Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex Review 2026

Quick answer

The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is the best no-annual-fee Delta card. $0/year, earns 2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases and at restaurants, 1x on everything else. No free checked bags, no elite status, but you do get 20% back on inflight purchases and SkyMiles that never expire. For Delta flyers who want to earn miles without any commitment, the Blue is the starting point — see how it stacks up against the full Delta card lineup.

TL;DR: Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex earns 2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases and restaurants worldwide, 1x on everything else. Annual fee: $0. Welcome bonus: 10,000 SkyMiles after $500 in 3 months. 20% back on eligible inflight purchases. No free checked bag (that starts with the Gold at $150/year). No priority boarding.

At a glance

Who should get the Delta Blue

Perfect for:

• New Delta SkyMiles members wanting a free entry point
• Occasional Delta flyers (1-2 flights/year) who rarely check bags
• Those building a SkyMiles balance for a future award redemption
• Travelers who want a no-fee card with no-expiry miles

Upgrade to Gold ($150) if:

• You fly Delta 2+ times per year and check bags → free bag saves $70+/round trip
• You want priority boarding
• The free checked bag value exceeds the $150 fee (it does after 2 round trips) — read the Delta Gold Amex review for the full breakdown

Blue vs Gold vs Platinum vs Reserve

SkyMiles never expire

Delta SkyMiles have no expiration date — unlike some programs that expire miles after 12-18 months of inactivity. The Blue card is a good way to maintain a SkyMiles account passively, even if you travel infrequently.

20% inflight discount

The Blue card provides 20% back (as a statement credit) on eligible inflight purchases: food, drinks, and Wi-Fi. On a cross-country flight with $30 in purchases, you save $6. Small but consistent.

Bottom line

The Delta SkyMiles Blue is the zero-cost entry to the Delta Amex ecosystem. It earns miles, provides the 20% inflight discount, and keeps your SkyMiles account active — all for free. But if you fly Delta 2+ times per year with checked bags, the upgrade to Gold ($150) pays for itself immediately. To maximize what you do accumulate, see the tips in how to earn Delta SkyMiles fast. And if you ever want to supplement your balance with transferable points, Amex Membership Rewards transfers to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.