Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Rewards: 2X miles on Delta purchases & restaurants, 1X on everything else
• Bonus: 10,000 bonus miles after $1,000 spend in 6 months
• Best For: Occasional Delta flyers, no annual fee seekers
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (690+)

Overview

The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is the only Delta credit card with no annual fee, making it an excellent entry point for occasional Delta flyers who want to earn miles without a financial commitment. While it doesn't offer the premium perks of higher-tier Delta cards, it provides solid earning rates on dining and Delta purchases with no ongoing costs.

This card strikes a balance between earning Delta miles and keeping costs low. You'll earn 2X miles on restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and purchases made directly with Delta, making it ideal for those who fly Delta occasionally and enjoy dining out.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Benefits Overview

Travel Benefits

• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use internationally without additional charges
• 20% In-Flight Savings: Save 20% on eligible Delta in-flight purchases (food, beverages, audio headsets) as a statement credit
• Travel Accident Insurance: Coverage when traveling on common carrier
• Baggage Insurance Plan: Protection for checked and carry-on baggage
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Secondary coverage for rental vehicles

Everyday Benefits

• Purchase Protection: Coverage on eligible purchases for up to 90 days
• Extended Warranty: Adds an additional year to warranties of 5 years or less
• Return Protection: Get refunded for purchases merchants won't take back
• Fraud Protection: Zero liability for unauthorized charges

Rewards & Points

• 2X SkyMiles on purchases made directly with Delta
• 2X SkyMiles at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 1X SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases

Redemption Options:

• Redeem miles for Delta award flights
• Upgrade to premium cabin seats
• Delta Sky Club day passes
• Delta Vacations packages
• Partner airline awards

Miles never expire as long as there is activity in your SkyMiles account every 24 months.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Value: 10,000 SkyMiles can be worth $100-$150 in travel value, depending on how you redeem them.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Occasional Delta flyers who want to earn miles without an annual fee
• Dining enthusiasts who spend regularly at restaurants
• First-time Delta cardholders looking to test the ecosystem
• Budget-conscious travelers avoiding annual fees
• Those who fly Delta 1-3 times per year
• Students or young professionals building their credit card portfolio

Not Good For

• Frequent Delta flyers (consider Platinum or Reserve for better perks)
• Those needing free checked bags (not included on this card)
• Travelers seeking lounge access (no Sky Club access)
• High spenders who could maximize premium card benefits
• Those wanting priority boarding (not included)
• Balance carriers (high APR makes carrying a balance expensive)

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee makes it a zero-cost option for earning Delta miles
• 2X earning on restaurants worldwide is competitive
• 2X on Delta purchases helps accumulate miles for flights
• 20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases
• No foreign transaction fees for international travel
• Welcome bonus with achievable spending requirement
• Purchase protection and extended warranty included
• Miles never expire with account activity

Cons

• No free checked bag benefit (save $60-$120 per round trip with higher-tier cards)
• No priority boarding privileges
• Lower welcome bonus compared to premium Delta cards
• No companion certificate or upgrade benefits
• No Sky Club access
• No elite status accelerators or MQDs
• Limited travel benefits compared to paid annual fee cards
• 1X earning rate on most purchases is below average

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $20,000 per year on typical expenses:

Total Value: 27,000 SkyMiles (worth $270–$405 in travel value) = net value of $270–$405 with zero annual fee.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You fly Delta occasionally (1-3 times per year)
• You want to earn Delta miles without an annual fee
• You spend $2,000+ per year at restaurants
• You're new to Delta credit cards and want to start earning
• You value flexibility and don't want a financial commitment
• You travel internationally and benefit from no foreign fees
• You prefer simple earning structures
• You're building credit and want a solid rewards card

You Should Skip It If...

• You fly Delta frequently and would benefit from free checked bags
• You spend $5,000+ per year on Delta flights (Gold, Platinum, or Reserve offer better value)
• You need priority boarding or airport lounge access
• You're looking for premium travel perks
• You want elite status benefits or MQD earning
• You prefer cash back over airline miles
• You need a companion certificate
• You fly multiple airlines and prefer flexible points

Apply Now

Apply for Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.