We earn commissions from featured brands, which impact the order and presentation of listings
Advertising Disclosure

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.

Search
Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express 2024 Review

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express 2025 Review

Author: Lorraine Smithills
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Lorraine Smithills
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express

Rewards Plan

1X – 2X 2X miles for every dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and Delta purchases and 1X miles for every dollar spent on other eligible purchases

Welcome Bonus

10,000 miles 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months

Our Rating

3.6
3.6/5

0% Intro

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

APR

20.24% – 29.24% Variable

Rates & Fees / Terms Apply

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express

Rates & Fees / Terms Apply

Rewards Plan

1X – 2X 2X miles for every dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and Delta purchases and 1X miles for every dollar spent on other eligible purchases

Welcome Bonus

10,000 miles 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months

Our Rating

3.6
3.6/5

PROS

CONS

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.

Boeing 777 Delta Airlines flying over the clouds
Boeing 777 Delta Airlines (Photo by Miguel Lagoa/Shutterstock)

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

You will receive a statement credit for 20% off your purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets on Delta flights.

Food and beverage on Delta flight
Get 20% off on Food and beverage in Delta flight (Photo by LukeandKarla.Travel/Shutterstock)

You can use your card in countries other than the United States without incurring any foreign transaction fees.

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.

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.

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.

Compared to other cards with no annual fee, the amount of rewards for everyday spending is low.

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.

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.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express

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.
book a flight with mile on Delta app
Book a flight with mile on Delta app (Screenshot taken by our team from delta app)

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.

Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

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:

Bank of America® travel rewards

capital-one-venture

chase_sapphire_preffered

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual Fee
$0
$95
$95
Rewards
1.5X 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points
2X – 5X 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2X – 5X 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services. 2x on other travel purchases. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus
25,000 points 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
75,000 miles
60,000 points 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
$0
$0
Purchase APR
18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply.
19.99% – 29.74% (Variable)
20.99% – 27.99% variable APR

Compare Delta SkyMiles Blue Card

The Delta SkyMiles Gold offers higher annual cashback and better perks than the Delta Blue card. But is it worth the annual fee? It depends.

Delta SkyMiles Blue vs Delta SkyMiles Gold: How They Compare?

Paying an annual fee with higher rewards rate & benefits, or getting a no annual fee card with access to Amex membership? Here's our analysis.

Delta SkyMiles Blue vs AAdvantage Platinum Select: Compare

Both JetBlue and Delta SkyMiles Blue offer basic airline benefits and no annual fee. We think the JetBlue card is a clear winner, here's why.

The JetBlue Card vs Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex: How They Compare?

The Delta SkyMiles Blue and United Gateway have similar cashback rates and airline perks. Where does each card shine? Here's our comparison.

Delta SkyMiles Blue vs United Gateway: How They Compare?

Review Airline Credit Cards

Review Airline Credit Cards

Picture of Lorraine Smithills

Lorraine Smithills

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.
Search
Best Cards Per Category
Top Offers

amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months of card membership.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
1X – 3X 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 miles 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months of card membership.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
Up to 3x miles 3 miles per $1 spent on United purchases immediately after earning your $125 annual United purchase credit, 2 miles on all other travel and select streaming services, 1 mile on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 miles Earn 70,000 bonus miles + 500 Premier qualifying points (PQP)
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

#1 In credit Cards

Our Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter for secret credit card tips, insider advice, and exclusive deals straight to your inbox

Start saving smarter with

Our Credit Card Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter and gain access to expert advice,
insider knowledge, and exclusive offers

Sign Up for

Our Newsletter

Join our community for the latest credit card comparison tips, expert insights,
and special member-only perks.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.