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Side-by-side

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card vs Chase Freedom Unlimited

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Chase Freedom Unlimited from Chase at $0/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 CardChase Freedom Unlimited
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonus10,000 Delta SkyMiles$200 bonus
Bonus value (est.)$110$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 6 mo$500 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressChase
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (Delta)2x1x
Transfer partnersdelta-skymileschase-ur
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 2X Delta + 2X restaurants
  • 20% off Delta in-flight
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1.5% everywhere
  • 5% on travel via Chase
  • 3% dining + drugstores
  • Free if paired with Sapphire
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Delta SkyMiles
Read the full review
Chase Freedom Unlimited
$0/yr · $200 bonus

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: Chase Freedom Unlimited

The best no-fee cash back card in the Chase family. Stack it with a Sapphire and your cash back converts into transferable Ultimate Rewards points, a free upgrade most people miss. Note: Cell phone protection is on Freedom Flex, not Freedom Unlimited.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card or Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited has the bigger bonus, $200 bonus, 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 Chase Freedom Unlimited?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Chase Freedom Unlimited's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Chase Freedom Unlimited's benefits to clear $0 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 Chase Freedom Unlimited?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) 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 Chase Freedom Unlimited 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. Chase Freedom Unlimited: $500 in 3 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.