These Credit Cards Will Make You Look That Much Cooler
Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The information for the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card has been collected independently by Honey. The product details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the bank advertiser.
Jewelry can be very beautiful, but it has no utilitarian value. On the other hand, your average credit card can be extremely useful, but it might not be too pleasing to look at or to hold.
Change is upon us. There’s a new breed of credit cards that are designed to attract and wow bystanders when used. And, no, we're not talking about the ultra-exclusive black card.
1. Metal. The latest trend in high-end credit cards are those made out of metal. Sometimes, they just have a metal core that makes them heavy and inflexible. Other times, these cards will have a shiny metal exterior. Unlike plastic, you can mail back metal cards upon expiration for the issuer to recycle.
2. Designs. Credit card issuers and manufacturers employ graphic artists to make their designs pop. In fact, one major issuer recently hired a well-known artist to design its new card.
3. Exclusivity. Sometimes a credit card design isn’t that impressive by itself, but the notion that most people are unable to attain it makes it that much cooler.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
This card checks off all of the cool boxes. It’s made of a grayish colored stainless steel, and it’s quite heavy to hold. At the same time, it also retains the classic design etched into it that’s instantly recognizable as an American Express card. Finally, it’s quite an exclusive card, with its $550 annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
But does this card’s benefit live up to its attractive appearance, not to mention its high annual fee? For the most part, yes. Cardholders earn 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly from the airlines, and from hotels purchased from Amex Travel. Benefits include membership in the Delta SkyClub, Priority Pass Select, and American Express Centurion airport business lounge networks. You also receive a $100 fee credit toward a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application, and a $200 annual credit toward airline fees. You even get a $200 annual Uber credit and a $100 annual credit toward Saks Fifth Avenue purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy American Express
To mark the rebranding of the Starwood Preferred Guest credit card as “Bonvoy,” American Express commissioned work from mural and studio artist Tony “Rubin” Sjöman, or Rubin as he’s commonly known. Rubin’s limited-edition design is inspired by the skyline of New York City during the sunset.
Thankfully, this card’s benefits are a close match to its attractive facade. It offers you double points on all purchases, and 6x points at all Marriott properties. You also get 15 night stay credits towards elite status, and free night every year. There’s a $95 annual fee for this card.
J.P. Morgan Reserve Card from Chase
This card is all about exclusivity, as reports indicate that you have to have over $10 million in assets just to apply. It has a brushed stainless steel exterior that is purported to contain the rare and expensive element Palladium. And while it offers plenty of high-end benefits, its rewards program is actually very similar to Chase’s popular Sapphire Reserve, which is available to applicants with more modest means. Both offer 3x points on all travel and dining, as well as a $300 annual travel credit. The J.P. Morgan Reserve Card has an annual fee of $595 while the Sapphire Reserve’s annual fee is $450.
Savor Rewards from Capital One
One of the least cool things that you can do is reach into your wallet only to discover that your credit card is missing. This happens often when you have a ritzy-looking black card that seems to disappear into a restaurant’s black folio, especially in low light. Capital One realized this, and designed it’s Savor card to be bright orange, so you wouldn’t forget it at the restaurant.
This makes perfect sense once you learn about this card and how its meant to be used. It offers unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment purchases, which are usually places with low light. You also get 2% cash back at grocery stores and 1% returns elsewhere. There’s a $95 annual fee for this card that’s waived the first year.
American Express® Gold Card
When Amex redesigned this card in 2018, it offered it in a limited edition rose gold colored metal card. This card appears more as a lightly colored gold rather than the pinkish hue that’s conveyed by photographs. New applicants now receive the standard, bright-gold colored card, which is also attractive.
And thankfully, this card lives up to its image. You earn 4x Membership Rewards points at worldwide restaurants and on up to $25,000 spent each year at US grocery stores. You also earn 3x points on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel, and one point per dollar spent everywhere else. Benefits include a $100 annual air travel fee credit and up to $120 per year in credits towards select restaurants. There’s a $250 annual fee (See Rates & Fees) for this card.