If you’re looking for a way to earn Delta SkyMiles but don’t want to pay an annual fee (see rates and fees), the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card checks the box. It earns elevated miles on Delta Air Lines purchases and dining at restaurants worldwide. However, while it skips the annual fee attached to other SkyMiles cards, it also leaves out the flashier travel perks found on Delta’s higher-tier cards. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Delta SkyMiles Blue: The basics
Not every Delta flyer needs airport lounge access or a long list of premium travel perks. That’s why Delta and American Express offer several Delta credit cards ranging from a no-annual-fee option to premium products designed for frequent travelers.
The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is the simplest card in the lineup. There’s no annual fee (see rates and fees), and it gives cardmembers an easy way to earn SkyMiles on Delta purchases, dining and everyday spending.
Unlike Delta’s higher-tier cards, the Delta SkyMiles Blue doesn’t include premium benefits like airport lounge access, free checked bags or priority boarding. Instead, it focuses on helping occasional Delta travelers earn miles.
Because this is a cobranded airline card, you’ll earn Delta’s mileage currency, Delta SkyMiles, rather than transferable credit card points.
Applicants will generally need a good to excellent credit score to qualify.
Related: How to earn Delta SkyMiles, from using credit cards to online shopping
Delta SkyMiles Blue pros and cons
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Delta SkyMiles Blue benefits
Even though the benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Blue card won’t rival what you’ll find on Delta’s premium cards, there are still a handful of perks that can provide value.
Inflight purchase savings
Cardholders receive 20% back as a statement credit on eligible inflight purchases of food, beverages and audio headsets on Delta-operated flights. The discount does not apply to Wi-Fi purchases.
This isn’t a reason to get the card on its own, but it’s a nice perk if you purchase snacks or drinks during your flights.
Ability to use miles toward Delta flights
The Delta SkyMiles Blue offers access to Pay with Miles, allowing eligible cardholders to redeem SkyMiles toward the cost of a Delta flight. When booking directly with Delta, you can get up to $50 off the cost of your ticket for every 5,000 miles redeemed.
While I like to keep my SkyMiles for award tickets, Pay with Miles can be useful when award pricing isn’t favorable or you want to reduce the cash cost of a flight.
Shopping and entertainment benefits
You’ll get access to Amex Offers, which can provide targeted discounts and elevated rewards with participating merchants.
Another lesser-known perk is the American Express Venue Collection™ (enrollment required). Eligible cardmembers receive 10% back on qualifying concessions purchases at select stadiums and arenas (through Dec. 31; up to $250 per calendar year). Depending on the venue, you may also receive access to dedicated entrances or expedited entry lanes.
Purchase and travel protections
Although the Delta SkyMiles Blue lacks premium travel protections, you’ll still receive several valuable coverage benefits, including:
- Car rental loss and damage insurance*
- Access to the 24-hour Global Assist Hotline**
- Extended warranty***
- Purchase protection***
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
***Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Related: Earn extra SkyMiles as these highest-ever Delta Amex offers return
How to earn and use your rewards
Understanding how you can earn and redeem miles with the Delta SkyMiles Blue is key to maximizing the card’s overall value.
Earning miles
The Delta SkyMiles Blue earns rewards directly as Delta SkyMiles.
You’ll earn:
- 2 miles per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (including eligible takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
- 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
Related: 6 no-annual-fee credit cards that earn transferable rewards
Redeeming miles
The best way to redeem the SkyMiles earned with the Delta SkyMiles Blue is for award flights. You can also redeem your miles for seat upgrades, Delta Vacations packages, car rentals and gift cards, among other options, but these redemptions usually provide less value.
I’ve found some of the best value when using my miles during Delta’s award sales. Sometimes Delta discounts the number of SkyMiles required for select flights, and, as a result, I’ve seen domestic itineraries available for fewer than 4,000 SkyMiles one-way.
