MSP Worldclub questions (and Football!)
 

So, I have a 9 hour layover in MSP on my way to LHR next Sunday. This is my first time flying WBC. Is televised football available in the Worldclubs?

Lacking that, can anyone suggest a good bar/restaurant at the Airport to watch the Vikings?

Also, which club (C concourse or F concourse) is the better one for an extended stay?

Lastly, do the clubs allow temporary luggage drop off if I was going to venture out of the Airport?

Thanks!

It is always on in the concourse C club

You should be able to catch a game in the club. There are a number of restaurants where I'm sure they'll have the games on. If not, with 9 hours to kill you'd easily be able to take the light rail to downtown (20 minute ride) or Mall of America (5 minute ride) where you will have no problem finding a decent place to watch the games. I think the F club has a spot to leave luggage (not locked though) and if I'm not mistaken there are lockers somewhere in the terminal (maybe near E). Hope that helps.

The C club has the new decor and, most importantly, Summit beer on tap. :D

I've been able to catch NFL and UM (and not Minnesota ;)) games in MSP WC's without issues.

One more quick question...

If I leave the airport, what would be a reasonable amount of time to be back before the international departure? 1 hour? 2 hours? Remember, I'll already have boarding passes and luggage will have been checked earlier in the day.

If coming off the light rail, would it be quicker to use the security checkpoint 10 (between G and C concourses) than the main check points?

Thanks again

I would say that you should be back at the airport, in the security line, 1 hour prior to departure time. A little earlier if you wish to return to the WorldClub and have a drink there prior to boarding.

As for the checkpoint at the back of the parking garage, between G and C, depending on the time of day the line can be very short, or very long. And once you get through security you will be a long way from the international departure gates G1-G8. There is a Priority Line in the main terminal check-in area, reserved for FC, WBC, and Elites, which makes it a snap to clear security there and be much closer to the gates and the larger F-G WorldClub.

Though on the other side of the airport from the international departures, I'd go to the C club which is nicer (similar to the DTW and MEM clubs) than the F/G one. Also the light rail line will put you nearish to the C club as well....

Enjoy your stay!

C club has lockers with keys for luggage ... I believe the F/G club does not.

Sounds like could use C as a base .. head to the Mall and come back to C ...

Have a great trip.

F/G club also has lockers with keys. Or, MSP has several banks of lockers airside that you can stuff your bags in. I think it's around $2/hour and uses a fingerprint instead of a key to secure your items. Pretty cool technology I think, and airside!! :D

I've been in the C club on Monday nights when they played MNF on one of the smaller TVs in the room close to the check-in desk, but if someone's already there watching something, you might have to ask nicely or go to a sports bar.

Thanks for all the great advice and info...!

One would think a Vikings game would take precedent in the MSP WorldClub. Its not like I'd try to do this in DTW when the Lions were on!

We'll see. :)

If you leave the airport, definitely use the Skyway checkpoint on the bridge between F & G. Skip the escalators, take the elevators all the way down to the LRT ticketing level.

There are rarely any lines worth mentioning at the Skyway checkpoint.

Most international departures are in the neighborhood of G1-4. You can walk G or take the shuttle along C. I would just walk down G.

The Skyway checkpoint is a gamble. MOST of the time it's short. But sometimes it can be really long. The main terminal has a lot of lanes to spread people around on, but the G/C checkpoint doesn't, so if a lot of people show up at once, a line forms and the checkpoint just doesn't have the throughput to clear it.

If you're going to the C Worldclub, it might be worth it, but if you're going straight to a G1-G8 gate, the couple minutes of potential time savings probably isn't worth the risk.

Gah, it doesn't matter any more. The Vikes are going to stink. 0-16 for sure. Go outside and get fresh air or go to the mall. The Vikes are done.

(Yes, I'm a bit like the Cleveland Indians fans in the outfield bleachers in the movie Major League) :)

Ha ha ha... (The sound of a Packers fan getting the last laugh...) :D