Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Aug 31, 2009 10:06 pm US/Central
Businesses Using Twitter To Promote Travel Deals
The fall travel season is right around the corner and some airfares are creeping up as airlines cut capacity. But knowing where to look for a deal, could save you hundreds of dollars.
Holly Homer of Flower Mound is planning a trip to Las Vegas and she's looking to save a lot of money. "I'm looking for a deal because I want to spend my money in Vegas, not getting there."
Homer runs
www.burbmom.net a local blog site with resources for families in North Texas. She's pretty computer savvy and knows how to use Twitter to find deals. "I did find some flights under $200 which is better," she said.
Airlines, hotel chains, even travel websites and magazines are using Twitter to alert their followers to money saving deals.
Southlake based
www.travelocity.com has more than 20,000 followers on its account. Contributing editor, Jennifer Gaines says, "We want to know what they're looking for and what they're concerned about. At the Travelocity twitter page you can get anything from airfare deals to vacation packages to hotel deals."
The company recently directed Twitter followers to more than 100 hotels offering rooms for less than $100. "Starwood hotels just tweeted about some of their 99 dollar a night weekend rates at some of their hotels across the country," according to Gaines.
If you're looking for a "staycation" check out The Joule. It's a downtown Dallas hotel that posts various offers every Thursday. A special package that would normally go for $248 a night was recently discounted. "If you saw the posting through twitter and booked it through there, you'd be saving $90-$100 a night," said marketing manager Kristin Walker.
Dallas based
www.farecompare.com has a Twitter account which tracks airfares exclusively from DFW International Airport. The site recently posted a fare of $207 from DFW to San Juan, Puerto Rico and $205 to Vancouver.
Marriott International tweeted an $84 weekend rate at the New Orleans Marriott.
Gaines says, "If you're interested in budget travel tips for instance, budget travel magazine has a Twitter account and they specifically tweet about budget travel tips." She recommends checking in for deals daily and using a twitter application called tweet deck to set up notifications specific to your destination. "People can really take advantage of companies that are on there, follow companies that they like and get some great deals along the way."
If you don't already have a Twitter account, click on this tutorial to get you started.
Last minute packages from DFW for Labor Day weekend:
To Myrtle Beach, SC for $450 per person. Price includes RT flight on US Airways, 3-nights at Holiday Inn Express, taxes and fees.
To Orlando for $331 per person. Price includes RT flight on American, 3-nights at Orlando Vista Hotel, taxes and fees.
To Los Angeles for $489 per person. Price includes RT flight on American, 3-nights at Holiday Inn Universal Studios Hollywood, taxes and fees.
To Washington, D.C. for $446 per person. Price includes RT flight on American, 3-nights at the Renaissance, taxes and fees.
*all last minute packages above depart on Sept. 4 and return Sept. 7
Hollywood Hair
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