Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card
vs. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is the better choice if you’re indifferent between Alaska Airlines and Delta. It offers 3X miles on Alaska Airlines purchases, a generous sign-up bonus with a Companion Fare and no foreign transaction fees. However, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card remains a solid option, with no annual fee and 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining.

The Alaska Airlines Signature is better for frequent Alaska Airlines travelers who can take advantage of its 3X miles on Alaska Airlines purchases and the annual Companion Fare. This card offers perks like free checked bags and no foreign transaction fees. However, the $95 annual fee and limited rewards on non-Alaska purchases may not be justified if you don't frequently fly with Alaska Airlines.

The Delta SkyMiles Blue is better for travelers who frequently fly with Delta and want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. It offers 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining, making it a good fit for those who dine out often. However, it might not be the best choice for those who don't fly Delta regularly, as the rewards are more limited outside Delta-related spending.

Point-by-point comparisons help you see how each card compares in areas like APRs, fees and rewards. Although both cards offer airline rewards, the Delta SkyMiles Blue is better for dining rewards with 2X miles at restaurants.

The Alaska Airlines Signature and Delta SkyMiles Blue cards offer similar unit values for their miles, each valued at approximately 1.4 cents. However, the Alaska Airlines Signature card may provide better rewards value for those who frequently purchase gas or use streaming services, as it offers 2 miles per dollar in these categories.

For those who dine out often, the Delta SkyMiles Blue card could be more rewarding. It offers 2 miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., making it appealing for everyday dining expenses.

The table below details the bonus categories for each card, allowing you to compare their reward structures easily.

Both the Alaska Airlines Signature and Delta SkyMiles Blue cards offer miles that never expire, providing flexibility in planning future travel. Alaska Airlines miles can be redeemed for flights with Alaska and oneworld Alliance members. Delta SkyMiles offers broader redemption options, including partial flight payments through Pay With Miles.

The Alaska Airlines Signature card offers superior benefits with its Companion Fare and free checked bags, making it more valuable for travelers flying with Alaska Airlines. The Delta SkyMiles Blue card provides car rental insurance and Pay with Miles, appealing to those who value flexibility and travel convenience. Both cards offer 20% back on inflight purchases, but Alaska's priority boarding and Delta's event access differentiate their offerings.

Travel Perks

• Free checked bag for you and up to six guests on the same booking
• Priority boarding for quicker seat access

Credits & Discounts

• 20% back on all Alaska Airlines inflight purchases
• $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership

All Other Perks

• Buy one, get one flight offer with 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days
• Annual companion fare for $99 plus taxes and fees

Travel Perks

• Secondary coverage for damage or theft of rental cars

Credits & Discounts

• Small discount on in-flight purchases, which all cardholders may not frequently use
• Flexibility in redeeming miles for flight discounts, but its value depends on the frequency of Delta flights booked

All Other Perks

• Access to exclusive events
• Free shipping benefits

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:

• Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
• Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.