Review
Updated
Fact Checked
Nathan Alderman
Delta Air Lines has four card options, starting with the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. It doesn't charge an annual fee and offers a few useful features (see rates and fees). Not paying an annual fee is nice, but it also means this card is light on benefits. Keep reading this Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card review to learn what it offers.
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Great for: Price-conscious Delta flyers
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Best
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= Excellent
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= Good
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= Fair
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= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Rewards Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
1X-2X Miles
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
10,000 bonus miles
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A suitable option for consumers who don't want to pay an annual fee -- but the perks are limited compared to most travel cards.
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- No annual fee
- Bonus miles on Delta and restaurant purchases
- Statement credit on in-flight purchases
- No foreign transaction fee
- No free checked bag
- Mediocre rewards rate
- Small welcome offer
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- Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- 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 on delta.com.
- Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Terms Apply.
Full Amex Blue Delta SkyMiles review
This credit card is a good fit for: Travelers who occasionally fly with Delta Air Lines. Frequent flyers may be better off with one of Delta's other airline cards, since those offer more benefits.
Top perks
Although the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card isn't feature-packed, it does have some valuable perks.
No annual fee
Most travel rewards cards charge an annual fee, but the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is one of the few that doesn't. That makes it a good choice if you want to earn miles without having another bill to worry about (see rates and fees).
SEE MORE: Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards
Rewards
This Delta Air Lines card earns:
- 2x miles per $1 on Delta purchases
- 2x miles per $1 at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the United States
- 1x mile per $1 on other purchases
- Terms apply.
20% back on in-flight purchases
If you're on a Delta-operated flight and you use this card to purchase food or drinks, you'll get 20% back as a statement credit. The statement credit will appear eight to 12 weeks after the transaction is posted to your account. Terms apply.
No foreign transaction fee
You won't need to pay a foreign transaction fee when you use this card internationally (see rates and fees). Terms apply.
Consumer and travel protections
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card offers:
American Express cards are known for having quality protections, and these can come in handy. They can also give you a little extra peace of mind from knowing you're covered for potential issues with a purchase.
RELATED: Best American Express Cards
What could be improved
There are a couple areas where the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card comes up short.
Small welcome offer
You'll earn 10,000 bonus miles for spending $1,000 on purchases with your card in the first 6 months. Terms apply. It's better than nothing, but it pales in comparison to the welcome offers on most travel cards. If you're open to paying an annual fee, and even if you aren't, you can find plenty of cards offering more upfront. Check out some more credit card reviews before you commit.
LEARN MORE: Best Credit Card Welcome Offers
No free checked bag
This is a useful benefit of many airline credit cards, as it can save you money on every flight. If you regularly travel with more than a carry on, you'll likely want to go with one of Delta's costlier cards that offer this perk. Terms apply.
Mediocre rewards rate
This card isn't the best for earning rewards. Even if you're only comparing cards with no annual fee, there are other options that have more bonus categories and/or earn more points in their bonus categories.
COMPARE TOP PICKS: Best Credit Cards
Find the best credit card for your needs
Compare credit card rewards, fees, APRs, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.
Suggested credit score
A FICO® Score of 670 or higher is suggested to apply for the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. It's considered to be a card for consumers with good credit or excellent credit.
With any credit card application, your credit score isn't the only thing that matters. It's possible to get approved for this card with a lower credit score, or denied with a higher one. But if your credit score is lower than the recommended range, the safest option is to improve it first before applying.
LEARN MORE: How to Build Credit Fast
The Amex Blue Delta SkyMiles is right for you if:
You typically fly with Delta and want to earn miles with the airline, but you don't want to pay an annual fee. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is best suited for travelers who don't need many extra perks, such as a free checked bag or airport lounge access. Even then, it serves a small niche, as you could potentially get more value from a cash back card if you aren't looking for travel benefits.
If you're a frequent flyer, then you're probably better off getting another card with more travel perks, like one of the other cards from Delta Air Lines. But if you just need a basic Delta card, then the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card will do the trick.
SEE MORE: Best Delta Cards
Alternatives to consider
- If you're a frequent flyer with Delta: The next step up in Delta's lineup is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, and it has lots of additional benefits. These include a much bigger welcome offer, a free checked bag on Delta flights, and priority boarding. Terms apply.
- If you want flexible travel rewards with no annual fee: For an easy-to-use, no annual fee travel card, check out the Discover it® Miles. You'll earn a flat rate of 1.5x Miles per $1 on purchases, and to make it even better, Discover matches the Miles earned in the first year of using the card for new cardholders. You can redeem Miles toward any travel purchases (or as cash back) at a flat rate of $0.01 per Mile.
As of Apr. 16, 2024
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| Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Discover it® Miles |
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
|
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
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Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
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Welcome Offer: Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. 10,000 bonus miles |
Welcome Offer: Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. 40,000 Bonus Miles |
Welcome Offer: N/A Discover will match all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. |
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Rewards Program: Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. 1X-2X Miles |
Rewards Program: Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. 1X-2X Miles |
Rewards Program: Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase 1.5X miles |
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Intro APR: Purchases: n/a Balance Transfers: n/a |
Intro APR: Purchases: n/a Balance Transfers: n/a |
Intro APR: Purchases: 0%, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months |
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Regular APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable |
Regular APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable |
Regular APR: 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR |
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Annual Fee: $0 |
Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. |
Annual Fee: $0 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
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Our credit card methodology
At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how The Ascent rates credit cards.
FAQs
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The credit limit for the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card typically ranges from $1,000 to $10,000 or more. The specific credit limit you're granted depends on a number of factors, including income, credit score, and payment history.
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No, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card normally isn't hard to get if you have good credit. A FICO® Score of 670 or higher is recommended. It's more difficult to get approved if your credit score is lower than that, but it's still possible.
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Yes, you can use the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card internationally, and it doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee.
Our Credit Cards Experts
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
Fact Checked
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman has worked with The Motley Fool since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As The Ascent's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Lyle Daly has positions in Delta Air Lines. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends PayPal and Target. The Motley Fool recommends Delta Air Lines and Discover Financial Services and recommends the following options: short June 2024 $67.50 calls on PayPal. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here
The Motley Fool recommends Amex.