Metal credit cards come with generous rewards, exclusive travel perks and other prestigious benefits. And today, to get a metal credit card in Canada you no longer need a big investment portfolio, a million dollar annual income or a huge net worth.
Learn how to get a metal card and compare available metal credit cards in Canada in our guide below.
Metal credit cards in Canada
We’ve chosen the metal credit cards on this page based on the providers available through Finder and those available in the Canadian market. These cards are not necessarily representative of the entire market. No single metal card in Canada will be the best choice for everyone, so compare your options before choosing to apply for one.
What is a metal card?
Metal credit cards are made from metal and usually offer accelerated rewards on travel and experiences, as well as access to prestigious banking benefits. While U.S. residents have access to metal credit cards that come with no annual fees, there are currently only a few offered in Canada, and most of them come with pretty unattainable eligibility requirements for the average person—with the exception of one: The Platinum Card from American Express.
Compare other metal cards in Canada
Here’s a quick look at some of the more exclusive metal cards in Canada
To get the RBC Private Banking Visa Infinite Privilege, not only will you need to be a Private Banking client, you’ll also need to have a net worth of $3,000,000 or investments over $1,000,000.
Perks for this metal credit card include earning Avion Rewards , Global Airport Lounge access, concierge services, exclusive dining experiences, comprehensive insurance coverage, 24 hour priority client services and more.
This credit card is so exclusive that it’s strictly by invitation only. It’s rumoured to have an annual fee of US$2,500 and is said to be offered to only the wealthiest American Express Platinum cardholders.
Rumour has it you have to spend at least US$250,000 a year—or likely the Canadian equivalent—on your Platinum Amex before you’ll be eligible to receive your invitation for this metal credit card. This credit card offers points per dollar spent, comprehensive insurance coverage, exclusive travel perks, luxury dining experiences, complimentary concierge services and much more. To learn more about this card, check out our most prestigious credit cards in Canada guide. And to see the cards of the rich, check out our 10 most exclusive credit cards in the world guide.
How to get metal credit card in Canada
For the more prestigious Canadian metal credit cards, you’ll need to have investments over $1 million, a massively high net worth and you’ll likely need to be a big spender. When it comes to The Platinum Card from American Express, you’ll need a good to excellent credit score and an ability to pay off your balance in full each month—not to mention a desire to pay $799 annually for the card. However, the easiest way to get a metal card is to apply for one in our metal credit card table here.
How to turn your plastic credit card into a metal card
If you can’t get a metal card or if you’re in love with your plastic credit card’s features but you wish it was made out of metal, there are services that can turn your plastic card into metal. You can also choose your own design or etch a logo of your choice.
However, these services typically cost $150 or more, not to mention you may have to give your card information to a third party. In addition, many users have had issues at the ATM or using the tap & go feature. Given the drawbacks, it may be better to stick with your plastic card until metal credit cards become easier to obtain in Canada.
How to destroy a metal credit card
Destroying a metal credit card takes more time than simply cutting up a plastic card. Here’s how to do it:
Return the metal card to your provider
Some banks may provide you with an envelope to return your metal credit card for disposal. The bank may send the envelope either when sending you a replacement card or upon request. Alternatively, you can visit a bank branch and leave your card there.
This is by far the easiest way to scrap your metal credit card. But if you acquired your card from an online provider, your only option may be to destroy the card.
How to destroy a metal card
Most metal cards in Canada are coated with plastic, which holds the account information. Because of that, it’s important you destroy the plastic layer. But before you proceed, check if the card is made of a thin metal layer. If it is, you can simply cut it with tin snips. If not, carefully and safely do the following:
Destroy the EMV chip. You can either use scissors to pierce the chip or you can press your thumb on the back of the card behind the chip and push until the chip starts to come off. If it doesn’t come off, use any sharp metal object to help pry it off. Once out, destroy the chip with scissors.
Remove your name and card number. Use a lighter to heat up the plastic layer. The more you heat it the easier it is to peel it off with scissors or any sharp metal object.
Destroy any carvings on the metal credit card. If any numbers or names remain on the metal, use sandpaper or a sharp metal object to grind them away until they’re unreadable.
Demagnetize the strip. If the magstripe is intact, put a refrigerator magnet on it and leave it there for an hour. After that, swipe it several times across the magnetic stripe.
Cover the signature area. Use a permanent marker to make the signature area unreadable.
