What to do for 6 hour Detroit layover???
Jun 25th, 2009, 06:56 PM
#22
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The Detroit Institute of Arts is about a 20 minute cab ride from the airport--that would be my choice. It has a cafe where you can grab a snack, and I can't think of a better antidote to the horrors of air travel than that place of beauty. Even with security and all that, 7 hours is ample time for a visit.
Jun 25th, 2009, 06:56 PM
#23
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I would worry about what time you get in after a long flight and then clearing customs, so I wouldn't make any decision on going to Ann Arbor before arriving and knowing how much time you have. Personally, I think the traffic between the airport and Ann Arbor on I-94 is terrible. Yes, Zingerman's is good an worth the trip - go for it if you have the time. I would be so tired after that long a flight I doubt I would be eager to go to Ann Arbor, but different strokes for different stroke.
Jun 25th, 2009, 07:09 PM
#24
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That is true, it will be a bit pricey to get to Ann Arbor. Here is a shuttle and it is $45 for two people each way.
http://www.annarborairportshuttle.net/1.html
Regarding the Amex, you probably do need to apply for the platinum which is the $450 annual fee to get the free passes. You should double check to see if there is any free year of dues.
Another idea is to just get a hotel for the day in the area. There is a Westin that is actually attached to the terminal, but expensive I'm sure. Maybe you could find one with a pool even. If they have an airport shuttle, you'll be all set.
There are several hotels in Dearborn as well which is close to the airport so may have shuttles. They have excellent Middle Eastern food in Dearborn.
http://www.annarborairportshuttle.net/1.html
Regarding the Amex, you probably do need to apply for the platinum which is the $450 annual fee to get the free passes. You should double check to see if there is any free year of dues.
Another idea is to just get a hotel for the day in the area. There is a Westin that is actually attached to the terminal, but expensive I'm sure. Maybe you could find one with a pool even. If they have an airport shuttle, you'll be all set.
There are several hotels in Dearborn as well which is close to the airport so may have shuttles. They have excellent Middle Eastern food in Dearborn.
Jun 25th, 2009, 09:57 PM
#25
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Upon arriving from London, you'll have to go through immigration & customs, then recheck any checked luggage. This can potentially take 30+ minutes if you have to wait for luggage.
The A concourse Worldclub Lounge seems a reasonable place to spend your time; lounge chairs, web access (wifi everywhere in the terminal), snacks, drinks, etc. I've never looked for showers, but suspect they have them. The real benefit is just being in a peaceful environment.
Here's info on the restaurants & shops at DTW:
http://www.metroairport.com/services/mcnamara.asp
The A concourse Worldclub Lounge seems a reasonable place to spend your time; lounge chairs, web access (wifi everywhere in the terminal), snacks, drinks, etc. I've never looked for showers, but suspect they have them. The real benefit is just being in a peaceful environment.
Here's info on the restaurants & shops at DTW:
http://www.metroairport.com/services/mcnamara.asp
Jun 26th, 2009, 06:04 AM
#26
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Okay, I just got another e-mail from Northwest and Delta about the Amex card:
https://www.deltaamexcard.com/offer/LVWS68X2.aspx
With this one, it is the $95 one with the first year fee waived. BUT, the passes for the club can take 8 to 12 weeks to arrive. So I don't know when you are traveling.
They are really cheesing me off. I got my Delta Amex when they were offering their "best offer ever!" and I didn't get free passes!!! It pays to wait sometimes.
https://www.deltaamexcard.com/offer/LVWS68X2.aspx
With this one, it is the $95 one with the first year fee waived. BUT, the passes for the club can take 8 to 12 weeks to arrive. So I don't know when you are traveling.
They are really cheesing me off. I got my Delta Amex when they were offering their "best offer ever!" and I didn't get free passes!!! It pays to wait sometimes.
Jun 26th, 2009, 06:19 AM
#27
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I just got the same email yesterday kelliebellie. I received the AmexDelta Gold card several days ago. I am suppose to get 30,000 FF miles but nothing was said about the free passes so guess like you I applied for the Amex card to soon. Are you getting the additional FF miles?
Jun 26th, 2009, 06:50 AM
#28
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I just talked to a colleague who travels a great deal through Detroit.
Whenever he has a longer connection he walks over to the airport Westin and depending on availability he's able to negotiate a day rate of $79-89 + tax. He's not sure if the rate will be given to anybody. He does this about 1/2 dozen times a year so they know him, but it's worth a try. He also told me about a little know rate offered by the hotel. Reserved at least 10 days ahead, pre-paid, the rate is $103 plus tax. Both rates are not available on the internet. The pre-paid rate needs to be reserved on the phone directly with the hotel. The day rate has to be negotiated in person on the day of travel. That rate depends on availability.
