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Five ways you can screw with travel companies via social media
The travel industry is interested in what you have to say. Everything. I know this seems crazy. I mean, when was the last time you felt an airline employee was actually listening to you? Well, that sector is among the travel businesses paying close attention to you.I saw on PRNewser yesterday that travel and hospitality companies are using online monitoring tools to keep track of what you tweet and post while you're on vacation. This should come as no surprise, of course: it's standard practice in any business to monitor online customer behavior (how do think Amazon generates such awesome product recommendations for you?). What you may not realize is that this is an opportunity with endless potential for mischief.
So, you have the travel industry's ear ... what are you going to do with it? Here are five ideas for you:
1. Take it seriously: you could always start from the belief that you should tweet and share responsibly. After all, the folks monitoring you will do a better job of meeting your needs if you tell them what exactly they are.
Of course, there's no fun in this ...
2. Livetweet the most boring details you can find: imagine being the public relations jockey stuck monitoring a hotel's @ reply stream as it fills with such observations as "the carpet is still beige" and "yep, that's a mighty fine shower curtain".
3. Say a thousand words the easy way: pictures, pictures, pictures! I suggest taking snapshots of every piece of silverware at every meal and asking for the travel company's social mediaslave guru to comment on each.
4. Ask mundane questions: imagine the person on the other side of the computer growing red with frustration as you ask how to get from the pool to the bar ... and you gleefully offer thanks packed with emoticons.
5. Complain: it's the American way!
Of course, there's no fun in this ...
2. Livetweet the most boring details you can find: imagine being the public relations jockey stuck monitoring a hotel's @ reply stream as it fills with such observations as "the carpet is still beige" and "yep, that's a mighty fine shower curtain".
3. Say a thousand words the easy way: pictures, pictures, pictures! I suggest taking snapshots of every piece of silverware at every meal and asking for the travel company's social media
4. Ask mundane questions: imagine the person on the other side of the computer growing red with frustration as you ask how to get from the pool to the bar ... and you gleefully offer thanks packed with emoticons.
5. Complain: it's the American way!
Filed under: North America, United States, Internet Tools
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Trans-Amercias Journey Aug 4th 2011 12:32PM
OR...you could use social media (and travel company's monitoring thereof) to resolve an almost year-old beef with an airline.
Back in December an expensive pair of shock absorbers (brand new) were removed from our luggage during a Continental Airlines flight from Newark to Guatemala City.
The sordid details (he said/she said shenanigans between the airline and the TSA; copious form filling; lack of response from the airline; form letter absolving Continental of any responsibility) are in this post from our blog:
http://trans-americas.com/blog/2011/04/continental-airlines-stole-baggage/
We persisted, however, using our blog and Twitter and Facebook and more emails and we are DELIGTHED TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE RESOLUTION.
Just yesterday Continental agreed to pay our claim, though they still don't admit any liability...
Moral of the story: if you've got a problem with a travel vendor that has not been resolved through normal channels be nice, be persistent and BE SOCIAL.
Who knows, social media just might put the "service" back in customer service..it did in our case with Continental.
.
Randell Aug 5th 2011 8:05AM
Maybe I can complain to American Airlines about being treated like a sardine. Not that they would really care as they are one of the biggest airlines in the world, but you know what I will NEVER spend my hard earned dollars on American Airlines ever. In January I flew from Toronto to Miami and I can tell you that we were all packed in there like sardines in a can. In order to read my book I had to cross my arms in front of me as it was so tight. Last night I talked to a friend of mine who experienced the same thing. Even she was complaining about how tight it was and she is all of 90 lbs soaking wet. So you can imagine how a normal guy @ 200 - 250 lbs would feel. Other airlines that I fly do not pack you in like this, so why does American? Well maybe if more of the public feels like I do and switches airlines then maybe they will do something about it.
William B. Wilson Aug 9th 2011 12:18PM
I had the opportunity to fly this past weekend from Louisville to O'Hare and return. I was not looking for a hotel in the clouds. The American connection served my needs and quite comfortably. My seat was fit my 230 lb. frame very well. I had plently of leg room and attendants were the best I've ever had. A very good flight and this old Navy fly boy has nothing but praise for the entire crew. Keep up the good work. I for one will fly American every chance I get. Thanks American.