How To Get A Metal Debit Card

We've just launched Monzo Premium – our newest account, built to make a statement. With it, we introduce our metal card, made from a single sheet of steel. Here's a closer look at it.

It weighs 3x more than a plastic debit card

The Monzo Premium metal card weighs 16g. That's more than three times heavier than a plastic debit card, which usually weighs in at 5g.

It's made from a single sheet of stainless steel

It means your metal Monzo card is much more rigid than a plastic one – and makes a satisfying 'clink' sound when it taps another hard surface.

The logos are precision engraved

The Monzo and Mastercard logos are engraved mechanically on the card's crisp white finish.

The process of engraving metal is known as 'milling'. The manufacturers mill each card individually, and it takes around 20 minutes to engrave each one.

Your card details are laser engraved on the back

Turn your metal card over to find your name and all your card details laser engraved on the back. You'll see your 16-digit card number, CVC code, and the expiry date.

And if you invested in Monzo through one of our crowdfunding rounds, we'll add the investor label here too.

Instead of the PVC film you usually find covering a plastic debit card, the back of your Monzo Premium metal card is coated in a copolymer resin. This also means it's still contactless, like your old plastic card!

The back of a metal Monzo card, showing the laser-engraved card details

It's manufactured in the USA, by a company who hold the patent for contactless metal debit cards

Monzo Premium metal cards are manufactured in New Jersey, USA, by a company that holds the patent on contactless metal cards. This means they're the only manufacturer in the world that makes them.

A metal card should last for five years

Because metal is more hardwearing than plastic, your metal Monzo card will only expire after five years. That's 40% longer than a plastic one, which only lasts for three.

This helps cut down on waste. And it also means you won't have to replace your card or update your card details as often.

When your metal card expires, send it back to us for free and we'll dispose of it safely. You won't be able to cut up a metal card with scissors!

Your metal card has its own Bank Identification Number (BIN)

To achieve the design we wanted, we've used a slightly different type of Mastercard debit card for our metal cards.

This means Monzo Premium metal cards have their own unique BIN (the first six digits of your card number), which is different to the one you'll see on hot coral Monzo cards.

When you first start using your metal card, you might see a message at some cash machines saying "your issuer may charge you". That's just because cash machine companies often take a while to update their software to accept cards with new BINs. So don't worry if you see this message – we won't charge you anything extra.

Looking after your card

Some fabrics, like leather and denim, might permanently stain the card so take care when putting it in wallets or pockets.

If it does get grubby, gently wipe it with a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth. For tougher stains, use a small amount of rubbing alcohol.

A metal Monzo card poking up out of a leather wallet

What else can you get with Monzo Premium?

Your metal card works like a hot coral Monzo card, but it comes with lots of other useful things.

You also get extensive phone insurance, and worldwide travel insurance for you and your partner or family. As well as 1.50%/1.49% AER/Gross (variable) interest on up to £2,000 in your balance and regular Pots, and much, much more.

All for just £15 a month, with a 6 month minimum term. And you have to be aged 18–69 to get Monzo Premium.