Of all the metal credit cards available in Canada, the Amex Black Centurion card might be the most coveted – but it’s not the kind of card you can simply apply for online.
If you’d love to get your hands on a metal credit card because of its elite look and feel, there are 7 credit cards that are much easier to qualify for. The best metal credit cards in Canada include the Amex Platinum Card and BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card.
Key Takeaways
- American Express, CIBC, BMO, and TD offer the only 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 4 banks issue metal credit cards in Canada: American Express, CIBC, BMO, and TD.
These super-premium cards are limited to a super-premium clientele. Almost all 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.
Considering their high cost, it pays to be picky about metal credit cards. We researched and rated every offer to find the 7 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 | American Express 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 | Up to 120,000 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 |
| Lowest fee | American Express Gold Rewards Card |  $125 GeniusCash + 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 |
| Runner-up | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card | Up to 85,000 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 |
| 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
×2 Award winner 
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 (and could end) with the American Express 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 4 hotel rewards programs, including Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
- Complimentary benefits at 1,500+ Fine Hotels and Resorts
- Unlimited access for cardholder and one guest to the 1,300+ 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 to wear a metal shine.
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. Book one of the dining establishments included in the Dining Series and you’ll get access to exclusive culinary events across Canada.
Visa Infinite includes 6 complimentary visits for you and a guest to the global Priority Pass airport lounge network, airport parking and valet discounts, and fast-tracked security at Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver airports.
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
- 2 Nexus application fee rebates every 4 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 metal credit card is still a solid choice among a market dominated by Amex metal cards.
Best bonuses
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, 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 automatic discount on their first purchase over $200 on their card’s birthday every year. This card 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
An alternative
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.
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 live 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 for cardholder and up to 8 others on the same booking on Air Canada flights
- 1 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
- Free additional plastic cards earn points
- Paid additional metal credit cards include all the same benefits
- Priority Pass airport lounge membership
- Unlimited access to Maple Leaf airport lounges
- VIP and exclusive event offers
Lowest fee
GC: $125
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.
What we love about it:
- $100 annual travel credit
- $50 Nexus application rebate every 4 years
- 11 types of insurance coverage
- 4 free Canadian Plaza Premium lounge passes
- 1 free additional Gold Rewards card
- Priority Pass membership
TD issues a metal card for their super-premium Aeroplan card, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card. It offers the same Air Canada benefits as the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card above, but has different earn rates and a few more benefits.
Runner-up
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
While not quite as rewarding as the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card is still among TD’s best credit cards. Cardholders enjoy advanced earn rates and benefits for the Aeroplan Rewards program but the card’s high annual fee keeps it from joining the winners’ circle of travel credit cards.
What we love about it:
- 12 types of insurance coverage
- Free checked bags for cardholder and up to 8 others on the same booking on Air Canada flights
- 1 worldwide companion flight voucher after spending $25,000 per year
- 1 Nexus application rebate every 2 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
- 4 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'll 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.
What is the best metal credit card in Canada?
The best metal credit card in Canada is the American Express Platinum Card – its perks, benefits, and flexible rewards system are more than worth the annual fee.
Is there a fee for getting a metal credit card?
Metal credit cards generally carry high annual fees and minimum income requirements.
How do I get a metal credit card?
To get a metal credit card, you need to apply for one at Amex, BMO, CIBC, or TD.
Are there more luxurious options than a metal credit card?
Not all of them are made of metal, but the best premium credit cards in Canada offer sumptuous perks from giant welcome bonuses to complimentary airport lounge passes.
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.
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.
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 4 pieces, with 2 cuts through the chip.
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