Updated: October 20, 2024
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The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card and American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card offer airline-specific perks to cardholders with no annual fees. The Delta SkyMiles Blue is the better choice for frequent Delta flyers, offering no foreign transaction fees and higher rewards on dining.
However, the AA MileUp is worth considering for its high grocery rewards and lower spending requirement for the introductory bonus.
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card is likely better for grocery shopping and when frequently flying with American Airlines as it offers 2X miles on said purchases, and has no annual fee. However, it may not be suitable for those who frequently travel internationally due to its foreign transaction fees.
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is good for frequent Delta flyers who enjoy dining out as it offers 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining. With no foreign transaction fees, it's also suitable for international travelers. However, the card's benefits may be less valuable if you don't fly Delta often.
A point-by-point comparison helps you see how each card's features align with your needs. For instance, if you frequently dine out, Delta SkyMiles Blue offers 2X miles on dining, but if you spend a lot on groceries, AA MileUp is the better option.
Regular APR: Delta SkyMiles Blue
The Delta SkyMiles Blue has a lower regular APR, ranging from 20.49% to 29.49%, compared to the AA MileUp's 21.24%–29.99%.
Annual Fee: Tie
Both the AA MileUp and Delta SkyMiles Blue cards have a $0 annual fee.
Introductory 0% APRs: Tie
Neither the AA MileUp nor the Delta SkyMiles Blue offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers.
Rewards: Tie
Both cards offer 2X miles in specific categories: groceries and American Airlines purchases for AA MileUp and dining and Delta purchases for Delta SkyMiles Blue.
Welcome Offers: AA MileUp
The AA MileUp card has a better introductory bonus, providing 15,000 miles after spending $500 in three months. Meanwhile, Delta SkyMiles Blue offers 10,000 miles after spending $1,000 in six months.
Recommended Credit Score: Delta SkyMiles Blue
Delta SkyMiles Blue is more accommodating, requiring a good to excellent credit score of 670–850, compared to AA MileUp's 740–850, targeting those with excellent credit.
Penalties and Fees: Delta SkyMiles Blue
Delta SkyMiles Blue has no foreign transaction fees and a slightly lower late fee, unlike AA MileUp, which charges 3% on foreign transactions.
Issuer Satisfaction: Delta SkyMiles Blue
American Express, Delta SkyMiles Blue's issuer, has a more favorable customer experience, boasting a satisfaction score of 5.0, compared to Citi's 4.1, AA MileUp card's issuer.
Card Benefits: Delta SkyMiles Blue
Delta SkyMiles Blue has better benefits, like Pay with Miles and event access, valued at $154.83, compared to the AA MileUp card's $77 value.
Comparing the rewards value of the AA MileUp and Delta SkyMiles Blue, the AA MileUp card offers slightly better value due to the higher estimated value of its miles at approximately 1.6 cents. This can make a difference for those who frequently redeem miles for flights or upgrades.
Both cards offer 2X miles in specific categories: groceries and American Airlines purchases for AA MileUp, while Delta purchases and dining for Delta SkyMiles Blue. Both cards cater to budget-conscious travelers and those who want to maximize rewards or cashback, offering no annual fee and straightforward rewards structures.
The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the rewards categories for each card.
Category | AA MileUp | Delta SkyMiles Blue |
|---|---|---|
American Airlines Purchases | 2X miles | 1X miles |
Delta Purchases | 1X miles | 2X miles |
Groceries | 2X miles | 1X miles |
Dining | 1X miles | 2X miles |
All Other Purchases | 1X miles | 1X miles |
The AA MileUp card allows you to redeem miles for flights, upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays or vacation packages. The Delta SkyMiles Blue card offers redemption for flights and travel expenses. While both cards provide flexible travel redemptions, the AA MileUp card's slightly higher mile value may offer more bang for your buck. Neither card's miles expire as long as the account remains active.
Delta SkyMiles Blue offers more valuable perks for budget-conscious travelers who want to maximize rewards and benefits, with standout features like car rental insurance and Pay with Miles. AA MileUp's loyalty points benefit those who want to earn and redeem points efficiently, but its overall value is lower. Both cards offer in-flight discounts
The AA MileUp card offers a mix of perks that cater to both everyday spending and those who frequently fly with American Airlines.
Status
Credits & Discounts
All Other Perks
The Delta SkyMiles Blue card offers a range of perks catering to different travel and spending aspects.
Status
Insurance & Protections
Credits & Discounts
All Other Perks
The AA MileUp offers 2X miles on groceries and American Airlines purchases, while the Delta SkyMiles Blue offers 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining worldwide.
The Delta SkyMiles Blue has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel.
AA MileUp offers 15,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in three months. Delta SkyMiles Blue provides 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in six months.
The AA MileUp card requires an excellent credit score (740–850), while the Delta SkyMiles Blue card requires a good to excellent score (670–850).
Both cards have no annual fee, making them great options for budget-conscious travelers.
MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the 'Airline' category. Several factors determine this score:
For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
