Credit card rewards continue to evolve and become more valuable than ever. However, what sets the cards apart isn’t just the unique perks like dining points, Uber points, and automatic elite status, it’s also how they look.
Following Chase’s successful launch of the Chase Sapphire Reserve in 2016, metal cards quickly emerged on the market as issuers competed to offer the most eye-popping designs. Not only are premium credit cards getting these sleek new looks, even some low and no-annual-fee credit cards are getting a nifty makeover.
A cool-looking card can be a great conversation starter, but it shouldn’t be the only reason to apply for a credit card. If you’re looking for your next card—whether for travel, airport lounge access, or something else—we’ve got you covered.
If aesthetics are your thing, check out our selection of the most beautiful cards. (Notably missing from this list are invitation-only cards such as American Express’ Titanium Centurion Card and the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card).
Centurion Card information for American Express and J.P. Morgan Reserve Cards is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
American Express Gold Card
this American Express® Gold Card In our opinion, not only is it one of the cards with the best returns on dining at restaurants and grocery stores in the U.S., it’s also the best-looking card publicly available. You can get the card in two different shiny metallic forms: gold and the ever-popular rose gold. There is still a period of time until mid-2024 when you can get the limited edition platinum card.
welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. The bonus is worth $1,200 based on TPG’s January 2025 valuation. Some people may receive a higher welcome offer through the CardMatch tool (but remember, offers may change at any time).
Outstanding benefits: Earn 4 points for every $1 spent at restaurants (1 point for every $1 spent on purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets per year) , earn 1 point per US$1 spent) and 3 earn points per US$1 spent on flights booked directly with the airline or American Express Travel. You can also earn up to $120 in dining credits each year, which can be used at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and more and five people, plus up to $120 per year ($10 per month) in Uber Cash that can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S.
To get this offer, you must download the latest version of the Uber app. Amex Gold also offers up to $84 per calendar year (up to $7 per month) in Dunkin’ purchases, and up to $100 in Resy points per calendar year. This credit is divided into $50 credits every six months. Registration required.
daily newsletter
Reward your inbox with TPG daily e-newsletters
Join over 700,000 readers and get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts
Related: Your Complete Guide to American Express Gold Dining Points
annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees)
To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
Apply here: American Express Gold Card
American Express Platinum Card
American Express Platinum Card® Comes in a stylish – wait for it – platinum color. Weighing 0.7 ounces, this metal card is one of the sturdiest (least bendable) cards in our metal card war. Starting in 2022, new and existing cardholders will be able to choose a card from options designed by artists Julie Mehretu and Kehinde Wiley.
welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $8,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. The bonus is worth $1,600 based on TPG’s January 2025 valuation. Some people may receive a higher welcome offer through the CardMatch tool (offer may change at any time).
Outstanding benefits: Use the card to earn 5 points for every $1 spent when booking flights directly with an airline or Amex Travel (up to a maximum of $500,000 in such purchases per calendar year), and purchasing prepaid hotels through Amex Travel Earn 5 points per $1 spent and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Each calendar year, you can earn up to $200 in annual airline credit, up to $200 in Uber points, up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue points, and Disney+, Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock ” and the Wall Street Journal.
The benefits don’t stop there; for the avid traveler, the card offers up to $200 per calendar year in prepaid savings at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection (minimum two-night stay required) and up to $120 in statement points , used to pay the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Additionally, the card offers unparalleled lounge access and automatic elite status at Hilton and Marriott hotels, among other benefits. Registration required. American Express must be selected as the payment method for Uber or Uber Eats transactions in order to redeem the American Express Uber Cash offer in the United States.
Related: How to Maximize the Benefits of the American Express Platinum Card
annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Platinum Card.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
Limited Edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Although no longer on sale, limited edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Definitely earning a spot on our list of the most beautiful cards. The card’s sleek design is made from 25 percent metal sourced from retired Delta Air Lines Boeing 747 aircraft and is available to new and existing cardholders until early August 2022. Posted earlier, while supplies last, it’s possible we may see another return in the future.
welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in qualifying purchases within the first six months of card membership. According to TPG’s January 2025 valuation, the welcome bonus is worth $840. Some people may receive a higher welcome offer through the CardMatch tool (offer may change at any time).
Outstanding 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 have free access to Delta Sky Clubs* when you fly on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
You also get free access to the American Express Centurion Lounge when you purchase a ticket on a Delta flight using a U.S.-issued American Express card. In addition, you will receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+ or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate when you renew your card each year.
Companion passes are valid in all 50 U.S. states (including Hawaii and Alaska), Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Cardmembers also earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar for every $10 spent, with no limit on the number of MQDs they can earn, and receive an MQD Boost of 2,500 MQD each calendar year.
*Beginning February 2025, free visits to Delta Sky Clubs are limited to 15 times per year, with unlimited visits per year after spending $75,000 in a calendar year.
RELATED: What’s coming to Delta Express in 2024: Higher annual fees, new and enhanced benefits
annual fee: $650 (see rates and fees)
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Program Reserves American Express Cards
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Featuring a minimalist design, the 0.5 oz Chase Sapphire Reserve® was so popular upon launch that there was a shortage of the metal it was made of.
Sign up bonus: You can get 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 within three months after opening an account. The bonus is worth $1,230 based on TPG’s January 2025 valuation.
Outstanding benefits: Earn 3 points per $1 on travel (excluding $300 annual travel credit) and restaurant dining, and 10 points per $1 on Lyft rides (through March 2025). The $300 annual credit covers travel-related expenses such as hotels, airfare, tolls, train tickets and almost any merchant-coded purchase for travel.
Other benefits include major car rental insurance, trip cancellation insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
Related: What purchases count as travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve?
annual fee: $550
To learn more, read our full review of Chase Sapphire Reserve
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Ventures X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One may not be the first bank you think of when you think of fashion cards, but the Venture X’s design looks to fit in with other premium cards. Design aside, though, the card has a lower annual fee than some competitors, which adds to its value.
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 within three months of account opening. The bonus is worth $1,388 based on TPG’s January 2025 valuation.
Outstanding benefits: With this card, you can earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, all Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on other purchases. You’ll also earn 10,000 bonus miles each year on your anniversary, $300 in annual points for bookings with Capital One Travel, and up to $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck points. As a cardholder, you also get unlimited free access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass Lounges with up to two guests at no extra charge.
Related: How Capital One Venture X travel points can save you $300 on your next trip
annual fee: $395
To learn more, read our full review of Capital One Venture X
Learn more: Capital One Ventures X
bottom line
Card issuers want you to feel proud when handing over your credit card to a merchant. While the prettiest cards are often the most valuable, the appearance of the card shouldn’t be a deciding factor when you’re considering which one to apply for next. We offer tons of resources, like monthly limited-time roundups and new welcome offers, that you can use as a guide to decide which card is best for your wallet.
For American Express Gold Card rates and fees, click here.
For American Express Platinum Card rates and fees, click here.
For rates and fees on the Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Reserve, click here.
