Review: American Express Blue Delta SkyMiles Card

The American Express Blue Delta SkyMiles Card is the only credit card available for Delta fans who don’t want to pay an annual fee. However, the Delta Blue Card being the only no annual fee option in Delta’s credit card lineup is not beneficial for cardholders. It is best used as a downgrade option because it doesn’t have the benefits of its more expensive brethren.

Furthermore, the Delta Blue Card is a terrible card to apply for directly. Everything about it is weak even compared to no annual fee competitors.

Earning

Surprisingly, the Delta Blue card used to be the best earner of the four personal Delta cards. But its more expensive “siblings” have since eclipsed it.

Nonetheless, the Delta Blue Card earns 2x SkyMiles at Restaurants worldwide and on all purchases made directly with Delta. Such purchases include airfare, Sky Club membership, and vacation packages. All other purchases earn one SkyMile per dollar.

Plus, Amex and Delta are offering a small sign-up worth 10,000 SkyMiles for the Delta Blue Card. This bonus can be earned by spending $500 within the first three months. The Delta Blue Card’s sign-up bonus is meager compared to many other no annual fee competitors.

Burning

The Delta Blue Card gives cardholders a few ways to redeem their SkyMiles:

The most obvious way to redeem Delta SkyMiles is for airfare. Miles can go a long way for airfare, but cardholders need to do some research to get maximum value. This is because Delta does not have a rewards chart posted online.

Miles + Cash is a great option for those who don’t have many miles. This option is also nice for those who are short a few miles for a certain redemption. Many co-branded cards have this option and its nice to see Delta have it too.

Delta also offers vacation packages that can be purchases with miles. This is nice for those who don’t want to do much research and planning for their next vacation. It’s also great for last-minute trips.

Plus, cardholders can also use SkyMiles to upgrade their seat or even get membership to the Delta SkyClub. Gift cards and donations to charity are two other options for redemption.

Benefits

The Delta Blue Card does not have the perks of its more expensive counterparts. But cardholders are not left empty-handed:

20% Discount on In-Flight Purchases

Cardholders will save 20% on in-flight purchases just for having the card. This is nice for in-flight meals, entertainment, or other incidentals.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

On January 30, 2020, the Delta Blue Card removed foreign transaction fees. This move will save cardholders 2.7% on all purchases made outside of the United States.

Pay With Miles

Cardholders will also have access to Delta’s Pay With Miles feature. This feature makes it possible to partially or fully pay for flights with SkyMiles.

Rules & Regulations

This card is subject to Amex’s Once Per Lifetime Rule, which states that cardholders can only receive a sign-up bonus on any card once ever.

Similar Cards

Because of the bare-bones nature of the Blue Card, casual Delta flyers and loyalists would be better off with another card. Check out the following alternatives:

American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles Card

The Delta Gold Card is a step up from the Delta Blue Card. It has a $99 annual fee (waived the first year) and offers more in the way of benefits. This card’s value lies in its Free Checked Bags for up to nine people per flight reservation. At $50 per bag, this perk alone can provide up to $450 in value!

Plus, Amex and Delta are offering a sign-up bonus worth 30,000 SkyMiles for the Delta Gold Card. It can be earned after spending $1,000 in the first three months. This is much better than what’s offered with the Delta Blue Card. But there are still better bonuses elsewhere.

The earning structure of the Delta Gold Card changed on January 30, 2020. The card earns 2x SkyMiles at Grocery Stores stateside and Restaurants worldwide. All Delta purchases will earn just one SkyMile per dollar. This earning structure is lackluster even after the changes from 2020. Therefore, using it for category or everyday purchases after earning the sign-up bonus is not recommended

American Express Everyday Card

The American Express Everyday Card is a better no annual fee card than the Delta Blue Card. For starters, Amex is offering a stronger sign-up bonus worth 10,000 Membership Rewards (MR) points. This bonus can be earned by spending $1,000 within the first three months.

Plus, the Everyday Card has an interesting earning structure. It earns 2x MR points at Grocery Stores stateside and just one point for all other purchases. However, cardholders can earn 20% more points for every purchase if you use the card at least 20 times per month. This will increase potential earnings to 2.4x points at Grocery Stores and 1.2x points for everything else.

The Amex Everyday Card is part of the Amex MR “ecosystem”, which gives it access to Amex’s transfer partners. Delta is one of the those partners. Such membership in the Amex MR “ecosystem” makes the Everyday Card is better for most travelers, especially those who are not loyal to Delta or any particular airline.

Final Draw

The American Express Blue Delta SkyMiles Card is a great downgrade option for those who want to maintain their account history. However, there are better cards out there for Delta loyalists in every category.

There is only non-Delta bonus category in restaurants with the Delta Blue Card. But that doesn’t move the needle for many consumers as restaurants is a common category. Its sign-up bonus and perks are also meager, leaving much to be desired for Delta loyalists.

In essence, the Delta Blue Card is a hard pass unless you want to easily earn a quick 10,000 SkyMiles.

Apply Today: American Express Blue Delta SkyMiles Card