A few days ago American Express strengthened its ties with Delta and added yet another Delta SkyMiles credit card to their current lineup. The new card, Blue Delta SkyMiles, represents the bottom of the Delta SkyMiles line up. Now, American Express and Delta offer 4 co-branded credit cards with varying annual fees and benefits. The Delta Reserve card represents the high-end of the range with a $450 annual fee and the new Blue Delta SkyMiles card represents the low-end with no annual fee.
Just because the new card lacks an annual fee doesn’t mean worthless. In fact, the card comes with a wide variety of benefits which make it worth considering, but please please don’t apply for this card. There are much better cards no annual fee cards out there today which represent superior value when compared to this card.
Blue Delta SkyMiles Card Benefits Overview
As with other co-branded credit cards, the Blue Delta SkyMiles card earns Delta SkyMiles and offers a variety of benefits when traveling with delta. the Blue Delta SkyMiles card’s benefits are as follows:
- No Annual Fee
- Earn 10,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $500 within the first 90 days
- 2X Delta SkyMiles at US restaurants
- 2X Delta SkyMiles for Delta purchases
- All other purchases earn 1X Delta SkyMiles
- Card holders receive a 20% discount on in-flight purchases
As you can see, for a no annual fee credit card, the Blue Delta SkyMiles card represents an inexpensive way to earn extra SkyMiles. 2X points at US restaurants and on Delta purchases is a great offering for a no annual fee card.
However, this card lacks many of the benefits most come to expect with co-branded credit cards. The card doesn’t offer a free baggage allowance, a way to earn Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM), or priority boarding. Overall, the card is a great way to earn SkyMiles, but I’m not sure why else you would carry this card?
My Opinion Of The Blue Delta SkyMiles Card
I like what Delta is trying to do here. There is definitely a need for no annual fee co-branded credit cards. Most come with a $95 annual fee which is hard for those new to rewards cards to swallow. I’ve heard so many people through the years say that they don’t want to pay an annual fee. So from that point of view I understand what Delta and American Express are trying to accomplish.
That being said, I think this card misses the mark. The card offers a few opportunities to earn 2X miles, but keep in mind that you’re earning SkyPesos. Delta continues to devalue their award charts (which aren’t published) which makes it harder to actually use Delta SkyMiles. It would take a LOT of spending to earn enough SkyMiles to actually go anywhere. Chances are you could get much more value from other no annual fee credit cards. Cards like the Citi Double Cash Card, the Chase Freedom/Freedom Unlimited cards, and the Amex Everyday cards come to mind.
Also, I find it almost insulting that in exchange for your loyalty to Delta SkyMiles, the airline isn’t even offering card holders priority boarding. I’m not suggesting that Blue Delta SkyMiles card holders should board with SkyPriority, but at least put them in Zone 1?
Final Thoughts
I’m not really sure what Delta and American Express are trying to accomplish with this card. The sign-up bonus of 10,000 SkyMiles isn’t exactly worth much. Card holders don’t receive priority boarding, free domestic checked bags, or any other benefits typical of co-branded cards.
Using a co-branded card is a choice. You’re choosing to earn fixed points currency (SkyMiles) instead of flexible currencies like American Express Membership Rewards points. In the long run, most consumers are better off with flexible points currencies. In exchange for you choosing SkyMiles, I’m surprised Delta doesn’t offer better benefits.
Lastly, I’m not really sure what the long-term goal of this card is. I’m assuming American Express and Delta will target Blue Delta SkyMiles card holders for upgrade opportunities in the future. Maybe they’re hoping those new to travel rewards card will now sign-up for a no annual fee card today and upgrade to a fee card in the future. Either way, I’m not exactly sure who would actually sign up for this card and if you’re considering it, please look elsewhere for now.
Featured Image Courtesy of American Express
