Best Credit Cards in December 2023Articles
How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
|
Advertising Disclosure
LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).
Advertising Disclosure
LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).
|
American Express Disclosure
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
American Express Disclosure
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Glen Luke Flanagan
Glen Luke Flanagan is a former senior credit card writer for LendingTree. His work ranged from credit card reviews to educational pieces, and he joined the team in June 2019 with a background in journalism and government communications.
More from the author
Alexandria White
Alexandria is a former credit card writer for LendingTree, covering everything from the latest credit card news, individual card reviews, and Best Of roundups to tips for getting the most value out of your card.
More from the author
Robin Ratcliff
Robin Ratcliff is a managing editor at LendingTree. An expert on credit cards and rewards programs, she helped found the credit cards reviews section at CreditCards.com before joining LendingTree.
More from the author
Updated on:
April 29th, 2022
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why use LendingTree?
We are committed to providing accurate content that helps you make informed money decisions. The content on this page has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any credit card issuer. We do maintain partnerships with some issuers, and our site may be compensated through those partnerships. Read our At LendingTree, we are committed to providing accurate and actionable content that helps you make informed decisions about your money. Our team of writers and editors follows these key guidelines:Editorial Guidelines
Getting rid of a plastic credit card can be as easy as snipping it up with scissors or running it through the shredder — but a metal credit card is harder to destroy. We’ve got some tips to help you do so effectively.
Click below to learn more:
- How to destroy a metal credit card
- Why destroy your metal credit card?
- How to get a metal credit card
- History of metal credit cards
3 ways to dispose of a metal credit card
- Mail it back to the issuer.You can likely request a prepaid envelope from your card issuer for this purpose.
- Take it to a bank branch.If the financial institution that issued the card has physical bank or credit union branches, you may be able to take the card to one of those and turn it in. But first, call the number on the back of your card and ask if you can do this, to make sure you’ll get the in-branch assistance you need.
- Cut it up using tin snips.Regular scissors likely won’t get the job done, depending on what kind of metal your card is made from and how thick it is. However, tin snips are designed for cutting metal — if you go this route, cut the card up thoroughly enough that you destroy the magnetic stripe and EMV chip for maximum security.
What not to do with a metal credit card
For one thing, don’t try to run your metal credit card through the shredder. You’re more likely to damage the shredder than destroy the credit card. The same holds true for trying to cut the card up with scissors.
You also shouldn’t turn to a third-party service to destroy your card — this is worth noting for all credit cards, whether metal or plastic. If someone is trying to get your credit card, there’s a high likelihood it’s a scam.
Why destroy your metal credit card?
Destroying old credit cards is a smart step to protect you from identity theft. You’ll also want to consider how to close the credit card account — which can be done by calling the number on the back of your card and talking with a customer service representative.
Some consumers may worry closing a credit card account hurts your credit score. If you’re carrying a balance on other cards, closing one account can cause your score to dip by affecting your overall utilization ratio. But if you keep utilization low and use your other cards responsibly, your score should rebound. Plus, if the closed account was in good standing, that history stays on your credit reports for up to 10 years.
Metal credit cards are more common and accessible now than they once were. Here are a few metal credit cards with valuable rewards programs and no annual fee or low annual fees:
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
How Does LendingTree Get Paid? LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
0% for 12 billing cycles on purchases
18.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
$0
Earn 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery, 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, EV charging stations and on streaming services. Plus, a $15 credit for annual streaming purchases like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max and more! And earn 1X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Intro Offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. That's a $200 value redeemable towards merchandise, gift cards, cash back, travel and more.
- 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery.
- 2X points on streaming services. Plus, a $15 credit for annual streaming purchases like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max and more!
- 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, and EV charging stations
- 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies, currently 18.24% - 29.24%.
- No Annual Fee
- Points never expire
- Every Altitude® Go Visa Card is made with recycled plastic, helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment.
- Terms and conditions apply.
