--- title: The Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards for Denver-Based Flyers description: >- 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. date: '2026-05-22' author: Joseph Hostetler category: Insights - Blog Articles Home tags: - Credit Cards canonical_url: https://www.point.me/insights/the-best-travel-rewards-credit-cards-for-denver-based-flyers/ source: point.me license: © 2026 point.me. All rights reserved. slug: the-best-travel-rewards-credit-cards-for-denver-based-flyers id: sTq5MMu3QNZuDekL3Kqtr contentType: article --- # The Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards for Denver-Based Flyers Written by: Joseph Hostetler **Insights - Blog Articles Home** ![denver acton-crawford-NflJmUuaYVI-unsplash](https://images.ctfassets.net/alwdzgjlz5qv/15XgwBZlubQsfV4Ihr93EG/b3c2072d190002c98c82c28506e4e89a/denver_acton-crawford-NflJmUuaYVI-unsplash.jpg?w=1200&fm=webp&q=75) ### Earn more points with tips from our FREE newsletter Plus, get award flight deals for up to 90% fewer points and **a secret coupon.** I agree to receive point.me marketing emails and agree to the [Terms and Conditions](/terms-and-conditions/) and [Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy/). *Interactive embed: Rail CTA email.* ### Earn more points with tips from our FREE newsletter Plus, get award flight deals for up to 90% fewer points and **a secret coupon.** I agree to receive point.me marketing emails and agree to the [Terms and Conditions](/terms-and-conditions/) and [Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy/). *Interactive embed: Rail CTA email.* ***Advertiser Disclosure: ****Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site, and we do not include all card companies and all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these affiliate entities. point.me has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. point.me and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. All information about American Express cards have been collected independently by point.me. American Express cards are no longer available through point.me.* 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](https://www.point.me/insights/booking-travel-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](https://www.cardratings.com/bestcards/featured-credit-cards?shnq=4048117&src=702499) The United℠ Explorer Card is one of the best value [airline credit cards](https://www.point.me/insights/the-best-airline-co-branded-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](https://www.point.me/insights/the-best-credit-cards-for-global-entry-or-tsa-precheck-credits/), 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. Each benefit value displayed is our total estimate of the benefit for one year. **United℠ Explorer Card** - Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 thereafter - Current offer: Earn 70,000 miles - Earn 70,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. - Offer terms apply. - [Full details](https://www.cardratings.com/details/credit-card/united-explorer-card.html?src=702499) - Rewards: 9x Eligible United flights (Advertised total; includes loyalty-program base earn.); 3x All other eligible United® purchases; 2x Dining; 2x Hotel stays booked directly with the hotel; 1x All other eligible purchases - Benefits: $500 Partner Credits; $430 Free First Checked Bag; $100 Award Travel Discount (10% or More on Miles Bookings); $100 United Club℠ One-Time Passes; $50 Priority Boarding ### 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, unlimited complimentary United Club lounge access for you and a guest (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 the first and second checked bags free when paying the cash portion of your ticket with the card (a savings of up to $40 per round-trip, terms apply). Earn 11x total miles on eligible United flights and 5x miles on all other eligible United**®** purchases. All this means that those who fly United often can squeeze serious value from this card. ### [Chase Sapphire Reserve®](https://www.cardratings.com/bestcards/featured-credit-cards?shnq=4048084&src=702499) 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](https://www.point.me/insights/how-much-are-chase-points-worth/), which can be [converted into eligible airline miles](https://www.point.me/insights/chase-points-transfer-partners/) at a 1:1 ratio. When you need United miles, you can instantly transfer your points to [United MileagePlus](https://www.point.me/insights/united-airlines-partners-you-can-book-with-mileageplus-points/). And when you’d rather fly on another popular airline, such as Southwest, you can instead transfer your points to [Southwest Rapid Rewards](https://www.point.me/insights/redeem-points-southwest-rapid-rewards/). Each benefit value displayed is our total estimate of the benefit for one year. **Chase Sapphire Reserve®** - Annual fee: $795 - Current offer: Earn 100,000 points - Earn 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. - Offer terms apply. - [Full details](https://www.cardratings.com/details/credit-card/chase-sapphire-reserve.html?src=702499) - Rewards: 8x All purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠; 4x Flights booked direct (Only the highest eligible bonus applies; flights booked through Chase Travel℠ would earn 8x instead.); 4x Hotels booked direct (Only the highest eligible bonus applies; hotels booked through Chase Travel℠ would earn 8x instead.); 3x Dining worldwide; 1x All other eligible purchases - Benefits: $450 Priority Pass™ Select Lounge Access; $300 $300 Annual Travel Credit; $300 Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables Dining Credit (The maximum value of this benefit is up to $300); $288 Apple TV & Apple Music Subscription; $120 Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® Credit (The maximum value of this benefit is up to $120); $100 Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club Access - BOS → LHR — 6,000 points · economy · Virgin Atlantic · Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - ORD → MAD — 41,000 points · business · Iberia · Club Iberia - IAD → CDG — 10,000 points · economy · Air France · Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - SEA → NCE — 45,000 points · business · Air France · FlyingBlue - ATL → AMS — 12,000 points · economy · KLM · Virgin Atlantic Flying Club ### [Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card](https://www.cardratings.com/bestcards/featured-credit-cards?shnq=2061159&src=702499) 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. Each benefit value displayed is our total estimate of the benefit for one year. **Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card** - Annual fee: $95 - Current offer: Earn 75,000 points - Earn 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. - Offer terms apply. - [Full details](https://www.cardratings.com/details/credit-card/chase-sapphire-preferred.html?src=702499) - Rewards: 5x Travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3x Dining; 3x Gas & EV charging; 3x Online groceries (Excludes Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs.); 3x Top streaming services; 3x Vacation homes; 2x All other travel purchases; 1x All other purchases - Benefits: $216 DashPass Membership; $156 Apple TV Credit; $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS Credit (The maximum value of this benefit is up to $120); $100 Hotel Credit via Chase Travel℠ (The maximum value of this benefit is up to $100); Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver; Emergency Evacuation and Transportation; Point Transfers to Airline and Hotel Programs; Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance - BOS → LHR — 6,000 points · economy · Virgin Atlantic · Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - ORD → MAD — 41,000 points · business · Iberia · Club Iberia - IAD → CDG — 10,000 points · economy · Air France · Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - SEA → NCE — 45,000 points · business · Air France · FlyingBlue - ATL → AMS — 12,000 points · economy · KLM · Virgin Atlantic Flying Club ## 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](https://www.cardratings.com/bestcards/featured-credit-cards?shnq=4048117&src=702499) (2 passes per cardmember year) ***Advertiser Disclosure: ****Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site, and we do not include all card companies and all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these affiliate entities. point.me has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. point.me and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. All information about American Express cards have been collected independently by point.me. American Express cards are no longer available through point.me.* ### Frequently asked questions #### Are United credit cards worth it if I only fly 2-3 times per year? United credit cards can absolutely be worth it for those who fly just two or three times per year. Money-saving perks like free checked bags can justify a card’s annual fee after just a round-trip flight or two. #### 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 its United-focused features, such as free checked bags, preferred boarding, and discounted award seats. Some United cards even come with airport lounge access, and statement credits to offset United Airlines expenses. #### What’s the main difference between the United Club Card and the United Explorer Card? Beyond each card’s annual fee, the main difference between the United Club Card and the United Explorer card is the premium benefits. The United Club Card offers hundreds more dollars in annual statement credits, United Club membership, Premier Access travel services, and more.