Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card review: Simple perks for infrequent Delta flyers

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card overview

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a solid option for a no-annual-fee credit card (see rates and fees). Featuring 2 miles per dollar spent on dining at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and eligible Delta purchases made directly with the airline, this card lacks several premium perks but is worth a spot in your wallet if you’re an occasional Delta flyer and want to avoid annual fees. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

If you want a Delta Air Lines credit card, you can choose between luxury at a price and a card that’s easier on your wallet. If you want a card chock-full of perks, including complimentary access to any Delta Sky Club around the world, you should consider the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card — with its $650 annual fee (see rates and fees; Delta Sky Club access subject to limitations beginning Feb. 1, 2025).

But if you’re looking for a Delta-branded Amex card with no annual fee that still allows you to earn miles toward award bookings, the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card may be a better pick.

I will review what you get with this Delta card to help you decide whether it’s right for you. Typically, you’ll need a credit score of at least 670 or higher for the Delta SkyMiles Blue. If you’re there and considering the card, here’s what you need to know.

Delta SkyMiles Blue pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Receives cash back, as a statement credit, on inflight purchases No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) No annual fee	Lacks Delta-associated perks, such as a free checked bag or statement credits Bonus rewards categories are pretty limited and do not include many common everyday expenses

Delta SkyMiles Blue welcome offer

New Delta SkyMiles Blue cardmembers 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’s December 2024 valuations. It’s not the most generous offer on the market, but those miles can go toward award travel or seat upgrades and not cost you anything in annual fees.

Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex — THE POINTS GUY

While this offer provides some value, we’ve seen higher offers on this card. If you don’t need the card right away, I recommend you consider waiting for a better offer before applying.

Delta SkyMiles Blue benefits

The benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Blue are solid, but don’t expect to find things such as the checked bag fee waiver that you’ll see on the more premium Delta cards. But then again, it is a no-annual-fee credit card.

Woman tapping to pay for a drink — BROTHERS91/GETTY IMAGES

Here’s what you can expect:

20% savings on Delta inflight purchases of food and beverages (not Wi-Fi)
Pay with Miles: Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book with Delta
Car rental loss and damage insurance*
24/7 access to Global Assist Hotline**
Extended warranty***
Purchase protection***
Access to Events with Amex
ShopRunner membership (enrollment required; terms apply)
Buy now, pay later with Plan It
Additional terms may apply to the above benefits

Again, this isn’t the stacked list of benefits you’ll see on a more premium card, but they’re solid perks for a card without an annual fee.

*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

***Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Earning miles on the Delta SkyMiles Blue

The Delta SkyMiles Blue offers various ways to earn miles beyond Delta purchases.

Here’s the breakdown (terms apply):

2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants (including eligible takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
2 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases

For a no-annual-fee airline card, the restaurant bonus category is decent. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card — considered an upgrade from the Delta Blue — comes with a $150 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year; see rates and fees) and has the same earning rates on Delta and dining purchases (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).

Redeeming miles on the Delta SkyMiles Blue

You can’t redeem your SkyMiles earned with the Delta SkyMiles Blue for statement credit or cash back, but you can use them toward flights, upgrades, Delta Stays vacations, car rentals and gift cards, among other things. The best value for your miles is redemptions for flights and flight upgrades.

Delta often offers great SkyMiles Deals. In the past, the carrier has offered round-trip tickets to Mexico from most U.S. airports for 10,000 SkyMiles. We’ve also seen domestic flights for as low as 2,400 SkyMiles.

TPG Senior Travel Editor Lyndsey Matthews recently redeemed 18,000 SkyMiles to fly round-trip in economy from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).

Which cards compete with the Delta SkyMiles Blue?

Virtually every U.S. airline has a cobranded credit card. If you’re trying to decide which is best for you, consider which airline you fly with most frequently and if that card’s earning power suits your spending habits and lifestyle.

If you want more Delta benefits: The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a $150 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year) but comes with more Delta perks, like a free checked bag and 15% off award flights booked with Delta. To learn more, see our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold card.
If you prefer United Airlines: The United Gateway℠ Card is a no-annual-fee card that earns 2 miles per dollar spent on all United purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. This card also offers 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights. To learn more, see our full review of the United Gateway card.
If you prefer earning a flexible currency: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers higher earning rates on travel purchases, dining and online grocery purchases (excluding 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’s hotel and airline partners. To learn more, see our full review of the Sapphire Preferred card.

For additional options, check out our full list of the best airline credit cards.

Is the Delta SkyMiles Blue worth it?

The Delta SkyMiles Blue is worth it for those who only fly with the airline a few times a year. As this card has no annual fee, it can make a great addition to your wallet and provide some simple perks that can get you closer to your next SkyMiles flight redemption. However, if you fly Delta regularly and want more perks, you’ll want to go with one of Delta’s more premium card offerings.

Bottom line

For a no-annual-fee airline credit card, the Delta SkyMiles Blue offers solid earnings outside of Delta purchases, which isn’t common for cards like this.

It’s missing the perks that the other Delta cards offer, such as 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 at no out-of-pocket cost, the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is definitely one to consider.

Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Blue

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Blue card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, click here.