What Do You Need to Know About Custom Metal Bank Cards?
Will you be putting that purchase on plastic or metal? Metal credit cards have become more popular over the past few years. While both the plastic credit card as well as metal credit cards have similar functionality, both are made with different materials. Plastic cards are made with plastic, whereas metal cards are made with different metals, including brass, copper, stainless steel, titanium, gold, or palladium. In addition, metal credit cards are usually heavier than plastic credit cards.
A short history of metal credit cards
Metal credit cards came into existence in the 1920 s, when shoppers at departmental stores could run tabs using metal coins or charge plates. However, banks started to issue plastic credit cards to their clients in the 1950 s.
The first metal credit card was introduced in the 1999s by American Express, where titanium was used to design the metal card. This card was known as the Black Card. This card is only issued via an invitation, and its initiation fee was $7500 in addition to an annual fee of $2500.
Nowadays, you can find several metal credit card providers that create attention-grabbing metal cards. You can choose to customize your card using gold or trimming a diamond in the center, depending on your budget and preferences. Over the last few years, the trends of metal credit cards have grown. Traditionally, only people with a good credit score can apply for metal cards. Now even the public can have custom bank cards.
Why are metal cards popular?
While the number of metal cards is very low in the market compared to other cards available from banks and credit unions, some people opt for metal credit cards as they seem more attractive and are considered a symbol of status. People tend to assume custom metal bank cards as a sign of luxury. So, they are ideal for those who demand the latest innovations and want to impress people around them.
Metal cards are made of metal. So, they are relatively heavier than plastic credit cards. A platinum card from American Express may weigh 7 times more than a plastic card. However, the weight of a credit card may vary with the metal used. Some credit cards are even made by sandwiching the metal between the layers of plastic.
Metal credit cards usually work as plastic cards. Therefore, you can easily swipe it just like a regular plastic card. However, make sure its thickness is the same as your plastic credit card. Otherwise, you may not be able to insert the credit card into the machine, which can cause problems via transactions.
What to think about before getting a metal credit card?
Before you choose a metal card, never choose it solely based on its looks. Instead, know your needs and assess all aspects to find the right metal card. For instance, check what other benefits you will get other than a durable metal card.
There are some disadvantages of metal cards, such as metal credit cards don’t pass the metal detector. So, you have to place your wallet on the conveyor belt to be scanned. In addition, you can’t destroy your metal card like plastic cards. You need to send it to the issuer to destroy it, which may add up to your expenses. If you try to do it yourself, it may permanently damage the card. So, before you go ahead, make sure you consider its pros and cons.
The bottom line
Now that you have gained enough knowledge about custom bank cards, what are you waiting for? Find a reliable metal card manufacturer and convert your plastic credit card into an attention-grabbing metal card to impress your friends, colleagues, and family.