luxury Magazine and insurance against baggage delays, trip cancellations, rental car damage, and travel accidents.
4. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: 18g
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is the only credit card that will give you free access to the American Airlines Admirals Club. Its annual fee costs less than a club membership.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
This card is currently not available.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Additional Disclosure: The information related to Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
You and your traveling party receive free baggage check, and the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
5. The Platinum Card®: 17g
The Platinum Card® weighs 17 grams and charges one of the highest annual fees among the cards on this list.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights booked directly through airlines or American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Also earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
- $200 annual hotel credit, $200 annual airline fee credit, $25 monthly Equinox credit, $15 monthly Uber cash credit, $50 bi-annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit, and more.
- Platinum Card Members have unlimited complimentary access to all locations of The Global Lounge Collection, including 1,400 airport lounges across 650 cities.
- Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status. Enrollment required.
- Choose among three card designs
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
20.49% – 27.49% Pay Over Time
|
$695
|
Excellent
|
The rewards and benefits of this card underwent a significant overhaul. Still, if you like to travel, the statement credits and reimbursements can make this card a worthy addition to your wallet. Some benefits include free access to the Global Lounge Collection®, Gold status at Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy programs, and the Platinum Travel Service.
6. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: 17g
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the heaviest card from Capital One, coming in at 17 grams. This card represents Capital One’s premium card offer with a sleek metal appearance to match. You get extra value when you use it with Capital One Travel.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
21.74% – 28.74% (Variable)
|
$395
|
Excellent
|
Though it charges a hefty annual fee, the annual travel and anniversary credits make up for the cost of the card. And you’ll come out ahead if you take advantage of the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee reimbursement.
7. HSBC Elite Credit Card: 17g
Unlike most heavy metal credit cards, the HSBC Elite Credit Card doesn’t charge an annual fee.
- Earn 50,000 Rewards Bonus Points worth $750 in airfare – when booked online through HSBC Travel – after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
- You’ll earn 3X Rewards Points on new travel purchases – including airline, hotels, and car rentals — 2X Points on new dining purchases, and 1X Points on all other purchases
- Receive up to $400 in travel credits per year for all airfare, hotels, and car rentals booked through HSBC Travel
- You and one guest enjoy complimentary, unlimited access to 1,000+ airport lounges provided by LoungeKey™
- Take 3 rides per month and receive a $5 Lyft App credit
- An exclusive Luxury Thank You Gift when you reach $50,000, $75,000, and $100,000 in cumulative spend annually. Up to 3 Luxury gifts per year.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
19.49% – 23.49% (Variable)
|
$395
|
Excellent
|
You can redeem rewards for travel through HSBC’s travel site or a statement credit for previous travel purchases. Additionally, you can transfer points to participating travel partners.
8. Verizon Visa® Card: 17g
Synchrony Financial is the issuer of the Verizon Visa® Card, weighing 17.28 grams and aimed at Verizon Wireless customers.
- When you open a Verizon Visa Card account, get up to $100 in credit applied to your wireless bill over the first 24 months—just use the card to pay your bill every month.
- New enrollees to Verizon’s Auto Pay can get up to $10/month off each eligible account or line, up to 12 lines max on select plans
- Earn 4% Verizon Dollars on grocery store and gas purchases, 3% on dining and takeout purchases, 2% on Verizon purchases, and 1% on everything else
- There are no limits to how much you can earn and no expiration dates
- You can redeem your Verizon Dollars for merchandise in the Verizon store, apply them toward your Verizon Wireless bill, use them on travel, or get gift cards from your favorite brands.
- This card is exclusively offered to Verizon Wireless customers
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
18.49% or 22.49% (Variable)
|
$0
|
Good
|
You earn a statement credit spread across the first 24 months when you use your card to pay your monthly bills. You can collect another monthly statement credit when you enroll in Verizon’s Auto Pay program. Each eligible purchase earns Verizon Dollars rewards to pay for a new phone, accessories, or your monthly bill.
9. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: 16g
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card weighs 16 grams and offers unlimited miles on all purchases. You also get up to a $100 credit for TSA Pre√® or Global Entry fees. The card’s miles never expire while you keep the account open.
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
20.74% – 28.74% (Variable)
|
$95
|
Excellent, Good
|
You can redeem the miles you earn in several ways. You can transfer them to more than a dozen travel partners. You can also use your miles to fly any airline or stay at any hotel with no blackout dates. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card charges no foreign transaction fees, offers a competitive signup bonus, and provides extra value when you use it at Capital One Travel.
