Updated: October 24, 2024
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Both cards provide valuable Delta loyalty benefits, but the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is the better choice for frequent Delta travelers. It offers superior rewards and perks like a companion certificate and 3X miles on Delta purchases, though it comes with a higher annual fee.
While the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is more budget-friendly with no annual fee, its benefits are limited for those who do not fly Delta often.
The Delta SkyMiles Blue is likely better for budget-conscious travelers who want to earn 2X more Delta rewards without paying an annual fee. It also offers 2X miles on dining. However, it may not suit those who fly frequently, as it does not have a companion certificate.
The Delta SkyMiles Platinu suits frequent Delta flyers who find a companion certificate, priority boarding and a generous welcome bonus valuable. However, if you don't fly Delta frequently, the high annual fee may not be worthwhile.
A point-by-point comparison of the Delta SkyMiles Blue and Platinum cards covers APRs, fees, rewards and more, helping you decide which one to get based on specific needs. For instance, if hotel rewards matter, Platinum offers 3X miles, much more than Blue's.
Regular APR: Tie
Delta SkyMiles Blue and Platinum have a regular APR of 20.49%–29.49% variable.
Annual Fee: Delta SkyMiles Blue
Delta SkyMiles Blue has no annual fee. In contrast, Delta SkyMiles Platinum charges $350 annually.
Introductory 0% APRs: Tie
Neither Delta SkyMiles Blue nor Delta SkyMiles Platinum offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers.
Rewards: Delta SkyMiles Platinum
Delta SkyMiles Platinum offers 3X miles on Delta and hotel purchases, compared to Delta SkyMiles Blue's 2X miles on Delta and dining.
Welcome Offers: Delta SkyMiles Platinum
Delta SkyMiles Platinum provides 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in six months, compared to Delta SkyMiles Blue's 10,000 miles for $1,000. Platinum's higher ROI makes it more rewarding despite the higher spending requirement.
Recommended Credit Score: Tie
Delta SkyMiles Blue and Platinum require a credit score of 670–850, making them equally accessible for individuals with good to excellent credit.
Penalties and Fees: Tie
Both Delta SkyMiles Blue and Delta SkyMiles Platinum charge up to $40 for late payments, a 29.99% penalty APR and cash advance fees of either $10 or 5% of the amount. Neither card has foreign transaction fees.
Issuer Satisfaction: Tie
Both the Blue and Platinum cards are issued by American Express, resulting in identical issuer satisfaction scores.
Card Benefits: Delta SkyMiles Platinum
Delta SkyMiles Platinum has better card benefits, like a Companion Certificate and travel credits, valued at $1,147.89. Delta SkyMiles Blue provides fewer benefits, with an expected value of $154.83, which includes in-flight discounts.
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum card offers better rewards value due to its higher earning rates on Delta purchases and hotel bookings. The card benefits frequent travelers who can take advantage of the 3X miles on these categories. While offering no annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles Blue card provides lower earning rates. It's more suitable for occasional travelers or those who prioritize dining rewards.
Both cards use Delta SkyMiles as their rewards unit, valued at approximately 1.4 cents each.
The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the rewards categories for each card, allowing you to see where you can maximize your earnings at a glance.
Category | Delta SkyMiles Blue | Delta SkyMiles Platinum |
|---|---|---|
Delta Purchases | 2X miles | 3X miles |
Hotels | 1X miles | 3X miles |
Dining | 2X miles | 2X miles |
Groceries | 1X miles | 2X miles |
All Other Purchases | 1X miles | 1X miles |
The Delta SkyMiles Blue allows you to redeem miles for Delta flights with no expiration as long as your account is active. However, redemption options are limited compared to the Delta SkyMiles Platinum. The Platinum card offers a wider array of redemption choices, including airfare, upgrades and hotel stays, with miles not expiring if the account is active every 12 months.
The Platinum card offers superior benefits, especially for frequent travelers, including an annual Companion Certificate and a free first-checked bag. The Blue card's perks, like car rental insurance and Pay with Miles, cater to budget-conscious travelers. Both cards offer 20% savings on in-flight purchases, but the Platinum card's additional perks make it more valuable for those who travel often.
Delta SkyMiles Blue offers a range of perks that cater to budget-conscious travelers and those who want to maximize their rewards on everyday purchases, providing value through travel flexibility and practical savings.
Travel Perks
Insurance & Protections
Credits & Discounts
All Other Perks
Delta SkyMiles Platinum's perks cater to frequent travelers and those seeking to enhance their travel experience.
Travel Perks
Status
Insurance & Protections
Credits & Discounts
All Other Perks
The Delta SkyMiles Blue has no annual fee, while the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card has a $350 annual fee.
The Blue card earns 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining, while the Platinum card earns 3X on Delta purchases and hotels.
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum offers 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first six months.
Only the Delta SkyMiles Platinum offers a companion certificate, which can be used for domestic flights.
Frequent Delta flyers may benefit more from the Platinum card due to its higher rewards rates and companion certificate.
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.
