Rocky Mountains deal alert: Fly to Colorado from Atlanta, Chicago and other cities from $168 round trip
The state of Colorado is truly a special place.
If you pick the right time and place, you can, as the great John Denver sang, "see everything as far as you can see." With this latest sale, the right time to visit may be in the fall. We've seen some great discounts on flights to Colorado Springs and Pueblo in Colorado from a number of U.S. cities. Most flights involve a layover, but there are a few nonstops to be found.
The best deals are for travel between August and spring of next year Remember that basic economy fares with United don't include full-size carry-on bags. It will cost you between $50 and $80 round trip to upgrade for more overhead bin space. Checked luggage costs around $30 to $35 each way.
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A mile-high salute to Scott’s Cheap Flights for first spotting this great new deal. Its Premium membership is available for $49 per year. The Elite tier option is available for $199 per year, and it offers access to deals on premium economy, business and first class tickets.
You know what we always say: The more flexible you can be with your travel plans, the better price you'll find.
Deal basics
Airlines: Delta, United
Routes: Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Las Vegas and Los Angeles to Colorado Springs, Denver and Pueblo, Colorado
How to book: Search Google Flights and book directly through the airline
Travel dates: Best availability from August this year through March 2023
Related: The best times to visit Colorado
Sample flights
Los Angeles (LAX) to Colorado Springs (COS) in December for less than $200 round-trip? Sign me up. This is a great price for this Delta itinerary during a time when Colorado isn't yet overrun by tourists racing to the ski slopes.
If you wanted to go in late February when the Rocky Mountain ski resorts often get their best snowfall, United has nonstop flights from LAX to Denver (DEN) for $198 round-trip. It's an economy seat which gets you a free carry-on. Your first checked bag will cost you $70.
Related: New glass-domed train in the works for Colorado-to-Utah Rockies route
If you want to visit Pueblo (PUB), one of the most fascinating and history-filled cities in the American Southwest, now is the time to book your trip. We found great fares to the "Steel City" out of Atlanta (ATL) from November through January for just $181 round trip on United. A checked bag will cost you $70, so maybe consider upgrading one tier for $60 if a full-size carry-on is enough for your travel essentials.
Vegas (LAS) to Pueblo in early October is also available on United at the nicely-discounted price of $186 round-trip.
There are some nice fares in this deal from the Midwest. You can fly from Chicago (ORD) nonstop to Colorado Springs (COS) in February on United for just $168. Even better, this is United's economy tier, which gives you a free carry-on bag.
Another good discounted fare to Colorado Springs we found was from Los Angeles. Delta has basic economy tickets in December for only $196 round-trip.
And finally, there are lots of nonstop flights from Dallas (DFW) to Denver on United for less than $200.
Related: The best Colorado ski resorts for the ultimate Rocky Mountain spring break
Maximize your purchase
Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year); the Citi Prestige® Card for 5 points per dollar on airfare; the Citi Premier® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3 points per dollar on air travel; the American Express® Gold Card for 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel; or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar on travel.
The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 5X | Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com |
| 1.5X | Earn 1.5X points on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year |
| 1X | 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
It's hard to find a card that competes with the mile-long list of benefits that come with the Amex Business Platinum. While it's certainly not the card for the average consumer, a business owner with tons of expenses -- especially related to travel -- will find this card incredibly valuable. This card is similar to the consumer version that Amex offers, but with more business-oriented perks around statement credits and earning rates that are a better fit for business owners.Pros
- An up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
- Up to $400 annual credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases (enrollment required)
- Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
- Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection
- Extended warranty protection
- International Airline Program and Cruise Privileges Program
Cons
- Steep annual fee
- Difficulty meeting $15,000 welcome offer for smaller businesses
- Limited high-bonus categories outside of travel
- The Points Guy Exclusive Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for checked baggage fees, lounge day passes, and more at one selected airline.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR® membership. CLEAR® is available at more than 50 U.S. airports and stadiums.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more lounge location options than any other credit card on the market as of 9/2021.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 5X | Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com |
| 1.5X | Earn 1.5X points on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year |
| 1X | 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
The Points Guy Exclusive Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership.Earn 150,000 points120,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$695Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Good, Excellent
Why We Chose It
It's hard to find a card that competes with the mile-long list of benefits that come with the Amex Business Platinum. While it's certainly not the card for the average consumer, a business owner with tons of expenses -- especially related to travel -- will find this card incredibly valuable. This card is similar to the consumer version that Amex offers, but with more business-oriented perks around statement credits and earning rates that are a better fit for business owners.Pros
- An up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
- Up to $400 annual credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases (enrollment required)
- Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
- Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection
- Extended warranty protection
- International Airline Program and Cruise Privileges Program
Cons
- Steep annual fee
- Difficulty meeting $15,000 welcome offer for smaller businesses
- Limited high-bonus categories outside of travel
- The Points Guy Exclusive Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for checked baggage fees, lounge day passes, and more at one selected airline.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR® membership. CLEAR® is available at more than 50 U.S. airports and stadiums.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more lounge location options than any other credit card on the market as of 9/2021.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.