The best metal debit cards in the UK

Metal cards are the ultimate status symbol. Flash one of those in your wallet, and people know that you’ve got something a little extra. If you’re looking to wave goodbye to plastic, then there are a few options available where you can get these metal perk-laden cards. We have a separate guide on metal credit cards.

Latest reviews of banking apps with metal cards

Revolut Standard

8.9 Great

Minimum opening balance	£0
Account fees	£0
Interest (AER)	0% AER

See dealRead review

Revolut’s Metal plan comes with an exclusive reinforced steel card. You can choose from 5 different shades and even personalise your card. The card is free, but the plan has a monthly fee. However, for this you get unlimited currency exchange, a higher interest on your savings, and winter sports, travel, car hire and personal liability cover. As one of its higher-end plans, Revolut Metal also has a selection of subscriptions to choose from, and you can earn more points for Revolut’s reward scheme - RevPoints. If you’ve got your heart set on a metal card, it’s one of the few around.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Low overseas fees
  • Quick sign-up
  • Earn cashback on spending
  • Set budgets for financial goals
  • Virtual cards for online purchases
  • Easy to transfer money internationally

  Cons

  • 1% currency conversion charge on weekend spending abroad
  • Free cash withdrawals in the UK and abroad both limited to £200 per month
  • Cannot deposit cash or cheques into the account
  • Charged a fee to receive your bank card

• More details

  Minimum opening balance	£0
  Switch service guarantee	No
  Account fees	£0
  Overseas card transactions	0%

Minimum opening balance	£0
Account fees	£0
Interest (AER)	0% AER

See dealRead review

Can you make your existing debit card metal?

If you don’t want to take out a new card, but are desperate to feel the weight of metal in your wallet, then there are companies which will transform your existing bank card into a customised metal design.

As long as your card has a chip, you can ship it off to be made into a metal card. Depending on the provider, you may even be able to add your own design to your card.

However, it’s not cheap. You’ll pay for the pleasure, and you won’t get any of the packaged account benefits in return.

Our expert says: Kate Steere asks if a metal card is worth it?

"Metal cards are a gimmick. Something to show off to friends when you get the wallet out. That’s why it’s important to look at what you’re actually getting with a metal debit card.

Take Revolut’s Metal plan, which is one of the few options currently available on the market. Strip away the shiny, reinforced steel card and it’s essentially a packaged account; where for a monthly fee you get travel cover, subscriptions to services like WeWork and ClassPass, a higher savings rate and the ability to accumulate RevPoints at a faster pace.

In terms of value for money, if you think you’ll make use of all the perks, then the Metal plan is on par with other packaged accounts in terms of price. But if you’re in it just for the shiny card, then there are other accounts out there which may suit you better."

Kate Steere

Editor

Bottom line

Metal bank cards are few and far between in the UK. While they may look shiny and impressive, the cards themselves don’t offer much more than a sleek design. It’s the perks behind the card that are of more importance. Remember, if you’re paying a monthly fee for a metal card, make sure the benefits that come with it make sense for your lifestyle to make it worthwhile.

Frequently asked questions

• Which UK banks offer metal cards?

  Revolut is the only banking app in the UK to offer a metal card with one of its plans. However, digital wallet and payment card provider, Curve, also offers a metal card with its Pay Pro+ plan.

• Do metal bank cards work?

  Metal bank cards work the same way as traditional plastic cards. They can be used for contactless payments, chip-based transactions and online purchases.

• Does Monzo have a metal card?

  Monzo no longer offers metal cards. It used to have the option to have metal cards with its Premium and Plus plans, but when it moved to Extra, Perks and Max it removed this option saying it was too expensive. However, if you already have a metal card as a Premium or Plus customer, you’re able to transfer this over to your new plan until the card expires.

Written by

Kate Steere

Editor

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Kate Steere is an editor and money expert at Finder, specialising in banking, savings and fintech. She has previously written for The Motley Fool UK and Fitch Solutions, where she covered a wide range of personal finance topics and kept a close eye on market trends. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History from the University of East Anglia. When not working, she can usually be found curled up with a good book or heading out for a run. See full bio

Kate's expertise

Kate has written 153 Finder guides across topics including:

• Banking
• Savings
• Fintech
• Credit
• Payments