Metal credit cards really stand out – that's why select credit card issuers offer them as their most premium credit card options. As you can probably guess, this typically means you'll pay a high annual fee, but there are some exceptions.
We didn't list the super-secretive American Express Centurion, aka the Amex Black card, since it's only available via invitation. But this article explores our favourite options for metal cards issued by Amex, CIBC, BMO, Wealthsimple, and TD. We even reviewed a rare metal prepaid credit card from KOHO.
You might be closer to getting your own metal credit card than you think. We've rounded up what each card is best for so you can choose the right one.
Key Takeaways
- American Express, CIBC, BMO, TD, Wealthsimple, and KOHO offer metal credit cards in Canada.
- Metal credit cards often have high personal and household income requirements and steep annual fees.
- Metal credit cards cater to luxury travellers who enjoy airport lounges, travel credits, and exclusive and priority services.
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Who offers a metal credit card in Canada?
At the time of writing, only 6 lenders issue metal credit cards in Canada: American Express, CIBC, BMO, TD, Wealthsimple, and KOHO.
These super-premium cards are limited to a select clientele. Many of them require at least $150,000 of personal income or $200,000 of combined household income to apply, and annual fees start at $250. The exception is the KOHO Everything Mastercard, which is a prepaid card with no income requirements and a $177 annual cost, billed as a $14.75 monthly fee.
Considering the high cost of metal credit cards, it pays to be picky. We researched and rated every offer to find the best metal credit cards in Canada.
Best metal credit cards in Canada
| Metal credit card | Welcome bonus | Earn rates | Annual fee and income requirements | Apply | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best perks | The Platinum Card | Up to 100,000 bonus points (terms) | * 2 points per $1 spent on restaurants and travel * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $799 * None | Apply now |
| Best earn rate | CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Up to 80,000 bonus points (terms) | * 3 points per $1 spent on travel booked through CIBC Rewards * 2 points per $1 spent on gas, EV charging, groceries, restaurants, and transit * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $499 * $150K personal/$200K household | Apply now |
| Best bonuses | BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card |  $400 GeniusCash + Up to 200,000 bonus points (terms) | * 5x BMO Rewards points for every $1 spent on travel, dining, gas, groceries, and drugstores * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $599 * $150K personal/$200K household | Apply now |
| Best travel rewards | American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | Up to 85,000 bonus points (terms) | * 3 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 2 points per $1 spent on dining and food delivery purchases in Canada * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $599 * None | Apply now |
| Best for no foreign exchange fees | Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card | 5% cash back for the first month (terms) | * 2% cash back on all purchases | * $240 (can be waived) * $150,000 personal or $200,000 household | Apply now |
| Best airline card | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Up to 100,000 bonus points (terms) | * 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel & transit and dining * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $599 * $150K personal/$200K household | Apply now |
| Low fee | American Express Gold Rewards Card | Up to 60,000 bonus points (terms) | * 2 points for every $1 spent on gas, groceries, drugstores, and travel * 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases | * $250 * None | Apply now |
| Best prepaid card | KOHO Everything Mastercard | $100 GeniusCash + 10% cash back for the first 3 months (terms) | * 2% cash back on groceries, restaurants, and transportation * 0.5% cash back on all other purchases | * $177 * None | Apply now |
| Best business | The Business Platinum Card from American Express | Up to 120,000 bonus points (terms) | * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all purchases | * None | Apply now |
Best for perks
Income requirements: None
Rewards:
- 2 points per $1 spent on restaurants and travel
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
When it comes to premium metal credit cards, the conversation must start with The Platinum Card. Our reviewer tried it for a year and loved its perks and rewards so much that they kept it for a second.
It wasn't always made of metal – Amex converted the Platinum card in 2019 as part of a product refresh. Black may be the choice of colour for most metal credit cards, but the Platinum's shiny silver face is now a fixture at upscale restaurants, stores, and airport lounges everywhere.
What we love about it:
- $200 annual travel credit
- $200 annual dining credit
- 11 types of insurance coverage included
- Access to exclusive hotel and car rental loyalty programs
- Automatic advanced status in hotel rewards programs, including Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
- Unlimited access for cardholder and one guest to the 1,400+ lounges available as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
- VIP and exclusive event offers
Best earn rate
Income requirements: $150,000 personal or $200,000 household
Rewards:
- 3 points per $1 spent on travel booked through CIBC Rewards
- 2 points per $1 spent on gas, EV charging, groceries, restaurants, and transit
- 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Its rapid earning rate and the high value of CIBC Rewards points make the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card one of the best CIBC credit cards you can own.
The biggest draw is the Visa Infinite program, a perks program spanning prestigious hotels, restaurants, and airport lounges. Visit one of the 900+ locations in the Luxury Hotel Collection and you'll enjoy a free room upgrade, VIP status, breakfast for two, and more. You'll also gain access to exclusive culinary events across Canada.
Visa Infinite includes six complimentary visits for you and a guest to the Visa Airport Companion lounge network, along with airport parking and valet discounts, and fast-tracked security at select airports in Canada.
