N26 Metal - Is it worth your money?
N26 Metal arrived in the UK in 2018 as an upgrade for existing N26 account holders. It eventually became available to new customers and today N26 Metal is one of the most popular premium digital bank accounts. We have unpacked all the perks and benefits of being an N26 Metal customer to help you decide if you want to open a new N26 Metal account or upgrade from your existing account.
On 11 February 2020, N26 UK announced that it is closing down its operations in the UK on 15 April 2020. Find out how N26 UK closing down will affect you and what alternative options are available.
N26 provides all of its customers with access to its innovative mobile banking app, a contactless debit card, and fee-free spending when you make purchases or get cash from an ATM in the UK and abroad. N26 Metal builds on this success with its exclusive features and benefits in return for a monthly fee.
What is N26 Metal?
N26 Metal is the premium version of the standard N26 account and comes with exclusive features and benefits not found with other N26 accounts, in return for a monthly fee which is deducted directly from your N26 account.
Read more about N26 and its full range of accounts and features.
Besides the great features, N26 Metal holders receive an exclusive etched steel, metallic, MasterCard debit card which affords you MasterCard World Elite Status and comes in a choice of three colours - Charcoal Black, Quartz Rose, and Slate Grey.
What is MasterCard World Elite Status?World Elite is MasterCard’s highest benefits package. It is this status that provides cardholders with some of the benefits you get for being an N26 Metal customer, such as travel insurance and LoungeKey membership.
What are the benefits of having N26 Metal?
The main reason for opening or upgrading to N26 Metal is to unlock its additional features. As a Metal cardholder, you receive all the features you get with N26 Standard and N26 You to carry out your day-to-day banking, plus some excellent perks and benefits.
Those who travel frequently will benefit the most from having an N26 Metal account, as its premium features centre around using your card abroad as well as providing you with products and services you use when travelling or going on holiday, such as travel insurance and delayed flight insurance.
That being said, there are still a few features that will benefit those who don’t travel frequently, such as exclusive partner rewards with purchases made using your N26 Metal card, purchase protection, and additional savings account. The exclusive metal debit MasterCard may also be reason enough for some people to upgrade because the card looks pretty snazzy sitting in your wallet and will certainly draw some eyes when you use it to spend in the shop or pick up the tab in a restaurant.
N26 Metal Cost
N26 Metal costs £14.90 per month, which it deducts from your N26 balance automatically each month with no annual fee.
In return for the monthly fee, Metal cardholders enjoy nearly every N26 service for free with no additional fees.
N26 Metal Features
Besides all the benefits you receive from having a standard N26 account, which you can read more about in our guide to N26, you receive some great additional features which we have listed for you below.
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Free ATM Withdrawals Worldwide | Withdraw cash for free in any currency from ATMs around the world and pay using your N26 Metal Mastercard online and in stores with zero fees or markups. |
10 Spaces | Your N26 Metal membership gives you the freedom to create up to 10 Spaces sub-accounts alongside your main account, for reaching your savings goals. |
Exclusive partner offers | Comes with exclusive partner offers and hand-picked discounts from brand names like Tidal and WeWork, all carefully curated with you in mind. |
LoungeKey Membership | Pay just £15 per visit at one of the 1,000+ members-only LoungeKey airport destinations worldwide for unlimited access to home comforts like refreshments, showers and WiFi. |
Travel Insurance | Metal comes with medical expenses cover in case of acute medical emergencies abroad, along with 24/7 access to medical phone assistance should you need it. |
Flight & Luggage Delay Cover | You’ll never find yourself stranded without a toothbrush thanks to flight and luggage delay cover, for delays over 4 hours. |
Purchase Protection | With purchase protection on qualifying items bought using your Metal account for, you get a little extra peace of mind on the everyday items that keep your world running. |
Dedicated Customer Support | Need a quick answer or technical support right away? Metal’s dedicated support team are on hand to help. Speak to one of their designated Metal customer support specialists by phone, or chat to them in the app. |
What are N26 Spaces?Spaces are the N26 equivalent to Savings Accounts. You can use an N26 Space to set goals and save money with no penalties by transferring money from your N26 account. As you add money to your Space you will see how close you are to reaching your goal.
How do I open an N26 Metal account?
If you don’t have an N26 account, you will need to apply for an N26 Metal account via its website. The application process is fast and straightforward and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
When you are completing your application, N26 will ask you to confirm some personal details, such as
- Country of residence
- Name
- Date of birth
- Mobile number
- Home address
- Photo of your ID
Who can open an N26 Metal account?N26 Metal is available to all UK residents over the age of 18
How to upgrade to N26 Metal
If you already have an N26 Standard or N26 You account, you can upgrade to N26 Metal via the N26 app to get a card and unlock its features.
- Log in to the N26 App
- Tap the ‘Explore’ tab
- Tap ‘Get Metal’ from the list of upgrade options
- Tap ‘Upgrade’
- Select your exclusive N26 Metal debit card colour
- Check your shipping address is correct
- Read and agree to the N26 Metal terms and conditions
Your N26 Metal account will be activated immediately, and your new card will be sent to your home address within 10 working days, or 5 business days if you opt for express delivery.
N26 Metal subscriptions are for a minimum 12-month contract. You receive a 14-day cooling-off period after signing up or upgrading to N26 Metal, after which you will be unable to cancel your membership before the end of your 12-month contract unless you pay off the remainder of your subscription fees.
N26 Metal vs N26 You
An alternative to N26 Metal is the mid-weight premium account - N26 You.
N26 You carries some of the same perks of an N26 Metal account, but there are a few features you don’t get, such as:
- Metal debit card
- LoungeKey Membership
- Travel Insurance
- Flight and Luggage Delay Cover
- Purchase Protection
- Dedicated Customer Support
N26 You costs £4.90 per month, which is £10 a month cheaper than N26 Metal. However, the features are more stripped back. With N26 You enjoy:
- Free ATM Withdrawals worldwide
- 10 Spaces
- Exclusive partner offers.
N26 You may be a good option for those looking for a premium bank account at a more affordable monthly price who don’t travel frequently. You still receive free ATM withdrawals worldwide for the odd occasion you go on holiday, plus exclusive partner rewards to enjoy some great discounts when you use your N26 You debit card.
In replacement of the N26 Metal debit cards, N26 You cardholders receive a plastic debit card in a choice of 5 colours.
Pros and Cons of N26 Metal
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Free card transactions and ATM withdrawals in the UK and abroad. Exclusive partner offers. Travel insurance provided by Allianz. Purchase protection. Dedicated customer support. Access to the N26 app and N26 online banking. Access to airport lounges via LoungePass. |
More expensive than some other premium bank accounts. Fewer features for non-travellers. No overdraft options. |
Alternatives to N26 Metal
N26 is not the only digital bank that provides a Metal or premium account. Banks such as Monese and Revolut provide similar products with slightly different features and monthly fees.
Revolut
Digital current account packed full of features and benefits, including mobile banking, prepaid debit card, rewards points, and no transaction fees for using your card in the UK or abroad.
More infoRevolut Metal
A premium account with additional features such as metal VISA debit card, airport lounge access, cryptocurrencies, currency exchange, and, rewards programme, and medical insurance.
Coming soonMonese
A digital bank account available to all UK residents regardless of their credit rating. Premium accounts are also available with additional features and perks.
More infothinkmoney
The current account that helps you manage your money. thinkmoney helps you separate your bill money from your spending money to help ensure you pay bills on time and improve your credit score.
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