Delta has an impressive array of Amex-issued airline credit cards. The Delta SkyMiles American Express team has done a nice job of creating a credit card for nearly every potential Delta consumer. This includes a Delta SkyMiles credit card like the card_name. What’s great about Delta credit cards is the range of options. There are $0 annual fee cards on up to cards that have fees in the hundreds of dollars with loads of benefits.
One area where Delta can improve is the value you receive when redeeming SkyMiles. Not that Delta will ever do this but it would be great to see Delta move in the direction of Air Canada Aeroplan. Said another way, Delta needs to put the focus back on its customers. When you redeem SkyMiles, you don’t want to feel like you’re getting hosed. That’s what it currently feels like when redeeming SkyMiles.
card_name Details
New card members earn 10,000 bonus miles after they spend $1,000 in purchases on their new card in their first 6 months. These bonus SkyMiles will be credited to your account 8-12 weeks after you spend $500. The 10,000 bonus miles offer is not available if you currently have or had this card in the last 90 days from when you applied for the card_name.
card_name has a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Generally speaking, cards with a $0 annual fee charge transaction fees. This card is hard to recommend using internationally for reasons covered in detail below. However, you can use the card internationally and not worry about paying fees.
Delta SkyMiles Blue Card Credits
20% back on in-flight purchases is the lone credit available on the card_name. Cardmembers receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages. Wi-Fi purchases are excluded. Statement credits appear on your account 8-12 weeks after the transaction posts to your account.
Delta SkyMiles Blue Card Benefits
Amex Offers and ShopRunner are the two benefits that come with the card_name. Amex Offers allows cardmembers to earn cashback, Amex bonus points, or discounts with participating merchants. There’s a ton of value to be had if you can align your spending with the merchants that you find in your Amex Offers.
A ShopRunner membership is a complimentary benefit on the card_name. After registering for a membership, card members receive free two-day shipping when shopping with merchants that participate with ShopRunner. Think of ShopRunner as a version of Amazon Prime.
How to Earn Miles with the Delta SkyMiles Blue
The card_name a 1-2 earning structure. Cardmembers earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases. Miles post to your account 8-12 weeks after the end of each month the purchases were made.
As a point of comparison, the Citi Custom Cash earns 5x points at restaurants, the Amex Platinum Card earns 5x on airfare, and the Citi Double Cash earns 2x points on all transactions. The Citi Custom Cash has a $0 annual fee, the Amex Platinum Card carries a $695 annual fee, and the Citi Double Cash has a $0 annual fee.
How to Redeem Miles with the Delta SkyMiles Blue
With Delta’s focus on devaluing its loyalty program, otherwise known as Delta SkyMiles, finding value when redeeming your miles can be challenging. However, there remain certain award flights where you can receive value with your SkyMiles.
Some of the best ways to redeem Delta SkyMiles for top value include:
- 39,000-72,000 Delta SkyMiles to fly Delta business class between the US and northern South America
- 85,000 Delta SkyMiles to fly SkyTeam business class between the US and the Middle East business class
- 95,000 Delta SkyMiles to fly SkyTeam business class between the US and Africa
- 32,000 Delta SkyMiles to fly Delta economy between the US and southern South America
- 35,000 Delta SkyMiles to fly SkyTeam economy between the US and Europe
Conclusion on the Delta Blue Amex
The $0 annual fee card_name comes with 10,000 bonus miles after meeting the minimum spending requirements. Cardmembers receive 20% back on in-flight purchases, access to Amex Offers, a ShopRunner membership, and earn 2x miles at restaurants and on Delta purchases. Areas, where this card could improve, include adding more card benefits and diversifying its bonus earning structure.
Disclaimer: If you click and/or sign up for a credit card through certain links on this site or any of my related social media platforms, I may make a commission from that click-through. The editorial content on this page and the user comments are not provided by any of the companies mentioned and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The opinions expressed here are mine alone.
