As part of my Minnesota / Wisconsin / Manitoba / North Dakota / Ontario county trip, I attended 2 different Delta lounge clubs and thought that I’d share my thoughts of the MSP Delta lounge (Minneapolis) and the CVG Delta Lounge (Cincinnati). I had access to both the MSP Delta lounge and the CVG Delta lounge due to my American Express Platinum card. The Amex Platinum card lets the cardholder as well as authorized users into Delta Skyclub lounges, but ONLY when you’re flying a Delta flight. You do need to show your American Express Platinum card as well as a same day Delta Boarding Pass (though I’ve heard that a Seat Request or standby request form will work too). Note that UNLIKE the Amex Centurion lounges, only the cardholder gets Delta lounge access – any additional guests (including spouse and children) cost extra ($29 for the first 2 guests and the regular Day Pass price for any additional guests)
(SEE ALSO: Should pets be allowed in airport lounges like the Centurion Lounge Las Vegas?)
CVG Delta Lounge
The Cincinnati / CVG Delta Lounge is located in the B Terminal (where all Delta flights are located), near Gate B14
Once you enter the Delta lounge CVG, you go up a flight of stairs (or elevator) and into the CVG Delta Skyclub itself. After you check in by showing your credentials (in my case Amex Platinum card and same day Delta boarding pass), you go into the main atrium. There was a LOT of seating in the CVG Delta lounge, and there were not very many other passengers. Part of that was probably due to the nature of the time of day (early in the morning), but also the CVG Delta Sky Club was built back when Cincinnati was a Delta hub. Now with many fewer flights per day out of Cincinnati, I’d imagine there are far fewer Delta elites in Cincinnati than there USED to be.
There is a bar at the Delta CVG airport lounge (little early to be drinking!)
And the lounge also had a variety of breakfast foods out, including oatmeal / yogurt (not pictured)
If you’re into planespotting, you have a nice view of the airport and runways, and when I was there, I caught the sun rising out of the eastern sky
MSP Delta Lounge
After returning from our county trip to 3 states, 2 provinces, 2 different countries and 4 border crossings, it was time to head to the airport to go back home.
(SEE ALSO: Roadtrip Rule #1: If you see a giant living creature, you…)
There are actually 2 Delta SkyClubs in the Minneapolis airport. There is one for the F and G concourses located at the beginning of the F concourse, and another MSP Delta Lounge in Concourse C next to Gate C12. I visited the one at Concourse C, pictured (blurrily) below.
The MSP Delta Lounge seemed a little bigger than the Cincinnati airport Delta lounge, and it was definitely more crowded. That makes sense since unlike Cincinnati, Minneapolis is still a Delta hub. It was also a little bit later in the day (around noon), since my flight left in the early afternoon.
There were a bit more food options. In addition to the typical snacks and drinks that you’ll find at most domestic airport lounges, there was hot soup which was quite tasty – mine was a jambalaya.
I spent my time at the Minneapolis Delta Skyclub at one of the “business” cubicles working on a post and reviewing images (I lead an exciting life, I know), and it was not very long before my flight departed and I had to make my way to the gate.
So who wins the CVG / MSP Delta Skyclub Showdown?
After my 2 trips to Delta Skyclubs in Cincinnati (CVG) and Minneapolis (MSP), let’s rank these 2 Delta airport lounges on a variety of categories
- Ease of access: Slight edge to MSP, since there are 2 Delta lounges there. Both the Cincinnati and Minneapolis locations are convenient for most Delta travelers
- Food: Even
- Crowdedness: Edge to CVG
- Wifi: Even
So I have to give the slight edge to the CVG Delta Lounge.
Been to the Delta Sky Club in CVG or MSP? What’s your take on which one is better? Or is there another airport lounge that beats them both?
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You went to the wrong lounge at MSP. The one near C12 is pretty much unchanged since the NWA days. It’s OK but nothing special. The lounge by F has been completely remodeled and is a lot swankier, similar to the style you see at the remodeled DL lounges at JFK and LAX.
Ah I did not know that! I think I went to this one because I didn’t have a lot of time and my gate was in C Concourse. Next time I will give that one a try or maybe look at the Escape lounge that Rene recommended (if they join Priority Pass)