But if you no longer want to keep your metal credit card or if it expired, your bank will either send a return envelope or you’ll have to destroy it yourself. If you go for the second option, make sure the plastic coating is destroyed and any information remaining on the metal is unreadable.
Metal credit cards gained popularity because they look and feel luxurious. After all, once you put the metal card on the counter it tends to get noticed. However, metal cards are heavier than plastic and they can weigh down your wallet — especially if you have more than one card. Also, depending on which metal is used in their production, they could trigger airport metal detectors.
However, the material of your credit card shouldn’t be your only criteria. If you find that a certain card isn’t a good fit for you, it won’t matter much if it’s metal or plastic.
That said, the most exclusive and prestigious credit cards in Canada are likely the ones listed above—which are all metal.
What are the heaviest credit cards in Canada?
If your wallet is full of plastic credit cards, it should be relatively light as plastic cards on average weigh around five grams. But if you carry one or more metal cards, your wallet will suddenly be quite hefty. Here are some of the heaviest credit cards in Canada:
Credit Card
Weight
The Centurion Card from American Express
14g
CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege
17g
The Platinum Card from American Express
17.5g
What are the heaviest credit cards made of?
Most metal cards are made using a variety of metals and alloys, including brass, copper and stainless steel. Most of these cards are coated with a plastic layer, which holds valuable credit card account information.
Who are the heaviest cards good for?
Large spenders who want premium travel perks may want to consider one of these credit cards. Keep in mind, most of these cards have a hefty annual fee. Unless you’re getting more value from the card than you’re paying for it, these cards may not be the right choice for you.
Most metal cards offered in Canada are still generally exclusive to high-income earners, big spenders and investors. Most of these cards offer big rewards on travel and dining, concierge services, airport lounge access and incredibly comprehensive insurance packages, however, there are plenty of other credit cards in Canada that offer similar features with much lower annual fees—not to mention the eligibility criteria for these cards are actually attainable for the average person.
If you’re scratching your head in disbelief at the eligibility criteria for most of the above metal credit cards, you’re not looking to pay a high annual fee for a charge card from Amex, or you missed out on the Koho metal card, you might want to consider other rewards credit cards.
A metal credit card represents prestige for good reason. On average, the heaviest credit cards weigh around 15 grams, come with a high annual fee and offer premium perks. Getting one of the heaviest credit cards could be worth considering if you’re looking for a premium travel option. Just make sure paying the annual fee is worth it. Otherwise, it’ll just weigh down your wallet.
If you think a heavy credit card or metal credit card may not be a good choice for you, but you still want premium perks, compare the luxury credit cards until you find the right fit for your wallet.
Metal cards in Canada FAQs
There's a variety of materials used in building metal cards, including brass, copper, stainless steel and even gold and palladium. Some cards are made from alloys, and the majority of metal credit cards are coated with plastic.
The easiest way to get a metal credit card in Canada is to compare metal cards in our metal card table , chose the metal card that's best for you any apply securely for it.
You'll likely need an excellent credit score of 800 or higher for the more prestigious metal cards. You may be able to apply for The Platinum Card from American Express with a good to excellent credit score of 650 or higher. Learn more about credit scores in our guide here.
You can often get an airport lounge access, dedicated concierge service, travel credit, elite status, a generous signup bonus and more.
It depends on the card. But the easiest way to dispose of your metal credit card is to return it to the bank that issued your metal credit card.
No, there are currently no options to find a metal debit card in Canada.
Not necessarily. The lightest card on our list, the Centurion Card from American Express, weighs only 14 grams but has a rumoured annual fee of around $2,500. The card's pricing has more to do with its perks. The Centurion Card from American Express comes with a myriad of perks.
Most heavy credit cards come with an annual fee of at least $400, but some run into the thousands per year.
Emma Balmforth is a producer at Finder. She is passionate about helping people make financial decisions that will benefit them now and in the future. She has written for a variety of publications including World Nomads, Trek Effect and Uncharted. Emma has a degree in Business and Psychology from the University of Waterloo. She enjoys backpacking, reading and taking long hikes and road trips with her adventurous dog.
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Kliment Dukovski was a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in investments and cryptocurrency. He's written more than 700 articles to help readers compare the best trading platforms, understand complex investment terms and find the best credit cards for their needs. His expert commentary has been featured in such digital publications as Fox Business, MSN Money and MediaFeed. He’s also well-versed in money transfers, home loans and more — breaking down these topics into simple concepts anyone can understand. In another life, Kliment ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies.
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