Why you may not want a metal credit card in your wallet

07.11.2023 - 19:49 / thepointsguy.com

There's nothing like receiving your new metal credit card. It arrives with authority in the mail or on your doorstep, and you hear the angels sing as you open it and it catches the first glint of light. When you hand your new card to a server at dinner, you sit up straighter and hold your head a bit higher to better match your card's sparkle.

Ever since the much-ballyhooed launch of the Chase Sapphire Reserve in 2016 — when Chase temporarily ran out of metal due to the popularity — card issuers have realized that it's not just the earning rates, travel rewards and fancy perks that'll attract customers. A credit card that's a statement piece has an attraction all its own.

And what better way to make a statement than with a heavy, shiny metal card? But before you rush to apply for one of the sleekest cards on the market, there are a few drawbacks that you should consider.

As much fun as it is to hear the "thunk" of your card when you throw it down to pay for a group dinner, it's less fun to run into a situation where your card isn't accepted. Some older card readers and parking machines will have a sign that says "no metal cards," or you might have to find out the hard way that your beloved card just won't fit into the slot.

Regardless, your card is only useful if you can actually use it, and that isn't always the case with a metal credit card.

Related: The best rewards credit cards

If you have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and are accustomed to gliding seamlessly through airport security, having a metal card might slow you down.

It seems obvious that a metal card would set off the metal detectors, but if you usually keep your wallet or credit card in your pocket while you go through security, adding a metal card will require a change in your security process.

Of course, this is a minor detail, but it might feel significant when you're holding up the line like a security newbie.

Related: Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck: Which is better?

Whether you cancel your credit card or the company sends you an updated card, you'll eventually need to dispose of your credit card. With plastic cards, this process is as simple as dropping it into your home shredder.

Metal cards, on the other hand, are more complicated. If you try to shred one, you'll find yourself in the market for a new shredder. To properly dispose of them, you'll need to either send your card back in the included return envelope or call the credit card company to request one.

If you're like me and just let your old cards pile up in a credit card graveyard stack, this won't be a big deal. But if you like to keep your cards updated and organized, this can be a pain.

Related: How do I dispose of my metal credit card?

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