The Best and Coolest-Looking Credit Cards
JK
Summary:
Credit cards offer a wide range of financial benefits, such as consumer protection, cash-back rewards, and airport lounge access. Many cards with the best of these perks have distinguishing aesthetic features — like special materials, colors, or designs — that indicate their status among the most exclusive credit cards on the market.
A credit card is often a key part of a consumer’s financials. Aside from offering better consumer protection than debit cards, many credit cards also come with a variety of benefits, such as cash-back rewards on eligible purchases, unlimited complimentary access to airport lounges, and points toward travel rewards. These perks vary by credit card, and certain credit cards offer better perks than others — which in some cases is obvious just by looking at them.
While a credit card’s appearance may not be its most important feature, having a cool-looking credit card can be a good way to show others that you have access to exclusive benefits. In this article, we’ll go through some of the coolest and best-looking credit cards that are sure to impress at the dinner table.
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What’s special about the coolest-looking credit cards?
A special design on a credit card will often hint at the card’s distinguishing features. For instance, the Luxury Card Mastercard Gold Card comes in a shiny gold plate and weighs a hefty 22 grams, showing that it comes with gold-standard perks and an especially high annual fee. On the other hand, credit cards that are ideal for students — i.e., that have no annual fee or credit check — are usually designed with bright colors to appeal to the younger generation.
Credit card companies often consider how the design and name of a card will reflect its features. When choosing your next credit card, you may want to consider some of the options we lay out below of the most premium, exclusive, and well-designed credit cards currently on the market.
Metal credit cards
Most credit cards available today are made from plastic, which makes metal credit cards more special and exclusive. The following are some of the best-looking credit cards made out of metal.
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express is a sleek silver metal credit card emblazoned with the iconic centurion symbol. It’s etched with the cardholder’s details and weighs 18.5 grams, making the Platinum Card one of the heaviest credit cards in the world. The heavy and well-designed platinum card is a widely known symbol of wealth and power.
In exchange for its high annual fee, the Platinum Card from American Express offers some of the best airport lounge access available, as well as amazing travel benefits like global entry credit.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Visa card
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Visa card is a sophisticated metal card that features a black-and-blue color gradient, the Chase Sapphire Reserve logo, and the cardholder’s name engraved in the bottom left corner. While similar to its sister card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, the Sapphire Reserve card is the more elite of the two. For another high annual fee, you get better travel perks and a higher earnings rate.
In return for a high annual fee and sleek look, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card
Similar to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has an eye-catching and distinguished look. This card features a blue gradient design, the Chase Sapphire logo, and the cardholder’s name engraved at the bottom. When cobranded with travel companies or other businesses, that logo is displayed on the card as well.
Also part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the Sapphire Preferred card offers great benefits for travel and other purchases. Given its relatively small annual fee, this credit card is ideal for consumers who want great benefits for a more manageable annual fee than the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Capital One Venture X Rewards card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards card is another heavy metal credit card, weighing 18 grams. This credit card has a simple design, with a navy blue gradient bearing the futuristic Venture X logo.
Another great card for frequent travelers, the Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card has a high annual fee but is still more manageable than some of its travel card competitors.
Highly exclusive credit cards
Some of the best credit card designs are reserved for the cards that are most difficult to obtain, often because they’re invite-only, have high annual fees, or require a near-perfect credit history. When you use one of these beautiful credit cards, everyone will know you’re part of a highly exclusive club.
The American Express Centurion Card
Also known as the Amex Black Card, the Centurion Card from American Express is one of the most exclusive credit cards in the world. In order to apply for one, you must first receive a private invitation directly from American Express. True to its nickname, this credit card features a sleek black design stamped with the iconic centurion logo. The cardholder’s name is engraved into the bottom left corner of the card.
The American Express Centurion Card requires a steep joining fee and hefty annual fee. Despite this price, you do get a variety of amazing travel perks, including a 24/7 concierge service and access to the Centurion Lounge at more than 1,400 airports around the globe.
J.P. Morgan Reserve card
The J.P. Morgan Reserve card, formerly known as the Chase Palladium card, is a credit card only available to the bank’s wealthiest customers. The card is laser engraved, minted out of brass, and plated with palladium, which gives it a distinct shine. Much like the Centurion Card from American Express, the J.P. Morgan Reserve card is invite-only. A single card costs $1,000 worth of materials to make and weighs 1 ounce (28.35 grams), twice the weight of the titanium American Express Centurion Card.
Despite its extreme exclusivity and high annual fee, the J.P. Morgan Reserve card doesn’t offer any special perks beyond the novelty of being made out of palladium, a rare chemical element. Many of this card’s benefits are offered by other Chase-issued credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. In order to receive an invitation, customers must have a minimum of $10 million in assets managed by J.P. Morgan Private Bank.
The Luxury Card Mastercard Gold Card from Barclays
The Luxury Card Mastercard Gold Card is plated in 24-karat gold and weighs 22 grams. This credit card is part of the Luxury Card family of exclusive credit cards, along with the Luxury Card Mastercard Titanium Card and the Luxury Card Mastercard Black Card. Being a metal credit card literally made with gold, the Gold Card is certainly one of the most opulent options on the market. Aside from its gold plating, it also features the prominent Gold Card logo and a carbon back.
