It’s always exciting when banks release new credit cards, but sometimes the new products can be a bit disappointing. Earlier this month, Chase released a new United credit card and American Express released a new Delta card. While both cards have no annual fee, there are a few things to consider before applying. Here’s what you need to know about the United TravelBank Card from Chase and the Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express.
United TravelBank Card from Chase
- Earn $150 TravelBank cash after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
- No annual fee
- Earn 2% back on United tickets and 1.5% on all other purchases
The United TravelBank card isn’t a traditional cash back card. Instead, you earn cash that is only good for one thing, United tickets! This is a novel idea but not all ideas should be spared from the cutting room floor. Why on earth would you exclusively want to earn money to spend on United tickets? There are better cash back cards out there like the Citi Double Cash Card which earns 2% back on all purchases.
If you’re for whatever reason tempted by this card, from a strategy perspective, it’s definitely not worth wasting a 5/24 spot (presuming it falls under the rule like the other United cards). On the bright side, one thing this card has going for it is no foreign transaction fees.
Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
- Earn 10,000 miles after spending $500 in the first 3 months
- No annual fee
- Earn 2 miles per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants and on purchases made directly with Delta and 1 mile for all other purchases
The Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card is interesting for a few reasons. First, American Express only allows one sign-up bonus per card per lifetime, so if you’ve already received the bonus from the personal and business versions of the Gold and Platinum Delta cards, there’s another bonus you can snag, albeit a small one. Second, this card has a better earning structure than the Delta cards that have annual fees.
Like the new United card, in terms of benefits, this a pretty bare bones card. The card also provides 20% savings as a statement credit for in-flight Delta purchases. While not the most enticing benefit, I tend to put more weight on a card’s earning structure than its peripheral benefits.
I think it’s worth getting this card at some point if you want to pick up some quick miles. Also, Delta Gold and Platinum cardholders who don’t need the added benefits (and the fee!) now have a good downgrade option.
Final Thoughts
Basically, don’t waste your time with the United card. As for the Delta card, sign up at some point for the miles or downgrade an existing Delta card if you want to keep the account open but are tired of the annual fee.
Will you be signing up for the United TravelBank or the Blue Delta credit cards?
