Beta

Free during beta. Plus launches at $12/mo or $99/yr on July 1. Annual is locked for 12 months during beta.

Skip to content
RewardZ Travel
All credit cards
Side-by-side

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card vs Bilt Obsidian

Both are travel travel cards. The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Bilt Obsidian from Bilt / Cardless at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureDelta SkyMiles Blue American Express CardBilt Obsidian
Annual fee$0$95
Sign-up bonus10,000 Delta SkyMiles$200 Bilt Cash
Bonus value (est.)$110$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 6 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressBilt / Cardless
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Delta)2x1x
Transfer partnersdelta-skymilesbilt
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 2X Delta + 2X restaurants
  • 20% off Delta in-flight
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $100 Bilt Travel hotel credit
  • Pick 3x dining OR groceries
  • $300 Bilt Dining partner credit
  • $120 Lyft credit (via Bilt Cash)
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Delta SkyMiles
Read the full review
Bilt Obsidian
$95/yr · $200 Bilt Cash

Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card

The entry-level Delta card with no annual fee. Useful for keeping SkyMiles alive at $0/year and locking in 20% off in-flight Delta purchases plus no FX fees. For anyone flying Delta even one round trip a year, the $150 Gold's first-bag-free benefit usually justifies the upgrade.

Editorial take: Bilt Obsidian

The headline tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026 by Cardless after the Wells Fargo era ended. Strongest for renters who eat out (or buy groceries) and use Lyft. The $100 hotel credit pays back most of the AF if you stay 2+ nights anywhere on the Bilt Travel portal. Pair with the no-fee Blue if you want a no-AF anchor too.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card or Bilt Obsidian?
The Bilt Obsidian has the bigger bonus, $200 Bilt Cash, worth roughly $200, versus 10,000 Delta SkyMiles (~$110) on the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Bilt Obsidian?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Bilt Obsidian's $95 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Bilt Obsidian's benefits to clear $95 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card.
Can I have both the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card and Bilt Obsidian?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Bilt / Cardless) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card or the Bilt Obsidian first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card: $1,000 spend in 6 months. Bilt Obsidian: $0 in 0 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.