MSP "Escape Lounge" open
May 22, 2017, 8:29 am
#136
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May 22, 2017, 9:07 am
#137
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This sucks about them leaving PP. I have a three hour layover on June 29 at MSP and part of the reason I was ok with that long of a layover was so I could use the escape lounge.
May 22, 2017, 9:18 am
#138
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Since the renovations, there's now a big buffet area in the F/G lounge, although it's not very well designed in terms of people being able to get into the buffet foods easily. I just takes one idiot standing there talking on a cell phone to block people from being able to get food and utensils.
May 22, 2017, 9:37 am
#139
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The two DL SCs at MSP aren't bad, although they're very different in style.
Since the renovations, there's now a big buffet area in the F/G lounge, although it's not very well designed in terms of people being able to get into the buffet foods easily. I just takes one idiot standing there talking on a cell phone to block people from being able to get food and utensils.
Since the renovations, there's now a big buffet area in the F/G lounge, although it's not very well designed in terms of people being able to get into the buffet foods easily. I just takes one idiot standing there talking on a cell phone to block people from being able to get food and utensils.
May 22, 2017, 10:00 am
#140
Join Date: Oct 2009
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I land at MSP at 6:48 PM and leave for LHR at 10 p.m. For a three hour layover is it worth it to pay the fee to the Escape Lounge or should I just stick with the SC? In all the years I've flown Delta and Northwest this will be my first time at MSP (there was availability to use a GU connecting through MSP but would have to waitlist on the direct DTW/MSP and I didn't want to risk not clearing). I know there is a train there as well that goes into the city but not sure if it's worth leaving the airport for a three hour layover and I'm going to have luggage to deal with since I'm carrying on
Last edited by CarmenOM; May 22, 2017 at 10:05 am
May 22, 2017, 10:10 am
#141
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Three hours is cutting it close to leave the airport and go into the city, especially if you are using the light rail, which is a bit of a trek from the terminal. MSP is well endowed with restaurants, including some that are branches of local places, not national chains. You could have a real dinner in the airport before your flight.
May 22, 2017, 10:22 am
#142
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I land at MSP at 6:48 PM and leave for LHR at 10 p.m. For a three hour layover is it worth it to pay the fee to the Escape Lounge or should I just stick with the SC? In all the years I've flown Delta and Northwest this will be my first time at MSP (there was availability to use a GU connecting through MSP but would have to waitlist on the direct DTW/MSP and I didn't want to risk not clearing). I know there is a train there as well that goes into the city but not sure if it's worth leaving the airport for a three hour layover and I'm going to have luggage to deal with since I'm carrying on
Personally, if the choice is paying for the Escape lounge versus using the DL SCs for free, I'd opt for the SCs. F/G is likely to have more food (although the C lounge will have some) and will be much closer to the gate for the LHR flight. I'd suggest starting in C for a drink and a snack and then moving to F/G when you get bored.
Also, you'll get a good dinner in D1 served shortly after takeoff (IME you can count on having food in front of you by thirty minutes after wheels up), so I wouldn't try to have dinner in the airport beyond grazing a bit in the SCs.
BTW, my routine for the MSP-LHR flight is to tell FAs not to wake me for breakfast, although if I'm awake then, I'll have coffee and some pastry/fruit if it looks good. Upon arrival I go to the arrival lounge to shower and have a proper breakfast before taking the tube to the city. With any luck, by then I'll be able to get into my hotel room.
May 22, 2017, 2:07 pm
#143
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I don't think there's enough time to go downtown. The Mall of America is closer, and also on the light rail line (end stop in the opposite direction), but you wouldn't have a lot of time to explore or eat there.
Personally, if the choice is paying for the Escape lounge versus using the DL SCs for free, I'd opt for the SCs. F/G is likely to have more food (although the C lounge will have some) and will be much closer to the gate for the LHR flight. I'd suggest starting in C for a drink and a snack and then moving to F/G when you get bored.
Also, you'll get a good dinner in D1 served shortly after takeoff (IME you can count on having food in front of you by thirty minutes after wheels up), so I wouldn't try to have dinner in the airport beyond grazing a bit in the SCs.
BTW, my routine for the MSP-LHR flight is to tell FAs not to wake me for breakfast, although if I'm awake then, I'll have coffee and some pastry/fruit if it looks good. Upon arrival I go to the arrival lounge to shower and have a proper breakfast before taking the tube to the city. With any luck, by then I'll be able to get into my hotel room.
