Delta First Class and MSP airport

topolino

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 6, 2006

• Jul 4, 2015

• #1

This question has to do with travel in general and not WDW, so if it's in the wrong forum, I apologize.

Next week I'll be flying into MSP on Delta in first class. I'll have a few hours to wait in the airport before my ground transportation can meet me, so I was hoping to spend the time in Delta's First Class lounge (or whatever they're calling it). I'm wondering if I have to pick up my bag from the carousel first and then go to the lounge, or can I leave my bag and get it hours later?

Sorry if the question seems dumb, but I've never been in a situation before where I've landed in an airport and then stuck around.

Thanks!

 

sam_gordon

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 26, 2010

• Jul 4, 2015

• #2

I'm not familiar with MSP, but here my GUESS...

1) I wouldn't want to leave my bag on the carousel. I'm guessing it would end up in the "unclaimed luggage" office, but I'd want to know it actually made it to my destination.
2) I'm assuming baggage claim would be outside security and all the Sky Clubs are inside security. Which means, if you claim your bags, you can't get back to the Clubs.
3) I read Delta's site, but I don't see where a First Class ticket gets you access to the club anyway. http://www.delta.com/content/www/en...ircraft/delta-sky-club/glossary-of-terms.html

 

topolino

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 6, 2006

• Jul 4, 2015

• #3

Thanks for your reply Sam. On my email confirmation sent to me by Delta, right next to my personal information and seat assignment, there is a link to the Sky Club. I assumed it was there because of my type of ticket, but it's possible it's there on all confirmations. I guess first I should find out for sure if I'm entitled to access to the club.

 

J

jsilvers

DIS Veteran

Joined

Apr 22, 2002

• Jul 4, 2015

• #4

It doesn't appear that a domestic first class ticket to MSP entitles you to access a Sky Club. From Delta's web page explaining the rules (http://www.delta.com/content/www/en...ircraft/delta-sky-club/glossary-of-terms.html):

TRANSCONTINENTAL FIRST CLASS, DELTA ONE™ OR FULL Y-CLASS PASSENGER
Customers traveling on a nonstop Delta First Class, Delta One or full Y-class ticket between New York-JFK and Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle and San Francisco.​

 

topolino

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 6, 2006

• Jul 4, 2015

• #5

Thanks for your responses. I guess my next question is: what is there to do at MSP for four hours?

 

TheRustyScupper

Everyone Is Responsible For Everyone.

Joined

Aug 8, 2000

• Jul 4, 2015

• #6

topolino said:

Thanks for your responses. I guess my next question is: what is there to do at MSP for four hours?

Click to expand...

1) I have flown through Minneapolis MANY, MANY times (I am Gold Medallion level).
2) There are lots of shops in the main concourse - exclusive and normal.
3) Of course, one can always Drink-Away The Time (my favorite alternative).

4) Delta has changed their Lounge entry requirements.
. . . any Business Class International (trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific) qualifies for admittance
. . . some Domestic First Class (based upon flight distance) will allow admittance, but only a few
. . . if not granted automatic entrance, you can always buy a One-Day-Pass
5) Lounge Benes
. . . open bar (premium liquor brands do have a charge)
. . . the chicken salad with cranberries is DEFINTELY delicious

 

DebbieB

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 24, 1999

• Jul 4, 2015

• #7

I've flown into MSP many times. The problem is if you go to baggage claim to get your bag, you will be shut out of the areas with shopping and restaurants. I'd be leary of leaving my bag unclaimed for hours. I'm not sure if you can talk to the gate agent when you land to notify baggage claim to hold your bag.

 

sam_gordon

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 26, 2010

• Jul 4, 2015

• #8

TheRustyScupper said:

There are lots of shops in the main concourse - exclusive and normal.
3) Of course, one can always Drink-Away The Time (my favorite alternative).

Click to expand...

Are there shops, restaurants, and/or bars OUTSIDE of security though? If the OP claims their bag, they won't be able to get back inside security.

 

nacho113

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 9, 2012

• Jul 5, 2015

• #9

From what I can remember of our flight out of MSP a couple of years ago, there is not much to do on the check-in side of the airport, most of the eateries, shops and bars are past security on the actual airsides.
Upper level was ticketing and check-in (may have been a Starbucks or something similar but not much else). When we returned here we disembarked into the lower level for baggage claim and ground transportation, not much there either.
Delta's lounge is definitely on the Concourse, beyond the security checkpoint so without an out bound ticket, you won't be getting back to the lounge anyway (regardless of whether you are eligible to use it or not)

 

topolino

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 6, 2006

• Jul 5, 2015

• #10

nacho113 said:

From what I can remember of our flight out of MSP a couple of years ago, there is not much to do on the check-in side of the airport, most of the eateries, shops and bars are past security on the actual airsides.
Upper level was ticketing and check-in (may have been a Starbucks or something similar but not much else). When we returned here we disembarked into the lower level for baggage claim and ground transportation, not much there either.
Delta's lounge is definitely on the Concourse, beyond the security checkpoint so without an out bound ticket, you won't be getting back to the lounge anyway (regardless of whether you are eligible to use it or not)

Click to expand...

Yes, I did a little research and found that there is at least a Starbucks pre-security, so I'll probably camp out there for a bit. In addition I saw that there are some quick service type eating establishments pre-security as well, so I can grab some lunch before my ground transportation arrives. I will speak to a gate agent, like a pp suggested, to see about holding my bag, but I don't want to run any risks.

On the return flight, I'll definitely take advantage of the Sky Club, even if I have to buy a day pass.

 

Minnesota!

Shoeless in Minnesota

Joined

Sep 15, 1999

• Jul 6, 2015

• #11

Grab your luggage and head via Light Rail to Mall of America Stow luggage in a locker and grab a bite to eat and wander around.

 

jtowntoflorida

Looking Like I Can't Really Afford To Go To Disney

Joined

Jan 17, 2011

• Jul 6, 2015

• #12

Minnesota! said:

Grab your luggage and head via Light Rail to Mall of America Stow luggage in a locker and grab a bite to eat and wander around.

Click to expand...

This is what I was going to say. There isn't much (anything?) to do on the non-secure side of the checkpoints, but you can get to the MOA in only a few minutes on the Light Rail.