The 5 Best Metal Credit Cards in Canada

Metal credit cards are heavier and more durable than their plastic counterparts, which gives them a premium feel. More than that, they’ve become synonymous with status. After all, the first-ever metal credit card to hit the Canadian market is the exclusive and elusive American Express Centurion, affectionately known as the Amex Black Card. Since then, metal credit cards have grown in popularity, offering a unique blend of premium benefits and a posh aesthetic. If you’re looking to upgrade your plastic, we’ve rounded up the 5 best metal credit cards in Canada.

The best metal credit card in Canada is the one best suited your individual spending habits. Since every Canadian has their own spending preferences, we did the legwork for you by researching the best metal credit cards to ensure you settle for the best. 

In order of lowest annual fee to the highest, here are the top 5 metal credit cards in Canada.

American Express Gold Rewards Card – No Minimum Income Requirement

The American Express Gold Rewards Card is a metal credit card that comes in either a gold or rose-gold colour to choose from. With it, you earn 2 points for every dollar spent on eligible travel, which includes flights, cruises, car rentals, hotels, etc. There are also 2 points to earn on a dollar spent on grocery, drugstore and gas purchases in Canada and one point earned on money spent on other eligible items such as dining, subscriptions, etc. 

You also get a $100 annual travel credit to use on eligible bookings through American Express Travel Online, 4 free visits to Plaza Premium Lounges each year, access to over 1,200 airport lounges around the world with Priority Pass, comprehensive travel insurance, and more.

To be eligible for the AMEX Gold Rewards Card you must be a Canadian resident with an excellent credit score. You must be the age of majority in the province/territory where you live. It is one of the rare premium cards that doesn’t set fixed minimum income requirements. Other AMEX cards listed below don’t require a minimum income but their fees are higher.

BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card – Generous Lifestyle Credit

The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card is a metal credit card that makes your daily purchases more rewarding (and luxurious). For instance, you earn 5 points for every dollar you spend on essentials like groceries, travel, dining, gas, and drugstore purchases. Plus, you get an additional 25% points on all purchases when you add an eligible authorized user to your account. On top of that, you get a $200 lifestyle credit every year to use however you wish. 

This card also comes with great travel benefits like 6 free airport lounge vists per year, special perks at select airports in Canada, access to Visa’s Inifinite Luxury Program which includes hotels, dining, wine, concierge service, and more. You also benefit from comprehensive travel insurance.

To qualify for this metal credit card, your annual income must be at least $150,000 for individuals or at least $200,000 per household. You must also be the age of majority in the province/territory where you live. And most importantly, you must not have declared bankruptcy in the last seven years. 

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card – Discounts on Car Rentals

The CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card allows cardholders to earn plenty of points on its flexible travel rewards program. You will earn 3 points on every dollar spent on travel purchased via the CIBC Rewards Centre. You also earn 2 points for every dollar spent on dining, gas, transportation, entertainment and groceries. On everything else you earn 1.25 points per dollar.

This metal credit card also offers travel perks like exclusive access to business-class flight bookings, 6 free airport lounge vists per year, exclusive events and experiences through the Visa Infinite Privilege program which includes luxury hotels, dining, wine, limo service, and more. It also comes with comprehensive travel insurance. You can get up 25% off car rentals at Avis and Budget locations.

To be eligible, you must earn a minimum of $150,000 annually for individuals or $200,000 for a household. You must also have an excellent credit score and be the age of majority in the province/territory where you live.

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card – Free Access to Maple Leaf Lounges

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is another excellent metal credit card in Canada. It usually has one of the best welcome bonuses and offers excellent reward points for every purchase. Are you a frequent Air Canada flyer? In this case, you will earn the most points on Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations purchases.

You’ll also enjoy plenty of perks, like unlimited Maple Leaf lounge access for free, a first checked-bag for free, an annual companion voucher when you spend more than $25,000 on the card in a year, access to over 1,200 global airport lounges with Priority Pass, special treatment at Toronto Pearson International Airport, comprehensive travel insurance, and more.

To qualify for the AMEX Aeroplan Reserve Card, you must be a Canadian resident with an excellent credit score and be the age of majority in the province/territory where you live. There is no minimum income required for eligibility.

