A Comprehensive Overview of Airport Lounges at Denver International Airport

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A competition is heating up at Denver International Airport (DEN) as airlines and credit card companies vie for the top lounge experience. Over the past year, Capital One launched its third lounge in the U.S., American Airlines introduced a new Admirals Club, and United debuted a grab-and-go concept along with two lounges (with plans for another 35,000-square-foot space opening in 2025).

Why choose Denver? It ranks as the third busiest airport in the U.S. and sixth busiest globally. In 2023, the airport accommodated nearly 78 million passengers, a figure projected to reach 100 million by 2027. The airport, now 29 years old, offers more than 200 nonstop destinations worldwide. This means you're likely to have a layover there soon. Consequently, airlines and credit card companies are heavily investing in Denver, creating upscale lounges to attract more loyal customers.

As a travel writer who takes to the skies several times a month and currently resides in Colorado, I've spent an incredible amount of time at Denver International Airport and its numerous lounges—I often joke that it's my second home. At present, there are nine lounges along with two Priority Pass options (one of which, Mercantile, is run by a James Beard Award-winning chef) at DEN. Keep reading to discover the top picks—including how to gain access to them.

All lounges at Denver International Airport

DEN features three terminals (Concourse A, Concourse B, and Concourse C), all conveniently linked by an underground transit system. Currently, Concourse A is primarily operated by American, Delta, and Frontier, although several common use gates are available for airlines like Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, Copa Airlines, and Lufthansa. Concourse B is exclusively United's territory, holding the majority of flights at the airport—United brought in 36 million passengers in 2023. Meanwhile, Concourse C is home to Alaska, Southwest, and Spirit.

Here’s the layout of the various lounges within DEN:

Capital One Lounge

Opened in November 2023 as the third Capital One lounge across the country, this expansive 10,800-square-foot haven located near gate A34 is worth the journey from other terminals or an early arrival if you’re already in the Mile High City. It’s arguably the finest lounge in Denver; however, due to its accessibility to all travelers, it tends to be quite busy. The lounge operates daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The vibe

Whether you want to catch up on work emails in a peaceful setting during your layover or kick off your vacation with a craft cocktail while overlooking the runway, the Capital One lounge in Denver has you covered.

Let’s start with the food and drinks. For those on a tight schedule, there’s a grab-and-go section in the lobby where visitors can quickly fill a brown paper bag with hot breakfast sandwiches, ready-made salads, vegetable and hummus cups, cookies, cold brew coffee, and canned drinks. If you have more time to spare, the hot and cold food stations feature a variety of small plates that change regularly, including favorites like mac and cheese with bacon, Colorado bison sloppy joes, and mini carrot cake loaves from Good Bread, a local bakery. For non-alcoholic options, guests can choose from artisanal sodas (such as pineapple cream), flavored waters, and drip coffee sourced from Denver’s Unravel Coffee Merchants. The bar staff can also prepare espresso-based drinks, serve beers and wine, and mix cocktails. Two signature cocktails come from Yacht Club, a well-known cocktail and natural wine bar in downtown Denver that frequently appears on the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars. Among these is the Espresso-Tini and Tonic, which combines Marble Distilling Vodka, La Colombe cold brew, Oloroso sherry, and tonic water.

From a layout perspective, the lounge features dedicated areas for dining, relaxation, and work. One side offers private workspaces, including phone booths and office areas, as well as two Relaxation Rooms, one equipped with an EnergyPod (a zero-gravity chair ideal for power naps). At the rear of the lounge, you’ll find a midcentury-modern living room setup, complete with booths overlooking the concourse, plus a corridor of gender-neutral restrooms and two shower suites. The bar and dining area is furnished with two- and four-person tables along with booths.

How to access the Capital One Lounge

Travelers holding a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (including authorized users) or a Capital One Venture X Business card enjoy unlimited free access to all Capital One Lounges, along with complimentary entry for their first two guests per visit ($45 for each additional guest thereafter).

