Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
This card suits people who fly Delta a few times a year and do not want to pay an annual fee. It earns 2X miles on purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants, and 1X on everything else. There is no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. The caveat: no free checked bag, no priority boarding and no lounge access, which is where the Gold card starts to pay for itself.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- 2X miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants with no annual fee
- Pay with Miles lets you apply miles to a paid Delta ticket, $50 off per 5,000 miles
- 20% back on eligible in-flight food and drink as a statement credit
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad
- Car rental loss and damage insurance when you decline the rental company's coverage
- Purchase protection for 90 days and extended warranty on eligible items
- Amex Special Ticket Access and Global Assist Hotline
- Annual fee: $0
- Purchase APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable, set by the issuer based on your creditworthiness
- Intro purchase APR: N/A
- Balance transfers: not offered on this card
- Cash advance APR: 28.74% Variable, fee is either $10 or 5% of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: up to 29.99% Variable can apply after a late or returned payment
- Late payment fee: Up to $40. Returned payment fee: Up to $40
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Rates and offers verified on the issuer's website on August 27, 2026 and may change. See the issuer's pricing and terms for current details.
- You fly Delta a few times a year and want miles without an annual fee.
- You eat out often and want 2X miles at restaurants on a no-fee card.
- You travel outside the U.S. and want a card with no foreign transaction fees.
- You should skip this card if you check a bag on Delta more than once a year. The Gold card's free first checked bag can cover its $150 fee on its own.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card Review
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is the entry point to the Delta card family. This review covers how it earns, what it leaves out compared with the Gold card, and who is better served by paying an annual fee.
How You Earn
Earning is simple: two categories at 2X and everything else at 1X. There are no caps on the bonus categories.
- 2X miles on purchases made directly with Delta, including flights and Delta Vacations
- 2X miles at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
| Category | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Delta purchases | 2X miles |
| Restaurants | 2X miles |
| Everything else | 1X miles |
How You Redeem
Miles live in your Delta SkyMiles account and are redeemed through Delta, not through American Express.
- Award flights on Delta and partner airlines
- Pay with Miles: $50 off a paid Delta ticket per 5,000 miles, in 5,000-mile steps
- Delta Vacations packages and seat upgrades
Benefits and Protections
The perks are the basic American Express package plus a Delta in-flight discount. Airport perks are not included.
- 20% back on eligible Delta in-flight purchases as a statement credit
- Car rental loss and damage insurance
- Purchase protection and extended warranty
- Global Assist Hotline for emergencies when travelling
- No foreign transaction fees
Who This Card Is For
This is a card for light Delta flyers who want to keep miles flowing without a fee. Anyone who checks bags, boards early or wants lounge access should look at the Gold, Platinum or Reserve tiers. The value here is the missing fee, not the perks.
- Occasional Delta flyers with no annual-fee budget
- People building a SkyMiles balance slowly from dining and Delta spend
- Travellers who want a no-fee card for purchases abroad
Comparison
| Feature | Delta SkyMiles® Blue | United Gateway℠ Card | Capital One VentureOne Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Welcome Offer | 10,000 miles after $1,000 in 6 months | Up to 40,000 miles: 30,000 after $1,000 in 3 months | 20,000 miles after $500 in 3 months |
| Rewards Rate | 2X Delta and restaurants, 1X other | 2X United, gas stations and local transit | 1.25X miles on every purchase |
| Intro APR | N/A | 0% for 12 months on purchases | 0% for 15 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None | None |
| Best For | No-fee Delta miles | No-fee United flyers | Simple flat-rate miles with no fee |
Issuer Comparison
| Feature | Delta SkyMiles® Blue | Delta SkyMiles® Gold | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 first year, then $150 | $350 |
| Welcome Offer | 10,000 miles after $1,000 in 6 months | As high as 80,000 miles + $250 credit, $3,000 in 6 mo | As high as 90,000 miles + $300 credit, $4,000 in 6 mo |
| Rewards Rate | 2X Delta and restaurants, 1X other | 2X Delta, restaurants, U.S. supermarkets | 3X Delta and hotels, 2X dining and supermarkets |
| Key Credits | 20% back on in-flight purchases | $100 Delta Stays, $120 rideshare, $200 flight credit | $150 Delta Stays, $120 Resy, $120 rideshare, companion |
| Best For | No-fee Delta miles | Occasional Delta flyers who check bags | Frequent Delta flyers chasing status |
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