Card guide · Delta SkyMiles
Amex Delta SkyMiles Blue
Card guide overview
A no-annual-fee Delta card that earns 2X miles on Delta and dining—best for occasional Delta flyers who want to earn miles without a fee.
Key card attributes
| Issuing bank | Reward currency | Currency type | Network | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex | Delta SkyMiles | Airline Miles | Amex | $0 |
Closest alternatives
At a glance
The card in three decisions.
The Amex Delta SkyMiles Blue is the no-annual-fee entry point into the Delta card family. It earns 2X miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants (including takeout and delivery), and 1X everywhere else.
The card offers Pay with Miles on Delta flights and 20% back as statement credit on eligible Delta inflight food and beverage purchases. There is no free checked bag, no priority boarding, and no annual travel credits—the card earns some miles and provides modest Delta-specific perks.
Best fit
Occasional Delta flyers who want to earn miles without a fee
2X on Delta purchases and dining with no annual fee. Includes 20% back as statement credit on eligible Delta inflight food and beverage purchases.
Current timing
10K miles for $1,000 spend is the standard offer
With no annual fee and a low spend requirement, this is a low-barrier entry.
Main watchout
No free checked bag or priority boarding
Unlike the Delta Gold and above, this card does not include free checked bags or Main Cabin 1 boarding. The value is in earning miles and the 20% back on eligible inflight purchases.
Current & historical offer
10K miles is the standard offer; it rarely changes.
We compare public offers with public offers.
Timing assessment
10K is the standard and consistent offer.
Timing is not a major factor. The card has no annual fee.
Why someone may wait
15K bonuses have appeared occasionally.
Elevated offers have been tracked but are infrequent for this no-fee card.
Card benefits
20% back on eligible inflight purchases is the standout benefit at this no-fee tier.
The tiers are a Points Brief editorial assessment of decision importance and rarity among no-fee airline cards.
Tier 1 · Rare differentiators
Benefits that set this card apart from other no-fee airline cards.
20% back on eligible inflight purchases
Receive 20% back as statement credit on eligible Delta inflight food and beverage purchases made with the card on Delta-operated flights.
- Applies to eligible food and beverage purchases on Delta-operated flights.
- Credit is applied as a statement credit after the purchase posts.
- Card must be used for the inflight purchase.
Know the limits: Credit applies to eligible Delta inflight food and beverage purchases only. Most no-fee airline cards do not offer inflight purchase savings, but the dollar value is modest unless you fly Delta frequently.
Tier 2 · Modest Delta-specific perks
Benefits that add incremental value for Delta flyers.
Pay with Miles Pay with Miles on Delta flights
Use miles at a fixed rate toward the ticket price on Delta flights at checkout.
Redeems at a fixed rate—no award-chart value—but handy for Delta flyers with small balances.
0% No foreign transaction fees
No foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad—uncommon on a no-fee airline card.
Tier 3 · Card baseline
Standard items expected at this price point.
Free checked bag on Delta flights Delta baseline
First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation on Delta-operated flights.
Visa Signature protections Network
Standard Visa Signature travel and purchase protections.
Comparison method: No-annual-fee airline co-branded cards including United Gateway ($0) and American AAdvantage MileUp ($0); official public pages reviewed in July 2026.
Earning rates
2X on Delta and dining—1X everywhere else.
Rates shown are Delta SkyMiles per dollar on eligible purchases.
Delta purchases
On purchases made directly with Delta Air Lines.
Restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
At restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
All other eligible purchases
One mile per dollar on purchases not eligible for a higher rate.
Credit interaction: Value context: Delta SkyMiles are estimated at ~1.1–1.3 cents each. Earning is modest at 2X/1X—the card's value comes from 20% back on eligible inflight purchases and no annual fee.
Delta SkyMiles program
One of the largest U.S. carriers with a growing global network.
Delta SkyMiles are airline-specific miles—not transferable from other programs and not convertible to other airlines. They can be redeemed for Delta-operated flights and partner airline awards. SkyMiles do not expire. Delta uses dynamic award pricing with no published award chart.
Key benefit
20%back on inflight
20% back on eligible Delta inflight purchases makes the card worthwhile for Delta flyers.
Receive 20% back as statement credit on eligible Delta inflight food and beverage purchases made with the card on Delta-operated flights. Combined with 2X earning on Delta and dining and no annual fee, this gives occasional Delta flyers a no-cost way to earn miles and save on inflight purchases.
Delta hubs & focus cities
Where Delta operates the most flights.
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Detroit (DTW)
- Minneapolis (MSP)
- Salt Lake City (SLC)
- New York (JFK/LGA)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Boston (BOS)
- Seattle (SEA)
SkyTeam alliance partners
Award bookings available on partner airlines.
- Air France
- KLM
- Korean Air
- Virgin Atlantic
- Aeromexico
- China Eastern
- ITA Airways
- Garuda Indonesia
Delta Blue at a glance
What this card gets you.
- 2X on Delta purchases
- 2X on dining
- 20% back on eligible inflight purchases
- No annual fee
- No free checked bag
- No priority boarding
Delta card family
How this card compares to other Delta cards.
- Delta Blue: $0 fee, no free bags
- Delta Gold: $150, bags + credits + TakeOff 15
- Delta Platinum: $350, companion pass + bags + TakeOff 15
- Delta Reserve: $650, lounge access + companion pass + bags
Sources and methodology
Sources for this page
- Last checked: July 30, 2026
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