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Side-by-side

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card vs U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect from U.S. Bank 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 CardU.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect
Annual fee$0$95
Sign-up bonus10,000 Delta SkyMiles75,000 bonus points
Bonus value (est.)$110-
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 6 mo$6,000 in 6 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressU.S. Bank
Card categorytravelbusiness
Best earning category (Delta)2x1x
Transfer partnersdelta-skymilesNone
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 2X Delta + 2X restaurants
  • 20% off Delta in-flight
  • No foreign transaction fees
    Read the full review
    Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
    $0/yr · 10,000 Delta SkyMiles
    Read the full review
    U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect
    $95/yr · 75,000 bonus points

    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: U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card or U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect?
    The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card has a public bonus (10,000 Delta SkyMiles, worth roughly $110), while the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect doesn't advertise one right now.
    Is the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect?
    The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect's $95 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect'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 U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and U.S. Bank) 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 U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect 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. U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect: $6,000 in 6 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.