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Denver International Airport (DEN) is an absolutely massive airport — both in terms of physical presence and passenger volume. Boasting the title of second-largest airport in the world, Denver is the sixth busiest airport in the world (third busiest in the U.S.).
Despite its staggering size, Denver has notably fewer international routes than other large U.S. gateways such as Los Angeles (LAX) and Atlanta (ATL). Denver’s most popular routes include Phoenix (PHX), Las Vegas (LAS), and Chicago (ORD). And while its transoceanic routes are lacking, it does a great job serving the Caribbean.
If you’re based in Denver, you may wonder which credit cards can best serve your travel goals. Here’s what you need to know.
What should Denver travelers consider for their credit card strategy
Denver is one of United Airlines’ largest hubs. United claims a whopping 47.3% of Denver International Airport’s air traffic (followed by Southwest and Frontier, which account for a combined 41%). United serves 135 domestic destinations and 13 international destinations from Denver.
If Denver International is your home airport, chances are that United Airlines is an important part of your travels. For this reason, a credit card strategy that provides United Airlines benefits can seriously improve your travel (and save you money, too).
Top credit cards for Denver-based travelers
Generally speaking, the top credit cards for Denver-based travelers are United Airlines credit cards. Also worth a mention are Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Based on your travel style, you may even decide to open both types of credit cards.
United℠ Explorer Card
The United℠ Explorer Card is one of the best value airline credit cards. It provides handy United-centric perks, including the first checked bag free (you must pay the cash portion of your ticket with the card), award flight discounts, and two complimentary United Club passes each year.
You’ll even get an application fee reimbursement for either Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS. Membership in these programs can help you to sprint through many domestic airport security checkpoints without the need to shed your belt.
The United Explorer Card’s annual fee is waived the first year, so there’s no upfront investment to give the card a whirl.
United Club℠ Card
The United Club℠ Card is United’s top-tier credit card. It catapults the quality of your United travel into another stratosphere, with perks like seat upgrades on award flights, complimentary United Club lounge access (which otherwise costs $750+), Premier Access (includes priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling), and two 10,000-mile award flight discounts after meeting yearly spending requirements.
The card gives you and a travel companion the first and second checked bags free when paying the cash portion of your ticket with the card. And elite status members earn 7-11x points on United flights, depending on their status tier.
All this means that those who fly United often can squeeze serious value from this card.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
While not technically a United Airlines credit card, the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a boon for United Airlines flyers. The card offers hundreds of dollars in annual travel credits and premium travel insurance, making it a great option when paying for your flight.
Its airport lounge benefit grants entry into exponentially more lounges than the United Club Card (1,800+ locations worldwide).
The card’s real magic is its rewards currency. It earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be converted into eligible airline miles at a 1:1 ratio. When you need United miles, you can instantly transfer your points to United MileagePlus. And when you’d rather fly on another popular airline, such as Southwest, you can instead transfer your points to Southwest Rapid Rewards.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a more affordable (but less impressive) version of the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It’s got helpful annual travel credits and above-average travel insurance. Most importantly, it earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points — helping you rack up rewards with United, Southwest, and other popular carriers thanks to its useful collection of bonus spending categories.
Why United cards are recommended for Denver travelers
United cards are recommended for Denver travelers because of the valuable benefits conferred to United flyers. They can both save you money and elevate your travel experience. Think preferred boarding, free checked bags, United Club airport lounge access, and much more.
Even Denver flyers who don’t routinely fly United can justify opening a United credit card. The investment can be worthwhile for anyone who flies on United as little as two or three times per year.
Alternative airlines and credit cards from Denver
While United is far and away the most prominent airline at Denver Airport, it’s not the only option.
Denver is also a major Southwest hub with several dozen nonstop destinations around the U.S. and Mexico. If you’re a Southwest loyalist, you may instead consider opening a credit card that passes along Southwest-specific perks, such as the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. You’ll get the first checked bag free, 7,500 bonus anniversary points, and a fast track to Southwest elite status via credit card spending.
Or, let’s say you regularly fly between Denver and New York (JFK). You’ll likely book Delta instead of United Airlines or Southwest — meaning you’ll do better with a card like the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. It comes with similar perks, including the first checked bag free and preferred boarding.
The best cards for airport lounge access in Denver
United Club
United Club lounges are a network of airport lounges managed by United Airlines. There are more than 45 lounge locations, each offering standard lounge amenities like free food and alcohol, comfy seats, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Denver itself houses three proper United Club locations — one in Concourse A West (near Gate A25), one in Concourse B West (near Gate B32), and one in Concourse B East (near Gate B44).
You can enter United Club lounges with the following credit cards:
United Club℠ Card
United℠ Explorer Card (2 passes per cardmember year)
Frequently asked questions
Are United credit cards worth it if I only fly 2-3 times per year?
United credit cards can be worth it even if you only fly a few times per year. The ability to receive free checked bags can more than offset a United card’s annual fee after just one or two trips for a small family.
What's the best strategy for earning United miles in Denver?
The best strategy for earning United Airlines miles in Denver is to channel your spending to a United miles-earning card like the United Explorer Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
What are the main perks of a United credit card?
The main perks of a United credit card are features like free checked bags, priority boarding, and discounted awards. Some United Airlines credit cards also come with airport lounge access and statement credits for United Airlines expenses.
What’s the main difference between the United Club Card and the United Explorer Card?
The main difference between the United Club Card and the United Explorer Card is the quality of ongoing benefits. The United Club Card provides many hundreds of dollars in annual value (United Club membership, statement credits, Premier Access travel services, etc.). Each card’s annual fee is drastically different, as well.