Personally, if the choice is paying for the Escape lounge versus using the DL SCs for free, I'd opt for the SCs. F/G is likely to have more food (although the C lounge will have some) and will be much closer to the gate for the LHR flight. I'd suggest starting in C for a drink and a snack and then moving to F/G when you get bored.
Also, you'll get a good dinner in D1 served shortly after takeoff (IME you can count on having food in front of you by thirty minutes after wheels up), so I wouldn't try to have dinner in the airport beyond grazing a bit in the SCs.
BTW, my routine for the MSP-LHR flight is to tell FAs not to wake me for breakfast, although if I'm awake then, I'll have coffee and some pastry/fruit if it looks good. Upon arrival I go to the arrival lounge to shower and have a proper breakfast before taking the tube to the city. With any luck, by then I'll be able to get into my hotel room.
Jun 15, 2017, 10:10 am
#144
Join Date: Oct 2012
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My goodness. I visited this lounge last Sunday around 6:00pm and it was CROOOOOWDED.
To provide a frame of reference, most of last year I had my "Sunday dinner" at the Escape lounge in MSP every week. Generally much better food options, and nearly empty every time I visited. Friendly staff, tranquil environment, and lots of F&B options. Much, much better than the DL SCs.
This time, however, the lounge was PACKED, and the staff could not keep up. Dirty plates, bowls, cups, glasses, silverware, you name it, everywhere. No plates for food (not like there was any anyways). At one point the staff brought out 12 sliders and one gentleman leapt up and procured not one, not two, not five, but SIX sliders from the tray. I was sort of astonished. There were no food/beverage items at all -- no waters, no cups for coffee/tea, etc. etc.
I was talking to the staff and they mentioned the huge influx of new Chase Sapphire Reserve customers with their Priority Passes has decimated the lounge and the current CSR holders are not exactly the demographics they are trying to target (they are trying to market themselves as a quiet "business" lounge), thus the limitation to Amex Plat cardholders only moving forward. They eliminated the "a la carte" food options that existed last year since they couldn't keep up. Luckily enough I have both and we'll see if the lounge returns to its original state after it leaves PP.
The staff are excited for the Escape MSP to leave PP... Perhaps it's a blunder on Chase's marketing but most guests seemed confused about needing a PP to access the lounge, (leading to a lot of access denials, frustration, calling Chase, etc. etc.) which the staff obviously have no control over. They also mentioned they did not have this problem with PP in the past (since Amex Plat also issues it), but the issues began happening when CSR was launched. Interesting perspective.
I think in general (given that PP select now is available with almost every "premium" credit card), my hypothesis is we will see PP lounges either leaving the program or cutting back on amenities in order to support the influx of tons of new PP holders.
To provide a frame of reference, most of last year I had my "Sunday dinner" at the Escape lounge in MSP every week. Generally much better food options, and nearly empty every time I visited. Friendly staff, tranquil environment, and lots of F&B options. Much, much better than the DL SCs.
This time, however, the lounge was PACKED, and the staff could not keep up. Dirty plates, bowls, cups, glasses, silverware, you name it, everywhere. No plates for food (not like there was any anyways). At one point the staff brought out 12 sliders and one gentleman leapt up and procured not one, not two, not five, but SIX sliders from the tray. I was sort of astonished. There were no food/beverage items at all -- no waters, no cups for coffee/tea, etc. etc.
I was talking to the staff and they mentioned the huge influx of new Chase Sapphire Reserve customers with their Priority Passes has decimated the lounge and the current CSR holders are not exactly the demographics they are trying to target (they are trying to market themselves as a quiet "business" lounge), thus the limitation to Amex Plat cardholders only moving forward. They eliminated the "a la carte" food options that existed last year since they couldn't keep up. Luckily enough I have both and we'll see if the lounge returns to its original state after it leaves PP.
The staff are excited for the Escape MSP to leave PP... Perhaps it's a blunder on Chase's marketing but most guests seemed confused about needing a PP to access the lounge, (leading to a lot of access denials, frustration, calling Chase, etc. etc.) which the staff obviously have no control over. They also mentioned they did not have this problem with PP in the past (since Amex Plat also issues it), but the issues began happening when CSR was launched. Interesting perspective.
