First look: United Airlines debuts massive new club in Denver
Denver has just become the second United Airlines hub to enjoy a fully refreshed suite of lounges.
That's because United is taking the wraps off its long-awaited renovation and expansion at the B West United Club, which will open to passengers on Thursday.
The B West United Club, located near Gate B32, has been closed since 2023 as part of a major lounge overhaul that United underwent at Denver International Airport (DEN).
Travel perks: 9 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
The airline has already closed, renovated and expanded the B East United Club, and it also opened a brand-new outpost in the A Concourse back in 2023.
Furthermore, the airline's first-ever Club Fly opened in DEN in 2022.
But as DEN continues to retain its title as United's fastest-growing hub, the airline wanted to breathe new life into the B West outpost as well.
Now that it's ready for flyers, DEN will have four United lounge outposts — all of which are either new or newly renovated. The only other hub with entirely new or newly renovated clubs is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
In total, United now has more than 100,000 square feet of United Club space in Denver, with enough seating for nearly 1,600 guests. (More will be added with the forthcoming opening of the Polaris lounge in the coming years.)
In advance of the B West United Club opening, I got a preview of what flyers can expect.
While not necessarily revolutionary, this renovated and expanded space is a welcome improvement for United travelers passing through Denver. Here's why.
United Club Denver B West access and location
United's new lounge is open from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily.
The entrance to the United Club outpost hasn't changed since before the renovation. You'll still find it located across from Gate B32.
The lounge's lobby and reception area are on the terminal level, and, assuming you're admitted, you'll take the escalator (or stairs) up to the lounge itself. (Note: There is an accessible elevator entrance on the side of the lounge.)
For full access details, check out TPG's guide to United Club access.
United Club Denver B West layout
The new United Club takes on a very similar design and layout to the ones in B East and Concourse A.
The space is split into two levels, with largely similar amenities and seating configurations on both levels.
When you enter the lounge, you'll be on Level 3, which will also probably be the busiest, given that some travelers, especially those who don't read up on the new lounge, may not realize there's another floor.
As you ascend the escalator, you'll see the lounge's signature fireplace and lounging area. A variety of seating options, including individual recliners and sofas, surround the (faux) fireplace.
Behind the fireplace is yet more seating, including a bunch of two-top booths built into the wall.
Speaking of seating, there's plenty of it in this lounge. Everywhere you turn, you'll seemingly find space to plop down and relax. United says that there are over 600 seats spanning more than 33,000 square feet, making this among the largest clubs in the network.
Once it opens, overcrowding shouldn't be as much of a concern — at least, that's my hope — given that it significantly expands the United Club footprint in Denver.
If you turn left from the fireplace, you'll be in one of the lounge's main buffet areas. Here, you'll find a bunch of two-top dining tables, as well as plenty of barstools and high-top seating built into counters and freestanding room partitions.
You'll find a bunch of additional individual workstation pods along the perimeter of the dining area, though I wouldn't necessarily recommend trying to lock in on some work here, given how much foot traffic will likely pass through this space looking for the buffet.
Meanwhile, if you instead turn right from the fireplace, you'll find one of the lounge's two signature bars.
This space is designed with more of an industrial feel thanks to the exposed ceilings.
The bar itself is quite stylish and feels very on-brand for what United was going for here — a space designed to resemble a cozy cabin.
Adjacent to this room is another space perfect for catching up on work. Open workstations line the aisle, but be careful with the marble desks. They have sharp edges — sharp enough to (unfortunately) rip my jeans.
Finally, there's yet another separate seating space behind the bar with more tables and benches.
This space also has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the B and C concourses. If you're an aviation enthusiast, be sure to bring your camera — you'll catch lots of great airplane shots from these windows.
When you're ready to ascend to Level 4, you can take the stairs, elevator or escalator.
You'll arrive at a small hallway with more seating that connects the two sides of the lounge.
Turning right will bring you to another buffet area flanked on one side by more dining tables.
There's even an auxiliary dining room space that features the largest high-top shared workspace table I've seen in any United Club. It has seating for 14 flyers.
As you walk from the dining area to the other side of the lounge, you'll pass through another relaxation space with a central (faux) fireplace to grab your attention.
There's plenty of seating around the fireplace, and I loved the wood-lined ceiling that helped promote a sense of tranquility amid the chaos of one of the world's busiest airports.
Behind the fireplace are five navy blue recliner chairs that look to be among the comfiest places to sit in the lounge. This is definitely where you'll find me relaxing when passing through Denver.
Finally, if you continue going down the hallway with the fireplace, you'll find yourself in the lounge's second bar area.
This space feels more elevated than the industrial feeling of the bar downstairs. Here, you'll find checked carpeting, wood ceiling treatments and a wood-lined bar, again, all designed to resemble a cozy lodge.
Even the color palette used here feels more homey than the rest of the space.
Overall, this club shares many of the same design elements as the existing outposts in DEN. It has two levels, faux fireplaces and lots of seating.
The design here feels a little more elevated than the others, but to the average flyer, the biggest improvement with this outpost will simply be all the additional seating.
Denver is the fastest-growing United hub, and the crowds at all the other lounges show it.
United Club Denver B West food and beverage
United and fine dining haven't recently been synonymous ... and that's not changing with this lounge opening.
The food options that were displayed on the buffet during the preview event largely resembled what you'd find in any other United Club. Expect sandwiches, some salads, two soups and a few other choices.
The airline's catering definitely covers the basics, but this isn't the elevated options you'd find in Delta Air Lines' Sky Clubs, which continue to impress with the best food service in any membership lounge.
If you're looking to quench your thirst, there are two beverage stations lining the walls near both buffets. Here, you'll find plenty of nonalcoholic choices, including coffee machines, drip coffee and Coca-Cola freestyle fountains.
Both bars are available to whip up your favorite cocktail or pour a glass of wine. Just note that only house choices are complimentary with entry. Any of the fancier pours will cost you extra (either in miles or cash).
United Club Denver B West amenities
United's new lounges do a great job of covering the basics, and this outpost is no exception. You'll find plenty of seating, an upscale design, fast Wi-Fi and lots of power outlets.
You won't find phone booths, spas or meeting rooms here — amenities largely reserved for credit card-branded lounges or business-class-only outposts like the Polaris lounge.
United did, however, build a small game room on the upper level near the bar with a wooden shuffleboard table etched with the United Club logo into it.
I would've preferred another game or two, but at least this should keep those of us who are kids at heart entertained.
You won't find any showers in this lounge — none of the United Clubs in DEN offer showers, which is a shame given all the new long-haul routes the airline has been launching from the Mile High City in recent years. (I'm told the Polaris Lounge will, unsurprisingly, offer shower suites.)
The lounge does offer two sets of gender-specific restrooms with plenty of stalls and urinals.
There are also two wellness rooms equipped with baby changing tables, as well as two stand-alone all-gender restrooms.
Bottom line
The new B West United Club is a welcome opening for those passing through Denver. It significantly expands the airline's lounge footprint in its fastest-growing airport and offers flyers a far more modernized space than the one it replaces.
That said, given that this is the third newly designed United Club at DEN, you won't necessarily find too many surprises inside. The design of all three is quite similar, and many travelers probably won't be able to tell them apart.
But if that means getting a comfy seat without people on top of you, well, that'd be a big enough upgrade for many frequent flyers to rejoice.
I just wish United, which has been trying to compete more fiercely for premium traffic in recent months, would examine what Delta — its chief competitor, according to CEO Scott Kirby — does with its Sky Club dining and amenities.
A few phone booths and some more extensive food options would go a long way in elevating its lounge network.
Related reading:
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.