The Escape Lounge is part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection.  Currently, there are 10 Escape Lounges worldwide.  Four are in the United States.

Location

The MSP Escape Lounge is in Terminal 1, the Lindbergh Terminal.  Proceed through security and the lounge is on the Mezzanine level at the entrance to Concourse E.

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Take the stairs or elevator to the Mezzanine

Admission

Admission is free for holders of the American Express Platinum card and two guests. Just present your card, same day boarding pass and ID.   Others can enter for $45 or if advance payment is made on the website, the charge is $40.  Children under two are free.

Operating Hours

The lounge opens at 04:00 and closes at 21:00 daily.

Facilities

This lounge has wifi, power, newspapers and magazines, flight monitors, seating, a buffet of hot and cold items and a bar.  The lounge has tarmac and runway views.  Restrooms are located outside the lounge.  This lounge has no showers.  In fact none of the MSP lounges have showers, and for an airport with a number of international flights, that’s a shame.

The check-in desk is directly in front of the entrance.20170909_202825_resized

Seating Areas

The primary seating area is to the right of the check-in desk.  The seating is comfortable.  Electrical outlets are available along the wall.

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The high-back chairs are comfortable. Watch your head when standing as the light fixture is low.

The selection of newspapers and magazines is located in this area.

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Additional seating by the window on the left side of the check-in desk.

 

Food and Beverages

The best attribute of the Escape Lounge is the buffet.  Here is a sample food menu.20171205_200914

Food items vary from day to day.  There are more than enough options between salads, sandwiches, entrees and desserts to make a satisfying repast.  20170909_185131_resized

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Chicken thighs, beef barbeque
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Cubano hot sandwiches

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Once food items are selected, there are large booths for dining.20170909_184151_resized

The bar area is next to the buffet.20170909_184507_resizedThere are decent complimentary alcoholic beverages like Sam Adams beer.  Premium brands are available for purchase.

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A good selection and Woodford Reserve is only $8.

Final Thoughts

The Escape Lounge is the best lounge at MSP.  It is usually uncrowded, and the free food and beverages are better than in the Delta Sky Clubs.  When I have a layover at MSP, I’ll spend most of the time here and maybe visit the next door MSP PGA Priority Pass Lounge to hit a few putts.