{"id":643,"date":"2026-11-03T12:57:19","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T04:57:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cilamayakulon.com\/blog\/?p=643"},"modified":"2026-11-03T12:57:19","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T04:57:19","slug":"what-credit-score-is-required-for-a-metal-card-4e57-f109ac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.cilamayakulon.com\/blog\/2026\/11\/03\/what-credit-score-is-required-for-a-metal-card-4e57-f109ac\/","title":{"rendered":"What credit score is required for a metal card?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever held a metal credit card\u2014think the sleek, weighty ones that feel substantial in your hand, far from the flimsy plastic of standard cards\u2014you\u2019ve probably wondered: what does it take to qualify for one? As someone who\u2019s spent the last eight years working directly with manufacturers and banks to source custom metal credit card blanks and end-to-end card solutions, I get this question at least once a week, from small business owners building their co-brand card programs to individuals curious about the gap between \u201cregular\u201d credit cards and those premium metal options. Metal Card<\/a><\/p>\n

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It\u2019s a fair question, and the answer isn\u2019t as cut-and-dry as a single number. Credit card issuers and fintechs design metal cards for two main audiences: people with excellent credit who want a status symbol, and businesses that use metal cards to build loyalty or elevate their brand. I\u2019ve seen it all: a small bakery launch a metal gift card for top repeat customers, a tech giant roll out a metal corporate card for employees, a luxury airline\u2019s co-brand card that requires near-perfect credit to qualify. Let\u2019s break down the credit score requirements, the nuances that affect them, and why that number matters for both issuers and the people buying metal cards.<\/p>\n

First, let\u2019s clarify: when we talk about \u201ccredit scores\u201d for consumer-facing metal credit cards, we\u2019re almost always referencing FICO Scores, the most widely used model in the U.S., and to a lesser extent VantageScore. FICO\u2019s range is 300 to 850, with tiers that issuers use to segment applicants. Here\u2019s the baseline, based on what I\u2019ve observed from dozens of our issuer clients over the years: most premium metal credit cards for individual consumers require a FICO Score of 720 or higher. That\u2019s the threshold for \u201cgood\u201d credit per FICO\u2019s definitions, but many top-tier metal cards\u2014think the ones with airport lounge access, 2%+ cash back, and annual fees north of $400\u2014require a 750 or higher, which falls into the \u201cexcellent\u201d credit tier.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t arbitrary. Metal cards carry higher costs for issuers than plastic ones. A standard plastic credit card costs roughly $1 to manufacture; a metal card can run $5 to $20, depending on the material (stainless steel, titanium, brass, even gold-plated steel) and customizations (embossing, engraving, chip technology). To offset that cost, issuers target applicants who are less likely to default: people with a long history of on-time payments, low credit utilization, and a mix of credit types, all of which add up to a high credit score. If you\u2019re someone who has a 750 FICO Score, you\u2019re 3x less likely to default on payments than someone with a 650 score, per FICO\u2019s own data, which makes the extra cost of a metal card a lower risk for the issuer.<\/p>\n

That said, there are exceptions to the 720 rule, and I want to be transparent about them because I\u2019ve seen these play out for our clients. First, secured metal cards. These are for people building or rebuilding credit, and they require a security deposit (usually $200 to $500) as collateral to offset the risk of lower credit scores. We worked with a fintech last year that launched a secured metal card with a $300 security requirement, and their ideal applicant had a FICO Score as low as 580, which falls into the \u201cfair\u201d credit tier. The catch? These cards usually have lower perks (no cash back, no travel benefits) and often carry higher annual fees to cover the metal production cost.<\/p>\n

Second, small business metal cards. If you\u2019re applying for a business credit card, issuers look at both your personal credit score (for sole proprietors) and your business\u2019s financial health, so the requirements are a bit more flexible. For example, a marketing agency we partnered with wanted a metal card for their top clients, not their own employees, so they worked with a bank to design a co-brand card for clients with personal credit scores as low as 680. That\u2019s not unheard of\u2014many business-focused metal cards target 670 to 700 credit scores, because business owners often have slightly more varied credit profiles and need access to credit for operations, so issuers are willing to lower the bar a bit to capture that audience.<\/p>\n