I think in general (given that PP select now is available with almost every "premium" credit card), my hypothesis is we will see PP lounges either leaving the program or cutting back on amenities in order to support the influx of tons of new PP holders.
Jun 15, 2017, 11:26 am
#145
Join Date: Aug 2015
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My goodness. I visited this lounge last Sunday around 6:00pm and it was CROOOOOWDED.
To provide a frame of reference, most of last year I had my "Sunday dinner" at the Escape lounge in MSP every week. Generally much better food options, and nearly empty every time I visited. Friendly staff, tranquil environment, and lots of F&B options. Much, much better than the DL SCs.
This time, however, the lounge was PACKED, and the staff could not keep up. Dirty plates, bowls, cups, glasses, silverware, you name it, everywhere. No plates for food (not like there was any anyways). At one point the staff brought out 12 sliders and one gentleman leapt up and procured not one, not two, not five, but SIX sliders from the tray. I was sort of astonished. There were no food/beverage items at all -- no waters, no cups for coffee/tea, etc. etc.
I was talking to the staff and they mentioned the huge influx of new Chase Sapphire Reserve customers with their Priority Passes has decimated the lounge and the current CSR holders are not exactly the demographics they are trying to target (they are trying to market themselves as a quiet "business" lounge), thus the limitation to Amex Plat cardholders only moving forward. They eliminated the "a la carte" food options that existed last year since they couldn't keep up. Luckily enough I have both and we'll see if the lounge returns to its original state after it leaves PP.
The staff are excited for the Escape MSP to leave PP... Perhaps it's a blunder on Chase's marketing but most guests seemed confused about needing a PP to access the lounge, (leading to a lot of access denials, frustration, calling Chase, etc. etc.) which the staff obviously have no control over. They also mentioned they did not have this problem with PP in the past (since Amex Plat also issues it), but the issues began happening when CSR was launched. Interesting perspective.
I think in general (given that PP select now is available with almost every "premium" credit card), my hypothesis is we will see PP lounges either leaving the program or cutting back on amenities in order to support the influx of tons of new PP holders.
To provide a frame of reference, most of last year I had my "Sunday dinner" at the Escape lounge in MSP every week. Generally much better food options, and nearly empty every time I visited. Friendly staff, tranquil environment, and lots of F&B options. Much, much better than the DL SCs.
This time, however, the lounge was PACKED, and the staff could not keep up. Dirty plates, bowls, cups, glasses, silverware, you name it, everywhere. No plates for food (not like there was any anyways). At one point the staff brought out 12 sliders and one gentleman leapt up and procured not one, not two, not five, but SIX sliders from the tray. I was sort of astonished. There were no food/beverage items at all -- no waters, no cups for coffee/tea, etc. etc.
I was talking to the staff and they mentioned the huge influx of new Chase Sapphire Reserve customers with their Priority Passes has decimated the lounge and the current CSR holders are not exactly the demographics they are trying to target (they are trying to market themselves as a quiet "business" lounge), thus the limitation to Amex Plat cardholders only moving forward. They eliminated the "a la carte" food options that existed last year since they couldn't keep up. Luckily enough I have both and we'll see if the lounge returns to its original state after it leaves PP.
The staff are excited for the Escape MSP to leave PP... Perhaps it's a blunder on Chase's marketing but most guests seemed confused about needing a PP to access the lounge, (leading to a lot of access denials, frustration, calling Chase, etc. etc.) which the staff obviously have no control over. They also mentioned they did not have this problem with PP in the past (since Amex Plat also issues it), but the issues began happening when CSR was launched. Interesting perspective.
I think in general (given that PP select now is available with almost every "premium" credit card), my hypothesis is we will see PP lounges either leaving the program or cutting back on amenities in order to support the influx of tons of new PP holders.
No more Perrier small bottles available, bartender would be absent for periods of time to refill food or check people in. Maybe because it was a Tuesday, but for trying to sell the "premium experience" it was lacking. Hopefully this improves when leaving PP.
Jun 15, 2017, 12:06 pm
#146
Join Date: Oct 2012
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I noticed a clear downturn when I was there earlier in June. Went on a Tuesday, no one working the entrance, had to go hunt for someone to check us in.
No more Perrier small bottles available, bartender would be absent for periods of time to refill food or check people in. Maybe because it was a Tuesday, but for trying to sell the "premium experience" it was lacking. Hopefully this improves when leaving PP.
