IHG One Rewards Traveler 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 think the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a solid choice for many travelers.

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• This is the only co-branded Delta card with a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees), making it a risk-free entry point into the SkyMiles program.
• You'll earn 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, plus 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
• Since there is no annual fee to offset, you start gaining net value from the very first mile you earn or statement credit you receive (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

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Pros

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• New cardmembers have the opportunity to earn a Welcome Offer of bonus miles.
• Miles do not expire, allowing you to save up for travel at your own pace.
• Cardmembers get access to American Express experiences, which can include presales and preferred seating for select events (Terms Apply).

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Cons

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• Lacks premium Delta travel perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and Delta Sky Club access.
• The rewards program has limited earning potential on non-bonus spending, and miles are restricted to redemption within the Delta ecosystem.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

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Categories

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When considering which is better, IHG One Rewards Traveler or Delta SkyMiles Blue, the best choice ultimately depends on your specific travel habits and brand loyalty.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is best for frequent travelers, especially those who occasionally stay with IHG hotels and want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. It's also a good fit for budget-conscious travelers looking for basic protections.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is also ideal for frequent travelers, particularly occasional Delta flyers and foodies who want to earn miles on dining. This card is a great entry point for those new to the Delta SkyMiles program who prefer not to pay an annual fee.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays across IHG's portfolio of hotels and resorts. You can also use points for other travel-related rewards available through the IHG One Rewards program.

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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Miles are redeemed for flights with Delta Air Lines and its extensive network of partner airlines. Other redemption options include using miles for seat upgrades, vacation packages, and exclusive experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is centered around the IHG portfolio of hotels and resorts. Cardholders receive automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status, but the card does not include airport lounge access. A foreign transaction fee applies to purchases made outside the U.S.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This card’s ecosystem is built around Delta Air Lines and its partners. It offers a 20% savings as a statement credit on eligible in-flight purchases on Delta flights. Terms apply. The card does not provide airport lounge access and is subject to a foreign transaction fee.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 different credit cards.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate how much you would earn with a specific credit card using your real spending data to see personalized reward projections before you apply—all without a hard credit pull.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed, data-driven analysis of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of joining, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at your favorite stores.
• Personalized card matching: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your actual spending history.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an ideal choice for occasional IHG guests and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. It also serves as an excellent entry point for those new to hotel loyalty programs looking to test the waters of earning and redeeming points. Additionally, travelers who book stays of four or more nights can find significant value in this rewards card thanks to its fourth-night-free benefit on reward stays.

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 who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It also appeals to budget-conscious travelers and dining enthusiasts who can take advantage of 2x miles at restaurants worldwide and no foreign transaction fees. Essentially, it's a risk-free entry point into the SkyMiles program for those who don't need premium perks like lounge access or free checked bags, as detailed in this card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Traveler vs. Delta SkyMiles Blue comparison has you feeling that neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

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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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most travel rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend requirement for any welcome offer.
• Review the card’s benefits - Understand how the card’s perks and reward ecosystem fit your travel style.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers limit welcome offers to once per lifetime.
• Start with a no-annual-fee card - Consider an entry-level card to learn a rewards program without a commitment.
• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.

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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Can I transfer points between IHG One Rewards and Delta SkyMiles?

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Generally, you cannot directly transfer points between IHG One Rewards and Delta SkyMiles. These are separate loyalty programs, and while some flexible rewards programs might allow transfers to one or both, direct exchanges are not a feature.

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Do points expire in the IHG One Rewards and Delta SkyMiles programs?

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Delta SkyMiles do not expire, regardless of account activity. IHG One Rewards points can expire after 12 months of inactivity for Club members, but members with elite status are exempt from this policy.

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Which program is better for earning rewards on everyday purchases?

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Both programs offer co-branded credit cards that allow you to earn rewards on everyday spending, but the best choice depends on your spending habits. You'll need to compare the earning rates on categories like dining, gas, and groceries for each program's associated credit cards.

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