660 720 850
Excellent/Good
Get my free score
How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
Rewards:Earn 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery, 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, EV charging stations and on streaming services. Plus, a $15 credit for annual streaming purchases like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max and more! And earn 1X points on all other eligible purchases.
Sign-up bonus:Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee:$0
Regular APR:18.24% - 29.24% (variable)
Check out our U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card review
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
How Does LendingTree Get Paid? LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
N/A
21.49%–28.49% variable
$95
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
720 850
Excellent
Get my free score
How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
Rewards:Earn Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more..
Sign-up bonus:Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Annual fee:$95
Regular APR:21.49%–28.49% variable
Check out our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards:Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
Sign-up bonus:Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening .
Annual fee:$95
Regular APR:19.99%, 26.24% or 29.99% (variable)
The information related to Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
Check out our Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card review
History of metal credit cards
Metal cards were first introduced by American Express in 1999 with the debut of the Centurion card. This luxury card already had an exclusive status due to being invite-only, but Amex elevated the hype by making the card out of titanium. Over the years, metal cards have become increasingly popular and less exclusive.
Some metal cards, of course, are luxury cards with exclusive benefits and expensive annual fees. But there are also popular travel and cash back cards made of metal with low annual fees or no annual fee. Though metal cards aren’t as rare as they once were, consumers may still enjoy them because they’re noticeably heavier and sturdier than flimsy plastic cards, and might inspire conversation when splitting a bill.
Many card issuers these days enhance the design of their cards by using titanium, stainless steel and embedded metals. Some cards may be solid metal, while others may be metal covering a plastic core.
Did you know? Chase temporarily ran out of the metal needed to make the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, a luxury travel card which currently has a $550 annual fee, after a successful marketing campaign in 2016.
The information related to Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Credit Cards Resources
Best Rewards Credit Cards
Best Cashback Credit Cards
Best 0% APR Credit Cards
Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Best No Balance Transfer Fee Credit Cards
I'm an enthusiast with extensive knowledge about credit cards and financial products. My expertise is backed by a deep understanding of the credit card industry, including features, benefits, and trends. Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about the best credit cards in December 2023.
The article discusses credit cards and their associated information, primarily sourced from LendingTree, an advertising-supported comparison service. LendingTree provides a platform where companies compensate them, impacting how and where offers appear on the site. It's crucial to note that LendingTree aims to include the best deals available but doesn't guarantee that the information represents all available products.
The authors, Glen Luke Flanagan and Alexandria White, along with the managing editor, Robin Ratcliff, contribute to the content. They emphasize the commitment to providing accurate and actionable content, following strict editorial guidelines. The article is updated as of April 29th, 2022, indicating the relevance of the content at the time of publication.
The main topic of the article is "How to destroy a metal credit card." It provides insights into why one might want to destroy a metal credit card, including the methods for disposal. The recommended ways include mailing it back to the issuer, taking it to a bank branch, or cutting it up using tin snips. The article also highlights what not to do with a metal credit card, such as running it through a shredder.
Furthermore, the article mentions the history of metal credit cards and their popularity. It notes that metal credit cards are more common now and lists a few examples with valuable rewards programs and either no annual fee or low annual fees. The mentioned cards include the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, and Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Each credit card is presented with details such as rewards, sign-up bonuses, annual fees, and regular APR. For instance, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card offers 4X points on dining, 2X points at grocery stores, and a $15 credit for streaming services, with no annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides 60,000 bonus points after a specified spend and offers benefits like 5x on travel and 3x on dining, with a $95 annual fee. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, a $300 cash bonus, and has a $95 annual fee.
Additionally, the article briefly mentions the history of metal credit cards, starting with American Express introducing the Centurion card in 1999, made of titanium. Metal cards have since become more popular, with various materials used in their construction.
In summary, the article provides comprehensive information on credit cards, including the process of destroying metal credit cards and details about specific cards available in the market as of December 2023.
