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Ease of getting gate pass at MSP?

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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 7:36 am
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Ease of getting gate pass at MSP?

So i have a friend flying in this Thursday morning who i havent seen in a while and i thought it would be fun to get a gate pass and surprise him at the gate. Has anyone done this at MSP recently? Am I correct in understanding that i just need to go to the ticket agent and request one? Do i need to provide any info when getting the pass, such as his flight # or anything like that?

Thanks!
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 7:57 am
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Originally Posted by xolinlevh
So i have a friend flying in this Thursday morning who i havent seen in a while and i thought it would be fun to get a gate pass and surprise him at the gate. Has anyone done this at MSP recently? Am I correct in understanding that i just need to go to the ticket agent and request one? Do i need to provide any info when getting the pass, such as his flight # or anything like that?

Thanks!
You do need to go to the counter to get a pass. You will need ID just as if you were checking in for a flight yourself in order to clear security.

In my experience, they will provide gate passes in MSP - however - if it's just to "meet a friend" - not so sure. When I have gotten passes in the past, I have been quizzed about why they were needed. In my case, it's been to meet parents / in-laws that needed assistance - so I had a valid reason.
Never tried to request a pass just to surprise someone. Not sure how that would play.
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 8:07 am
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Hmm, yea it's not the best reason to be allowed in, I was also thinking about doing the same when he leaves, gate pass to go wait with him in the club before his flight out. Main thing is i dont want to get to the airport early, pay for parking, only to get turned away and have to go back out to the car and circle for a while =/
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 8:30 am
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do you have a sky club membership? tell them you have a meeting to attend to in the sky club
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 8:30 am
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My experience in getting a gate pass at MSP has been pretty poor. Tried twice to get a gate pass to see my elderly non-native speaking parents off and they didn't think that was a good enough reason.
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 8:35 am
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A "gate pass" is very easy to get with a credit card and a refundable same day ticket@:-)
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 8:40 am
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Same day purchase of a refundable ticket is as good for a boarding pass and getting airside as a gate-pass in terms of getting airside, and it comes with less chance of a fuss from airline employees at the airport.

After getting airside, just remember to cancel the check-in (preferably prior to scheduled departure time) and put in for a refund.
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 8:41 am
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Originally Posted by MR_MAMA
do you have a sky club membership? tell them you have a meeting to attend to in the sky club
Well, Plat amex, could try that!

Originally Posted by thomasmn
My experience in getting a gate pass at MSP has been pretty poor. Tried twice to get a gate pass to see my elderly non-native speaking parents off and they didn't think that was a good enough reason.
Do you get any better luck asking at the SP agents vs the regular agents?

Originally Posted by TTT
A "gate pass" is very easy to get with a credit card and a refundable same day ticket@:-)
hehe, that would work for sure, but ill be honest, as much as i want to surprise him, i dont wanna charge a $600 ticket to make it happen lol.
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 8:49 am
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Originally Posted by xolinlevh
hehe, that would work for sure, but ill be honest, as much as i want to surprise him, i dont wanna charge a $600 ticket to make it happen lol.
Why not? The refund is processed the same day when you go back to the ticketing counter and request a refund. And MSP-RST is <$500
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 9:15 am
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Originally Posted by fti
Why not? The refund is processed the same day when you go back to the ticketing counter and request a refund. And MSP-RST is <$500
Few months back i booked a ticket and had to cancel it within the 24 hour window, as the meeting date changed, and it took them close to 3 days for it to post back to my card, and with it being labor day weekend, id expect it to be longer. Rather not tie up several hundred bucks for a few days. Gonna roll the dice with the meeting in skyclub option crossing my fingers!
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 9:18 am
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MSP has always been difficult for me. Even when I had a meeting with Delta corporate type people a year ago in the SkyClub, the agents at the counter wouldn't budge until the actual people I was meeting with came out and told them to issue me a gate pass.

When I lived there and needed to get through, I'd often book an award ticket to some random small city and then redeposit the miles...not an option anymore though
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 9:33 am
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Originally Posted by xolinlevh
Rather not tie up several hundred bucks for a few days.
Guess you don't play the credit-card-for-miles game. In any case, good luck.
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 9:33 am
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The only way to get a pass issued is by the agents correct? i cant call the PM line and have them get me one in advance? (ofc not, that would be too easy?)
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 9:36 am
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Originally Posted by fti
Guess you don't play the credit-card-for-miles game. In any case, good luck.
heh not really, i earn enough miles that i dont feel the need to apply for multiple cards to get get miles. i have my new Benz/Plat card and the DL Reserve, gets me everything i need
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Old Aug 29, 2011 | 11:03 am
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Originally Posted by xolinlevh
Do you get any better luck asking at the SP agents vs the regular agents?
No, both times they were the SP agents as I had booked my parents in Business Elite paid for with miles.
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