Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
Annual fees: Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express $0/yr, Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card $350/yr. Strongest bonus categories: Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express on gas stations, Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card on hotels.
Card data as of November 13, 2026.
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressAmerican Express · No annual fee
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardAmerican Express · $350/yr
Overview
- Annual fee
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express$0LowestDelta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card$350
- Welcome offerCurrent public offer
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express$200 cash backDelta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardAs high as 90,000 miles — offers vary
- Rewards
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressCash backDelta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardDelta SkyMiles
- Foreign transaction fee
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express2.7%Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardNoneLowest
- Network
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressAmerican ExpressDelta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardAmerican Express
Earn ratesPer $1 spent · points and cash back aren’t ranked against each other
- Gas Stations
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express3%Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card1x
- Grocery Stores
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express3%Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card2x
- Hotels
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express1%Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card3x
- Online Shopping
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express3%Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card1x
- Department Stores
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express2%Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card1x
- Dining
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express1%Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card2x
- Everything else
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express1%Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card1x
Statement creditsAs the issuer states them · — means none on record
- Travel
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express—Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- $150 Delta stays credit
- $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
- 20% back Delta in-flight · $20 per transaction
- Rideshare & transit
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express—Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- $10/mo rideshare · $10 monthly
- Dining & delivery
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express—Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- $10/mo Resy · $10 monthly
- Entertainment & streaming
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
- $7/mo Disney+ · $7 monthly
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card—
Perks & access— means none on record
- Airline perks
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express—Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Annual companion certificate for domestic Main Cabin flights
- First checked bag free for cardholder plus 8 companions
- Zone 5 Priority Boarding for you and 8 companions
- Complimentary Upgrade List
- Other perks
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
- Amex Offers
- Early access to concerts and events
- 24/7 global travel assistance
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card- Amex Offers
- MQD Headstart and MQD Boost
- Early access to concerts and events
- 24/7 global travel assistance
- TakeOff 15
- No foreign transaction fees
Protections & insuranceLimits where published · — means none on record
- Trip insurance
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express—Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Trip delay coverage up to $300 after 12 hours
- Baggage
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express—Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Baggage insurance up to $1,250 for carry-on items
- Rental car
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card- Car rental insurance up to $50,000
- Purchase & returns
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
- Up to $1,000 per item against damage or theft
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card- Purchase protection up to $1,000 per occurrence
- Extended warranty
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express—Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Extended warranty adds 1 year to manufacturer warranty
- Cell phone
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express—Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Cell phone protection up to $800 per claim
- Other protections
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
- Zero liability protection on fraudulent charges
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card- Zero liability protection on fraudulent charges
Pros & cons
- Pros
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
- No annual fee with solid category rewards
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000/year ($180 max annual value)
- Up to $84/year Disney Bundle credit for streaming subscriptions
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (3 months longer than Preferred)
- As high as $200 cash back welcome offer after $2,000 spend in 6 months (offers vary)
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card- Annual Companion Certificate after card renewal (companion pays only taxes/fees on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean or Central America)
- MQD Headstart ($2,500 a year) plus $1 MQD per $20 spent
- Free first checked bag for cardholder plus up to 8 companions on same reservation; second bag free on domestic flights
- Strong 2x earning on restaurants, hotels, and U.S. supermarkets
- Boosted upgrade priority to First Class and Delta One
- Cons
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
- 3% grocery rate is half of Blue Cash Preferred's 6%
- 2.7% foreign transaction fee makes it unsuitable for travel
- 3% rates on gas and online retail are capped at $6,000/year each
- 1% back on non-category purchases is below average
- $6,000 annual cap on grocery bonus limits heavy spenders
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card- $350 annual fee is substantial if not utilizing premium benefits
- Companion Certificate arrives only after the first card renewal
- No lounge access included (must upgrade to Reserve)
- Miles are locked to Delta SkyMiles program with limited transfer options
- Amex cards are accepted at fewer merchants abroad than Visa or Mastercard
Expert Analysis
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express and Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card represent two different tiers within the same card family. The core question is whether the premium card's benefits justify the higher annual fee — and the answer depends on your spending habits and travel frequency.
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express's strongest category is Grocery Stores at 3X, while the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card leads with 3X on Delta Purchases. Neither card dominates across the board — so the better choice depends on where you spend the most.
At $0/yr vs $350/yr, the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is the more accessible option. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card needs to deliver at least $350 in annual value through its premium benefits to justify the gap. It offers a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, free checked bags, which can cover that gap for active users.
