Route information
- Data Nov 2026 – Nov 2027
The data runs November 2026–November 2027, with calendar prices for two months.
DENORD
Denver to Chicagoaward flights
Compare 4 loyalty programs for Denver to Chicago award flights, with economy seats from 6,309 points.
From
DEN
DEN
To
ORD
ORD
Depart
Route snapshot
Denver to Chicago shows nonstop award space on United Airlines and American Airlines. Four programs price the route, and the cheapest economy award is 6,309 points on a United Airlines nonstop. Lufthansa Miles & More prices that seat lowest, so defaulting to United Airlines' own program can mean overpaying. This page tracks every program on DEN–ORD, updated daily.
- Route
- DEN to ORD
- Direct service
- 43 direct award flights
- Airlines with award availability
- 3
- Best economy price
- From 6,309 pts
- Best premium economy price
- N/A
- Best business price
- From 29,000 pts
- Best first class price
- From 15,000 pts
Award pricing comparison
Best one-way award prices per airline over the next 12 months.
| Airline | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
 United AirlinesUA | 6,309Lowest | Not available | Not available |
 American AirlinesAA | 7,500pts | 29,000Lowest | 15,000Lowest |
 Alaska AirlinesAS | 12,500pts | Not available | 35,000pts |
Lowest in each cabin—No award seats foundPoints, one-way. Live award pricing from FlightFlyer data, computed 11/6/2026. Prices vary by date and availability.
Award pricing by month
When award seats between Denver and Chicago price cheapest over the next year.
Cheapest monthDecember 2026 · 6,309 pts
CheapestNext 12 months| Month | Cheapest award (points) |
|---|---|
| Nov 2026 | 15,194 |
| Dec 2026 | 6,309 |
| Jan 2027 | No award data |
| Feb 2027 | No award data |
| Mar 2027 | No award data |
| Apr 2027 | No award data |
| May 2027 | No award data |
| Jun 2027 | No award data |
| Jul 2027 | No award data |
| Aug 2027 | No award data |
| Sep 2027 | No award data |
| Oct 2027 | No award data |
Dec, Nov currently price cheapest on this route, with awards from 6,309 pts one-way based on recent award data.
Airlines with award seats on this route
3 airlines with award seats between Denver and Chicago, nonstop or connecting.
American AirlinesAAAlaska AirlinesASUnited AirlinesUARoute notes
What to know before booking Denver to Chicago with points.
About this route
Denver to Chicago is served by American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, offering multiple options for award travelers. Compare 4 loyalty programs to find the best value for your points. Award prices start from 6,309 points in economy. Use our search tool to check real-time award availability on this route.
Denver–Chicago Flights
This route runs from Denver (DEN) to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD). The nonstop award space in the data is split between United Airlines and American Airlines. Aircraft logged on those nonstops include the Airbus A321 and Airbus A321neo. About 20% of the award options in the data are nonstop.
Best Ways to Book With Points & Miles
Booking Denver–Chicago with points starts with the cabin, then the program. The economy floor is a partner booking on a United Airlines nonstop, with no connection to trade off against the points. That seat adds about $319 in taxes and fees, well above the route's typical economy taxes, so weigh points and cash together before booking. Moving up to business costs about 5 times the economy points. A nonstop first-class seat undercuts business here, so price it before settling.
Best Points & Miles Programs
Lufthansa Miles & More takes economy at 6,309 points on a United Airlines nonstop. Qantas Frequent Flyer is cheapest in business class at 29,000 points on an American Airlines nonstop. Alaska Atmos Rewards wins first class at 15,000 points on an American Airlines nonstop. American AAdvantage also prices the route and is worth a cross-check before transferring. No program wins more than one cabin here, so pick the seat first, then the currency.
Airlines & Routing Options
Nonstop award space on Denver–Chicago spans two alliances: United Airlines (Star Alliance) and American Airlines (oneworld). That means partner programs in both alliances have a way onto a nonstop. In business class, the floor sits on American Airlines, booked through oneworld partner Qantas Frequent Flyer. Only three airlines hold award inventory on the route, yet four programs price them, so the competition is between currencies more than carriers.
Alternative Airports & Routes
No nearby alternate airports turn up in the data for Denver–Chicago; the live price table above tracks the main pair. The return, Chicago to Denver, has its own page, since award pricing can differ by direction. For another option from Denver, Cancun prices from 7,400 points at last check.
Booking tips
- 1Search flexible dates first, since saver award seats can appear on scattered days.
- 2Compare partner programs before transferring points, since the same seat can price very differently.
- 3Check both direct and connecting options when direct award seats are limited.
- 4Book early for peak travel periods, when saver space disappears fastest.
- 5Recheck availability often, since airlines may release more award seats closer to departure.
Similar routes
Alternative corridors travelers consider alongside Denver to Chicago.
JFKORDNew York to Chicago
From 5,200 ptsBusiness 24,600 pts
IAHORDHouston to Chicago
From 6,309 ptsBusiness 29,000 pts
DENCUNDenver to Cancun
From 7,400 ptsBusiness 30,000 pts
LGAORDNew York to Chicago
From 7,500 ptsBusiness 29,000 pts
SFOORDSan Francisco to Chicago
From 8,087 ptsBusiness 30,000 pts
DENSJDDenver to Los Cabos
From 10,000 ptsBusiness 20,000 pts
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions travelers ask about the Denver to Chicago route.
At last check, economy starts at 6,309 points one-way through Lufthansa Miles & More on United Airlines, nonstop. This route is priced by four programs, so compare them side by side. The pricing table above tracks every cabin daily.