Recently, I redeemed just 3,900 SkyMiles for a one-way economy flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon. While the cash price wasn’t astronomical at about $100, after accounting for the $5.60 security fee on an award ticket, I still received roughly 2.4 cents per SkyMile in value. That’s significantly higher than TPG’s current July 2026 valuation of Delta SkyMiles.
Related: How to redeem your Delta SkyMiles for maximum value
Downsides to consider about the Delta SkyMiles Blue
The biggest drawback of the Delta SkyMiles Blue card is what it doesn’t include. For example, you won’t receive a free checked bag, priority boarding, Delta Sky Club access or other airline perks available with Delta’s higher-tier cards.
If you tend to travel light, the lack of a checked bag benefit won’t be a major issue. But if you regularly check luggage on Delta flights, paying an annual fee for one of Delta’s more premium cards could easily make sense.
Unlike cards that earn transferable points or miles, this card earns fixed miles. That’s fine if you’re a regular Delta flyer, but it can limit your options, especially if you’d rather transfer rewards to other airline or hotel loyalty programs.
Delta SkyMiles Blue vs. Delta SkyMiles Gold
If you’re looking for something a bit more robust, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the natural next step.
It carries a $150 annual fee starting in the second year ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year; see rates and fees) but adds valuable benefits, including a free first checked bag and other Delta-specific perks that frequent flyers will appreciate.
I think of the Delta SkyMiles Blue as a card for occasional Delta travelers. It’s a great fit if you only fly Delta a handful of times each year, but if Delta is your primary airline and you regularly check bags, the Delta SkyMiles Gold’s additional benefits can easily outweigh its annual fee.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Blue worth it?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue is worth considering if you want to build your SkyMiles balance faster but don’t want to pay an annual fee. Every trip starts with earning enough miles to book it, and this card gives you another way to get there.
When to apply for the Delta SkyMiles Blue
New Delta SkyMiles Blue cardmembers can earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Based on TPG’s valuation of Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents apiece, this offer is worth about $120.
American Express generally limits welcome offers to once per lifetime, so you’ll want to apply when the offer makes sense for your travel goals. Since 10,000 miles is 5,000 miles less than the best offer we’ve seen on the Delta SkyMiles Blue, you may want to hold off on adding the card to your wallet.
The issuer may also consider other factors when determining welcome offer eligibility, but it will notify you before processing your application if you’re not eligible to receive the bonus.
Related: Here are the best credit card welcome bonuses
Other cards to consider if you don’t want the Delta SkyMiles Blue
Virtually every U.S. airline has a cobranded credit card. If you’re trying to decide which is best for you, consider which airline you fly with most frequently and if that card’s earning power suits your spending habits and lifestyle.
Here are a few cards to consider, whether you want to stick with Delta or venture into something more flexible.
- If you want more Delta benefits: The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a $150 annual fee but comes with more Delta perks, like a free checked bag and 15% off award flights booked with Delta. To learn more, see our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold.
- If you want to go all-in with Delta: The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card carries a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees), but you can enjoy elevated perks like lounge access (subject to restrictions), an annual companion certificate, a complimentary first checked bag worldwide and a second complimentary checked bag on U.S. flights. To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve.
- If you prefer earning a flexible currency: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) offers higher earning rates on travel purchases, dining and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs). It comes with a $100 annual hotel credit for stays booked through Chase Travel℠, among a handful of other credits; the hotel credit alone more than offsets the $95 annual fee. This card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer to Chase’s hotel and airline partners. To learn more, see our full review of the Sapphire Preferred Card.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best airline credit cards.
Related: Is the Delta Gold Amex annual fee worth it?
Bottom line
The Delta SkyMiles Blue isn’t ripe with benefits, but that’s the whole point of the card. Rather than loading it with premium perks and charging an annual fee, American Express keeps things simple: Earn SkyMiles, and don’t pay an annual fee to keep the card in your wallet. I wouldn’t get it for airport perks or elite status benefits. I’d get it because it’s an easy low-commitment way to participate in Delta’s loyalty program. For occasional Delta travelers, that may be all you need from a card.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Blue card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, click here.
