[Rumor] American Express To Launch New No Annual Fee Delta Card [New Info: Delta Blue & MQD Information]

Update: Card has now been officially launched, all details will be covered in that new post found here.

More information: Card will be called Delta Blue. It will come with a Medallion Qualification Dollar Waiver (MQD) until the end of 2017. Starting 1/1/18 spend on this card will not count towards the MQD waiver unless you have another American Express Delta card. Awhile ago there was a rumor that the MQD waiver would not apply for Diamond status (this is across all Delta cards). My source states that there is no indication currently that this is actually the case. My gut feeling is that this that confusion might have all been caused by this new Delta card.

There is a rumor that American Express will be launching a new no annual fee Delta card. This is what is rumored:

  • Sign up bonus of 10,000 miles after $500 in spend
  • 2x miles on Delta & Restaurant purchases
  • 1x miles on all other purchases

Now while this is rumored, I believe it’s true as it comes from a reliable source who correctly told us that the American Express gold card would be discontinued. It’s interesting that this card will also earn 2x miles on restaurant purchases given that the other Delta cards only earn 2x miles on Delta purchases. Apparently American Express used to offer a no annual fee Delta card as well (Delta SkyMiles Options). I personally love when American Express launch new cards because you’re limited to getting the sign up bonus on their cards once per lifetime and it means another card I’m eligible for. The 10,000 mile sign up bonus isn’t inspiring, but fingers crossed that goes up to a higher level of 15,000/20,000 at times.
    William Charles
  • On August 16, 2017, 18:14

View Comments (28)

  • FYI - Downgrades to this card still means you have to pay 1 month of annual fee from your Delta Plat/Delta Gold. For example, if you have a Delta Plat, you'll only get a $179 refund of the $195 annual fee, so you're out $16. Cancelling the card within 30 days still gets you a full AF refund.

  • My guess is this AMEX Blue Delta Skymiles is going to replace the AMEX Classic Delta Skymiles. Because it seems pointless to pay $55 a year for a card that does nothing but earn 1 mile per dollar (2mile per dollar on delta fights.)
    If so, then this card will also have: Foreign Transaction Fee of 2.7%, No Priority Boarding, No Free Check-in bags,

  • They offered me a downgrade option to a no fee delta card in May. I didnt pay attention to the details because a took a mileage bonus to keep my delta gold.

  • Makes me wonder if the 2x miles on dining could also be added to the existing Delta Gold card. Doesn't make sense to have the no-annual-fee card have a better earning structure than the paid card, does it?

    • What did you downgrade to, if I may ask?
      Also, what's bummer about it if you will be eligible for the new one?

      • Whoops. Meant canceled* the card. But I could have downgraded the gold to this one without having to cancel I guess

  • mmm gotta love any no fee downgrade route. Fingers crossed. Thanks for the heads up on this possibility Doc.

  • I currently have a blue colored no annual fee delta Amex which was a downgrade from a gold several years ago. It has no perks except Amex offers.

  • This would be a great card to downgrade to as I rarely fly Delta anymore, but i want to keep my credit history with amex.

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