Chase Freedom Unlimited 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 like 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 an accessible option for earning miles without a yearly cost.
• You'll earn 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, plus 1x mile on all other eligible purchases.
• Since there is no annual fee to offset, any rewards you earn provide immediate value (publisher-formulated estimate).

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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.}

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Pros

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• No foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel.
• Enjoy savings on eligible in-flight Delta purchases and the opportunity to earn a Welcome Offer after meeting spending requirements (Terms Apply).
• Miles earned with the card do not expire, allowing you to save up for a trip without a deadline.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, or Delta Sky Club access, which are often found on cards with annual fees.
• The rewards program is less flexible than general travel cards, as miles can only be redeemed within the Delta SkyMiles program.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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When considering which is better Chase Freedom Unlimited or Delta SkyMiles Blue, it's essential to understand their core purposes. Each card caters to a different type of spender, making the choice dependent on your personal financial goals.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: As a fantastic cash back card, this is an ideal choice for cash back seekers. It's designed for those looking to maximize rewards on their spending without needing to track complicated categories.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This card is best for frequent travelers and those loyal to Delta who want an entry-level option. It allows cardholders to earn miles for flights without the commitment of an annual fee.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. This provides a great deal of flexibility for cardholders to use their rewards as they see fit.

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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: With this card, you earn miles that are deposited into your Delta SkyMiles account. These miles are primarily used for booking flights with Delta and its airline partners, but can also be used for upgrades and other travel experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: While primarily a cash back card, it offers some travel utility. Cardholders can book flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. However, it's not ideal for international travel as it does include a foreign transaction fee. This card does not provide premium benefits like airport lounge access, but it does come with some basic travel protections, such as trip cancellation insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: As an airline co-branded card, its ecosystem is centered around Delta Air Lines. Miles are redeemed for flights directly through Delta, not a general travel portal. A key advantage for travelers is that there are no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders also receive a 20% savings on eligible in-flight Delta purchases, like food and beverages, via a statement credit. While it's a solid entry-level travel card, it does not include complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges.

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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For a more personalized approach, Kudos is a comprehensive tool that allows you to compare thousands of credit cards based on your unique spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: The “Test Drive” feature lets you simulate your potential earnings with any card using your actual transaction history, providing a clear picture of its value before you apply.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed, data-driven analysis of your chances for approval based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card within three months of applying through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn additional rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores through the platform.
• Personalized card matching: Get recommendations for new credit cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your specific spending history.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who prefer consistent cash back on all purchases without the hassle of tracking rotating bonus categories. It's also a great starting point for those new to credit card rewards and a strategic addition for existing Chase customers looking to pair it with a premium card to maximize their Ultimate Rewards® points. Ultimately, this card appeals to anyone seeking valuable perks like purchase protection and travel benefits without committing to an annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a great fit for occasional Delta flyers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It's particularly valuable for those who dine out often, as it earns 2x miles at restaurants worldwide, and for international travelers thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees. In essence, it serves as an excellent, no-cost entry point into the Delta SkyMiles program for budget-conscious travelers, as detailed in this comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent rewards cards on the market that might be a better fit for your spending habits and goals.

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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 a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can comfortably meet any welcome offer spending requirements without overspending.
• Review card benefits: Make sure the card's perks and fees align with your spending habits and travel plans.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules: Be aware of policies like Amex's once-per-lifetime welcome offer rule.
• Don't settle for a lesser offer: You can often decline a targeted offer without a hard inquiry on your credit report.
• Try again if you're denied: Calling the issuer's reconsideration line can sometimes result in an approval.

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 from the Chase Freedom Unlimited to Delta?

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You cannot directly transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points from the Freedom Unlimited card to the Delta SkyMiles program. Chase has its own set of airline and hotel transfer partners, which does not include Delta.

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Which card is better if I don't fly with Delta very often?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited generally offers more value for those who are not loyal to Delta. Its rewards are more flexible, providing cash back or points that can be transferred to a variety of other travel partners.

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Do the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Delta SkyMiles Blue Card have an annual fee?

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Both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the American Express® Delta SkyMiles Blue Card are known for typically having no annual fee. This makes them comparable in terms of cost to carry the card year after year.

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