Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card Review

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card Review

The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is a no-annual-fee card that offers excellent benefits for those who prefer to travel with Delta Airlines. With a decent rewards rate, cardholders can earn 2X miles on Delta purchases and 2X miles at restaurants worldwide.

Additionally, all other eligible everyday spending makes 1X mile per dollar spent. As a special bonus for new members, the card offers 10,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first six months of membership. This card is perfect for infrequent travelers looking to earn miles with Delta without paying an annual fee.

In this article, we’ll delve into the comprehensive Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card and discuss its benefits, features, rates, fees, and comparisons with similar credit cards.

Let’s start with quick highlights!

Quick Highlights

• Earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first six months of Card membership.
• No annual fee.
• Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• Earn 2X Miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
• Use Pay with Miles to take up to $50 off your flight for every 5,000 miles redeemed through delta.com.
• Receive a 20% statement credit when using your card for eligible Delta in-flight food and beverage purchases.
• There are no foreign transaction fees.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Benefits of Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card offers a variety of benefits to card members, making it an ideal choice for travelers. From earning miles on purchases to enjoying no foreign transaction fees, this card has much to offer.

• Earn 2X Miles on Delta Purchases: Card members can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta. This is a great way to accumulate miles and earn rewards while traveling.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: One of the biggest perks of using this card is that American Express will not charge foreign transaction fees when it is used for purchases. This allows card members to make international transactions without any added costs.
• 20% Back on In-flight Purchases: Card members can also enjoy 20% savings through a statement credit when they use their card for eligible Delta in-flight purchases, such as food and beverages. This is a great way to save money while traveling.
• Pay with Miles: For added flexibility, card members can take up to $50 off the cost of their flight for every 5,000 miles they redeem with Pay with Miles when booking flights on delta.com, providing even more value to card members.
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: When using the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card to reserve and pay for a rental vehicle, card members can be covered for damage or theft of the car in a covered territory. This coverage is provided when the collision damage waiver (CDW) is declined at the rental company counter.
• Global Assist® Hotline: In times of emergency while traveling, card members can rely on the Global Assist® Hotline for 24/7 assistance and coordination services. This includes medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card members are responsible for any costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions may apply. 

Additional Benefits

ShopRunner Membership: Enroll in a complimentary ShopRunner membership as a benefit of your Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card and enjoy free 2-day shipping and return shipping on eligible items at over 100 online stores.

Purchase Protection: Accidents happen, but with your Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card, you can rest easy knowing that your covered purchases are protected for up to 90 days from the date of purchase. This coverage includes accidental damage and theft, providing peace of mind when using your card.

Extended Warranty: Say goodbye to unexpected repair costs after your manufacturer’s warranty runs out. Comprehensive warranty protection from your Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card will protect your covered purchases for an additional year after the original manufacturer’s warranty expires. This applies to 5 years or less warranties in the United States and its territories and possessions.

Rates and Fee

• Annual Fee: $0

• Intro Purchase APR: N/A

• Regular APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable

• Intro Balance Transfers APR: N/A

• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.

• Foreign Transaction Fee: None

• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40

• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

• Overlimit Fee: None

Rewards Rate

Here’s a breakdown of how many miles you can earn with the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card:

• 2X Miles at Restaurants: Enjoy double the miles when you dine out, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 2X Miles on Delta Purchases: Earn 2 miles for every dollar you spend directly with Delta on flights, upgrades, or in-flight snacks.
• 1X Mile on Everything Else: Every purchase you make with your card earns you 1 mile, with no limit on how much you can earn. This includes everyday purchases like gas and monthly bills like your phone bill.

Redeeming SkyMiles for Flight Rewards

Delta SkyMiles offers various redemption options, but the best value is often found when using them for flights. When redeeming your SkyMiles for flights, you have two main choices: on Delta Air Lines or with their partner airlines.

Redeeming for Flights on Delta Airlines

Redeeming your miles for economy or Comfort+ seats is the most cost-effective option for domestic flights. While first-class seats are also available for redemption, they may be more expensive. To redeem your miles for Delta flights, log in to your SkyMiles account and select the “shop with miles” option when searching for flights.

Redeeming with Delta Partners

If you’re looking to travel on a route Delta doesn’t offer, you can still use your SkyMiles for flight rewards by booking with one of their partner airlines. While it may be more challenging to find these options, they often provide greater flexibility and value.

For example, if you want to fly from Amsterdam to Dubai, you may find more options through Delta’s partner, KLM. Remember that when searching for flights with partners, Delta may prioritize showing their flights over those of their partners. So be sure to check all available options before making your final decision. 

Who Shouldn’t Get the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card?

If you enjoy the extra perks of credit cards, then the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card may not be your best choice. This card does not provide a baggage waiver for checked luggage, a discount on award tickets, a companion pass for traveling with a friend, or a discount on Delta flights like other cards.

If you frequently travel with checked luggage, the baggage fees for two passengers round trip can amount to over $100. In such cases, it might be more beneficial to consider obtaining one of the other cards that offer a baggage fee waiver and additional benefits.

Is the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card Right for You?

It’s challenging to identify compelling reasons to apply for the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, apart from the fact that it has no annual or foreign transaction fees. If you anticipate checking a bag even on a single occasion, it is quite possible that you could save money by using an airline credit card that provides baggage fee waivers.

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card Application and Approval Process with Eligibility Criteria

Here’s what you need to know about applying for and getting approved for the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card.

Eligibility Criteria

While American Express doesn’t publish a specific credit score requirement, having a good to excellent credit score (around 690 or higher) is generally recommended. Other factors American Express considers include:

• Income history
• Length of credit history
• Existing credit utilization

Application Process

1. Visit the American Express website for the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card.
2. Review the card details and confirm it aligns with your spending habits and travel goals.
3. Click “Apply Now” and complete the online application form.
4. You’ll need to provide basic information like your name, address, Social Security number, and employment details.
5. American Express will review your application and decide within a few minutes.

Customer Service

•  Helpline Number: 1-800-228-6855 / 1-303-273-6498
•  Official Website: American Express

Final Thoughts

The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card offers a straightforward rewards program for frequent flyers. You’ll earn bonus miles on dining and Delta purchases, with unlimited miles on everyday spending. While the card is flexible for redeeming miles on hotels and car rentals, the best value comes from using them for flights on Delta or their partner airlines.

Consider this card if you’re a frequent flyer prioritizing maximizing miles for domestic travel or specific international routes served by Delta’s partners. Remember to check Delta’s website for complete details and any redemption restrictions.

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