My 5 Favorite Credit Card Designs
Note: This post was published in 2021 and some of the card designs have since changed. Enjoy the look at these cool designs and let us know if you miss any of them!
When choosing a new credit card, I’m overwhelmingly interested in what bonuses and benefits are being offered. I couldn’t care less what the actual card looks like. But that’s not to say that some cards have far more appeal to the eye than others. I have several favorite credit card designs. Some are cards that are designed to really stand out, while others grew on me over time.
Luckily, my favorite credit card designs include some cards that I do use routinely. Others see rare use or even live in the desk drawer. However, I do keep at least one in my wallet simply for its aesthetics (but it still sees little use). I’ll let you guess which.
Citi Premier
The Citi Premier card gets top billing on my list of favorite credit card designs. The look of the card has always stood out to me, with the circular logo that appears recessed into the card. It’s a beauty.
But I’m in it not just for the design. The Citi Premier is actually more more functional card and sees the most use any given week since it is so versatile. I’m a major fan of ThankYou points, especially to transfer to Turkish Airlines to book domestic United flights.
Here is a snapshot of the Citi Premier benefits:
- 3x earning at gas stations, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and for air travel
- Ability to transfer points to Citi ThankYou travel partners
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annual fee
- Learn More
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express is designed to appeal. A metal card beats a plastic card any day of the week, and I have it admit I love being able to pull it out of my wallet on the rare occasion it gets used. Normally it just sits there and looks pretty. What I don’t do is this.
Primary benefits of the Platinum Card:
- 5x points on air travel
- Monthly Uber credits
- Semi-annual Saks credit
- Access Centurion, Airspace, Escape and Priority Pass lounges
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program
- Gold elite status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors
- $550 annual fee
Honestly, I only use my Platinum for some flight bookings and for lounge access. Well, that will be the case once the 10x grocery earning ends from the offer I took.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Yes, one of the original gangsta travel credit cards is still an excellent one. I remember when I first held the Chase Sapphire Preferred way back in 2012. I’ve never had a card get more compliments than this one. I loved the design then and still love it now, although I no longer hold the card. I also prefer the Preferred look to the Reserve look.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is still a solid credit card. Here are the primary benefits:
- bonus_miles_full
- Points worth 25% more when redeemed for travel, or transfer to partners
- $95 annual fee
- Learn More
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
While the old Delta Reserve American Express Card design wasn’t anything to write home about, the new deep purple card really pops. It matches the “Passport Plum” Delta flight attendant uniforms. It may also bring up some nostalgia from when I had the SPG American Express card, which was also rebranded to a cool purple design.
Besides looking cool, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express has some use for me. It lived in the desk last year, but it is back in my wallet as I spend toward bonus MQMs and the MQD waiver for 2022 elite status. I’m bullish travel will come back.
Here is a snapshot of the card benefits:
- Complimentary SkyClub access when flying same-day Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flights, plus two one-time guest passes annually
- Centurion Lounge access when flying same-day Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flights (no guest access)
- Annual companion certificate upon card renewal (that you can even use for first class)
- Earn 15,000 bonus MQMs per $30,000 in spend each year, up to 4 times
- Earn the MQD waiver for Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion after spending at least $25,000 in a year
- $550 annual fee
- Learn More
The Ritz Carlton Rewards Visa
The final card on the list is one that I never held, sadly. I was able to see a friend’s Ritz card, though. The black front design stands out, and the old metal card was at least as heavy as the American Express Platinum. I don’t believe Chase still issues the card in metal, or they have downgraded it’s construction somehow. I was very interested in getting a Ritz card at the time, but sadly could not due to the dreaded 5/24 rule.
The Ritz Carlton Rewards Visa is no longer available to new applicants. However, I believe you can still product change another Chase Marriott card to the Ritz card as long as you’ve had your other card for at least 12 months. The Ritz card has a $450 annual fee, but it comes with a Priority pass membership, annual free night (up to 50,000 Bonvoy points), two $100 Visa Infinite Airfare credits, and $300 in incidental air credits. If you’re lacking another premium card and aren’t keen on keeping the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, it’s worth considering.
Final Thoughts on my Favorite Credit Card Designs
All my favorite designs have the numbers on the back. This single design change makes any card look way more clean and appealing. I’m glad more and more have made this switch.
I still don’t choose which card to pay with based on how it looks. That would just be stupid. But I do have to say that I like having a few cool looking cards in my wallet, one the rare occasion I get to use them.
How about you…do you have any favorite credit card designs?
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the old king of travel rewards cards. Right now
bonus_miles_full
Learn more about this card and its features!
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
I have the ritz. Yes the $100 visa infinite air discount is gone. The card is still metal but not the old pure etched metal design, it is lasting on the outside like the CSR.
Haha *plastic, not lasting
Bummer on the discount. That was such a great feature.
I liked the old aurora alaska credit card and also the amex plenti card.
You are right ritz’s design has changed. It weighs and feels similar to CSP.
The aurora Alaska card was cool. I think my first one had that design.
I like the Cathay Pacific credit card and the BofA Travel card designs.
Cathay resonates with me. For some reason, the BofA never have. To each their own!
I prefer the rose gold to the platinum.
The Rose is cool. If I ever get a Gold card, I hope I can jump on that one (assuming they bring it back sometime).
The Chase Ritz Carlton card still comes as metal, and it is still as heavy as the AMEX Platinum. The Visa Infiniti $100 air-fare credit however is gone.
Thanks. Good to know! Bummed that benefit is gone.
Slow news day.
I actually get the most comments on the BBP. People like the transparent.
I thought the Visa Infinite Air discount went away in December 2019?
Sounds like it has. Missed that news!
I have gotten comments on the transparent cards as well. They are pretty unique.