He takes a nice refreshing shower and then either heads out to the hotel restaurant, which he recommends, or occasionally he goes back to the terminal if he has a taste for something different. Through a special arrangement with TSA, hotel guests are allowed into the terminal after some extra screening. The hotel/airport tunnel has it's own TSA station. After lunch/dinner he goes back to the room for little relaxation before catching his next flight.
Beats spending $100+ for taxis to some far away restaurant or museum.
Whenever he has a longer connection he walks over to the airport Westin and depending on availability he's able to negotiate a day rate of $79-89 + tax. He's not sure if the rate will be given to anybody. He does this about 1/2 dozen times a year so they know him, but it's worth a try. He also told me about a little know rate offered by the hotel. Reserved at least 10 days ahead, pre-paid, the rate is $103 plus tax. Both rates are not available on the internet. The pre-paid rate needs to be reserved on the phone directly with the hotel. The day rate has to be negotiated in person on the day of travel. That rate depends on availability.
He takes a nice refreshing shower and then either heads out to the hotel restaurant, which he recommends, or occasionally he goes back to the terminal if he has a taste for something different. Through a special arrangement with TSA, hotel guests are allowed into the terminal after some extra screening. The hotel/airport tunnel has it's own TSA station. After lunch/dinner he goes back to the room for little relaxation before catching his next flight.
Beats spending $100+ for taxis to some far away restaurant or museum.
Jun 26th, 2009, 07:03 AM
#29
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LoveItaly - Yes, I guess we are out of luck! I am going to get the additional miles. Then I don't know what I'm going to do. We can't have the Amex as our main mile card because it isn't accepted everywhere. I'm leaning toward Captial One or keeping our US Bank card. I don't know. I think I'll go post a topic in the Lounge about it.
AA - Obviously you've never had a Zingerman's sandwich! Mario Batali has an urge for one if he is within a thousand miles. But seriously that day rate at the Westin is awesome. That would be soooooo much more comfortable than the Delta Club. I think they even have an indoor pool and it is RIGHT there, attached to the terminal. No trams or cabs or shuttles or anything, you just walk. A nap in a real bed! A hot shower! Bliss! Then you can zoom back through the hotel's security and catch the San Diego flight.
AA - Obviously you've never had a Zingerman's sandwich! Mario Batali has an urge for one if he is within a thousand miles. But seriously that day rate at the Westin is awesome. That would be soooooo much more comfortable than the Delta Club. I think they even have an indoor pool and it is RIGHT there, attached to the terminal. No trams or cabs or shuttles or anything, you just walk. A nap in a real bed! A hot shower! Bliss! Then you can zoom back through the hotel's security and catch the San Diego flight.
Jun 26th, 2009, 07:16 AM
#30
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AA - Obviously you've never had a Zingerman's sandwich!,
no I didn't, but I do believe you. It must be one great sandwich. I base that on my own need for a sandwich in Chicago.
Every time I had a connection in Chicago and I had 3+ hour connection, I would catch the L to Al's #1 Beef in Little Italy. In fact I started planning longer connections in ORD just so I could grab a sandwich at Al's, so I understand what you're talking about
, but I would have never spend $100+ R/T just to grab one of the best Italian Beef sandwiches in the city, a Chicago tradition (I grew up on that stuff). The L was under $5 R/T.
no I didn't, but I do believe you. It must be one great sandwich. I base that on my own need for a sandwich in Chicago.
Every time I had a connection in Chicago and I had 3+ hour connection, I would catch the L to Al's #1 Beef in Little Italy. In fact I started planning longer connections in ORD just so I could grab a sandwich at Al's, so I understand what you're talking about
, but I would have never spend $100+ R/T just to grab one of the best Italian Beef sandwiches in the city, a Chicago tradition (I grew up on that stuff). The L was under $5 R/T.
Jun 26th, 2009, 09:53 PM
#32
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Kelliebelle, we got the Delta Amex card and got the passes with the $95 rate. I agree with you that it is not great to just have AMEX so we also stayed with the US Bank Card too - hate to have two but felt we had to have the Delta AMex since we travel on the old NWA routes so often. I doubt I will use it overall as much as the US Bank card. Wish they had kept the US Bank card rather than switching to Amex, but that is water over the bridge I guess. I totally agree Zingerman's is fabulous.
Jun 27th, 2009, 07:53 PM
#33
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AA, Detroit is SADLY lacking in public transport. They are trying to put a light rail down Woodward, but who knows if that will ever happen. Funny thing is that there was one there already, like 100 years ago. But the home of the auto will always depend on the auto. An L train from the airport would be awesome. Zipping into downtown Chicago from the airport is a great thing.
It just sounds like $100 seems to be the price if they want to escape the terminal. The club, the hotel, the Ann Arbor excursion are all $100 more or less.
It just sounds like $100 seems to be the price if they want to escape the terminal. The club, the hotel, the Ann Arbor excursion are all $100 more or less.
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