SOCIAL MEDIA AND TRAVEL - A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN...

I guess spending a little time on Facebook can be a good thing, after all. I don't use it much, although it's occasionally fun to check up on old friends. But there's an item today in USA Today that talks about how folks are finding money-saving deals on hotel facebook pages.

I went this morning to the pages for Canadian-based Fairmont and Delta and didn't see any immediately obvious discounts being offered up. But Barbara De Lollis at USA Today reports that "business-travel blogger Gary Leff believes it pays off nicely. Leff just nabbed a terrific deal at the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley, Ariz. He found a $99 nightly rate by acting on the individual hotel's Facebook page promo - and if that wasn't cheap enough, the promo also gave him a $25 daily room credit.

Though the $99 promo rate gave him a room in the cheapest category, Leff - an elite-level loyalty member said the hotel gave him a far nicer Oasis Village Suite."

She also points out that the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville gives out 15 per cent discounts to folks who join their Facebook page.

I don't quite get it, but Loews Hotels Facebook page apparently details an offer of 38 per cent (huh?) discounts on wine either by the glass or the bottle, on Wednesday nights. I dunno maybe Wednesday's are traditionally slow for wine sales? Anyway, there clearly are deals out there, which means us old folks can't simply sit back and make fun of kids who spend so much time on Facebook. There clearly are advantages to be gained.

Twitter, of course, gets rightfully derided for the idiotic postings of people who can't decide between cinnamon-raisin and poppyseed bagels at the local deli. But you also can find great deals. Virgin America is quite keen on it, and recently gave away free flights to influential Twitterers who might help them spread their message about being the airline for cool people. Again, not like me.