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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card review
Pay no annual fee to earn 2x miles at restaurants, and redeem miles toward flights.
finder.com’s rating: 3.6 / 5
★★★★★
- Get this card if you want to earn 2x Delta miles for purchases at restaurants.
- Pick something else if you want cash back or an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
- Apply with a good to excellent credit score of 670 or higher.
10,000
Miles as welcome offer
Up to 2x
Miles
$0
Annual fee
15.74% to 24.74%
Purchase APR (variable)
Details
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Welcome Offer | 10,000 miles after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
| Rewards | 2x miles at restaurants and on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases |
| Purchase APR | 15.74% to 24.74% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
| Recommended minimum credit score | 670 |
| Issuer | American Express |
Review by
Kliment Dukovski
kliment.dukovski@findercrew.comKliment Dukovski is a credit cards and investments writer. He's written over 600 articles to help readers find and compare the best credit cards. Kliment has also written on money transfers, home loans and more. Previously, he ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies.
Expert review
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is the entry-level Delta card with a $0 annual fee, a welcome offer of 10,000 bonus miles, and a rewards program with 2x miles at restaurants and Delta purchases worldwide, and 1x miles on all other purchases.
This may not sound spectacular, but considering you don’t pay an annual fee for the card, you get a chance to earn the same rewards rate on Delta purchases as the more expensive Delta cards. Unlike the other Delta cards, you don’t get any of their cool perks like free checked bags and priority boarding, but you do get the 20% savings for all in-flight Delta purchases. And as part of the Delta line refresh, Amex removed foreign transaction fees from this card.
All in all, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card can be a straightforward but valuable card for the occasional Delta flyer.
How to apply for the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
- Click Apply now.
- Complete the form with the requested information.
- Review your application and submit it.
You can also apply by phone at 1-800-243-3888.
How long will it take to get my Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card?
American Express can instantly approve your application, and you’ll receive your card in 7 to 10 business days.
The perks
- Welcome offer. Spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months of your account opening and earn 10,000 bonus miles. This is relatively easy to achieve compared to the welcome bonus offered by other cards.
- Earn miles. Purchases at restaurants worldwide and purchases directly made with Delta earn you 2x miles. For all other purchases, you’ll earn 1 miles per dollar. Redeem your miles for flights, gift cards, excursions, shopping and more.
You’ll also like
- No annual fee. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card has an annual fee of $0 (Terms apply, see rates & fees).
- In-flight savings. Get 20% back in statement credit for all in-flight purchases when flying Delta. Food, beverages and audio headsets all qualify for the statement credit.
- Car rental insurance. Use your Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card to pay for your rental car and decline the collision damage waiver, and you’ll be covered if your car is damaged or stolen.
- Global assist hotline. Get 24/7 access to legal, medical, financial or any other assistance, which can help with missing luggage or replacing your passport.
- Purchase protection. After enrollment get free expedited shipping from ShopRunner and get protection against accidental damage or theft of your phone or other eligible items.
- Fraud protection. Call American Express about any unauthorized transactions and you won’t be held responsible.
What to watch out for
- No intro APR for balance transfers and purchases. None of the Delta cards offer an intro APR for balance transfers and purchases.
- High APR for purchases. All Delta cards have a relatively high APR for purchases when compared to other credit cards. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card has an APR of 15.74% to 24.74% variable.
- Avoid late payments. Make the minimum payment within 60 days after its due date to avoid a penalty APR of 29.99% variable.
