Capital One Lounge – Access with Venture X or Venture Cards

‍

Denver’s Capital One Lounge (Concourse A) is very accessible for those with Capital One’s top travel cards:

‍

• Capital One Venture X Rewards – Unlimited free access for cardholder + 2 guests. This is one of the best new travel cards and lounge access is a key perk.

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2888", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Luxurious Travel Benefits", "headerHint": "Luxurious Travel Benefits"} ]]

‍

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – Gets you 2 complimentary visits per year. After those are used, you can pay $45 per visit.

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "438", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Luxurious Travel Benefits", "headerHint": "High Travel Rewards"} ]]

‍

• No card? You can pay $65 to enter, but priority is given to cardholders. If the lounge is at capacity, they may restrict entry to cardholders only (a common practice).

‍

So, if you have Venture X – congrats, you essentially have membership to this lounge for you and two guests anytime you fly. If you have a Venture card, keep track of your free passes (they reset each anniversary). Considering the lounge’s great food and workspaces, having one of these cards is extremely valuable for DEN flyers.

United Club Lounges – Access with United Club Card or One-Time Passes

‍

United operates multiple lounges (United Clubs) at DEN (primarily in Concourse B, plus a smaller one in A). Credit card avenues for access:

‍

• The New United Club℠ Card – This premium Chase/United card includes full United Club membership. That means the cardholder (and normally 2 guests or immediate family) can enter any United Club, no ticket class restrictions. If you travel via DEN often on United, this card is a straightforward way to always have lounge access.

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2410", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Top-tier United Card", "headerHint": "Top-tier United Card"} ]]

‍

• The New United℠ Explorer Card – This mid-tier card doesn’t give unlimited access, but it grants two one-time United Club passes each year (delivered to your account). These passes can be used at DEN’s United Clubs. Also, you get 2 more every card anniversary. It’s a nice perk for the $0 first year/$95 annual fee card if you only occasionally need a lounge.

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2406", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Best For United Airlines Travelers", "headerHint": "Best For United Airlines Travelers"} ]]

‍

• Day-of-Travel Purchases – Not a credit card per se, but worth noting: anyone flying United (or Star Alliance partner) that day can purchase a day pass for ~$59. Some credit cards will code that as travel, so you’d earn bonus points, but no specific card makes it cheaper except the two above that give passes.

Delta Sky Club – Access with Amex Platinum or Delta Reserve

‍

For Delta’s Sky Club (Concourse A), credit card access mirrors the Centurion somewhat:

‍

• The Platinum Card® from American Express (and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express) – Grants Sky Club access when you’re flying Delta that day (you must have a Delta boarding pass). You can’t bring free guests (they cost $50 each).

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Serious Points on Flights", "headerHint": "Serious Points on Flights"} ]]

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2290", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Best for Business Owners", "headerHint": "Best for Business Owners"} ]]

‍

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card – This card is tailor-made for Sky Club access. The cardholder gets in whenever flying Delta (no visit limit if it’s the Reserve). You can also bring up to two guests at $50 each. The Reserve card also gives you 2 guest passes free per year (for one-time uses).

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Best For Delta Loyalists", "headerHint": "Best For Delta Loyalists"} ]]

American Admirals Club – Access with Citi AAdvantage Executive Card

‍

The Admirals Club (Concourse C) primarily serves American Airlines flyers, and there’s one credit card that shines for access:

‍

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® – This is AA’s premium co-branded card, and it includes full Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder, plus you can bring your immediate family or up to two guests for free. As long as you’re flying American (or any Oneworld partner) that day, you can use the Admirals Club.

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "544", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Best For Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Best For Frequent Travelers"} ]]

‍

• Day Pass – AA allows anyone with any boarding pass (even on another airline) to buy a day pass (~$59) via their app or at the club. No specific card needed, but note you must have a boarding pass for that day (no arriving passengers after flight).

