Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Mileage Rewards at a Minimum Cost

The Blue Amex Card is best suited for people looking for a card that allows them to earn straightforward rewards on Delta purchases and dining expenses. If you occasionally fly Delta and want to try out Delta's SkyMiles® program, this card is for you. It lets you earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and restaurants and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

While it may skip the free checked bags and some of the travel perks, avoiding an annual fee is a big plus. However, if racking up miles across various categories is a must, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is worth a look. It offers 2 miles per dollar on Delta flights, dining and U.S. supermarkets and rewards your loyalty with a $100 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in a year — a hidden gem that adds real value for frequent travelers.

The Delta SkyMiles Blue card is ideal for casual Delta travelers who want to earn miles without an annual fee. If you’re a budget traveler who typically flies out at most twice a year, an entry-level Delta travel card with 10,000 bonus miles could get you far. While you would need to spend $1000 in the first six months as a new cardholder, this no-annual-fee travel card might be able to sway you.

However, the Delta SkyMiles Blue card falls short in providing free checked bags and priority boarding, which are common perks in more premium travel cards. If these features are important to you, consider higher-tier Delta cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card that offer more comprehensive travel benefits despite the extra $150 annual fee.

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card offers a straightforward rewards program that is ideal for casual Delta travelers. When using your Delta SkyMiles to purchase airline tickets, you can typically receive a value of 1.3 to 1.5 cents per mile on every flight, though this can vary. Cardholders can earn miles on everyday purchases without worrying about an annual fee.

You can earn miles in the following categories:

Redemption Options

Special rewards opportunities include a 20% savings on in-flight purchases and the Pay with Miles feature. With Pay with Miles, you can take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem when booking on Delta's website.

Miles earned with this card does not expire, providing flexibility in redemption. Flights and seat upgrades are some of the best ways to redeem points, which offer the most value for your miles. This makes the card a great choice for those who occasionally fly with Delta and want to earn rewards without the commitment of an annual fee.

Some of the most notable features of this entry-level travel card are earning double miles on Delta purchases and dining and no foreign transaction fees.

Travel and Dining Rewards

• 2X Miles on Delta Purchases: This benefit allows you to earn double miles on all Delta-related expenses, making it easier to accumulate miles for future travel.
• 2X Miles on Restaurants Worldwide: Whether dining out or ordering takeout, you earn double miles on these purchases, adding value to your everyday spending.

Cost Savings

• No Annual Fee: This card has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for those who want to earn miles without additional costs.
• 20% Savings on In-Flight Purchases: Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases, such as food and beverages.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use your card abroad without worrying about extra fees, making it ideal for international travelers.

Additional Perks

• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Provides secondary coverage for damage or theft of rental cars, offering peace of mind during your travels.
• Pay With Miles Feature: Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem when booking on Delta's website.
• Events With Amex: Enjoy exclusive access to ticket presales and Card Member-only events, including Broadway shows and concert tours.
• Free Enrollment for ShopRunner Membership: Get free 2-day shipping and free return shipping on eligible items at over 100 online stores.

The Blue Amex Card has its perks, but there are a few key drawbacks to consider. Paying for checked bags and no priority boarding can make it challenging to earn miles.

No Free Checked Baggage

One of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue Amex Card's key drawbacks is the lack of free checked baggage, a perk that many travelers find valuable, especially on longer trips or when flying with family.

While higher-tier Delta cards offer this benefit, the Delta SkyMiles Blue card leaves you to cover baggage fees out-of-pocket, which can quickly add up, particularly for frequent flyers or those who often check luggage.

No Priority Boarding and Lounge Access

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue Amex Card also falls short in terms of priority boarding and lounge access — perks that can significantly enhance the travel experience. Without these benefits, Blue Amex cardholders are left to compete for overhead bin space and miss out on the comfort and convenience of Delta Sky Club lounges. For frequent flyers who value a more streamlined and relaxing airport experience, the absence of these features may make the Delta SkyMiles Blue card feel basic compared to other Delta Amex cards.

The Blue Amex Card is a no-fee gem for those who want to earn Delta miles without committing to an annual fee. It offers 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining, making it ideal for budget-conscious travelers.

In contrast, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Amex Card, with its $99 annual fee (waived the first year), offers broader rewards and a larger intro bonus. While the Gold card provides more perks, the Delta SkyMiles Blue card appeals to those who prefer simplicity and value without the extra cost. Choose the Blue if you prioritize low-cost rewards over premium perks.

Here are the main perks of the Blue Amex Card compared to those of the other Delta cards:

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue card works best when paired with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, giving you a well-rounded mix of everyday rewards and travel perks. The Blue card earns 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining, perfect for racking up rewards on casual meals and flights.

However, the Platinum card matters in terms of its added benefits — like the annual companion certificate and free checked bags, which make flying more affordable and convenient. Together, this duo gives you solid earnings on daily spending and perks that enhance your Delta travel experience, no matter how often you fly.

If you’re a Delta enthusiast looking to avoid an annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card is a solid choice. It offers 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining, along with no foreign transaction fees — an excellent perk for international travelers. Plus, meeting the $1,000 spending requirement within the first six months of card membership is manageable with everyday purchases.

However, with limited bonus categories, it's ideal for occasional Delta flyers who appreciate simplicity. For broader rewards and more flexibility, consider the Sapphire Preferred Card, which sets you up with 2X points on travel and dining along with versatile redemption options for an affordable annual fee of $95.

We evaluated the Blue Amex Card by reviewing 95 cards in total. Our scoring system considers several key features with the following weights:

• Airline Scope (20%): Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to.
• Effective Reward Rate (15%): Measures how well the card rewards the consumer.
• Expected Value for Traveler (15%): Expected monetary value of rewards and perks less the annual fees.
• Dining Rewards Rate (10%): Measures rewards earned on dining expenses.
• Issuer Satisfaction (10%): Measures customer fulfillment based on J.D. Power's issuer satisfaction study.
• Annual Fee (10%): Rates the annual fees from 1 to 5, where 5 is no annual fee.
• Offer ROI (10%): Considers the rate of return on the introductory bonus offers.
• Hotel Rewards Rate for Traveler (5%): Measures rewards earned on hotel expenditures for someone who vacations two to three times per year.
• Gas Rewards Rate (5%): Measures rewards earned on gas expenditures.