Compare Delta SkyMiles Blue to similar credit cards
Here’s a quick look at the Delta SkyMiles Blue vs. two similar cards to give you an idea of how this entry-level travel card stacks up against its mid-level competitors.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
★★★★★
Terms apply, see rates & fees| Go to site |
|---|
|
Minimum credit score 670 |
|
Annual fee $0 |
|
Purchase APR 15.74% to 24.74% variable |
|
Balance transfer APR N/A |
|
Rewards 2x miles at restaurants and on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases |
|
Welcome offer 10,000 miles after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
★★★★★
Terms apply, see rates & fees| Go to site |
|---|
|
Minimum credit score 670 |
|
Annual fee $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter) |
|
Purchase APR 0% intro for the first 12 months (then 15.74% to 24.74% variable) |
|
Balance transfer APR N/A |
|
Rewards 2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants and at US supermarkets and 1x miles on all other purchases |
|
Welcome offer Limited Time Offer, expires 7/28/21: 70,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months and a $200 statement credit after making a Delta purchase in the first 3 months |
Unitedâ„ Explorer Card
★★★★★
Terms apply, see rates & fees| Go to site |
|---|
|
Minimum credit score 670 |
|
Annual fee $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter) |
|
Purchase APR 16.49% to 23.49% variable |
|
Balance transfer APR 16.49% to 23.49% variable |
|
Rewards 2x miles at restaurants, hotels and United and 1.5x miles on all other purchases |
|
Welcome offer 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 miles after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months |
Compare even more credit cards
How much are SkyMiles worth?
SkyMiles value varies for different products or services that you want to redeem them for. You can explore your options on the Delta SkyMiles Redemption site. Here are some redemption examples:
- Buy a $250 gift card for 35,700 miles — a value of 0.70 cents per mile.
- Buy a $79 American Tourister Moonlight carry-on 21″ for 21,900 miles — a value of 0.36 cents per mile.
- Buy a $540 Citizen Men’s Blue Angels World Chronograph watch for 83,600 miles — a value of 0.64 cents per mile.
- Airfare purchases start at $130 for 10,000 miles — a value of 1.3 cent per mile.
To make the most out of your Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, use your miles toward purchasing flight tickets. That way you’ll get the highest value of dollar per mile.
What should I know before I apply?
Eligibility requirements
To apply you must be:
To apply you must be:
- At least 18 years old
- A US citizen or permanent resident of the US
Required information and documents
- Name and address
- Email and phone number
- Social Security number and date of birth
- Annual income and income sources
What credit score do I need?
You can apply with a credit score in the low 600s. But to get a high credit limit and a lower APR on purchases, apply with a good to excellent credit score of 670 or higher.
American Express usually pulls your credit report from Experian.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card reviews and complaints
Customers generally like the card because it lets them earn miles for a $0 annual fee. Before the Delta line shakeup, they also loved the option to earn 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants, something that other Delta cards don’t offer. With this no longer being the case, we’ll see how customers react to what this card offers.
American Express has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 1948, and as of November 2020 earns an A+ rating. However, many customers complained of poor customer service of the credit company in general, as well as problems with the products and services. To avoid surprises, make sure to read and understand the card’s terms.
I got the card. Now what?
- Set up autopay. Download the Amex® mobile app or sign up at the American Express website and set up automatic payments. This way, you’ll always pay on time and avoid paying unnecessary fees and interest.
- Enroll in ShopRunner. With ShopRunner you get 2-day free shipping at more than 100 online retailers. And if you don’t like the item you purchased, return it for free.
- Contact customer service. Call American Express customer service at 1-800-528-4800 with any questions you may have. If you prefer to chat with a customer service rep online, visit the American Express website.
Bottom line
For the occasional Delta flyer who wants to earn miles while dining out without paying an annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card may be a good choice. The changes to the earning rate of the other Delta cards however, make leave this card a little less valuable for pure earning potential.
Otherwise, you may want to consider the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, which offers priority boarding, discounted Delta Sky Club access and a free first checked bag — you can save $60 per person per round trip on this perk alone.
You may find that none of the Delta cards fit what you’re looking for, and that’s alright. Take your time and compare other credit cards to find the best one that suits your needs.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this card have a welcome offer?
Yes. Earn 10,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months after your account is open. - How do I earn miles with the card?
You earn 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and on purchases made directly with Delta. You’ll also earn 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases with your card. - What qualifies as a restaurant purchase?
Purchases made at restaurants that aren’t part of a casino, hotel or an event venue qualify as restaurant purchases. You won’t earn 2 miles per dollar if you eat at nightclubs, convenience stores, grocery stores or supermarkets. - Do miles expire?
No. Miles never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. - How can I redeem the miles I’ve earned?
Redeem your miles for seat upgrades, flights, hotels or use them to shop at the SkyMiles Marketplace. - Is there an annual fee for the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card?
No. The card has a $0 annual fee.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
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