Delta SkyMiles Blue American Categorical Card evaluate: Full particulars

Editors note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a solid option for a no-annual-fee credit card (see rates and fees). Featuring 2 miles per dollar on spending at restaurants and eligible Delta purchases, this card lacks several premium perks but is worth a spot in your wallet if you’re an occasional Delta flyer and want to avoid annual fees. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

If you want a Delta credit card, you can choose between luxury at a price and a card that’s easier on your wallet. If you want a card chock-full of perks, including complimentary access to any Delta Sky Club around the world, you should consider the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card — with its $650 annual fee (see rates and fees).

But if you’re looking for a Delta-branded Amex card with no annual fee and still allows you to earn miles toward rewards bookings, the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card may be a better pick.

Today, we will review what you get with this no-annual-fee Delta card (see rates and fees). Typically, you’ll need a credit score of at least 670 or higher for the Delta SkyMiles Blue. If you’re there and considering the card, here’s what you need to know. Delta SkyMiles® Blue pros and cons

New Delta SkyMiles Blue cardmembers will earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first six months of account opening. These bonus miles are worth $120. It’s not the most generous offer on the market, but those miles can go toward award travel or seat upgrades and not cost you anything in annual fees.

While this offer provides some value, we’ve seen higher offers on this card. If you don’t need the card right away, you may want to wait for a better offer before applying.

Related: Here are the best credit card welcome offers

The benefits from Delta SkyMiles Blue are solid, though don’t expect to find things such as a checked bag fee waiver that you’ll see on the more premium Delta cards. But then again, it is a no-annual-fee credit card.

Here’s what you can expect:

• 20% savings on Delta inflight purchases of food, beverages and audio headsets (but not Wi-Fi)
• Pay with Miles: Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book with Delta
• Car rental loss and damage insurance*
• 24/7 access to Global Assist® Hotline**
• Extended warranty***
• Purchase protection***
• Access to American Express Experiences
• ShopRunner membership (enrollment required)
• Pay It, Plan It

Again, this isn’t the stacked list of benefits you’ll see on a more premium card, but they’re solid perks for a card without an annual fee.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies 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 level varies 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 up to 75,000 bonus SkyMiles with these Delta Amex welcome offers

The Delta SkyMiles Blue card offers various ways to earn miles beyond Delta purchases.

Here’s the breakdown (terms apply):

• 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants (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

For a no-annual-fee airline card, the restaurant bonus category is decent. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card — considered an upgrade from the Delta Blue — comes with a $150 annual fee (waived for the first year; see rates and fees) and has the same earning rates on Delta and dining purchases.

Related: No-annual-fee credit cards that earn transferable points

Redeeming miles on Delta SkyMiles Blue

You can’t redeem your SkyMiles for statement credit or cash back, but you can put them toward flights, upgrades, Delta vacations, car rentals and gift cards, among other things. The best values for your miles are redemptions for flights and flight upgrades.

Delta often offers great SkyMiles Deals. The carrier recently offered round-trip tickets to Mexico from most U.S. airports for 10,000 SkyMiles. We’ve also seen domestic flights for as low as 2,400 SkyMiles recently.

I like to redeem SkyMiles for flights to Mexico when Delta runs its award sales. I was able to snag a one-way ticket from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Cancun International Airport (CUN) for just 4,500 SkyMiles in the Main cabin.

Related: Delta SkyMiles: Your complete guide to earning, redeeming and elite status

• If you want more Delta benefits: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has a $150 annual fee (waived the first year) but comes with more Delta perks, like a free checked bag and 15% off Award flights booked with Delta. For more information, please see our full review of the Delta Gold card.
• If you prefer United Airlines: The United Gateway℠ Card is a no-annual-fee card that earns 2 miles per dollar spent on all United purchases, gas stations, local transit and commuting and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. This card also offers 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights. For more information, please see our full review of the United Gateway card.
• If you prefer American Airlines Airlines: Among no-annual-fee airline credit cards, The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card is a clear competitor earning 2 miles per dollar on groceries. The AA card comes with a $50 statement credit after spending at least $500 within the first three months. For more information, please see our full review of the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card.
• If you prefer earning a flexible currency: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers higher earning rates on travel purchases, dining and grocery purchases. It comes with a $50 annual hotel credit, which can help offset the $95 annual fee. This card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points and you can transfer these points out to one of Chase’s hotel and airline partners. For more information, please see our full review of the Sapphire Preferred card.

For additional options, check out our full list of the best airline credit cards.

The information on the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Is the Delta Gold Amex worth the annual fee?

Related: Airline and hotel dining rewards programs: Which is best for you?

For a no-annual-fee airline credit card, the Delta SkyMiles Blue offers generous earnings outside of Delta purchases, which isn’t common for cards like this. It’s missing the perks that the other Delta cards offer, such as a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, but those cards all come with annual fees. But if you’re looking to earn SkyMiles at no out-of-pocket cost, the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is definitely one to consider.

Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Blue

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, click here.