Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we’re fans of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.

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• It's the only co-branded Delta card with a $0 annual fee (See Rates & Fees), making it a great entry point for earning SkyMiles.
• You can earn 2x miles on both Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, which covers a wide range of everyday spending.
• With no annual fee to offset, you start getting value from your rewards from the very first mile you earn (publisher-formulated estimate).

_{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

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• There is no annual fee, making it a cost-effective way to earn miles.
• You won't be charged foreign transaction fees for purchases made abroad.
• Cardholders receive savings on eligible in-flight purchases like food and beverages on Delta-operated flights.

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Cons

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• It lacks premium travel perks common to airline cards, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and airport lounge access.
• The rewards program is less flexible than many travel cards because miles are tied to the Delta SkyMiles program.
• Unlike many competing travel cards, it doesn't offer annual travel credits.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Delta SkyMiles Blue, depends entirely on your travel habits and spending style. One is a flexible travel rewards card, while the other is tailored for loyalists of a specific airline.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is ideal for frequent travelers who want to earn flexible rewards on travel, dining, and select online purchases without committing to a premium annual fee.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This card is best for occasional Delta flyers and dining enthusiasts who want to earn SkyMiles without paying an annual fee.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Points earned with this card offer significant flexibility, as they can be redeemed for travel through the Chase portal or transferred to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs. This allows you to book travel with numerous partners, not just one.

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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Rewards are earned as Delta SkyMiles, which are primarily redeemed for flights with Delta Air Lines and its partner airlines. This is ideal for travelers who frequently fly with Delta and want to use their miles for award tickets.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card’s travel ecosystem is built around the flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. Key perks include no foreign transaction fees, an annual hotel credit, and travel insurance protections. However, it does not offer complimentary lounge access.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: The ecosystem here is focused exclusively on Delta Air Lines. Cardholders redeem miles on Delta.com and get discounts on in-flight purchases. The card does have a foreign transaction fee and does not include lounge access.

_{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.}

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can be invaluable, offering a data-driven card explorer that evaluates nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending.

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• Test drive a credit card before you apply. This feature uses your real spending data to simulate potential earnings, showing you a personalized breakdown of rewards without a hard credit pull.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds. Based on your credit report, this helps you apply with more confidence.
• Receive a welcome offer guarantee. Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Unlock personalized card recommendations. The platform moves beyond generic “best card” lists by analyzing your actual spending history.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want to earn significant rewards without committing to a premium annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for individuals who spend on dining, streaming, and online groceries, and who value flexible point redemption options and robust travel protections. As detailed in this Chase Sapphire Preferred® review, the card is generally for those with good to excellent credit looking for a strong entry-level travel card.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an excellent choice for occasional Delta flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn SkyMiles without committing to an annual fee. It also appeals to dining enthusiasts who can capitalize on 2x miles at restaurants worldwide and international travelers who benefit from no foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, this entry-level card is ideal for Delta loyalists who don't fly enough to justify a premium card or for newcomers testing the SkyMiles program, as detailed in this card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've read through our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express® Card comparison and still feel neither is the right choice, you're in luck. We've rounded up a few alternatives that might be a better fit.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - You will generally need good to excellent credit to be approved for a rewards card.
• Review application rules - Issuers often have restrictions, like Chase's 5/24 rule, that can impact your eligibility for a new card.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can comfortably meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Plan to apply before a large purchase to meet spending requirements without forcing it.
• Know issuer rules - Be aware of policies like the Chase 5/24 rule that could affect your eligibility.
• Don't overcommit - If a large spending requirement seems unrealistic, consider a no-annual-fee card instead.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Which card is better for beginners in travel rewards?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card can be a great starting point since it has no annual fee, letting you earn miles without a yearly commitment. Conversely, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides highly flexible points that can be very valuable if you plan to use Chase's travel transfer partners.

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Can I hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Delta SkyMiles Blue cards?

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Yes, you can hold both cards since they are issued by different banks. This strategy allows you to accumulate flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® points while also earning Delta SkyMiles for your brand loyalty.

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How do I choose between a flexible travel card and a co-branded airline card?

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Consider your travel patterns and brand loyalty. If you consistently fly with Delta, a co-branded card offers specific perks, but if you value the freedom to book with various carriers and hotels, a flexible travel card is generally the better option.

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