Overview of the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
I Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a strong credit card option that can be paid annually (see rates and fees). Earning 2 miles for every dollar spent on dining (including pickup and delivery in the US) and eligible Delta purchases made directly with the airline, this card lacks a few key benefits but is worth getting in your wallet if you’re a Delta frequent flyer. flyer and want to avoid annual fees. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
If you’re looking for a Delta Air Lines credit card, you can choose between convenience at a price and a card that’s easy on your wallet. If you’re looking for a card full of benefits, including easy access to any Delta Sky Club worldwide, you should consider it Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card — for its annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees; Delta Sky Club access is subject to restrictions starting Feb. 1, 2025).
But if you’re looking for a Delta-branded Amex card with no annual fee that still lets you earn miles for award bookings, the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card might be a better option.
I’ll review what you get with this Delta card to help you decide if it’s right for you. In general, you’ll need at least 670 credit points or more for Delta SkyMiles Blue. If you’re out there and considering a card, here’s what you need to know.
Related: How to earn more Delta SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles Blue pros and cons
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Delta SkyMiles Blue welcome offer
New Delta SkyMiles Blue card members can earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.
These bonus miles are worth $120 based on TPG estimates for December 2024. It’s not the most generous offer on the market, but those miles can go toward award travel or seat upgrades and cost you nothing in annual fees.
While this offer offers some value, we have seen higher offers on this card. If you don’t need the card immediately, I recommend that you consider waiting for a better offer before applying.
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Related: Here are the best credit card acceptance offers
Delta SkyMiles Blue Benefits
Advantages of Delta SkyMiles Blue they’re solid, but don’t expect to get things like the waived bag fee you’ll see on Delta’s most premium cards. But then again, it’s a credit card that can be charged annually.
Here’s what to expect:
- 20% savings on Delta food and beverage purchases (not Wi-Fi)
- Pay with miles: Take up to $50 off your airfare for every 5,000 miles you spend with Pay with Miles when you book with Delta.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance*
- 24/7 access to the Global Assist Hotline**
- Extended warranty***
- Purchase protection***
- Access to Events with Amex
- ShopRunner Membership (registration required; terms apply)
- Buy now, pay later with Plan It
- Additional terms may apply to the above benefits
Again, this isn’t a stacked list of benefits you’ll see on an additional premium card, but rather solid card benefits without an annual fee.
*Eligibility and earning levels vary by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are included, and location restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is provided through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
**Eligibility and earning levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Cardmembers are responsible for fees charged by third party service providers.
***Eligibility and earning levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Related: Here are the current Delta Amex welcome offers
Earning miles on Delta SkyMiles Blue
I Delta SkyMiles Blue offers a variety of ways to earn miles beyond Delta purchases.
Here’s the breakdown (terms apply):
- 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants (including eligible pickup and delivery in the US)
- 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
For an airline card with no annual fee, the restaurant bonus category is decent. For example, i Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card – considered an upgrade from Delta Blue – comes with an annual fee of $150 ($0 introductory fee for the first year; see rates and fees) and has the same salary rates as Delta and restaurant purchases (including pickup and delivery in the US).
Related: Annually payable credit cards that earn transferable points
Uses miles on Delta SkyMiles Blue
You cannot redeem your SkyMiles earned through Delta SkyMiles Blue to get a credit statement or refund, but you can use it for flights, upgrades, Delta Stays vacations, car rentals and gift cards, among other things. The best value for your miles is the use of flights and flight upgrades.
Delta often offers great SkyMiles deals. In the past, the carrier offered round-trip tickets to Mexico from most US airports for 10,000 SkyMiles. We’ve also seen domestic flights as low as 2,400 SkyMiles.
TPG Senior Travel Editor Lyndsey Matthews recently redeemed 18,000 SkyMiles to fly round-trip economy travel from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).
Related: Delta SkyMiles: Your complete guide to earning, redeeming and special status
What cards compete with Delta SkyMiles Blue?
Almost every US airline has a cobranded credit card. When trying to decide which one is right for you, consider which airline you fly with most often and if the earning power of that card fits your spending style and lifestyle.
- If you want more Delta benefits: I Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card it has an annual fee of $150 ($0 introductory fee for the first year) but comes with other Delta benefits, such as a free checked bag and a 15% discount on flights booked with Delta. To learn more, see our full Delta SkyMiles Gold card review.
- If you choose United Airlines: The United Gateway℠ Card is an annual prepaid card that earns 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases at United, gas stations and local and commuter transportation, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. This card also offers 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases on United-operated flights. To learn more, see our full United Gateway card review.
- If you choose to earn a variable currency: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers high cash back rates on travel, dining and online grocery purchases (except Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs). It comes with a $50 annual hotel credit for stays booked through Chase Travel℠, which can help offset the $95 annual fee. This card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points; you can transfer these points to Chase hotel and airline partners. To learn more, see our full Sapphire Preferred card review.
For more options, check out our full list of the best airline credit cards.
Related: Is the Delta Gold Amex worth the annual fee?
Is Delta SkyMiles Blue worth it?
I Delta SkyMiles Blue it is suitable for those who only travel with the airline a few times a year. Since this card has no annual fee, it can make a great addition to your wallet and offer convenient benefits that can get you closer to spending your next SkyMiles flight. However, if you fly Delta frequently and want additional benefits, you’ll want to go with one of Delta’s premium card offerings.
Related: Airline and hotel restaurant rewards programs: Which is best for you?
Bottom line
For an airline credit card with no annual fee, Delta SkyMiles Blue offers solid rewards without Delta purchases, which is common with cards like these.
It lacks the perks offered by other Delta cards, like a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, but those cards all come with annual fees. But if you’re looking to earn SkyMiles without any out-of-pocket costs, the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is definitely worth considering.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Blue
Related: Delta to test new ‘subclasses’ of fares; you’re considering a top Amex credit card
For prices and fees for the Delta SkyMiles Blue card, click here.
For prices and fees for the Delta SkyMiles Gold card, click here.
For prices and fees for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, click here.
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