10. U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: 16g
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is for consumers with excellent credit. Although it has a sizable annual fee, you can easily recoup the cost and more due to rewards and yearly credits.
- Earn 50,000 bonus points worth $750 on travel when you spend $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
- Earn 3X points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases and 3X points on eligible mobile wallet purchases
- Complimentary 12-month Priority Pass™ Select membership that gives access to more than 1,300 VIP lounges worldwide
- Get reimbursed up to $325 annual credits for eligible travel purchases and dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery purchases
- $400 Annual Fee
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
21.49% – 28.49% (Variable)
|
$400
|
Excellent
|
The card provides complimentary access to airport lounges. You also receive a set of Visa Infinite benefits that add significantly to the card’s value. You can redeem points for travel, gift cards, merchandise, live events, cash back, magazines, and other rewards.
11. Apple Card: 15g
The Apple Card works with Apple Pay (rather than a bank) to provide you daily cash back on all eligible purchases.
- Get unlimited 3% Daily Cash back on everything you buy from Apple and other select merchants when you use Apple Card with Apple Pay
- Get unlimited 2% Daily Cash back when you use your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay with Apple Card
- Pay for your new Apple products over time, interest‑free with Apple Card Monthly Installments
- With advanced security technologies like Face ID, Touch ID, and unique transaction codes, Apple Card with Apple Pay is designed to make sure you’re the only one who can use it
- The only credit card made of titanium — a sustainable metal known for its beauty and durability
- No annual fees, no foreign transaction fees, or late fees. No fees, period.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
15.49% – 26.49% (Variable)
|
$0
|
Good/Excellent
|
The physical Apple Card has no external numbers — all the information resides on an internal chip. You can use the iPhone version with security features such as Touch ID, Face ID, and unique transaction codes. The Apple Pay app lets you track your cash back balance and estimate your monthly interest.
12. American Express® Gold Card: 15g
The American Express® Gold Card weighs in at 15 grams, with generous dining, grocery shopping, and travel rewards to boot.
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership
- Earn 4X Points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases. Also earn 4X Points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 3X points on flights when booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. All other eligible purchases earn 1X point.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, Boxed and other participating partners. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- Delight your senses when you book The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel. Get a $100 experience credit to use during your stay. A minimum 2-night stay is required.
- $250 Annual Fee
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
20.49% – 28.49% Pay Over Time
|
$250
|
Excellent
|
You also receive a monthly credit when you dine at select restaurants or take advantage of Grubhub or Seamless meal delivery. Another benefit of the Amex Gold Card is Entertainment Access®, which lets you purchase by-invitation-only tickets to events in select cities.
13. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: 15g
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card makes travel more rewarding, especially for Marriott loyalists. You can accumulate points quickly through the signup bonus and rewards on Marriott Bonvoy purchases.
- Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 6X Points on hotels for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3X Points at U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X Points for each dollar on everything else.
- Enjoy up to $25 a month in Dining statement credits each calendar year for eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
- Book direct using a special rate for a 2-night minimum stay at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® and get up to $100 in credit for qualifying charges.
- With Card Membership, you can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited access to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
20.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
|
$650
|
Excellent
|
Statement credits go a long way to reimbursing the hefty annual fee. You also get complimentary access to airport lounges and free night awards at participating hotels.
14. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: 15g
You can earn bonus miles on Delta purchases with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. This makes the card an excellent choice for Delta fans but not necessarily for travelers seeking other travel options.
- Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
- Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases and hotels, 2X miles at restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and U.S. supermarkets, all other purchases earn 1 point per $1
- Earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, up to two times.
- Get your first bag free on Delta flights booked with your card
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card
- Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
20.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
|
$250
|
Good/Excellent
|
Benefits include a free flight for a companion each year, free baggage check, and a rebate on Delta inflight purchases.
15. Amazon Business Prime Card: 14g
The Amazon Business Prime Card gives you a gift card for signing up without any purchase requirements or annual fees. But you must be an Amazon Prime member to get this business card.
- Welcome Offer: Receive a $125 Amazon.com gift card upon approval
- 5% Back or 90 Days Terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership on the first $120,000 in purchases each calendar year, 1% Back thereafter
- 2% Back on U.S. purchases at restaurants, gas stations, and wireless phone services purchased directly from service providers
- 1% Back on all other eligible purchases
- Expense management tools to help you track and organize expenses
- $0 Annual Fee
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
18.74% – 26.74% Variable
|
$0
|
Good/Excellent
|
Business owners will appreciate the card’s expense management tools and employee cards. This card offers a better APR than that of some other business cards.