Key Differences
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 3X on Grocery Stores vs 2X for the other
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 3X on Online Shopping vs 1X for the other
- Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 2X on Gas Stations vs 1X for the other
- The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express costs $0/yr vs $350/yr — a $350 annual gap
- Only the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card offers a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit and free checked bags
Spending Scenarios
Which card wins in real-world spending situations?
$600/month on grocery stores
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressBlue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 3X vs 2X. Over a year, that's 21,600 vs 14,400 points — a 7,200-point advantage.
$200/month on online shopping
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressBlue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 3X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 7,200 vs 2,400 points — a 4,800-point advantage.
$200/month on delta purchases
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardDelta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 7,200 vs 2,400 points — a 4,800-point advantage.
$200/month on delta airlines
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardDelta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 7,200 vs 2,400 points — a 4,800-point advantage.
Mixed everyday spending, 2 trips/year
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressWithout heavy spending in the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card's premium categories, the $350 fee difference is hard to recover. The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express delivers better overall value for moderate spenders.
Who Should Get Which?
Get the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express if:
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is ideal for cardholders who prioritize spending heavily on grocery stores and online shopping and keeping annual costs low. At $0/yr, it delivers strong no-fee value for its target audience.
Get the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card if:
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is ideal for cardholders who prioritize spending heavily on delta purchases and delta airlines and maximizing premium card benefits. At $350/yr, it delivers solid return on the annual fee investment for its target audience.
Upgrade & Downgrade Path
Many cardholders start with the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express and upgrade to the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card as their delta purchases spending increases. You can often hold both cards simultaneously to maximize earn rates across all categories.
If you're considering downgrading from the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, tally up how much value you actually extract from its delta purchases earn rates and benefits each year. If you're consistently leaving credits unused, the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express likely delivers better value per dollar of annual fee.
Category-by-Category Winner
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card wins in 2 of 3 categories. The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express leads in 1. 3 more categories depend on booking channel or caps.
Gas Stations
Depends: up to $6,000/yr
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 3X when conditions are met; Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Department Stores
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Depends: up to $6,000/yr
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 3X when conditions are met; Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 2X (2X without restrictions)
Online Shopping
Depends: up to $6,000/yr
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express earns 3X when conditions are met; Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 1X (1X without restrictions)
Hotels
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X vs 1X
Dining
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Year One vs Ongoing Value
Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.
Modeled value is close across spend levels — especially once statement credits are counted.
| Scenario | Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express | Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $120 Credits (our usable estimate): $42 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $162 Year one: $362 | Rewards: $187 Credits (our usable estimate): $172 − Annual fee ($350) Ongoing: $9 Year one: $9 | Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express | Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $480 Credits (our usable estimate): $42 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $522 Year one: $722 | Rewards: $749 Credits (our usable estimate): $172 − Annual fee ($350) Ongoing: $571 Year one: $571 | Close — depends on how much of the credits you use | Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express |
Is the Fee Difference Worth It?
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card costs $350/yr — that's $350 more than the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $350 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card includes travel credits, dining credits, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, free checked bags. Those perks are not included in the earn-rate scenario table above — compare their dollar value to the $350 fee gap for your own usage.
Bottom line: Use the year-one vs ongoing table for modeled earn value at your spend level. The $350 fee gap means the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card needs roughly $350 more in annual rewards (or credits you will use) to break even on hotels and dining and everyday spend.
What You Give Up
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express means losing:
- -Free checked bags
- -Global Entry credit
Which Card Is Right for You?
Get the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card if you:
- +Spend $300+/month on restaurants and dining out
The Bottom Line
Modeled value is close across spend levels — especially once statement credits are counted.
Published annual fees: Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express $0/yr, Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card $350/yr — a $350 difference before welcome offers and credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card worth the higher annual fee?
- The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card costs $350/yr vs $0/yr for the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express. Compare the year-one vs ongoing value table on this page — the $350 gap must be offset by higher earn rates, welcome offers, or credits you will use (the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card also lists travel credits, dining credits).
- Which card earns more rewards, the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express or Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card?
- Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
- What benefits does the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express have that the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card doesn't?
- The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express focuses on earn rates, while the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card offers travel credits, dining credits, cell phone protection.
- Should I get the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express or the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card?
- Use the spend scenarios on this page: the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express has a lower $0/yr fee; the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card must earn enough extra (or offer a larger welcome bonus) to justify $350/yr.
Related Comparisons
Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; catalog last published November 13, 2026, and each card page shows when its terms were last checked. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.