Third, premium student metal cards. I know, it sounds like a luxury, but we\u2019ve worked with several university alumni groups that launch student loyalty metal cards for top undergrads. Their credit requirements? Usually 650 to 680. These are for students with part-time jobs and a limited credit history, so issuers take into account their steady income rather than just their credit score. It\u2019s a way for universities to build loyalty early, and the metal card becomes a status symbol for students at a prestigious school.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s talk about the myths that muddle this conversation. I often get asked, \u201cDo you have to have perfect credit for a metal card?\u201d The answer is no, and that\u2019s a common misconception. A FICO Score of 720 is not \u201cperfect\u201d\u2014it just means you have a solid credit track record. That said, there\u2019s a difference between getting approved for a basic metal card and getting approved for the top-tier ones. For example, a credit card with a $95 annual fee and a 1.5% flat cash back might approve someone with a 720 score, while a card with a $550 annual fee and unlimited airport lounge access will only approve people with 750 or higher. The higher the card\u2019s perks and annual fee, the higher the credit score requirement.<\/p>\n

Another myth: metal cards are only for rich people, so you don\u2019t need to care about credit scores. That\u2019s not true for small business and co-brand metal cards. We work with a lot of small to mid-sized businesses that launch metal gift cards or employee benefit cards for their customers, and many of these cards don\u2019t require the customer to have a credit score at all. Some are debit cards, some are prepaid cards, and they use metal as a way to stand out from the generic plastic cards that most businesses use. For these, the credit score rule doesn\u2019t apply, because they\u2019re not lines of credit\u2014they\u2019re stored value cards. That\u2019s a key point I want to emphasize, because most of the questions I get from non-consumer clients are about this: metal cards aren\u2019t just for revolving credit, so their requirements are different.<\/p>\n

So, what if you\u2019re someone who wants a metal card, but your credit score is lower than 720? There are paths to get there, and I\u2019ve seen many of our clients help customers build credit while using metal cards. First, if you have a fair credit score (580 to 669), a secured metal card is a great option. You put down a refundable deposit, and as you make on-time payments, your credit score builds, and you can often upgrade to an unsecured metal card after 12 to 18 months of good behavior. We had a client who launched a secured metal card targeted at people building credit, and 60% of their customers upgraded to an unsecured metal card within two years, which is way higher than the industry average.<\/p>\n

Second, if you\u2019re a small business owner, look for business credit cards that don\u2019t base approval solely on personal credit. Some issuers look at your business\u2019s annual revenue and cash flow, so even if your personal credit is 680, you might qualify for a business metal card. We worked with a landscaping company last year that wanted a metal card for their top 100 clients, and their average client credit score was 675, so we helped them design a co-brand card with a 670 minimum requirement, which was a big win for their customer loyalty.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s talk about how issuers determine the credit score requirements for metal cards, because that\u2019s where a lot of people don\u2019t see the backstory. As a metal card supplier, we work closely with banks and fintechs to understand their audience, and that directly shapes the card\u2019s design and the credit bar. For example, if a client wants a metal card for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), we use titanium or solid stainless steel, add custom engravings, and the issuer will set a credit score requirement of 780 to 800, because HNWIs care about exclusivity and status, and the issuer can charge a higher annual fee to cover the production cost. If a client wants a metal card for a startup\u2019s employees, we use a thinner stainless steel (to keep costs lower, since a thin metal blank is cheaper than a thick one) and the issuer will set a credit requirement of 700, because startup employees might be early in their careers but have steady income.<\/p>\n

Another factor: the metal card\u2019s purpose. A corporate metal card, where the company is the one paying the bill, doesn\u2019t require an employee\u2019s personal credit score at all. The company\u2019s credit history is the only factor, so we\u2019ve designed corporate metal cards for small businesses with as little as $50,000 in annual revenue, and their credit score requirement is based on the business\u2019s, not an individual\u2019s. That\u2019s a huge difference from consumer credit cards, which rely solely on personal credit.<\/p>\n