Brightly colored credit cards
Some credit cards come in bright colors to signal to consumers that they offer a specific benefit. Here are a couple of brightly colored credit cards that are worth considering for your wallet.
The Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students
The Deserve EDU credit card is decorated with a modern turquoise pattern and is intended for students who are just starting out on their credit journey. What makes this credit card truly unique is its vertical design, a nod to the common use of credit card chips to make purchases.
The Deserve EDU Mastercard comes with low fees and great perks ideal for students. Best of all, this credit card is available to international students, so you don’t even need a Social Security number to apply.
The Apple Card
If there’s one thing Apple is well known for, it’s a beautiful design, and the Apple Card is no exception. The physical credit card is made of titanium and has a minimalist white design, while the virtual Apple Card in your iPhone wallet changes color with every purchase. You can apply for only a digital card, but if you also have a physical card, you can buy an Apple Card skin to protect or customize it. Apple also advises you to clean your credit card with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free microfiber cloth.
The Apple Card is best for iPhone users, as you get the most out of this credit card when you use Apple Pay. However, if even you’re not an Apple user, you may still find this card’s rewards worth it.
Pro Tip
Did you know the different colors of your virtual Apple Card each correspond to a different spending category? For example, orange is for food and drink purchases, while green means you’ve spent money on travel. Keeping track of the most common colors on your Apple Card can help you learn more about your spending habits.
Beautiful plastic credit cards
Who says plastic can’t be pretty too? Even if they aren’t made of special metals like gold or titanium, these beautiful plastic credit cards can give you plenty of perks while also adding some flair to your wallet.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited Visa card
The Chase Freedom Unlimited Visa credit card exhibits a lovely and modern design, with multiple shades of blue and a streak of turquoise sweeping over the cardholder’s name. As the name “Freedom Unlimited” suggests, this credit card can earn you cash back on pretty much everything you buy.
And with low fees, this rewards credit card is one of the best cashback cards on the market.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has a bold design. The card is dark blue with a large Roman centurion, the Amex mascot, featured on the left side of the card. This cash rewards credit card also features a banner showing the year when the card owner first became an Amex member.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is great for consumers who frequently spend money at grocery stores, on streaming services, and at gas stations. With a reasonable annual fee, this rewards credit card is more accessible compared to other cards that offer similar rewards.
FAQs
What is the most prestigious credit card?
The most prestigious credit card is the Amex Black Card. It requires an invitation from American Express in order to apply, and thus it is an international symbol of extreme wealth and prestige.
The Luxury Card Mastercard Gold Card is another highly prestigious card, as it is made of 24-karat gold and comes with a host of incredibly luxurious perks for an annual fee of $995.
Other well-known prestigious cards include the J.P. Morgan Reserve card, the Platinum Card from American Express, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Are fancy credit cards worth it?
Fancy credit cards can be worth the high annual fees if you intend to take advantage of all their perks. For instance, if travel isn’t a huge part of your lifestyle or career, then an expensive credit card with exclusive travel rewards and airport lounge access wouldn’t be worth the cost.
What is higher than a Black Card?
The Centurion Card from American Express, also known as the Black Card, is the highest-level credit card in the American Express suite and arguably the most exclusive credit card you can own. It has an upfront joining fee of $10,000 and a $5,000 annual fee. To put that into perspective, the second-highest annual fee on an Amex card is $695 for the Platinum Card.
The J.P. Morgan Reserve card is comparable to the Black Card in exclusivity, but it comes with a much lower annual fee of $595.
Are black credit cards fancy?
Some of them are. The American Express Centurion Card is the most famous example of a prestigious black credit card. Invites are reportedly only extended to customers who spend over $250,000 per year. However, just because a credit card is black doesn’t mean it’s exclusive or fancy.
What credit cards do famous people use?
The Amex Black Card is most associated with celebrities. Celebrities rumored to have the Black Card include Oprah Winfrey and Kim Kardashian.
What are millennials looking for in a credit card?
Millennials tend to look for credit cards with the best rewards and benefits. According to a 2020 study, compared to older generations, younger credit card users are more willing to switch to another credit card in order to access better discounts and perks. Millennials are also more likely to use digital payment methods like Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo, which makes them more likely to choose credit cards that work best with these platforms. Credit card issuers often take these generational differences into account when designing new credit cards.
Key Takeaways
- While many credit cards come with benefits, some credit cards are specially designed to show that they offer exclusive perks or features to cardholders.
- The most exclusive credit cards have unique colors and designs that make them easy to distinguish, such as the Amex Black Card and the Luxury Card Mastercard Gold Card.
- Some special credit cards are made of metal instead of plastic, while other credit cards are notable for their bright colors aimed at a specific customer base.
- While the most distinguishable designs are usually reserved for exclusive cards, you can still find a beautiful plastic credit card that offers great rewards. These include the Chase Freedom Unlimited card or the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
Looking for a credit card with a beautiful design and awesome benefits to match? SuperMoney can help! Check out our top picks for rewards credit cards, or use our comparison tool to find the best credit card for your lifestyle and financial needs.
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