On top of that, Visa's complimentary concierge can help you plan your vacation, make reservations, and get exclusive event invitations.
What we love about it:
- $200 annual travel credit
- One Nexus application fee rebates every four years
- Avis and Budget car rental discounts
- Visa Infinite Privilege benefits
It has a high annual fee of $499, and steep income requirements of either $150,000 personal or $200,000 household, but the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege Card is still a solid choice among a market dominated by Amex metal cards.
Best bonuses
GC: $400
Income requirements: $150,000 personal or $200,000 household
Rewards:
- 5x BMO Rewards points for every $1 spent on travel, dining, gas, groceries, and drugstores
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card has the highest annual fee of any BMO credit card (at $599/year), but it's also one of the best. It includes a generous welcome bonus, high earn rates for BMO Rewards points, and a 7-cent discount at Shell.
As for super-premium perks, cardholders get a $200 lifestyle credit on their card's birthday every year. This card also offers stellar bonus points and promotional earning rates – you just have to be strategic about getting them.
What we love about it:
- $200 annual lifestyle credit
- 25% additional points earning rate for adding an authorized user
- $0.07 discount per litre at Shell
- Visa Infinite program perks
If you like what you see but don't love the $599 annual fee, you can also look at the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card. For an annual fee of $120, you'll get slightly fewer rewards, but still get access to a $50 lifestyle credit and 10% bonus points when you add an authorized user.
But note that this is a standard plastic credit card.
GC: $150
Best travel rewards
Income requirements: None
Rewards:
- 3 points per $1 spent on Air Canada
- 2 points per $1 spent on dining and food delivery purchases in Canada
- 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
American Express dominates the metal credit card market in Canada because it knows how to give customers what they want. For example, if you want Aeroplan rewards, you can't do better than the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.
In addition to a substantial welcome bonus and points earning rate, frequent flyers enjoy free checked bags at Air Canada, preferred pricing on Aeroplan flights, and unlimited access to Maple Leaf airport lounges. If you're often in Toronto, you'll also get priority security, complimentary valet parking, and a 15% discount on parking and car care services at Pearson International.
What we love about it:
- 11 types of insurance coverage
- Free checked bags when booking Air Canada flights
- One worldwide companion flight voucher after spending $25,000 per year
- Aeroplan Elite status membership
- Aeroplan flight rewards preferred pricing
- Air Canada priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling
- Priority Pass airport lounge membership
- Unlimited access to Maple Leaf airport lounges
- VIP and exclusive event offers
Best for no foreign exchange fees
Income requirements: $150,000 personal or $200,000 household
Rewards:
- 2% cash back on all purchases
Looking to shop abroad without paying foreign exchange fees? Wealthsimple's most premium credit card, the Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card saves the typical 2.5% and earns a flat 2% on all purchases. A metal version of this card is available especially for Wealthsimple Premium and Generation clients.
In exchange for its rewards and robust insurance package, this card charges a monthly fee of $20 for a yearly cost of $240. But if the steep cost has you thinking twice, keep in mind that Wealthsimple waives the fee for Premium and Generation clients. That means that if you qualify for the metal version of this card, you also qualify to have your fee waived. Talk about an upgrade!
Premium clients need to have at least $100,000 in Wealthsimple assets or net deposits, and Generation clients require $500,000. But a no-annual-fee metal credit card isn't the only perk for hitting these thresholds. You'll enjoy other benefits like lower investment management fees.
Don't have enough Wealthsimple assets to qualify for Premium or Generation status? You can also get your fee waived with $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits – like paycheques. You may not get a fancy metal card, but getting the fee waived on a Visa Infinite Privilege card is a pretty big deal.
What we love about it:
- Earn 2% cash back on all purchases
- Visa Airport Companion membership with 6 free passes
- Visa Infinite Privilege benefits
- Includes 10 types of insurance
- Opportunity for monthly fee waiver
- Steady 2% back on everything
Premium and Generation clients can also get a metal version of the Wealthsimple Visa Infinite + Credit Card, with the monthly fee waived as well.
Low fee
Income requirements: None
Rewards:
- 2 points for every $1 spent on gas, groceries, drugstores, and travel
- 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
The American Express Gold Rewards Card is unique among Canadian metal credit cards. Not only does it have a low annual fee of $250, but it also offers cardholders their choice of yellow or rose gold metal.
If you're not a Wealthsimple Premium or Generation client, this card is your best bet for a low-fee metal credit card.
What we love about it:
- $100 annual travel credit
- $50 Nexus application rebate every four years
- 11 types of insurance coverage
- Four free Canadian Plaza Premium lounge passes
- One free additional Gold Rewards card
- Priority Pass membership
Best prepaid card
×1 Award winner GC: $100
1x Award winner Income requirements: None
Rewards:
- 2% cash back on groceries, restaurants, and transportation
- 0.5% cash back on all other purchases
The KOHO Everything Mastercard is the odd card out on our list. It's the only prepaid card option and it has the lowest annual fee (paid out monthly). Since it's a prepaid card, the amount you deposit becomes your credit limit, and, unfortunately, this card doesn't help build your credit score unless you purchase KOHO's Credit Building tool.