I should also mention that credit score models have evolved, and metal card requirements have shifted along with them. Ten years ago, most premium credit cards were plastic, and a metal card was a rare luxury only for people with 800+ credit scores. Now, as metal card production has become more affordable (we\u2019ve seen production costs drop 30% since 2018 due to improved manufacturing techniques), issuers have expanded their offerings. We\u2019ve even seen banks launch metal cards for people with 650 credit scores, though those usually have lower perks and no annual fee, which makes sense for both the issuer and the customer.<\/p>\n

Let me share a real example from my work to make this concrete. Last year, a regional bank came to us wanting to launch a metal credit card to compete with the big national banks. They didn\u2019t want a high annual fee, so they set their target customer as people with a 720 credit score\u2014someone who had good credit but not perfect, who wanted a metal card to upgrade from their standard plastic card. We designed a thin stainless steel blank with a matte finish, added a contactless chip, and the bank priced the card with a $50 annual fee and 1% cash back on all purchases. Within six months, they issued 12,000 of these cards, and their default rate was 1.2%, which is exactly in line with what they projected for applicants with 720 credit scores. That\u2019s the sweet spot, in my experience: metal cards don\u2019t have to be for the top 10% of credit scores, they can be for a broad group of people who value the feel and status of a metal card.<\/p>\n

Now, if you\u2019re a business owner or issuer looking to launch your own metal card, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to credit score requirements. First, align the requirement with your target audience. If you\u2019re targeting luxury travelers, aim for 750+. If you\u2019re targeting small business clients, aim for 670 to 700. If you\u2019re building a card for people with fair credit, go with a secured model. Second, balance the cost of the metal card with the risk. A thicker titanium card will have higher production costs, so a higher credit score requirement makes sense, while a thin stainless steel card can support a lower requirement. Third, be transparent with your applicants. If you set a 720 requirement, clearly communicate that in your application materials, so you don\u2019t waste applicants\u2019 time or have people get denied and leave negative reviews.<\/p>\n

For individuals looking to get a metal card, here\u2019s a quick checklist: Check your credit score first\u2014you can get a free copy of your FICO Score from the three major bureaus once a year, and from most credit card issuers. That way, you know which range you fall into, and you can target cards that fit. If your score is below 720, look for secured or business metal cards. If it\u2019s above 750, you\u2019ll qualify for the best perks. And remember: a metal card is a tool, not a status symbol\u2014make sure you can afford the annual fee and pay your balance on time, regardless of your credit score.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, the credit score required for a metal card isn\u2019t a one-size-fits-all number. It depends on what the card is for, who it\u2019s for, and what the issuer\u2019s risk tolerance is. As someone who\u2019s worked in metal card manufacturing for years, I\u2019ve seen first-hand how the space has evolved, from a niche product for millionaires to a common option for small businesses, students, and everyday people looking for a better credit card experience.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re an issuer, business owner, or organization looking to launch a custom metal card\u2014whether it\u2019s a consumer credit card, corporate card, gift card, or co-brand card\u2014we can help you design and produce a metal card that fits your audience and your budget. Our team has worked with hundreds of clients across industries, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, to create metal cards that stand out, build loyalty, and align with your goals. For more information on custom metal card solutions, reach out to our team to discuss your project.<\/p>\n

Echo Friendly Plastic Card<\/a> References
\nConsumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2023). Credit Card Basics: Understanding Credit Scores.
\nFICO. (2024). Credit Score Ranges and What They Mean for Card Approval.
\nNilson Report. (2023). Global Metal Credit Card Market Trends and Production Costs.
\nSmall Business Administration. (2022). Business Credit Card Requirements for Small Business Owners.
\nTransUnion. (2023). Secured Credit Card Usage and Credit Score Improvement.<\/p>\n

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Shenzhen Razlon Technology Co., Ltd.<\/a>
Shenzhen Razlon Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional metal card manufacturers and suppliers in China, specialized in providing high quality customized service. If you’re going to buy or wholesale bulk metal card in stock, welcome to get quotation and free sample from our factory. For price consultation, contact us.
Address: No. 5 , Lin Chun, Xisheng Street, Tangxia Town, Dongguan City China. 523711
E-mail: Rachel@razlon.com
WebSite: https:\/\/www.razloncard.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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