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This is just so sad. I was granted press access to the soft opening day of the Minneapolis MSP Escape Lounge back in 2015. It was a truly impressive lounge with great food choices, quality drink choices, and fast WiFi. Not only that but compared to the (at the time) Delta Sky Club downstairs and down the hall, this was a bright, vibrant lounge that during many visits over the years remained reasonably empty by comparison.
My, have things changed. Take a look.
During our trip home from our simply amazing Holland America “free” cruise, I wanted to check out the lounge and have a glass of wine since they always had a better selection than the Delta Sky Club. What I found was a shock. Real plates have been replaced with what looks like tiny dog food plastic bowls. I am shocked the silverware was not plastic as well. Now look at the food choices at dinner time.
Does this chicken dish look appetizing to you (no – I did not try it – shudder). How about those Brussels spouts? Do they make your mouth water?
The tiny sandwiches looked dry and old and frankly kinda nasty. The only thing that looked mildly OK was the salad. But again, I did not sample any of the food and this was not why I was here. So how about a nice glass of red wine? Well no, not so much:
I mean, I ask you to compare this laminated embarrassment to what was offered when the club first opened. Again, how sad. And do keep in mind to access this club you need to have either an Amex Platinum card or an Amex Business Platinum card that both carry substantial yearly fees!
One would think when this club departed from Priority Pass and became a partner with American Express Centurion (even as a Studio lounge) it would become a step up – not 20 steps down in quality.
The only positive thing they have done is set the side door to “locked open” so when you need to exit the lounge and use the bathrooms (since there are none in the club) you can help yourself back in without having to walk back in the main entrance.
Bottom line if you have a layover in MSP simply AVOID this soon-decade-old Escape club and visit one of the much more impressive and quality Delta Sky Clubs! – René
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Beringer wine? I wouldn’t serve that to my worst enemy.
It was fine until 2020 but following the pandemic it never recovered. It was my go to lounge when I stopping being able to bring guests into the Skyclub. In talking to staff in the last year, the need to raise wages corresponded to cuts in service and quality due to the management not willing to compromise on the profitability of the fees it recived from Amex which have not been allowed to increase per whatever operating contract they have. Now if you want to get some non-delta Skyclub time I recommend the priority pass access to the PGA lounge next to escape. Even if you don’t golf it’s good for two $15 food and beverage credits across you and a guest.
Agreed. I went for the 1st time last month and won’t go back.
Agreed on all points. Ever since the pandemic it has been dirty and food presentation lacking. This used to be our go-to to bring guests. We completely avoid it now.
I completely agree with Ben (above). The food and service pre covid was good I would post on Trip Advisor at least two times a year with pictures and glowing reviews. In fact, there was a time, when I had connection options, I would choose MSP just to visit the lounge. Thanks for the article as it expressed my feelings exactly.
Yes, the last two times in this lounge, I ended up leaving with not taking a thing. Yep, everything looked disgusting. What is the best way to highlight this disappointing club to AX, to see if they can work to improve??
They are all the same. Like Sacramento and Providence ! The staff are very nice but food ?? Sketchy. The other problem is that cook staff do not show up and then No hot food! The expresso machines ( PVD and SMF) finally fixed after being broken for over 2 years!!
We live in Minneapolis, so I frequent this lounge several times a year. Covid is definitely what undid this lounge. I still have fond memories of it prior to 2020. They also did some “updating” during Covid which was nothing more than a furniture change that I thought was a downgrade from what they had.
As for those plates, we found those last week at the Escape Lounge in Cincinnati too, so I wonder if this is not a location-specific thing but rather a sweeping change to all Escape Lounges. If it is, I find it quite disappointing. We still go to this lounge when we’re not flying Delta, but we always first stop at the PGA Lounge next door for the grab-and-go food with the $15 credits, and then we see if there’s anything worth eating at the Escape Lounge. But I agree that it has gone down a lot in terms of quality.