MSP Hotel Has a Hidden TSA Shortcut Most Travelers Miss

If you’ve ever stood in a TSA line at MSP wondering if there has to be a better way, it turns out there actually is. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is home to a little-known airport security shortcut, and many Minnesotans still have no idea it’s there.

We know that MSP is the largest airport in both the North Star State and our neighboring states of Iowa and Wisconsin. It's also the 18th largest airport in the country. MSP offers many direct flight destinations, which allow you to fly directly from MSP without having to catch a connecting flight elsewhere.

MSP Continues Expanding Passenger Convenience Options

As I wrote about earlier this year, in its 2025 annual report, the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns MSP, says airlines there served 166 nonstop destinations from the North Star State in 2025, an increase from 163 in 2024.

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MSP is also home to a lot of flights. Overall, MSP supported 342,683 aircraft operations in 2025, up from the 342,254 total operations MSP supported in 2024, the MAC report said. And, when you add all those flights up, just under 35 million passengers went through the turnstiles at MSP last year.

MSP added several features recently to make your flying experience easier. We heard last fall how MSP implemented the new TSA ruling that allows you to keep your shoes on while you go through security checkpoints.

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In 2024, MSP unveiled a program called MSP Reserve, which is a free reservation service that allows you to book a place in the airport security line for yourself and your traveling companions ahead of time, allowing you to go through a separate line-- and avoid all those crowds.

Where To Find MSP’s Hidden TSA Checkpoint

And now, MSP pointed out another one of its features that could make your next flight easier: Have you heard about the dedicated TSA line from the InterContinental Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Hotel?

While the line reopened after a 5-year pause last July, MSP reminded travelers of the amenity in their newsletter dated Thursday, May 15, 2026. MSP says the line is open to serve travelers daily from 5 a.m. until 10 a.m., and also noted that the exit from MSP directly to the hotel is always available.

What Travelers Need To Know Before Using This TSA Line

Travel site ThriftyTraveler reported last year that the line does have a few restrictions. First, it's only for passengers with carry-on bags; there's no way to check a bag. It's only for flights leaving from Terminal 1, and does not offer TSA PreCheck or other expedited security services.

You don't have to be a guest at the hotel to use this new checkpoint, however. You could simply make your way through the hotel to the third level and proceed through the line.  Just be sure you're not carrying any of the following items, however. Keep scrolling to see 20 different items you are NOT permitted to check in your bags at any airport here in Minnesota or Wisconsin.