Is the Delta SkyMiles® Blue Card Worth It? Why This No-Fee Card Is Perfect for Points Newbies
- Becca Alves
- Jun 21
- 2 min read
If you’re just getting into travel hacking and don’t want to commit to a card with an annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card might be your perfect entry point. It’s low-commitment, super easy to qualify for, and yes - those 10,000 bonus miles can actually go farther than you think (like Cancun!).
Let’s break it down.
💳 Quick Look: Delta SkyMiles® Blue Card Perks
No annual fee
10,000 bonus miles after just $1,000 spend
2X miles on restaurants (including takeout + delivery in the U.S.)
2X miles on Delta purchases
No foreign transaction fees
20% back on inflight food + drinks
✅ That’s a solid lineup for a card that costs you nothing to keep in your wallet long-term.
🛫 What Can 10,000 SkyMiles Actually Get You?
Let’s talk real flights. These redemptions are all totally possible (and sometimes even less than 10k!) if you know how to search Delta’s award calendar:
✈️ JFK to Cancun – 10,000 miles one-way
✈️ San Jose to Las Vegas – 10,200 miles roundtrip
✈️ Nashville to Toronto – 12,000 miles roundtrip
✈️ Miami to Cancun – 12,000 miles roundtrip
That’s nearly a full vacation paid for with a free card and a $1k minimum spend. 👀
And since you’ll earn at least 1x–2x miles per dollar spent, that 10k welcome bonus plus your first $1k–$2k in everyday spending (especially if it’s on dining!) can already cover many of these flights.
✨ Why This Card Is Great for Starters
If you’re not ready for a premium Amex card or you’re still learning how to maximize points, this is a perfect low-risk entry point. You’ll:
Start building your SkyMiles balance with everyday dining and Delta purchases
Avoid annual fees or complicated bonus categories
Have a reliable no-foreign-transaction-fee card for travel abroad
And you’ll earn valuable miles that can be used immediately for domestic getaways or sort-haul international economy trips!
But Wait… Should You Be Earning SkyMiles Long-Term?
⚠️ While this is a great starter card, it’s important to know that SkyMiles aren’t always the best long-term currency if your goal is business class flights or luxury travel. Delta’s award pricing is often inflated (we’re talking 280,000+ for Delta One), and there’s no real award chart.
That’s why many travelers (including myself 10 years ago!) start here but then graduate to flexible points cards, where you can transfer to multiple airline partners and find much better deals.
The Bottom Line
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue Card is a no-brainer for beginners:
Easy bonus to earn
Real redemption value
Perks you’ll actually use
And a foot in the door with Amex
It’s not the card you’ll stick with forever, but it’s a smart way to dip your toe into the points game without annual fees or overwhelm.
How to Apply
You can check for your eligibility and apply risk-free - Amex uses a soft pull first to see if you’re approved (so it won’t hurt your credit score). If you accept the offer, then the hard inquiry is triggered.
Disclaimer: This is a personal referral link. If you use it to apply, I may earn a small number of bonus miles. Thanks for supporting what I do!
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