Chase Freedom Flex 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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• It’s a risk-free entry into the world of travel rewards thanks to its $0 annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
• You can earn 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, making it easy to accumulate SkyMiles on everyday spending.
• With no annual fee to offset, every mile you earn provides immediate value, making the break-even calculation incredibly simple (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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• No annual fee, making it a risk-free way to earn Delta SkyMiles.
• Earns bonus miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide.
• No foreign transaction fees, plus savings on in-flight purchases.

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Cons

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• Lacks key travel perks like free checked bags and priority boarding, which are available on higher-tier Delta cards.
• The rewards program is less competitive, with limited earning on everyday purchases and redemption options mostly restricted to the Delta SkyMiles program.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs Chase Freedom Flex®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Flex or Delta SkyMiles Blue, depends on whether you prioritize flexible cash back from everyday spending or airline-specific travel rewards.

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• Chase Freedom Flex®: This card is an excellent choice for no-fee card seekers who want to maximize earnings through rotating bonus categories. It provides a straightforward way to get cash back on various purchases without an annual commitment.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Best suited for frequent travelers, this card is a great entry-level option for those loyal to Delta. It allows casual flyers to earn miles on travel and dining without the pressure of an annual fee.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Flex®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel, or gift cards, giving you a wide range of flexible options.

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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Miles are primarily used for booking flights with Delta and its partners, but can also be redeemed for things like seat upgrades and Delta Vacations packages.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Freedom Flex®: This card’s travel benefits are routed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, which allows you to book flights, hotels, and car rentals. However, it’s not ideal for international use, as it charges a foreign transaction fee. The card does not provide airport lounge access.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: The travel ecosystem is built entirely around Delta Air Lines. A key advantage is that it has no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders also get a 20% savings as a statement credit on eligible in-flight purchases like food and beverages. This card does not include access to the Delta Sky Club®.

_{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 sure you’re choosing the right card, a tool like Kudos can help you compare options from a pool of nearly 3,000 cards to find the best fit for your spending.

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• The ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate your potential earnings with a new card by analyzing your actual spending history, all without a hard credit pull.
• Receive detailed approval odds based on your credit report to apply with more confidence.
• A welcome offer guarantee ensures that if you find a better public offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Get personalized card recommendations based on your unique spending habits to maximize your rewards.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward when you add select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Flex®?

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The Chase Freedom Flex® is an excellent choice for savvy spenders who enjoy actively maximizing their rewards through rotating bonus categories. It particularly suits those who frequently dine out or shop at drugstores and want to build a powerful card combination by pairing it with premium Chase cards. As detailed in this comprehensive review, it's ideal for anyone seeking a no-annual-fee card that offers the flexibility of earning cash back or valuable Ultimate Rewards® points.

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's also a strong contender for budget-conscious travelers and dining enthusiasts, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees and 2x miles at restaurants worldwide (Terms Apply). As our review of the card highlights, it serves as a perfect entry point for anyone new to the Delta SkyMiles program.

Alternatives to Consider

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The Chase Freedom Flex vs Delta SkyMiles Blue comparison may have left you undecided, especially if neither card perfectly aligns with your financial goals. Let's look at a few other top-tier cards that might be a better match.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review issuer-specific rules - Be aware of application restrictions like Chase's 5/24 rule.
• Understand the card’s benefits - Make sure the card’s perks and reward structure align with your spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Align your application with a large purchase to meet spending requirements for a welcome offer more easily.
• Don’t settle for less - Be patient and look for the best available welcome offer, as they can vary.
• Consider card pairings - Think about how a card complements others you hold, such as pairing it for a multi-card strategy.

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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Are there annual fees for these cards?

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Neither the Chase Freedom Flex℠ nor the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card charges an annual fee. This makes both cards cost-effective options for earning rewards on your spending.

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Can I transfer points from my Chase Freedom Flex to Delta SkyMiles?

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No, you cannot directly transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points from the Freedom Flex to the Delta SkyMiles program. Chase points can be transferred to other airline and hotel partners, but Delta is not one of them.

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Which card is better for someone who doesn't fly Delta often?

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The Chase Freedom Flex is generally a better choice if you don't fly with Delta frequently, as its rewards are more flexible. Its cash back and rotating bonus categories can be valuable for everyday spending.

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