However, this card is essentially a premium prepaid credit card. Not only is it made of metal, but it has great earn rates on purchases, and your balance also earns you interest.
What we love about it:
- No credit check required
- No foreign exchange fees
- Earn 3.5% interest on your balance
- Get a discount on KOHO Credit Building
- Send money abroad with KOHO international money transfers
Best airline card
Income requirements: $150,000 personal or $200,000 household
Rewards:
- 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada
- 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel & transit and dining
- 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card is among TD's best credit cards. Cardholders enjoy advanced earn rates and benefits for the Aeroplan Rewards program as well as extensive travel insurance.
This is one of Canada's best airline-branded credit cards. Though the average earn rate isn't quite as high as the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card's 2.58, you'll still earn 2.22.
What we love about it:
- 12 types of insurance coverage
- One free checked bag when booking on Air Canada flights
- One worldwide companion flight voucher after spending $25,000 per year
- One Nexus application rebate every two years
- Aeroplan flight rewards preferred pricing
- Air Canada priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling
- Unlimited access to Maple Leaf airport lounges
- Visa Infinite program perks
Best for business
Income requirements: none
Rewards:
- 1.25 points per $1 spent on all purchases
Yes, the The Business Platinum Card from American Express has a high annual fee, but hear us out. You'll get a metal card, but more importantly, you'll get an extensive insurance package, a hefty welcome bonus, and the opportunity to earn tons of bonus points every year when you refer someone. Plus, the flat earn rate keeps things simple.
Since this card qualifies you for Amex Membership Rewards, you're in control when redeeming points. You'll also get useful business features like a longer grace period, a credit limit that increases over time, and expense reports that can save you time during tax season.
What we love about it:
- $200 annual travel credit
- Points worth up to 2 cents each
- Four ways to redeem points for high value
Can you get a custom metal credit card?
Generally, it's best to get your metal credit card directly from the card issuer. If you're set on getting a custom metal card, however, you may be able to find a third-party provider who can transfer your existing card's chip and strip to a metal card.
If it sounds a little risky, that's because it is. Before choosing a provider, read reviews and business ratings to see if you can trust them. Keep in mind that after you receive your custom metal card, you might not be able to use it at the ATM or for contactless payments.
As one Redditor pointed out, you're still taking a chance even with a highly rated company – and as their fellow commenter noted, it's a lot of risk for very little reward.
How to dispose of a metal credit card
Although you won't do any harm by throwing a metal card in the trash, it's a wasted recycling opportunity, which is why most card issuers request that you return them. In fact, many issuers will provide postage-paid packaging for returning expired or cancelled metal cards.
If you don't have a postage-paid package but would like one, contact your issuer, and they may send one out to you.
Additionally, if your issuer is a large bank, you may not even need to mail anything. You can probably return it directly to a local branch.
Sometimes, dropping off the card or mailing it in isn't possible. As a last option, you can use tools to cut through the metal card's chip and magnetic strip. Then, scatter the pieces between several trash bags before disposing of them.
FAQ
What is a metal credit card?
For all intents and purposes, a metal credit card is a plastic credit card with premium looks and benefits. It's the same as any other credit card, it's just made of a different material. Metal credit cards tend to be more premium options, with higher fees and rewards.
What is the best metal credit card in Canada?
The best metal credit card in Canada is The Platinum Card – its perks, benefits, and flexible rewards system are worth much more than the annual fee. It offers up to 3 points per $1 spent on purchases.
Is there a fee for getting a metal credit card?
Metal credit cards generally carry high annual fees and minimum income requirements. So, while there's not a specific fee for getting a metal card, these premium cards typically have high annual fees in the first place.
How do I get a metal credit card?
Applying for a metal credit card is the same as applying for any other credit card. First, decide on which metal credit card is right for you (and which one you can afford). Then, submit an application for one through Amex, BMO, CIBC, or TD.
Are there more luxurious options than a metal credit card?
Certainly not every luxury credit card is made of metal, though metal credit cards do tend to be at the higher end for both perks and fees.
Are metal credit cards better than regular cards?
Where function, perks, and cost-effectiveness are concerned, metal credit cards are no better than their plastic counterparts. You'll still be subject to credit limits, interest rates, and card terms like late fees.
Can you convert a plastic card to metal?
Credit card issuers won't convert a plastic card to metal, no matter how long you've had it for. If you want a metal card, you'll have to apply for a new one.
How do you dispose of a metal credit card?
Dispose of a metal credit card the same way you would a regular card – use a metal cutter to divide the card into four pieces, with two cuts through the chip. Some card issuers also allow you to mail the card back to be recycled.
Does Wealthsimple have a metal credit card?
Yes, Wealthsimple offers 2 credit cards made of metal: the Wealthsimple Visa Infinite + Credit Card and the Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card. The metal versions of these cards are only available to Premium and Generation clients who currently have a plastic card. However, that may change in the future.
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