How to Facebook and Tweet Your Way to a Better Trip: The Smart Traveler's Guide to Social Media

In the July 2014 issue of Travel + Leisure, I interviewed experts on how to maximize social media before, during, and after your trip.

One of my favorite tips came from Southwest's Rob Hahn, the airline's team leader for Customer Advocacy and Social Media: "Reaching out through more than one channel will multiply our efforts to assist that customer, and can inadvertently slow things down." 

Apparently it sometimes doesn't pay to be the squeaky wheel. Who knew?
Check out the story online or below.

                            

My Take on Loyalty Programs

 

What can I say? My loyalty is divided. I tend to book a hotel based on price and location. I'll scoop up the points when I can but since I don't travel nearly as often as I'd like, I don't go out of my way to only stay at a major chain. Since I'll never reach elite status with my infrequent stays, my loyalty is very much up grabs. In fact, I prefer boutique properties over the cookie-cutter corporate look and feel.

Thanks to Julie Weed for spotlighting my take on loyalty programs in the New York Times.
Photo: Peter DaSilva/New York Times