Miles · American Express · No annual fee
Last verified 2026-09-09. Review issuer source
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express is a no-annual-fee miles card from American Express. Its best everyday rates are 2x on dining; everything else earns 1x. There is also 2x on Delta Airlines, a single-merchant rate. Rewards are Delta SkyMiles miles that only spend inside that program, so we value them at roughly a third of a cent each.
On our reference budget of $24,600 a year it returns about $94, an effective 0.4% back. The welcome bonus, 10,000 miles after $1,000 in 6 months, adds to the first year's return.
Get it if you already fly or stay with Delta SkyMiles often enough to use the perks. A general travel card earns points that go more places.
2X miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta
2X miles on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
Earn 10,000 Bonus Miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.
Getting into your Rental Vehicle can be the start of a great vacation. When you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental Company counter, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory. Please read important exclusions and restrictions. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Coverage is not available for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage.
Why is it that as soon as a Manufacturer's Warranty runs out, something always seem to happen? Use your Eligible Card for Covered Purchases and you can have warranty protection for longer. Extended Warranty matches the Original Manufacturer's Warranty for up to one additional year when you use your Eligible Card. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less on Covered Purchases in the United States or its territories or possessions. Please read important exclusions and restrictions*.*Coverage limited to the actual amount charged on your Card for the item up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per calendar year.
Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, you may be eligible for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical, legal, and passport referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
Your new camera was stolen. You knocked over your new lamp moving your couch. Sometimes the unexpected happens. But when you use your Eligible Card for Covered Purchases, it's nice to know Membership can help protect your Covered Purchases from accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. Please read important exclusions and restrictions.
Did you know you can enroll in complimentary ShopRunner membership as a benefit of your Card? With ShopRunner, you can get free 2-day shipping* and free return shipping on eligible items at 100+ online stores.
Benefit descriptions are the issuer’s and network’s own wording, trimmed for length. Limits and exclusions are in the guide to benefits.
| Card | Annual fee | Rewards earned | Net after fee | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles® Blue American ExpressThis card · 2x on dining | None | $94 | +$94 | 1002nd of 1,291 |
| American Express® GoldAmerican Express's most-held other card · 4x on dining | $325 | $594 | +$269 | 547th of 1,291 |
| Savor RewardsThe strongest no-fee card on this budget · 3% on dining | None | $642 | +$642 | 4th of 1,291 |
| Robinhood Gold CardHighest net return on this budget · 3% on everything | $50 | $798 | +$748 | 1st of 1,291 |
Reference budget: groceries $6,000, dining and restaurants $3,600, gas and ev charging $2,400, travel and transit $3,000, online shopping $2,400, entertainment and streaming $1,200, everything else $6,000. Points are valued at 1¢ unless the program is worth less; statement credits, welcome bonuses, and perks are left out. Run it with your own spending.
