The 5 prettiest credit cards you can add to your wallet

Bank card rewards are continuously evolving and turning into extra useful than ever earlier than. Nevertheless, it isn’t simply distinctive perks comparable to dining credits, Uber credits and automatic elite status 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 metal cards in the marketplace as issuers compete to supply essentially the most eye-popping designs. And it is not simply premium credit cards with these glossy new appears to be like — even some low- and no-annual-fee credit cards have gotten spiffy makeovers.

Cool-looking playing cards make for an important dialog starter, however this should not be the one motive to use for a bank card. For those who’re on the hunt to your subsequent card — whether or not it is for traveling, airport lounge access or past — we’ve got you covered.

For those who’re all about aesthetics, take a look at our picks for the prettiest playing cards. (Notably lacking from this record are invitation-only playing cards just like the titanium-crafted Centurion Card from American Categorical and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card).

The knowledge for the Centurion Card from American Categorical 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 supplied by the cardboard issuer.

The American Express® Gold Card would not simply take the cake for one of many highest returns on dining at eating places and groceries at U.S. supermarkets, however it’s additionally the best-looking card publicly out there, in our opinion. You will get the cardboard in two completely different shiny steel kinds: Gold and the wildly in style Rose Gold. There was additionally a interval in mid-2024 the place you could possibly 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. In accordance with TPG’s January 2025 valuations, this bonus is price $1,200. Some folks could also be focused for an excellent greater welcome provide through the CardMatch Tool (although remember that gives are topic to vary 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 instantly with airways or with American Categorical Journey. You additionally rise up to $120 annually in dining credits per calendar yr that you should utilize at retailers comparable to 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 Cash, which can be utilized on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides within the U.S.

To obtain this profit you should have downloaded the newest model of the Uber App. The Amex Gold additionally gives 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.

Each day E-newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day publication

Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists

Associated: A complete guide to the Amex Gold dining credit

Annual price: $325 (see rates and fees)

To be taught extra, learn our full review of the American Express Gold Card.

Apply right here: American Express Gold Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express is available in a glossy — anticipate it — platinum shade. 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 may choose 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 price $1,600 in accordance with TPG’s January 2025 valuations. Some folks could also be focused for an excellent greater welcome provide through the CardMatch Tool (gives are topic to vary at any time).

Standout advantages: This card earns a stellar 5 factors per greenback spent on airfare booked instantly 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 inns 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 price 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 Road Journal.

The perks do not cease there; for avid vacationers, the cardboard gives as much as $200 on pay as you go High quality Motels + 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 price. Moreover, the cardboard gives unparalleled lounge entry and computerized elite standing with Hilton and Marriott, amongst different perks. Enrollment is required. An Amex Card have to be chosen because the fee technique to your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Money profit within the US.

Associated: How to maximize benefits with the Amex Platinum Card

Annual price: $695 (see rates and fees)

To be taught extra, learn our full review of the American Express Platinum.

Apply right here: Platinum Card from American Express

Although now not out there, the limited-edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card definitely earned a spot on our record of prettiest playing cards. The sleek 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 released earlier this year whereas provides lasted, and it is potential 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. Primarily based on TPG’s January 2025 valuations, the welcome bonus is price $840. Some folks could also be focused for an excellent greater welcome provide through the CardMatch Tool (gives are topic to vary 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 Categorical Centurion Lounges when flying Delta with a ticket bought on a U.S.-issued American Categorical card. Moreover, you may obtain a home top notch, Delta Consolation+ or foremost cabin round-trip companion certificates every year once you renew the cardboard.

The companion cross 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 increase 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 changes in 2024: Higher annual fees, new and enhanced perks

Annual price: $650 (see rates and fees)

To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Apply right here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

The 0.5-ounce Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a minimalist design and was so in style when it first got here out that there was a shortage of the metal it was manufactured from.

Signal-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening. This bonus is price $1,230, in accordance 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 comparable to inns, airfare, tolls, prepare tickets and nearly something that codes as a journey buy by the service provider.

Different advantages embrace main auto rental insurance coverage, journey cancellation protection and no international transaction charges.

Associated: Which purchases count as travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Annual price: $550

To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Capital One might not be the financial institution that first involves thoughts once you consider glossy playing cards, however the Venture 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 price than a few of its opponents, which provides to its worth.

Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening. In accordance with TPG’s January 2025 valuations, this bonus is price $1,388.

Standout advantages: With this card, you may earn 10 miles per greenback spent on inns 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 pair 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 take pleasure in limitless complimentary visits to Capital One Lounges and Precedence Move lounges, with the power to carry as much as two company at no further price.

Associated: How the Capital One Venture X travel credit can save you $300 on your next trip

Annual price: $395

To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Capital One Venture X

Study extra: Capital One Venture X

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 once you’re eager about which one to use for subsequent. We provide loads of assets, comparable to our month-to-month roundup of limited-time and new welcome offers, that you should utilize as a information to determine which card can be essentially the most useful addition to your pockets.

For charges and charges of the Amex Gold Card, click on here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum Card, click on here.
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex, click on here.