Bank card rewards are always evolving and turning into extra invaluable than ever earlier than. Nevertheless, it is not simply distinctive perks resembling eating credit, Uber credit and automated elite standing 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 steel playing cards available on the market as issuers compete to supply essentially the most eye-popping designs. And it is not simply premium bank cards with these smooth new appears to be like — even some low- and no-annual-fee bank cards have gotten spiffy makeovers.
Cool-looking playing cards make for an incredible dialog starter, however this should not be the one purpose to use for a bank card. If you happen to’re on the hunt to your subsequent card — whether or not it is for touring, airport lounge entry or past — we have you lined.
If you happen to’re all about aesthetics, take a look at 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 Specific and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card).
The data for the Centurion Card from American Specific 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 Specific Gold Card
The American Specific® Gold Card does not simply take the cake for one of many highest returns on eating at eating places and groceries at U.S. supermarkets, nevertheless it’s additionally the best-looking card publicly out there, in our opinion. You may get the cardboard in two completely different shiny steel kinds: Gold and the wildly well-liked Rose Gold. There was additionally a interval in mid-2024 the place you would 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 value $1,200. Some folks could also be focused for a good increased welcome supply by way of the CardMatch Instrument (although remember the fact that presents 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 straight with airways or with American Specific Journey. You additionally rise up to $120 yearly in eating credit per calendar yr that you should utilize at retailers resembling Grubhub, The Cheesecake Manufacturing facility, Goldbelly, Wine.com and 5 Guys, in addition to as much as $120 yearly ($10 per thirty days) in Uber Money, 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 newest model of the Uber App. The Amex Gold additionally presents as much as $84 per calendar yr (as much as $7 per thirty 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 whole information to the Amex Gold eating credit score
Annual charge: $325 (see charges and costs)
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the American Specific Gold Card.
Apply right here: American Specific Gold Card
The Platinum Card from American Specific
The Platinum Card® from American Specific is available in a smooth — look ahead 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 can even select 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 value $1,600 in line with TPG’s January 2025 valuations. Some folks could also be focused for a good increased welcome supply by way of the CardMatch Instrument (presents are topic to alter at any time).
Standout advantages: This card earns a stellar 5 factors per greenback spent on airfare booked straight 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 lodges bought by way of Amex Journey, and 1 level per greenback on all different purchases.
Each calendar yr, you rise 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 Occasions, Peacock and The Wall Avenue Journal.
The perks do not cease there; for avid vacationers, the cardboard presents as much as $200 on pay as you go Advantageous Resorts + 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 World Entry or TSA PreCheck software charge. Moreover, the cardboard presents unparalleled lounge entry and automated elite standing with Hilton and Marriott, amongst different perks. Enrollment is required. An Amex Card have to 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 one can maximize advantages with the Amex Platinum Card
Annual charge: $695 (see charges and costs)
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the American Specific Platinum.
Apply right here: Platinum Card from American Specific
Restricted-edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Specific Card
Although not out there, the limited-edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Specific Card definitely earned a spot on our checklist of prettiest playing cards. The smooth 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 way of early August 2022. A brand new model of the cardboard was launched earlier this yr whereas provides lasted, and it is doable we may 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. Based mostly on TPG’s January 2025 valuations, the welcome bonus is value $840. Some folks could also be focused for a good increased welcome supply by way of the CardMatch Instrument (presents 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 Specific Centurion Lounges when flying Delta with a ticket bought on a U.S.-issued American Specific card. Moreover, you will obtain a home top quality, Delta Consolation+ or principal cabin round-trip companion certificates every year whenever 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’ll be able to 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 adjustments in 2024: Greater annual charges, new and enhanced perks
Annual charge: $650 (see charges and costs)
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Specific Card
Apply right here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Specific Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The 0.5-ounce Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a minimalist design and was so well-liked when it first got here out that there was a scarcity of the steel it was product of.
Signal-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening. This bonus is value $1,230, in line 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 way of March 2025). The annual $300 credit score covers travel-related prices resembling lodges, airfare, tolls, prepare tickets and virtually 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 depend as journey with Chase Sapphire Most popular and Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Annual charge: $550
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Capital One might not be the financial institution that first involves thoughts whenever you consider smooth playing cards, however the Enterprise X comes with a design that appears proper at residence 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 supply: 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 value $1,388.
Standout advantages: With this card, you will earn 10 miles per greenback spent on lodges and rental vehicles booked by way of Capital One Journey, 5 miles per greenback spent on flights and trip leases booked by way of Capital One Journey and a couple of miles per greenback spent on all different purchases. You will additionally get 10,000 bonus miles yearly in your anniversary, a $300 annual credit score for bookings made by way of Capital One Journey and as much as $120 World Entry or TSA PreCheck credit score. As a cardholder, you additionally will get pleasure from limitless complimentary visits to Capital One Lounges and Precedence Cross lounges, with the power to deliver as much as two company at no further value.
Associated: How the Capital One Enterprise X journey credit score can prevent $300 in your subsequent journey
Annual charge: $395
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Capital One Enterprise X
Be taught extra: Capital One Enterprise 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 appears to be like should not be a figuring out issue whenever you’re serious about which one to use for subsequent. We provide loads of sources, resembling our month-to-month roundup of limited-time and new welcome presents, that you should utilize as a information to determine which card could be essentially the most helpful addition to your pockets.
For charges and costs of the Amex Gold Card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum Card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex, click on right here.
