Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express Review
This article was last updated Jan 30, 2020. Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
Who the card is best for
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a good choice for frequent Delta flyers that want a $0 annual fee card and to accrue miles on more than just Delta purchases.
The card recently launched a limited-time welcome bonus offer: Now through April 1, 2020, new cardholders can earn 15,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.
And as for foreign transaction fees? There are none — making the card ideal if you plan to travel outside of the U.S.
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card pros
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card cons
- Additional Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card benefits
- How to use the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card most effectively
- Rewards breakdown
- Compare it with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- The bottom line
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card pros
This card is unique among other cards in the airline credit card market with a $0 annual fee. Many other airline specific credit cards, or travel credit cards in general, come with annual fees ranging from $95 to $550.
This card also offers a more flexible rewards rate than some other airline travel cards. Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants, now worldwide. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Since you can earn the higher rewards rate from spending at U.S. restaurants, too, your miles will increase faster than if you used a card that earns a high rate on only airline purchases.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card cons
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card comes with limited travel benefits compared to some other airline rewards cards. For example, the card doesn’t offer priority boarding or your first checked bag for free. That said, the cards that do offer those perks also typically charge an annual fee.
Additional Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card benefits
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card offers several additional card benefits (terms apply):
- Discount on Delta in-flight purchases: You receive a 20% savings on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages and audio headsets. The savings comes in the form of a statement credit.
- Global Assist® Hotline: Traveling more than 100 miles from home allows you to utilize the 24/7 Global Assist® Hotline, with representatives ready to answer questions about medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services.
- Entertainment Access®: In select cities, you can gain exclusive access to ticket presales and card-member only events such as concerts, Broadway shows and more.
How to use the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card most effectively
To earn the most miles, use the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card on all spending, especially purchases made directly with Delta and at U.S. restaurants. On Delta flights, use your card so you can earn the 20% statement credit (on eligible in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets).
Make sure you meet the requirements for the Bonus Miles offer so you get extra miles within the early months of card membership: 15,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.
Rewards breakdown
Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants, now worldwide. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. This is a good rate that will benefit Delta customers and get you closer to covering the cost of a flight with miles.
Delta purchases are considered as those made directly with Delta including flights booked on Delta.com, Sky Club® membership or passes, Delta Vacations® packages, seat upgrades, or in-flight purchases like food, beverages and audio headsets.
Miles can be redeemed for travel on Delta and more than 15 airline partners in addition to many other redemption options like donations to charity or travel upgrades.
Compare it with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card are two of four Delta branded cards that American Express offers. These two cards have similar features, as well as key differences. For example, the rewards program for each card is similar, however, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card also offers an elevated rewards rate at restaurants.
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card has a $0 annual fee, compared to the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99. This may be a deal breaker if you don’t want to pay an annual fee.
Here are the key features of each card:
| Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99. |
| Purchase Intro Rate | N/A | N/A |
| Balance Transfer Intro Rate | N/A | N/A |
| Balance Transfer Fee | Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. | Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. |
| Ongoing APR | 17.24%-26.24% Variable | 17.24%-26.24% Variable |
| Rewards | Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants, now worldwide. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. | Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. |
| Welcome Offer | 15,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership | 70,000 bonus miles. Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles after your first anniversary of Card Membership. Offer Expires 4/1/2020. |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None |
Bottom Line
People who fly Delta and want to earn miles on those purchases without incurring an annual fee will benefit from the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. You earn a good rate on Delta purchases, and can take advantage of the in-flight discounts on eligible purchases.