American Express Platinum Card – No Pre-Set Credit Limit

The American Express Platinum Card is one of Canada’s best metal credit cards. In fact, this card is actually a charge card because there is no pre-set credit limit. But that doesn’t mean infinite spending. Purchases are approved based on your credit score, financial profile, and your relationship with Amex. You are expected to pay off the full balance every month or the amount owing is subject to a whopping 30% purchase interest rate.

This Amex card is beloved for its premium perks. Cardholders get a $200 annual travel credit, access to over 1,300 airport lounges around the world, special benefits at Toronto Pearson International Airport, a $200 annual dining credit, special perks at over 1,300 Fine Hotels & Resorts, comprehensive travel insurance, and so much more. AMEX is ideal for Canadian travellers as it allows you to offset some of the travelling expenses using rewards. 

To qualify for this metal credit card, you must be a Canadian resident with an excellent credit score. You must also be the age of majority in the province/territory where you live. Surprisingly, there are no minimum income requirements to be eligible.

How is a metal credit card different from a regular or premium credit card?

As the name suggests, a metal credit card is a credit card made of various metals, with the most common being stainless steel, titanium, or palladium. Contrary to popular belief, metal credit cards function exactly like plastic credit cards. The difference between a metal credit card and a plastic one is that most metal cards come with premium rewards, luxurious perks, and hefty annual fees.

Since it is made with real metal, these cards are heavier than plastic cards. They are also classier in design and tend to be more durable. Then there’s the psychological payoff. Using a metal credit card indicates that you are in an exclusive club. People believe it says something about their status as a person.

Another element that makes metal credit cards in Canada different from their regular counterparts is their excellent welcome bonuses and earning rates. Unfortunately, metal credit cards are typically reserved for people a with high personal income and high credit scores. They also come with very high annual fees compared to regular credit cards.

Where are metal credit cards accepted?

A metal credit card is accepted almost everywhere that accepts major credit cards. However, even though American Express has the best metal credit cards, Amex is not as widely accpeted as Visa and Mastercard. Therefore, if you opt for an Amex metal card, you should always have a backup method of payment on hand.

Before getting a metal credit card, it’s also important to understand how you will benefit from it. Essentially, you can use your metal credit card to travel within or outside Canada since they come with excellent travel purchase rewards and premium travel perks like comprehensive insurance, airport lounge access, and more.

Depending on the specific metal card, you can use it for things like groceries, dining expenses, gas, and travel purchases while earning a high rewards rate per doller spent. Metal credit cards are also excellent when it comes to paying for subscriptions, whether it’s your business’s software, digital entertainment, etc. 

Are there any downsides of a metal credit card?

While a metal credit card can offer a sense of luxury and come with various premium perks, it can also come with some downsides. Here are a few things to consider before getting one:

Annual Fees: Metal credit cards often come with premium features and benefits, which usually means much higher annual fees compared to plastic cards.

Travel Challenges: A metal credit card might set off metal detectors at airports or other security checkpoints. Although it’s uncommon for a credit card to be the sole reason for an alarm, it’s something to be aware of.

Disposal & Recycling: Metal cards can’t be easily disposed of or shredded like plastic cards. Some issuers might have specific procedures for returning and recycling expired or unwanted metal cards, but it’s an extra step consumers need to be aware of.

Card Readers: Occasionally, a metal credit card might not work as smoothly with certain card readers as a plastic card would, especially with older machines. This is relatively rare but can be frustrating if it happens to you.

Flexibility: Metal cards are rigid and don’t have the flexibility of plastic cards. This can be a disadvantage if a cardholder prefers a bit of flexibility for inserting and removing a card from tight slots or holders.

Replacement Difficulty: If there’s a need to replace a metal credit card due to theft, loss, or damage, it might take longer than replacing a standard plastic card and there might be a higher replacement cost. This can vary based on the issuer.

Temperature Sensitivity: Metal cards can become extremely cold in the Canadian winter or hot if left in the sun during the summer, making them uncomfortable to handle in extreme conditions.

The last word about metal credit cards

The above review shows that the best metal credit cards in Canada are expensive and specifically tailored for individuals with high income. Therefore, ensure you understand your spending habits and can meet a metal credit card provider’s requirements before applying for one. Overall, metal credit cards are worth it because of the premium benefits they offer, including welcome bonuses, access to world-class hotels, airport lounge access, robust travel insurance, and more. However, if you don’t think a metal credit card is for you, then use Hardbacon’s credit card comparison tool to find your perfect match.