‍

If you travel with family through DEN, the Citi Executive card is fantastic because your spouse and kids can all come in with you as part of membership. The card is around $595/year, but if you value lounge access, it’s actually cheaper than buying Admirals membership outright and you get a sign-up bonus miles. No other credit card gives Admirals access, so this is the one to have for AA loyalists.

Priority Pass Options – Chase Sapphire Reserve, etc.

‍

As mentioned, Priority Pass membership won’t get you into a standard lounge at DIA because none exist in-network. But it’s worth covering how credit cards with Priority Pass can still help:

‍

• Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Capital One Venture X, Amex Platinum, etc., all come with Priority Pass Select membership. At Denver, that Priority Pass card can be used at Mercantile Dining & Provision (Concourse A) to get each cardholder + guest $28 off the restaurant bill.

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "510", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Top-Tier Benefits", "headerHint": "Top-Tier Benefits"} ]]

‍

• This effectively means two people can have $56 of free food – which can buy a full meal and drinks at Mercantile. If you have additional authorized users with their own Priority Pass, they can do the same separately.

• So, while you’re not accessing a lounge, you are leveraging your credit card benefit for a nice airport experience (sit-down meal). For some, that’s just as good as a lounge when it comes to food/drink.

‍

To use it: just show your Priority Pass membership (often via app) at the restaurant and they’ll apply the credit. Keep an eye on time – it’s a restaurant, not a quick grab like a lounge.

Kudos: Your Credit Card Concierge

‍

Navigating which card gets you lounge access can be confusing – that’s where Kudos comes in. Our AI-powered wallet not only reminds you of the perks your cards carry (like lounge access or Priority Pass membership), but also helps you maximize those benefits.

‍

For example, if you have multiple cards, Kudos can tell you “Use your Amex Platinum at the Centurion Lounge, but buy your guest a day pass with your Sapphire Reserve for trip delay coverage” – all based on the situation. We’ll even alert you to limited-time perks (did you know some cards offer credits for in-airport spending or discounts on memberships?).

‍

With Kudos as your pocket concierge, you’ll never miss an opportunity to relax in an airport lounge. Enjoy Denver’s lounges – you’ve earned it!

‍

‍

FAQs: Credit Cards and Denver Lounges

‍

Does Denver International Airport have a Priority Pass lounge?

‍

No – DEN has no Priority Pass-affiliated lounges. Instead, Priority Pass members can use their benefit at an airport restaurant: Mercantile Dining & Provision (Concourse A) offers a $28 credit per person with Priority Pass. To access traditional lounges at DEN, you’ll need airline status or the specific credit cards mentioned above (Amex Platinum, Venture X, etc.).

‍

What credit card gets you into the most lounges at DEN?

‍

The American Express Platinum Card likely gives the broadest access: it gets you into the Centurion Lounge at DEN and any Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta). It also provides Priority Pass for the restaurant credit. However, Capital One Venture X is another strong choice: it gives unlimited access to the Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass for Mercantile. If you primarily fly United or American, their respective co-branded cards (United Club Infinite, Citi AA Executive) would be best as they directly unlock those airline lounges.

‍

Can I get into the Centurion Lounge with a Delta Reserve card even if I’m not flying Delta?

‍

No, Delta Reserve only grants Centurion Lounge access when you have a same-day Delta flight (and you can only enter within 3 hours of that flight). The Reserve card also gets you into Delta’s own Sky Clubs when flying Delta. If you’re not flying Delta, the Reserve won’t help with Centurion – you’d need an Amex Platinum or Centurion card to use the Centurion Lounge in DEN when flying other airlines.

‍

Is the United Club Card worth it for Denver flyers?

‍

If you frequently fly United through DEN, yes, it can be worth it. The United Club Infinite Card has a high annual fee (~$525) but it includes United Club membership (normally ~$650 if bought separately). Denver has three United Clubs (including the huge new one), so you’ll have a lounge almost every time you depart or connect. Plus, the card earns bonus miles on United purchases and comes with other perks. For a United loyalist based in Denver, the math often makes sense – you get unlimited lounge access for you and two guests whenever flying United or Star Alliance.