Delta SkyMiles Blue Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The Delta SkyMiles Blue card is not a card we generally recommend. Its 10,000-mile welcome offer is too small to justify using a valuable 5/24 slot, even with no annual fee. If you're considering a co-branded Delta card, you're usually better off choosing one of the higher-tier options with larger welcome offers and more meaningful benefits. The Blue card's primary value is as a downgrade option for existing Delta cardholders who want to avoid annual fees while keeping their account open.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Delta SkyMiles Blue card is Delta's only no-annual-fee personal card. While we generally prefer Delta's higher-tier cards, the Blue may appeal to travelers who want to earn Delta miles without paying an annual fee.
- Welcome offer: Earn 10,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first six months.
- No annual fee: Keep the card indefinitely without worrying about annual costs.
- 2x miles on dining: Earn bonus miles at restaurants, including takeout and delivery.
- 2x miles on Delta purchases: Earn additional miles when booking directly with Delta.
Additional benefits include 20% back on inflight food and beverage purchases, Pay with Miles discounts that reduce the cost of Delta flights, and car rental loss and damage coverage.
For most travelers, however, this card is best served as a downgrade option from a higher-tier Delta card rather than as a card worth applying for directly.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Here are some exceptions where the card might not be good for you:
- The welcome offer is very low and won't get you much in the way of free airfare
- No other notable benefits besides having no annual fee
What to Know About Delta SkyMiles
Delta is a good point system for both domestic and international flights.
- Delta offers many cards, making initial collection relatively easy. But the Amex 1/7 Rule limits that ability over time.
- Delta is part of the Amex partner reward system and is a decent transfer value.
- We save Delta points for specific flights, perhaps direct domestic or best value international.
- We use easier-to-collect point systems such as Southwest and American ahead of Delta.
How The Delta SkyMiles Blue Credit Card Fits In The Delta SkyMiles Ecosystem
The Delta SkyMiles Blue Card is Delta's no-annual-fee option. While avoiding an annual fee is appealing, we generally don't recommend applying for this card because the welcome offer and benefits are limited compared to Delta's other cards, and it's not worthy of a 5/24 spot.
- Delta SkyMiles Gold Card
- Annual Fee: $150 (waived the first year)
- Sign-Up Bonus: 50,000 miles
- Who it's for: Occasional Delta flyers looking for a larger welcome offer and practical perks like a free checked bag.
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card
- Annual Fee: $350
- Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 miles
- Who it's for: Our preferred Delta card for most travelers, thanks to its annual companion certificate and statement credits.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card
- Annual Fee: $650
- Sign-Up Bonus: 70,000 miles
- Who it's for: Frequent Delta flyers who value Delta Sky Club access, premium travel perks, and a First Class companion certificate.
For most travelers, the Blue card's benefits don't compete with the first-year value of the Gold card or the long-term value offered by the Platinum and Reserve cards. If you're planning to get multiple Delta cards over time, remember that you generally need to move from Blue to Gold to Platinum to Reserve to remain eligible for each card's welcome offer because of the Delta Family Rule.
My Experience, No Filter
What can I say about this card? Not a lot of good. I got it only to top off some Delta points I needed for a flight I had my eye on. Because, let’s be honest, where can you really go with 10,000 Delta SkyMiles? Even if you’re brand new to the game, you know it’s not very far.
Yes, there’s no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, but you can get those perks with other cards and get more value for taking a credit hit. I can’t get this one again because AMEX offers sign up bonuses only once in a lifetime, but even if I could, I wouldn’t. I’m not being cheeky. I’m being smart.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
Delta SkyMiles Blue Application Rules
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Amex card in 90 days
Amex will decline your application if you already have 5 credit cards (not charge) and apply for a sixth
When applying for Delta personal cards, start with the lowest tiered card in the family to be eligible for the signup bonus on each remaining card
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card every 7 years (yours or that version of the card)
After you apply, Amex may show a pop-up saying you're ineligible for the welcome bonus
