How do I get a custom metal credit card?

You can get a custom metal credit card by sending your plastic credit card to a company that will convert it to metal. Lion Credit Card, Metal-CreditCard.com, and Card Ego will “upgrade” your plastic credit card or debit card to a metal card with a custom design in a sleek metal or 24K gold finish. The types of metals that can be used for these cards include chrome, silver, stainless steel and a host of alloys. There is a one-time fee of $159 to $169 for basic custom designs such as flags and logos. If you’re willing to spend up to $200 or more, you can work with one of the companies’ card designers to create your own fully customized metal card.

Companies that make custom metal credit cards will also offer to transfer your card’s EMV chip and magnetic stripe data. There’s an additional fee, typically around $29. Each company guarantees a safe and secure process, but this is still a risky move. That’s because plastic EMV cards are produced with security measures built into the plastic body that may not replicate if the chip is transferred to a metal card body. Then, there’s the risk of fraudsters copying your bank information from the card’s less-secure magnetic stripe. To preserve your card’s security, do not send your card to these companies.

Nowadays, you don’t have to visit a third-party vendor to get a metal credit card. A number of issuers now offer metal credit cards to their customers. And they’re no longer limited to super-elite, invitation only brands such as the American Express Centurion card. Some of the best metal cards include Chase Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture, American Express Platinum and Wells Fargo Propel. However, you will need good to excellent credit to get them. In some cases, you’ll have to pay a hefty annual fee. Amex Platinum comes with a $695 annual fee; for Sapphire Reserve, it’s $550. But at the other end of the spectrum, you can get Wells Fargo Propel for a $0 annual fee.

If you’re wondering if you can customize a traditional metal credit card, the answer is no. Metal cards lack the ability to replicate colors or pictures that some issuers offer with plastic cards.