No more Perrier small bottles available, bartender would be absent for periods of time to refill food or check people in. Maybe because it was a Tuesday, but for trying to sell the "premium experience" it was lacking. Hopefully this improves when leaving PP.
Everything was empty except for a forlorn cold case of wilted lettuce. It was quite sad and I didn't know you could feel a tinge of emotion deep down about an airport lounge.... But I did feel bad for the staff running around.
One gal who was trying to clean tables said to me: "I don't even work here.... I work downstairs at another vendor but they need so much help in here."
It was quite interesting to see the new crowd at the bar -- much more rowdy, trying to get drunk-type (aka ordering shots) rather than the quiet, frequent business-traveler who was just grabbing a beer that I observed last year.
Jun 15, 2017, 12:21 pm
#147
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This sucks they no longer accept PP.
So now the only way to get in is to pay per visit? Seeing Delta has two skyclubs there and international SP and J passengers get free skyclub access I'm surprised they get a lot of paid business.
Is it that much nicer than the SC that it is worth paying to get into?
So now the only way to get in is to pay per visit? Seeing Delta has two skyclubs there and international SP and J passengers get free skyclub access I'm surprised they get a lot of paid business.
Is it that much nicer than the SC that it is worth paying to get into?
Jun 15, 2017, 12:25 pm
#148
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Previously top-tier everything, now a happy free agent
Posts: 1,003
This sucks they no longer accept PP.
So now the only way to get in is to pay per visit? Seeing Delta has two skyclubs there and international SP and J passengers get free skyclub access I'm surprised they get a lot of paid business.
Is it that much nicer than the SC that it is worth paying to get into?
So now the only way to get in is to pay per visit? Seeing Delta has two skyclubs there and international SP and J passengers get free skyclub access I'm surprised they get a lot of paid business.
Is it that much nicer than the SC that it is worth paying to get into?
Having all the CSR PP select cardholders has flooded their lounge and they can't keep up -- to the point where I left and went to the DL SC.
I definitely wouldn't fork over the $45 for the Escape lounge (or whatever they are charging), but when talking to the check-in agent last year they have some private contracts.
I'm curious if Amex actually pays them or how it works though, because when I entered via Amex Plat the agent didn't even scan my card--just looked at it and moved to the next person. I will say it was crazy busy and he was a little overwhelmed so might not have followed SOP.
Jun 15, 2017, 12:32 pm
#149
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
This sucks they no longer accept PP.
So now the only way to get in is to pay per visit? Seeing Delta has two skyclubs there and international SP and J passengers get free skyclub access I'm surprised they get a lot of paid business.
Is it that much nicer than the SC that it is worth paying to get into?
So now the only way to get in is to pay per visit? Seeing Delta has two skyclubs there and international SP and J passengers get free skyclub access I'm surprised they get a lot of paid business.
Is it that much nicer than the SC that it is worth paying to get into?
Plat card holders on the DL lounge do not get guests for free.
Jun 15, 2017, 12:37 pm
#150
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I actually think that them no longer accepting PP is an upside (I say this as a biased Amex Plat cardholder) given that they will actually be able to stay on top of their offerings.
Having all the CSR PP select cardholders has flooded their lounge and they can't keep up -- to the point where I left and went to the DL SC.
I definitely wouldn't fork over the $45 for the Escape lounge (or whatever they are charging), but when talking to the check-in agent last year they have some private contracts.
I'm curious if Amex actually pays them or how it works though, because when I entered via Amex Plat the agent didn't even scan my card--just looked at it and moved to the next person. I will say it was crazy busy and he was a little overwhelmed so might not have followed SOP.
Having all the CSR PP select cardholders has flooded their lounge and they can't keep up -- to the point where I left and went to the DL SC.
I definitely wouldn't fork over the $45 for the Escape lounge (or whatever they are charging), but when talking to the check-in agent last year they have some private contracts.
I'm curious if Amex actually pays them or how it works though, because when I entered via Amex Plat the agent didn't even scan my card--just looked at it and moved to the next person. I will say it was crazy busy and he was a little overwhelmed so might not have followed SOP.
As a Delta SC member I understand the overcrowding concerns. Once the Skyclubs stopped allowing Am Ex card holders to bring in guests and change to the Exec option for SC members the congestion wasn't nearly as bad, they brought back drinkable alcohol and the food offerings have really improved.