Chicago gives award travelers a real choice of airports, and picking the right one can save you miles, money and time. O’Hare is a fortress hub for two of the three big legacy airlines and the gateway for long-haul international flights. Midway is smaller, closer to the Loop and dominated by Southwest. Here is how they compare for points and miles travelers, including which lounges you will actually find in each terminal as of October 2026.
O’Hare vs. Midway at a glance
| O’Hare (ORD) | Midway (MDW) | |
|---|---|---|
| Main airlines | Hub for United and American; Delta and international airlines in Terminal 5 | Southwest base, with smaller service from carriers such as Delta, Frontier, Allegiant, Porter and Volaris |
| Best for | United MileagePlus, AAdvantage, Star Alliance and oneworld awards; long-haul international | Southwest Rapid Rewards; quick domestic trips |
| Lounges | United Clubs, Polaris, Admirals Clubs, Flagship Lounge, Delta Sky Club, airline and third-party lounges in Terminal 5 | One lounge: The Club MDW |
| CTA to downtown | Blue Line, about 40 to 45 minutes, runs 24 hours | Orange Line, about 20 to 25 minutes, no overnight trains |
When O’Hare is the better pick
If you are redeeming United or American miles, O’Hare is almost always where the award space and nonstop options are, because both airlines run major hubs there. It is also the airport for long-haul international trips on partner airlines, and Terminal 5 is its international terminal (Delta’s lounge is there too). The trade-off is size: allow extra time for connections, and note that the CTA says Terminal 5 riders take a free airport train from the Blue Line station at Terminals 1 to 3.
O’Hare lounges by terminal
This list follows the airport’s official lounge directory, checked in October 2026:
| Terminal | Lounge | Near gate |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | United Club | B6, B18 and C10 |
| Terminal 1 | United Polaris Lounge | C18 |
| Terminal 2 | United Club | E7 and F9 |
| Terminal 3 | Admirals Club (American, shared with JAL and Iberia) | G8, L2A and H6/K6 |
| Terminal 3 | American Flagship Lounge | H6/K6 |
| Terminal 5 | Delta Sky Club | M13 |
| Terminal 5 | Air France lounge | M17 |
| Terminal 5 | LOT Business Lounge and Swissport Lounge | M18 |
| Terminal 5 | Wingtips Lounge | Near M19 |
- United Polaris is built for long-haul premium-cabin passengers, not for elite status or a credit card alone. Check united.com for the current rules.
- American’s Flagship Lounge in Terminal 3 (Concourse H/K) is open daily from 4:15 a.m. to 10:45 p.m., according to American. Access is mainly for First and Business passengers on qualifying international, transcontinental or select domestic flights, certain elites on international trips, and oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members. American also sells a one-time Single Visit Pass for $150 or 15,000 AAdvantage miles (21 and older).
- Delta Sky Club access depends on your Delta ticket, status, membership or eligible card, and Delta’s rules change often, so check delta.com before you count on it.
- Credit card lounges: we found no American Express Centurion Lounge, Chase Sapphire Lounge or Capital One Lounge open at O’Hare. The airport’s directory does not list one, and the Centurion expansion Amex announced in October 2026 (Newark, Heathrow, Philadelphia and Houston) did not include Chicago.
When Midway is the better pick
If you are using Southwest Rapid Rewards points, or you just want an easy domestic trip, Midway is the friendlier airport. It is a big Southwest base, the Orange Line gets you to the Loop in about 20 to 25 minutes, and the terminal is far easier to navigate than O’Hare. Midway has some international leisure flights (route trackers list places like Cancun and Montego Bay), but long-haul flights to Europe or Asia mean O’Hare.
Midway’s only lounge is The Club MDW, which opened in September 2024 in the Central Market, across from Gene’s Bistro near the entrance to Concourse B. The airport says it is open daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Priority Pass members can get in, and other travelers can pay for entry (Upgraded Points reported a $50 day pass; check the lounge’s booking page for today’s price). It is small, so expect waits at busy times.
Practical tips for award travelers
- Search “Chicago” as a whole. Check both airports when you search awards. Some airline and search sites let you search all Chicago airports at once.
- Do not split airports on separate tickets. Moving between Midway and O’Hare means crossing the city, so avoid connecting between them on separate bookings.
- Budget extra time for Terminal 5. Changing terminals at O’Hare can mean an airport train ride and another security line.
- Use transit. The CTA lists the Blue Line fare as $5 or less between O’Hare and downtown, and the Orange Line as $2.50 or less from Midway, which beats rideshare surge pricing.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to both United and Southwest, the two programs that matter most at O’Hare and Midway, plus World of Hyatt for your Chicago hotel. You can compare current offers and apply with our Chase referral link.
Disclosure: This is our personal Chase referral link. If you’re approved through it, we may earn a referral bonus, at no extra cost to you. You can always apply directly on Chase’s website. See our Advertising & Referral Disclosure.
Our take
For United or American miles and anything international, O’Hare wins on choice, award space and lounges. For Southwest points and short trips, Midway is faster, closer and less stressful. The weak spot at both is lounge access for credit card holders: there is no bank-branded lounge at either airport, and The Club MDW is small. If lounges matter to you, your airline’s own club or a premium-cabin ticket is the reliable way in at O’Hare.
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Sources
- Fly Chicago: O’Hare airline lounges
- Fly Chicago: The Club MDW
- American Airlines: Flagship Lounge
- CTA: Airports
- AwardWallet: Amex Centurion Lounge expansion (October 2026)
- TRAICY Global: American Express to open and expand four Centurion Lounges
- BoardingArea: Chicago O’Hare’s lounge desert
- Upgraded Points: The Club MDW
- One Mile at a Time: Midway’s first lounge
- FlightsFrom: Nonstop flights from Midway
Prices, points rates, schedules and entry rules change often; confirm details with the airline, hotel or organizer before you book. Points Capital is not a financial advisor.
