Best way to protect card from scratches?

[thorjo1984]

I just received my Chase Sapphire Preferred card in the mail and it looks awesome. Now what is the best way to go about keeping it that way? I have read that this card, and just about any card for that matter, gets scratched easily, quickly diminishing its physical appearance and awe inspiring awesomeness. 

At first I thought of the protective sleeves we've all seen. But that only protects the card while its in your wallet. What about protecting it from evil swipers? Maybe some type of scratch resistant protective coating, but it shouldn't take away from the look or feel of the card because that would defeat the purpose.

I wasn't able to find a thread on protecting the cosmetics of a card, and so I invite anyone with wisdom on this topic to come forth and share your secrets. If nothing else, maybe we can come up with some new techniques of protecting our beautiful cards.

[teenastie]

Sock Drawer!

[CS800]

I have tried everything but somehow you do get those mysterious scratches  that apprear. I keep my cards really well. But the cheap plastic scratches easily. Sleeves help but at some point you have to use the card and the card reader itself will inflict some serious scratches....I lose

[luvsandyshores]

Let me share that the strip can be read through plastic. When I was a cashier if the card reader was having problems reading cards, we'd put the card in a plastic bag and run it through. So maybe laminate them? Or just call and ask for a brand new one!

[LS2982]

Sock Drawer or freezer +1

[pj421fly]

Much ado about nothing, can't ever remember seeing someone pulling out a card and thinking, "boy that card is so scratched" However to be honest the ones that look wore out lead me to believe they are responsible credit holders to have a card that beat up! 

[quest208]

ive tried everything and ive come to realize the best way to avoid scratches on anything is not to use it.  covering it in plastic will only yield some much unwanted attention from the merchants.  LOL no thanks

  when they get scratched i just order a new one the creditor is always happy to send a new one (to me at least)

[teenastie]

I agree my heavily used cards have all the scratches on them, the chrome on the numbers are rubbed off, and the signature strip is a mess! The sub prime cards look very nice! Kind of a paradox... I know

[Watchmann]

If I didn't know the OP was serious I'd say this question was some sort of spoof.  It's a piece of plastic with a magnetic stripe, do NOT fall in love with it, it is meant to be used which means it will get scratched, bent from being in your wallet, and the coating will rubb off the numbers.  No merchant cares and neither should you.  It a tool, like a hammer, that is meant to be used.

[improvingmycredit]

Try the screen protectors like the iPhone or Android phones. Just cut to fit. I haven't done this and don't plan to but I suspect they will work fine.