Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card Review: Full Details
Overview of the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express card
the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a solid choice for a no-annual-fee credit card (see exchange rates and fees). With 2 miles per dollar spent on restaurant dining (including takeout and delivery in the US) and qualifying Delta purchases made directly with the airline, this card lacks a Some premium perks but worth putting in your wallet if you’re an occasional Delta flyer and want to avoid the annual fee. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card review based on the opinions of the TPG editorial board and not influenced by the card issuer.
If you want one Delta Air Lines credit cardyou can choose between luxury at a price and a card that’s easier on your wallet. If you want a card filled with perks, including free access to any Delta Sky Club around the world, you should consider Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card — with an annual fee of $650 (see exchange rates and fees; Delta Sky Club access will be limited starting February 1, 2025).
But if you’re looking for a Delta-branded Amex card with no annual fee that still lets you earn miles on award bookings, the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card may be a better choice.
I’ll take a look at what you get with this Delta card to help you decide if it’s right for you. Typically, you’ll need a credit score of at least 670 or higher for Delta SkyMiles Blue. If you’re there and looking at the card, here’s what you need to know.
Related: How to earn more Delta SkyMiles
Pros and cons of Delta SkyMiles Blue
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Delta SkyMiles Blue welcome offer
New Delta SkyMiles Blue Cardholders can earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
These bonus miles are worth $120 based on TPG December 2024 valuation. It’s not the most generous offer on the market, but those miles can be used for travel rewards or seat upgrades, and you don’t have to pay any annual fees.
While this offer offers some value, we’ve seen it Higher incentives for this card. If you don’t need the card right away, I recommend you consider waiting for a better deal before applying.
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Related: Here are the best credit card welcome offers
Benefits of Delta SkyMiles Blue
Benefits of Delta SkyMiles Blue Very solid, but don’t expect to find things like free checked bags that you’ll see on higher-end Delta cards. But again, it’s a no-annual-fee credit card.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Save 20% on food and beverages on Delta flights (not Wi-Fi)
- Pay in Miles: Up to $50 off flight costs for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay in Miles when you book with Delta
- Car rental loss and damage insurance*
- Access 24/7 Global support hotline**
- Extended warranty***
- Purchase Protection***
- Access events with Amex
- ShopRunner membership (subscription required; terms apply)
- Buy now, pay later Make a plan
- Additional terms may apply to the above benefits
Again, this isn’t quite the stacked list of benefits you’ll see on a higher-end card, but they’re solid perks for a card with no annual fee.
*Conditions and benefit levels vary by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are available and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit Americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Insurance Company. Insurance is offered through American Express, Inc. Travel Related Services.
**Conditions and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit Americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. The cardholder is responsible for paying charges charged by third-party service providers.
***Conditions and benefits vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit Americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Insurance Company.
Related: Below are Delta Amex’s current welcome offers
Earn miles on Delta SkyMiles Blue
the 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 restaurant (including eligible takeout and delivery in the US)
- 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1 mile per dollar spent all other purchases
For a no-annual-fee airline card, the restaurant bonus category is pretty good. For example, Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card — considered an upgrade from Delta Blue — comes with a $150 annual fee ($0 annual introductory fee for the first year; see exchange rates and fees) and have the same earnings ratio for Delta purchases and food purchases (including takeout and delivery in the US).
Related: No-annual-fee credit card that accumulates transferable points
Redeem miles on Delta SkyMiles Blue
You cannot redeem earned SkyMiles Delta SkyMiles Blue to get statement credits or cashback, but you can use them for flights, upgrades, Delta Stays, car rentals, and gift cards, among other things. The best value for your miles is redeeming for flights and flight upgrades.
Delta often offers great SkyMiles Deals. Previously, the airline offered round-trip tickets to Mexico from most US airports for 10,000 SkyMiles. We’ve also seen domestic flights cost as low as 2,400 SkyMiles.
TPG Senior Travel Editor Lyndsey Matthews recently redeemed 18,000 SkyMiles to fly round-trip economy from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).
Related: Delta SkyMiles: Your complete guide to earning, redeeming rewards, and elite status
What cards compete with Delta SkyMiles Blue?
Almost every US airline has a co-branded credit card. If you’re trying to decide which one is best for you, consider which airlines you fly most often and whether that card’s earning potential fits with your spending habits and lifestyle or not.
- If you want additional Delta benefits: the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a $150 annual fee (annual introductory fee is $0 for the first year) but comes with more Delta perks, like free checked bags and a 15% discount on award flights booked with Delta. To learn more, check out our Full review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold card.
- If you like United Airlines: the United Gateway℠ Card is an annual fee-free card that earns 2 miles per dollar spent on all United purchases, at gas stations and on local and commuter transportation, and 1 point per dollar for all other purchases. This card also offers 25% back in the form of a statement credit on food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases on United-operated flights. To learn more, check out our Full review of the United Gateway card.
- If you want to earn a flexible currency: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers higher earnings rates on travel, dining, and online grocery purchases (excludes 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 is earned Chase the ultimate bonus score; You can transfer these points over Chase hotel and airline partner. To learn more, check out our Full review of the Sapphire Preferred card.
For more options, see our full list of best airline credit cards.
Related: Is the Delta Gold Amex worth the annual fee?
Is Delta SkyMiles Blue worth it?
the Delta SkyMiles Blue Great value for those who only fly with the airline a few times a year. Since this card has no annual fee, it can be a great addition to your wallet and offers some simple perks that can get you closer to redeeming your next SkyMiles flight. However, if you fly Delta frequently and want more perks, you’ll want to use one of Delta’s more premium card offerings.
Related: In-flight dining and hotel rewards programs: Which is best for you?
Bottom line
For a no-annual-fee airline credit card, the Delta SkyMiles Blue offers steady income beyond Delta purchases, which is uncommon for cards like this.
It lacks the perks other Delta cards offer, such as free checked bags and priority boarding on Delta flights, but those cards come with annual fees. But if you’re looking to earn SkyMiles without the fees, the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is definitely one you should consider.
Register here: Delta SkyMiles Blue
Related: Delta tests new fare ‘sub-categories’; Consider a higher-end Amex credit card
For rates and fees on the Delta SkyMiles Blue card, click This.
For rates and fees on the Delta SkyMiles Gold card, click This.
For rates and fees on the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, click This.