16. City National Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card: 14g
The City National Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card is from consumer-based City National Bank.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on airline, hotel, taxi (including Uber and Lyft), limousine, rental car, train, bus, restaurant, fast food, and takeout food dining purchases, and 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Receive a statement credit of up to $350 per account, per calendar year for Qualifying Airline Purchases.
- Receive up to $550 Airline Lounge Club Membership Fee statement credit per calendar year with $50,000 yearly spend.
- Apply for Global Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program, using your Crystal Visa Infinite Card to pay your application fee and receive a $100 statement credit.
- Crystal Visa Infinite Cardholders Priority Pass Select program members and their accompanying guests can experience a more relaxing way to travel, with access to a global network of more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
- A 24/7 concierge at your fingertips. Receive customized assistance with airline, hotel and restaurant reservations, and virtually any personal or business requests.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
21.50% or 25.50% (Variable)
|
$400, $95 additional cardholders
|
Excellent
|
City National Rewards® Points combined with an airline incidental fees statement credit and a complimentary card membership statement credit may recoup your annual fee.
17. Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 13g
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card weighs 13 grams and is Chase’s premium travel card. You can earn a statement reimbursement for travel purchases each anniversary year. You also get up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry fee reimbursement.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
21.74% – 28.74% Variable
|
$550
|
Good/Excellent
|
Points are worth 50% more for travel, hotels, cruises, and car rentals when you redeem them through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, you would get $900 in value if you redeemed 60,000 points for travel purchases, with no travel restrictions or blackout dates. Other benefits include complimentary airport lounge access, unique hotel benefits, and several types of travel insurance.
18. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 13g
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card weighs 13 grams. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for flights, car rentals, hotel stays, or cruises via Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
21.24% – 28.24% Variable
|
$95
|
Good/Excellent
|
You can transfer your miles 1:1 to Chase’s travel and hotel partners. You also get many travel benefits, including trip cancellation and interruption service, auto rental collision damage waiver, insurance for delayed trips or baggage, and travel emergency assistance. Points don’t expire while the account is open.
19. Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: 13g
Chase Bank issues the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card to Amazon Prime customers. It weighs 13 grams, just as the other metal cards from Chase do. While the card has no annual fee, you must pay for a Prime subscription. Signing up for the card gives you an instant Amazon gift card.
- Earn 5% cash back at Aamzon.com and Whole Foods market
- Earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, 1% back on all other purchases
- Exclusively for customers with an eligible Prime membership
- Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon credit card approval
- See your rewards balance during checkout at Amazon.com and easily use rewards to pay for all or part of your purchase — no minimum rewards balance to redeem rewards
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
14.24% – 22.24%
|
$0 (Prime Membership Required)
|
Good/Excellent
|
Your cash back balance is available when you check out at Amazon.com. You get several travel benefits, including travel accident insurance, baggage loss/delay coverage, auto rental collision damage waiver, travel and emergency assistance, and no foreign transaction fees. You also get roadside dispatch, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection.
20. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: 12g
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers modest rewards that make sense for frequent Delta flyers. You earn bonus miles and Medallion Qualification miles on purchases.
- Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of ownership
- Earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your card, up to 4 times/year
- Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta — all other purchases earn 1 mile per $1
- Complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge and the Delta Sky Club® plus two Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year
- Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express card
- As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights booked with your card. You can save up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight per person.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
20.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
|
$550
|
Excellent
|
The card provides complimentary access to Priority Pass airport lounges, periodic companion certificates, and free baggage check. You also receive reimbursement for TSA Precheck and Global Entry fees.
21. U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card: 12g
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is a no-annual-fee card with surprisingly generous rewards. Those who enjoy travel and dining will get the most from this card.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. That’s a $200 value redeemable toward merchandise, gift cards, cash back, travel, and more. Points never expire.
- Earn 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery
- Earn 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, streaming services, gas stations, and EV charging stations — all other purchases earn 1 point per $1
- Enjoy a 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies
- $15 credit for annual streaming service purchases such as Netflix, Apple TV, Spotify, and more.
