10 Twitter Accounts That Will Save You Cash On Travel
When I am not updating this site or browsing the “interwebz” for the latest in travel deals and news, I can often be found on the insanely popular micro-blogging website Twitter. What, you never heard of Twitter? Really? Well if that truly is the case, then first let me help you get out from underneath that rock and second let me provide you with a link to sign up right now.
Twitter has easily become one of the best spots online to score exclusive deals on airfare, hotels, and other travel perks. Why on earth would anybody that loves to travel AND save money in the process not want access to this goody-bag of secret links, promo codes, and helpful tips.
Well as I approach 2,000 followers on Twitter (not exactly Oprah numbers, but hey I’m happy) here is a Top 10 list of airlines, experts, and other travel “tweeps” you should be following right now. It still amazes me at how many big travel companies are currently dropping the ball by not taking full advantage of these free forms of advertising and marketing via social media sites. For example, if you are a hotel, you should be interacting with possible future customers. Is it too much to ask someone on the hotel staff to update a Twitter page every few hours with some sort of “exclusive” deal that will lure in new travelers?
Oh and the airlines…you know those same companies that are mostly going bankrupt and are struggling to fill seats on their fleet. Well there is no excuse for any of these companies not to be active on sites like Twitter either. Some airlines “get it” and many others just do not. Finally, to opaque travel websites that sell airline tickets, hotels, and other items that are needed when traveling, where in the hell are you? All of these sites should be clobbering followers over the head with updates and pushing their deals on an hourly basis. I mean you are a damn travel WEBSITE…use the web properly to promote!
Now just to make things clear, this is NOT a list of my favorite travel friends online or people I want to share a drink with at the next travel writer’s convention. It is simply a short list of the websites that will save you some moolah while tweeting and re-tweeting with your internet pals. Oh and one last thing, this list is in no particular order. Enjoy!
1. @VirginAmerica: Yes Sir Richard Branson and company not only have one of the coolest and innovative airlines going today, but their “twittering” is always fresh, informative, and at times will save you some serious cash by promoting their online sales. You will often times find Virgin America’s twitter page answering customers questions, comments, or complaints. They are one of the few airlines out there that truly understands today’s internet savvy market.
2. @SouthWestAir: Speaking of airlines that get their audience, at over 427,000 followers (you see my 2,000 is nothing) the people at Southwest Airlines are probably some of the most interactive and coolest travel companies on Twitter. The air carrier with LUV has even done contests with their “tweeple” and handed over free trips to destinations like Las Vegas. Nice!
3. @JetBlue: Rounding out my airline picks would be the low-cost carrier that receives high points from yours truly when it comes to using social media sites like Twitter to their advantage. JetBlue Airways continues to outdo themselves online by holding exclusive sales, selling last minute seats at insanely low prices, and also finding time to reply to customers via the internet. Some of the “JB” goodness has included an exclusive one-day only 20% off sale to its 1 million (and counting) followers and setting up a sister Twitter account (@JetBlueCheeps) that sells tickets for as low as $9 one-way for upcoming last-minute weekend travel.
4. @Travelzoo: There are many travel booking websites online today that make life much easier by placing all of the best airline, hotel, cruise, car rental, and vacation deals under one URL umbrella, but few do it as well as Travelzoo.com. Gabe Saglie, the senior editor, and his merry travel men and women scour the internet and negotiate with travel companies to find you the lowest and best deals online. They also use Twitter to get the word out there and to promote their website in the process (wow what a concept). The page is constantly updated with links to offers currently running on the site and TZ is known to interact with its followers. Plus it is usually the first place online that updates me that their weekly Top 20 is ready to check out.
5. @CheapOair: Yet another travel booking website that understands by updating consistently and interacting with their followers, that you can create new traffic to your website. The nice people at CheapOair even have a cool blog that provides readers with travel ideas. Hey they even were kind enough to ask yours truly once to write up a piece for them. So they have to be cool.
6. @AirfareWatchdog: Browser and the gang are always staring at a computer screen, trying to figure out the lowest and best airfare online…and they do one hell of a job at it. Checking out their website is an air traveler’s dream. I have personally come across some insanely low fares thanks to the hardworking staff at AirfareWatchdog.com. But with so many websites online, one can get lost in the mess of URLs, favorites, and bookmarks. So while hanging on Twitter, it is always nice to see an update from AFWD. They not only share with their readers some of the amazing fares that they happen to come across online, but they also occasionally chat it up with their loyal followers.
7. @FareCompareLabs: Another airfare hunting website that scours the internet for the latest and lowest deals. The page updates constantly on Twitter with breaking news on sales, lower prices on certain routes, and other information you need to know when trying to save cash on air travel. The people behind FareCompare.com, including CEO @RickSeaney, have even branched out to create local Twitter pages for you to follow specific city deals. For instance, I also follow @flyfromNYC to get the latest fare prices out of JFK, LGA and EWR.
8. @PeterSGreenBerg: The travel guru and one of my personal favorite people to read and listen to about the subject of travel is definitely someone that needs to be on your Twitter list. While not an airline with an exclusive sale or a hotel with a last minute special rate, Mr. Greenberg is a wealth of travel information. His updates range anywhere from plugging his latest radio show to informing you of a great deal to somewhere far away.
9. @AAirwaves: If you were to ask me six months ago to make this list, American Airlines would have not been on it. But I have to admit that one of the larger carriers woke up and is finally onboard with this whole using the internet to gain new customers and to assist with current ones as well. Their Twitter page is constantly updated with news, tells you which planes will be offering Wi-Fi, and even goes back and forth with followers. Good job AA, glad to see you arrived fashionably late.
10. @Yapta: One of the more unique travel websites today is definitely also one of the most engaging and informative with its Twitter followers. The people at Yapta.com are always updating their tweets with tips on how to save cash when booking airfare, links interesting travel articles, and answers any customer questions, comments, or complaints. Oh and if you are wondering what “YAPTA” means, it stands for “Your Amazing Personal Travel Assistant.”
Well there you have it, 10 websites you need to be following on Twitter. If you want to add to this list, feel free to comment below.
Hi,
Great article, having looked at many companies’ Twitter profiles in last few months it is indeed very surprising the paucity of understanding demonstrated by many major companies. It is such a perfect method of getting directly to your customers and connecting not just commercially, but adding more personality & character to your brand.
I’m working on a site (twavel.com) where the best travel deals will be collected and displayed for deal hunters. Its very much a work in process but the plan is to regionalise it by IP, and also looking at maybe having different pages for products although very much in development. The potential of Twitter to the travel industry is very exciting, and really could change how travel products are bought. The instant connection to homes, desks, coffee houses and everywhere else should be valuable to all companies looking to compete.
Awesome list. I had about 4/12 on my current Twitter following list. Did not even know American Airlines had an account. Thanks!
Rob
Just found your website courtesy of Twitter. I have 10/12 on my list. Going to add your two hotel recs as I visit NYC and Seattle often.
Have a great weekend and look forward to your tweets.