MSP or DTW for Long Layover
Sep 18, 2018, 10:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Carlsbad,CA USA
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanuim/Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 1,534
MSP or DTW for Long Layover
I am looking at some Delta flights that have an approximate 3-hour layover in either Detroit or Minneapolis. Which is better for a long layover? I have the American Express Platinum Card for Skyclub access and also Priority Pass.
Sep 18, 2018, 10:55 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: VPS, previously SEA and PIT
Programs: DL Diamond/1MM, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 1,200
I like the large food court/great hall corridor in MSP, but the food court is under construction for the foreseeable future. The main Sky Club at MSP has a great buffet but it's a pretty crappy overall sky club (seating, view, crowding) for a hub. I haven't been to the renovated club at DTW yet, but overall I love roaming that airport. The main club has good options, and the clubs at the end of the main concourse are cozy and quieter (MSP also has a cozier club in the C concourse). Long story short, for 3 hours I'd do DTW. If it were longer, I'd do MSP and leave the airport and go to the Mall of America 
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Sep 18, 2018, 11:04 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
I think the MSP "Escape Lounge" (Available w/ your Amex Platinum) is way nicer than the MSP Skyclub. That's where I'd rather spend my layover. The "middle" (40s?) DTW Skyclub is good, but not as nice as Escape IMO, which has a better food selection, power plugs everywhere, and is less crowded.
Sep 18, 2018, 11:39 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
I think the MSP "Escape Lounge" (Available w/ your Amex Platinum) is way nicer than the MSP Skyclub. That's where I'd rather spend my layover. The "middle" (40s?) DTW Skyclub is good, but not as nice as Escape IMO, which has a better food selection, power plugs everywhere, and is less crowded.
With three hours, you could also do a very quick trip to the Mall of America using the light rail if you've never seen it.
OTOH, DTW has the overhead red train (now running at half capacity for maintenance) and the psychadelic tunnel. It's too bad the signed rocks are gone. (RIP)
Sep 18, 2018, 11:41 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 188
I definitely second the vote for the Escape Lounge at MSP. I was there a few months ago and it had great food selections and was very quiet ... at least when I went on a Saturday (late-morning). Only negative is that the bathrooms are outside the club (yet easily accessible on the 2nd floor).
Sep 18, 2018, 9:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MSN
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Titanium, Amtrak Member
Posts: 226
I love DTW in the A concourse because you can walk past all the big jets in the middle of the day. The main center SkyClub can get rather busy but the food area was recently redone and is nice. And for a more substantial lunch I like going to Sora for Japanese food.
Sep 19, 2018, 12:50 am
#11
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
I like MSP but then I'm from there. The DTW SC are a bit nicer overall, even when crowded. Certainly DTW is more zen. Is the tram out of service?
At MSP, you can do the PGA via PP and get $15 worth of food or drink from the club or the neighboring restaurants (I usually get a salad for later from French Meadow). Then I believe you have access to the Escape club via AMEX Plat. Plus of course the DL clubs (I prefer C one since it's like the DTW club style).
At MSP, you can do the PGA via PP and get $15 worth of food or drink from the club or the neighboring restaurants (I usually get a salad for later from French Meadow). Then I believe you have access to the Escape club via AMEX Plat. Plus of course the DL clubs (I prefer C one since it's like the DTW club style).
Sep 19, 2018, 7:10 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,342
I like MSP but then I'm from there. The DTW SC are a bit nicer overall, even when crowded. Certainly DTW is more zen. Is the tram out of service?
At MSP, you can do the PGA via PP and get $15 worth of food or drink from the club or the neighboring restaurants (I usually get a salad for later from French Meadow). Then I believe you have access to the Escape club via AMEX Plat. Plus of course the DL clubs (I prefer C one since it's like the DTW club style).
At MSP, you can do the PGA via PP and get $15 worth of food or drink from the club or the neighboring restaurants (I usually get a salad for later from French Meadow). Then I believe you have access to the Escape club via AMEX Plat. Plus of course the DL clubs (I prefer C one since it's like the DTW club style).
Sep 19, 2018, 10:13 am
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
If I had to choose, I would pick Detroit because the main Sky Club lounge has showers. The main Sky Club at Minneapolis doesn't have showers.
Sep 19, 2018, 6:02 pm
#15
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Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,507
I just can't warm up to MSP ever as a connecting hub. I don't like the rectangular gate layout, I'm not thrilled with the food and beverage choices (although DTW's aren't that impressive, either), and the big F/G SkyClub is just kind of meh.
If I lived in the area and used it for O/D, I'd probably love the access. For a short layover, I'll always pick DTW. For a long layover, I'd probably pick DTW as well.
If I lived in the area and used it for O/D, I'd probably love the access. For a short layover, I'll always pick DTW. For a long layover, I'd probably pick DTW as well.
