What Credit Score Do You Need for a Metal Credit Card?

If you want a metal card from a bank, plan on a credit score of 700 or higher. Many premium options require 740 to 800. But if you want your current card re-engineered into real metal, your credit score does not matter, because there is no new application.

A bank-issued metal card means a credit inquiry, annual fees past $500, and gatekeeping built around your FICO score. A metal card conversion transfers the EMV chip and magnetic stripe data from the card you already carry into a stainless steel or brass body, same account, different material. When you ask who qualifies for a metal credit card, the answer depends on which path you choose.

What Banks Typically Expect

The traditional route to a metal card is not gentle.

The Credit Score Ranges for Bank-Issued Metal Cards

Most bank-issued metal cards target applicants with good to excellent credit, generally a FICO score above 700. Many of the most sought-after options require 740 or higher. Some ultra-premium offerings are invitation-only, reserved for existing customers who meet minimum spend thresholds.

Annual Fees and the Hidden Cost of Approval

Beyond the score, banks factor in your debt-to-income ratio, income level, and credit history length. Annual fees typically range from $250 to $695, covering lounge access, travel perks, and concierge services. If you do not use those perks, the fee outweighs the prestige.

The Path That Skips the Credit Check Entirely

Can anyone get a metal credit card? With a conversion, the answer is closer to yes than most people expect.

How a Card Conversion Works

A custom metal card conversion starts with a card you already own. You ship your plastic card using a prepaid label, and the EMV chip and magnetic stripe data are transferred into a metal body, 0.8mm thick, 28 grams of stainless steel or brass. The chip, account number, and issuer stay the same, and the process is protected by U.S. Patent No. 11,562,194.

What You Keep and What Changes

Your rewards, credit limit, issuer, and account history stay exactly where they are. What changes is the weight and the way it feels on a restaurant table. A standard plastic card weighs about 6 grams; a full metal card weighs 28 grams. Personalization options include laser-engraved designs and full-color metal printing.

Bank-Issued Metal Card vs. Metal Card Conversion

Here is how the two paths compare side by side.

Five Reasons to Choose a Conversion Over a New Application

If you want metal without the credit gatekeeping, here is what a conversion offers.

1. No credit inquiry - Your score stays untouched. No hard pull, no waiting for approval.
2. Keep your existing rewards - The card changes material, not issuers. Your cashback, points, and credit history remain intact.
3. One-time cost, no annual fee - You pay once, with no recurring charges.
4. Full design control - Choose from preset finishes and limited editions, or design your own.
5. Patent-protected craftsmanship - Backed by U.S. Patent No. 11,562,194 and a 30-day guarantee.

The Bottom Line

What credit score do you need for a metal card? Through a bank, 700 at minimum, often 740 or above. Through a conversion, the only requirement is a card you already carry. No application, no credit check, no annual fee. Real metal. Real weight. Same account. For a closer look at the patented process, visit How It Works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do you need for a metal credit card?

Bank-issued metal cards typically require a FICO score of 700 or higher, with many premium options requiring 740 to 800. A metal card conversion requires no credit score at all. You send in a card you already own, and the EMV chip is transferred into a stainless steel or brass body.

Who qualifies for a metal credit card?

For bank-issued cards, you need good to excellent credit, a qualifying income, and often an existing relationship with the bank. For a converted metal card, any debit or credit cardholder qualifies regardless of credit score. The conversion does not involve a credit application or a hard inquiry.

Can anyone get a metal credit card?

Through a conversion service, yes. If you hold a valid debit, credit, or prepaid card with a standard EMV chip, you can have it re-engineered into metal. No minimum score, no income requirement, no approval process.

How much does a metal credit card weigh?

A full metal card weighs 28 grams, compared to about 6 grams for a standard plastic card. That is nearly five times the weight. The difference is immediately noticeable: a solid, premium feel that plastic cannot match.

Are metal cards safe to use?

The EMV chip and magnetic stripe data transfer directly from your original card, so the metal version works with the same security protocols your bank provides. Lion Card does not store, share, or sell card information, and all data is permanently deleted after conversion. SSL encryption protects every transaction.

Do metal cards work in every machine?

Metal cards work at any terminal where you insert the chip or swipe the magnetic stripe. They are not recommended for ATMs or readers that pull the card fully inside, because the rigid metal body may not eject smoothly. For those machines, adding your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay is the simplest alternative.