Holders of Capital One Venture and Capital One Spark Miles cards receive two free visits to Capital One Lounges each year, which can be used for themselves, their authorized users, or guests traveling with them. Extra visits can be purchased at a discounted rate of $45 per person.

Anyone else, whether they possess a Capital One card or not, can access the lounge for $65 per visit.

United Club East

As the largest of United’s lounges, this expansive 35,000-square-foot, three-story oasis near gate B44 opened in September 2023. A similar lounge is set to debut on the western side of Denver International Airport in 2025. It operates daily from 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The atmosphere

This lounge can accommodate over 600 travelers without feeling cramped. Its charm lies in its distinctive ambiance. On the second floor, there's a brewery-themed bar area where guests can enjoy a selection of a dozen Colorado-brewed beers (available in pints or as part of a tasting flight) while playing shuffleboard amidst a collection of locally curated art. The third floor boasts three buffet stations (offering dishes such as vegetarian green chili and maple-mustard pork tenderloin), two bars serving complimentary wines and spirits, along with a variety of Colorado whiskeys, including Tincup and Stranahan’s. There are numerous seating options, from high-top tables to leather sofas that overlook the runway. Guests can also find several self-service snack stations to fill baggies with trail mix, gummy bears, and chocolate salted caramels from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for later enjoyment.

How to gain access to United Club East

If you're traveling with United (or another Star Alliance airline) and possess a United Club Membership or a one-time pass, hold Star Alliance Gold Status, or are flying in a premium cabin, you can access any of the United Lounges at DEN.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

and

United℠ Explorer Card

also provide users with access to the lounge.

United Club Fly

Inaugurated in November 2022 near gate B60, this is the first and only grab-and-go lounge concept within United’s offerings. It operates daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The atmosphere

Although this United lounge diverges from the traditional model (it doesn’t, for instance, provide alcohol or restrooms), it serves a distinct purpose. Positioned near B61, where small regional flights typically lacking food or drink service arrive and depart, everything here is designed to be grab-and-go, allowing guests to take refreshments on board. The space features a line of coolers filled with prepared sandwiches, salads, cheese platters, and beverages, along with a barista counter for custom espresso drinks. There are also a few standing desks and comfortable seats equipped with USB-A and USB-C outlets for travelers who need to charge their devices in a hurry. The lounge boasts a ski chalet aesthetic, with wooden beams creating an open A-frame ceiling, a faux fireplace, and frosted windows that resemble a snowy landscape.

How to access United Club Fly

Similar to the United Club East, if you are traveling with United (or another member of the Star Alliance) and possess a United Club Membership or a one-time pass, hold Star Alliance Gold Status, or are flying in a premium cabin, you can access this lounge. The United Club℠ Infinite Card and United℠ Explorer Card also provide access to the lounge for users.

Centurion Lounge

Since its opening in February 2021, the Centurion Lounge located near gate C30 has been Denver’s first lounge not affiliated with any airline. It operates daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The atmosphere

Spanning 14,650 square feet, the Denver Centurion Lounge ranks among the largest in DEN. It features a horseshoe layout with distinct sections throughout. Starting counterclockwise from the check-in area, there’s a long corridor lined with leather chairs and coffee tables, followed by the buffet area, which generally serves soups, salads, rotating hot entrees (updated every few months), and baked treats. At a tiled bar at the back, guests can choose from signature cocktails, house wines, or beers. Continuing along, there’s a hallway with restrooms and shower suites, then a makeshift business center featuring communal tables, a single phone booth, and a self-serve coffee area. There’s also a beer bar complete with pub games (like billiards and shuffleboard) and a playroom for children. It’s an elegant and serene spot to spend time between flights; however, due to the popularity of the Platinum Card, there can often be a wait to enter.

How to gain access to the Centurion Lounge

For those holding The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the Centurion Lounge is accessible every day. Bringing a guest costs $50 per person (or $30 for children ages 2 to 17, free for those under 2, with proof of age). Additionally, holders of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card can enjoy complimentary access to Centurion lounges when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight, with the option to bring up to two guests for $50 each.

While the offers described above are accurate at the time of publication, they may change at any time and may no longer be available.