Rewards Plan
Welcome Bonus
Our Rating
0% Intro
Annual Fee
APR
- Travel Perks
- No Annual Fee
- Basic Rewards
- Not For Everyday Purchases
Rates & Fees / Terms Apply
Rewards Plan
Welcome Bonus
Our Rating
PROS
- Travel Perks
- No Annual Fee
CONS
- Basic Rewards
- Not For Everyday Purchases
APR
20.24% - 29.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
0% Intro
N/A
Credit Requirements
Good - Excellent
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express card is designed for people who like to eat out, travel, fly Delta and get rewards for that – without paying an annual fee.
The card offers 2X miles for every dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and Delta purchases and 1X miles for every dollar spent on other eligible purchases, and a welcome bonus of 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
However, when compared to higher-tier Delta cards, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card lacks certain benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding. It doesn't offer a 0% APR promotion, and its welcome bonus, though modest, aligns with its no-annual-fee structure.
For those seeking a basic, no-frills Delta credit card with no annual fee and moderate rewards, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card fits the bill. However, frequent Delta travelers or those desiring enhanced benefits may find better value in higher-tier Delta cards, despite their associated annual fees.
How do I redeem miles for non-flight options?
You can use miles for Delta vacations, Delta gift cards, magazine subscriptions, or purchase a Delta Sky Club membership.
How do I qualify for the 20% savings on in-flight purchases?
Simply use your Delta SkyMiles Blue Card for eligible in-flight purchases, and you'll receive a 20% statement credit on those transactions.
Does this card offer priority boarding or free checked bags?
No, the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card does not provide priority boarding or free checked bags.
Can I access Delta Sky Club lounges with this card?
No, the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card does not provide access to Delta Sky Club lounges.
Can I use miles to get a discount on flights?
Yes, through the “Pay with Miles” feature, you can take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles redeemed when booking on delta.com.
Is there a cap on the number of miles I can earn?
There is no specified cap on the number of miles you can earn with the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card.
In this Review
Pros & Cons
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of the Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex Card:
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
20% Off In-Flight Purchases | No Priority Boarding |
No Foreign Transaction Fees | Not For Everyday Spending |
Insurance for Car Rental Damage and Loss | No Free Checked Bags |
Pay with Miles | Not For Frequent Travelers |
- 20% Off In-Flight Purchases
You will receive a statement credit for 20% off your purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets on Delta flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
You can use your card in countries other than the United States without incurring any foreign transaction fees.
- Insurance for Car Rental Damage and Loss
If you use your card to reserve and pay for the entire car rental and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver, you'll receive coverage for theft or damage to a rental vehicle in covered territories through your car.
- Pay with Miles
For every 5,000 miles redeemed through the Pay with Miles platform to book Delta flights, you can receive up to $50 off the cost of your flights.
- No Priority Boarding
One of the perks of an airline card is that you can enjoy preferential treatment at the airport, such as priority boarding. However, this is one of the few Delta cards that does not offer this feature.
- Not For Everyday Spending
Compared to other cards with no annual fee, the amount of rewards for everyday spending is low.
- No Free Checked Bags
Unlike the other American Express travel cards, you don’t get any free checked bags for you or your travel companions, which could end up costing you several hundred dollars on round trip flights.
- Not For Frequent Travelers
If you're a frequent traveler/flyer, you may want to look for other cards.
Simulation: How Much Miles You Can Earn?
If you’re a frequent traveler, the SkyMiles Blue card can help you rack up miles rewards, along with other benefits. But how much can you actually earn?
To figure that out, we need to calculate the miles based on the card’s terms and your spending in each category. Since everyone has different spending habits, it’s important to tailor the calculation to match your personal breakdown of expenses.
| |
|---|---|
Spend Per Category | Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express |
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 10,000 miles |
$4,000 – Restaurants
| 8,000 miles |
$4,000 – Airline | 8,000 miles |
$3,000 – Hotels | 3,000 miles |
$4,000 – Gas | 4,000 miles |
Total Miles/Points | 33,000 miles |
Estimated Redemption Value (Flights) | 1 mile = ~1.6 cents cent |
Estimated Annual Value | $528 |
How to Maximize The SkyMiles Blue?
There are several things you can do to maximize the value of your Delta SkyMiles:
- Check the Price Calendar: Delta has a price calendar where you can look up the prices and miles for up to five weeks of flights. If you have some flexibility with your travel dates, you will be able to find the best deals. If you can travel a day or two earlier or later, you could save thousands of miles.
- Keep an eye out for flash sales: While Delta has a dynamic pricing system, they are free to have sales at any time. Even if you have no immediate plans to travel, it is worth checking in on a regular basis to see if there are any flash sales.
- Avoid Delta Hubs: It might sound surprising, but flying out of a Delta hub can sometimes cost you more. Delta tends to charge higher rates from its major hubs, so if you're not in a hurry, it might be worth considering slightly longer flights that skip the Delta hubs and use nearby airports or other airline hubs instead.
- Book Round Trips: While a one-way flight may give you more flexibility, it will cost you more SkyMIles. If you book the same flights as one-way trips, you may end up paying significantly more miles.
- Avoid Last Minute Bookings: If you're using SkyMiles, the rates for a flight can skyrocket if you book late, so try to plan ahead and keep an eye out for a better deal.
How It Compared To Other No Fee Airline Credit Cards?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card, with its $0 annual fee, competes favorably with other no-fee airline credit cards, each catering to distinct travel preferences.
In essence, the best customers for each card depend on their specific travel habits and preferences. The Delta SkyMiles Blue Card is ideal for Delta loyalists who frequently dine out, while the JetBlue Card suits those committed to JetBlue.
The United Gateway Card caters to flexible travelers, and the AAdvantage MileUp Card aligns with grocery shoppers who prefer American Airlines.
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Bottom Line: When You Should Consider It?
Here are the main cases you'll want to consider the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express:
- You Don't Want to Pay an Annual Fee: It's unusual to find an airline credit card that doesn't charge an annual fee. While this card may not have a large number of benefits, you won't have to pay an annual fee, so you can start saving right away.
- You Enjoy Eating Out: While most airline cards favor airline purchases, this card allows you to earn the same number of miles per dollar spent at restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Even if you're not a frequent flyer, you can still earn SkyMiles.
- You Want Insurance Protections: Not only does this card provide purchase protection against damage or theft for 90 days after purchase, but you can also benefit from car rental damage and loss insurance by paying for the rental with your card and declining the rental desk collision damage waiver.
Compare The Alternatives
If you're looking for an airline credit card with basic travel rewards, there are some good alternatives: