If you travel often for business or pleasure, a travel rewards card can allow you to earn valuable rewards and added perks. For those that most frequently fly on Delta — the second-largest airline based on passenger volume — the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card may be a good starting point. It has no annual fee (see rates and fees, terms apply), and you can earn added rewards on Delta flights.

However, the card’s benefits are limited, so it may not be the best option for you unless you’re a Delta loyalist.

Additional benefits
With the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card by American Express, you can take advantage of the following benefits:

20% savings in the form of a statement credit for in-flight purchases: You’ll receive 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight purchases, such as meals, beverages and audio headsets.

Global Assist Hotline: If you’re traveling (at least 100 miles from home) and need help finding a medical provider, legal assistance, translating services, or more, the Global Assist Hotline can provide referrals. However, the services you book through the Hotline are not free; you must pay for any provided services.

Amex Experiences: As an American Express cardholder, you get access to ticket pre-sales and exclusive events.

Car rental loss and damage*: Decline the rental company’s insurance (collision damage waiver) and use your Delta SkyMiles Blue card to cover the entire rental cost. You can be covered against damages to or theft of the rental vehicle in covered territories.

Purchase protection: When you use your card on eligible purchases, the item is automatically protected against accidental damages or theft for up to 90 days from the purchase date.

Extended warranty: When you use your credit card to buy eligible items with warranties of five years or less, the card automatically extends the warranty by one year.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

How to earn rewards
To earn rewards with the card, use it for airfare purchases through Delta, baggage fees, or in-flight entertainment and snacks. You’ll earn two Delta SkyMiles for every $1 spent.

You’ll also earn a higher rewards rate (2x) at restaurants worldwide and takeout and delivery in the U.S., so use the card for meals out to earn more rewards. You’ll earn one Delta SkyMile for every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

To demonstrate how you can earn rewards, consider this example. You have the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card, and you use it for the following expenses over one year:

Spending

Rewards rate

Miles earned

$1,000 on Delta airfare

2x miles per $1 spent

2,000

$1,000 on restaurant meals

2x miles per $1 spent

2,000

$3,000 on clothing, entertainment, and other expenses

1x miles per $1 spent

3,000

TOTAL

7,000

In total, you earn 7,000 miles. Depending on your redemption method, those miles would be worth about $70.

How to redeem rewards
Cardmembers can redeem their Delta SkyMiles in the following ways:

Airfare: You can use your SkyMiles to book domestic or international flights on Delta and certain partner airlines, such as Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, or Air France. If you don’t have enough miles to cover the full fare, you can use the Miles + Cash option to cover the remaining balance.

Delta vacations: You can book a vacation package (a combination of a flight/hotel and/or car rental) with SkyMiles.

Hotel stays: Through Delta Stays, you can redeem your airline miles for hotel or vacation rental accommodations.

Checked bags: You can pay with miles to cover the cost of checked luggage.

Upgrades: You can also use your miles to upgrade your ticket, using them to cover the difference between your main cabin fare and the premium cabin rate.

Magazine subscriptions: Redeem miles for subscriptions to major magazines like Better Homes & Gardens, InStyle, and People.

Shop for SkyMiles Experiences: SkyMiles Experiences are special events and vacation stays, such as a luxury cruise or passes to the Governor’s Ball Music Festival in New York. You can use your miles to palace bids on these experiences.

Donations: You can donate your miles to SkyWish, a program that donates travel to organizations that assist disaster relief efforts, support children with disabilities or who serve veterans.

The value of each Delta SkyMile varies by redemption method, and values can fluctuate. In general, your miles are worth at least one cent each.