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Capital One Savor vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great fit for those who spend significantly on dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an entry-level card for occasional Delta flyers who also spend frequently at restaurants.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of this card.
- The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card (See Rates & Fees) is a great option for those who frequently spend on dining, entertainment, and groceries.
- It's also a solid choice for travelers, offering no foreign transaction fees and access to exclusive events through Capital One Entertainment.
- With no annual fee and a straightforward rewards structure, this card provides excellent value without complex rules to follow.
Pros
- Gain access to exclusive entertainment events and special experiences.
- Travel-friendly perks and valuable purchase protections make it a great companion on the go.
- Enjoy flexible and straightforward reward redemption options, plus robust security features.
Cons
- A good to excellent credit score is typically required for approval.
- Bonus rewards may not apply to grocery purchases made at certain large retailers like superstores or wholesale clubs.
- The card offers less value if your spending doesn't heavily focus on its specific bonus categories.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (See Rates & Fees) provides an accessible entry point to earning miles with the airline without an annual fee.
- Cardholders can earn miles on everyday spending at restaurants in addition to Delta purchases.
- It offers practical travel perks like in-flight savings and no foreign transaction fees, which are valuable for a no-annual-fee card.
Terms Apply.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 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.
Pros
- Miles do not expire, allowing you to save for a big trip without a deadline.
- No foreign transaction fees make it a good companion for international travel.
- Cardholders get access to American Express experiences, such as presales for select events.
Cons
- Lacks premium travel perks found on other airline cards, such as free checked bags and priority boarding.
- Offers limited Delta-specific benefits and no access to Delta Sky Club lounges compared to the airline's premium cards.
- Reward redemption options are mostly limited to the Delta SkyMiles program, offering less flexibility than general travel rewards cards.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs Capital One Savor Cash Rewards
Categories
When deciding which is better, Capital One Savor or Delta SkyMiles Blue, it's important to consider what type of spender you are. Both cards are excellent choices but cater to different priorities and lifestyles.
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards - This card is designated as a top choice for frequent travelers and is particularly well-suited for food enthusiasts and those who spend often on entertainment.
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express - Also categorized as best for frequent travelers, this card is positioned as an entry-level option for those who occasionally fly with Delta.
Redemption
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards: This card offers straightforward cash back rewards that can be redeemed in a variety of flexible ways, such as a statement credit or a check.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express: With this card, you earn miles that can be redeemed for flights with Delta and its partner airlines. Your redemption options are primarily focused on travel, making it ideal for those loyal to the airline.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
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- Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with any card using your real transaction history, eliminating the guesswork.
- Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis based on your credit report to better understand your chances of being approved for different cards.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
- Kudos Kickstart+ Rewards: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card is a great fit for anyone whose budget is heavily weighted towards dining out and entertainment, from concerts to movies. It particularly suits urban professionals or active families who also spend significantly at grocery stores and on popular streaming services, allowing them to maximize the card's unlimited 3% cash back categories. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it's also an excellent, straightforward option for budget-conscious individuals and those who travel abroad.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is designed for the occasional Delta flyer who wants a risk-free way to earn miles without paying an annual fee. Cardholders can maximize rewards by earning 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, and also benefit from no foreign transaction fees on international trips; terms apply. While it forgoes premium travel perks like free checked bags or lounge access, it serves as an excellent entry-level card for budget-conscious travelers looking to join the SkyMiles program.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Capital One Savor vs. Delta SkyMiles Blue comparison didn't point you to the perfect card for your wallet, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent options to consider, whether you're looking for different rewards or more tailored benefits.
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 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.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to ensure you meet the typical requirement for good to excellent credit.
- Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for any Welcome Offer.
- Assess your spending habits to confirm the card’s reward categories and benefits align with your lifestyle.
Application Strategy
- Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements.
- Be mindful of issuer-specific rules, such as the once-per-lifetime Welcome Offer policy on many American Express cards.
- If a card’s spending requirement seems too high, consider alternatives with lower thresholds or no annual fee.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth getting both the Capital One Savor Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card?
For many cardholders, yes, as the two cards reward completely different spending categories. This combination allows you to earn high rates of cash back on dining and entertainment with the Savor card while accumulating airline miles on Delta purchases with the SkyMiles card.
Which card is better for a credit card beginner?
With no annual fee and a straightforward rewards program, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is generally more approachable for beginners (Terms apply). The Capital One Savor Card's annual fee and category-specific rewards may be better suited for those with more experience maximizing credit card benefits.
Can I transfer rewards between the Capital One Savor and Delta SkyMiles Blue cards?
No, you cannot transfer rewards between these two cards. The Capital One Savor Card earns cash back within Capital One's ecosystem, while the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card earns miles in the separate Delta SkyMiles loyalty program.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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