- $0 Annual Fee
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 12 billing cycles
|
0% for 12 billing cycles
|
19.49% – 28.49% (Variable)
|
$0
|
Good/Excellent
|
The card provides an annual credit for streaming services and a low intro APR. You can redeem points as a statement credit instantly via text message
22. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: 11g
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is one of the best cards for consumers who want extended warranties on their purchases.
- Receive 50,000 online bonus points - a $500 value - after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87-2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
- No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire.
- Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Low $95 annual fee.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
|
Intro (Purchases)
|
Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
|
Credit Needed
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
|
N/A
|
19.74% - 26.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
|
$95
|
Excellent/Good
|
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
This card offers flexible rewards redemption options, annual travel statement credits, a signup bonus, and several other perks valuable to cardholders. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members earn 25% to 75% more points on every purchase.
Heaviest Credit Cards By Invitation Only
Some credit cards are a little snooty. They decide who to invite to their chummy little club of cardholders, and you can’t get in without an invitation. It’s no surprise that these cards are also heavy — it would be surprising if they weren’t.
23. JP Morgan Reserve: 27g
John Pierpont Morgan was a genius at business and personal finance. He was a big man, and his namesake card, JP Morgan Reserve, is big, too, tipping the scales at 27 grams (of palladium, no cheesy platinum or gold). This premium credit card features laser engraving, giving it a unique look.
24. American Express Centurion Card: 17g
The American Express Centurion Card, notoriously nicknamed the Black Card, is for millionaires only. That is, millionaires who receive invitations to apply. It has a $10,000 initiation charge, a $5,000 annual fee, and a rumored $250,000 required spending annually. Excellent credit is required.
Honorable Mentions
We would give details about the Citi Chairman American Express Card, the Royale Mastercard by Dubai First, Coutts World Silk Card, or the Status Rewards Visa White Card — all undoubtedly “heavy” metal cards — but their weight, as with much else about them, is shrouded in secrecy.
What is the Heaviest Credit Card?
The J.P. Morgan Reserve card is the heaviest credit card we know about, weighing 27 grams. For the rest of us, the heaviest cards in this review are the Luxury Card trio (22g).
Several other cards weigh in at 17g, including The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Both offer premium benefits and have high annual fees, which is not surprising. High annual fees pay for expensive benefits and thicker metal.
The Platinum Card® will set you back quite a bit in annual fees. It comes with a generous signup bonus for new cardmembers and provides high rewards for travel-related expenses. Moreover, it delivers all sorts of premium benefits, including access to airport lounges, the Amex Platinum Travel Service, and Gold status with a few hotel reward programs.
(Non-Monetized. The information related to J.P. Morgan Reserve® was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)
What is the Best Credit Card Made of Metal?
We haven’t identified the best overall metal credit card, but we have a winner in several categories. Therefore, the best credit card depends on what is important to you.
If travel is your thing, we give top marks to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. This card provides double miles on all purchases, plus you receive a statement credit for your TSA Preè or Global Entry fees. It also lets you transfer your miles to other travel partners.
For folks with deep pockets and deeper needs, you may like our choice for the top premium card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®. This card gives you a generous introductory bonus point offer, an annual reimbursement for travel purchases, and best-in-class travel insurance. Speaking of reimbursement, you get up to a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry fees.
If you want a heavy card with no annual fee, our top recommendation is the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card. It offers a bevy of perks for which you’d expect to pay an annual fee.
So, Does Your Card Hold Its Weight in Value?
Well, we’ve had a little fun talking about the physical weight of the heaviest credit cards. Frankly, plastic cards (and electronic cards) work just as well as metal ones, and they’re lighter to carry.
But there is also a kernel of truth in treating metal cards as more valuable — card companies lavish metal only on their best cards. Therefore, when you see a metal card, you have an indication that it provides substantial benefits and rewards. Indeed, the cards in this review are all metal and all good choices. And if a metal card floats your boat — go for it!
Advertiser Disclosure
CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.
Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
Share This Article
About the Author
![7 FAQs: The Different Types of Credit Cards & Which to Carry ([updated_month_year])](https://www.cardrates.com/images/uploads/2017/11/types.png?width=158&height=120&fit=crop "7 FAQs: The Different Types of Credit Cards & Which to Carry ([updated_month_year])")
![Credit Card Ownership By Age, Income, Gender & Race in [current_year]](https://www.cardrates.com/images/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1524276980.jpg?width=158&height=120&fit=crop "Credit Card Ownership By Age, Income, Gender & Race in [current_year]")