Have It Your Way: Customer Service 2.0

Kimpton is one brand that gets Web 2.0

Twitter is a great place to find some awesome word-of-mouth travel deals, but it can also be used for customer service. More and more travel chains, hotels, and tourism boards are realizing Twitter is a direct way to reach consumers with up-to-the-minute news and assistance, and jumping on the bandwagon. Below, check out my top picks for corporate travel tweeps who really come through for you.

Kimpton Hotels: Talk about coming to the rescue. A few months ago I recommended Kimpton’s Urbana restaurant to a couple of well traveled friends. When the service came up less than stellar, I ran home mortified and tweeted about it. Within days representatives from Kimpton headquarters, as well as the manager and chef of Urbana had emailed me personal apologies. They listened, they replied, they fixed it. Kimpton tweets at handles Kimtpon and HipHotelsDC.

Hyatt Concierge: To solve the problems of their web affluent Midnight romping guests, Hyatt launched this round-the-clock concierge service that replies to all tweets in record time. Staying at a Hyatt? Ask for dinner recommendations or hotel questions. At a Hyatt right now and have a problem? Try tweeting them, too.

The Smithsonian Institute: This museum is on a roll. From hip family flicks to constant photo tweets, the Smithsonian proves why it is possibly the greatest cultural institute in the world. Follow @Smithsonian for zoo, museum, and even National Mall, DC info.

Where I’ve Been: Everybody’s favorite MySpace app is all grown up. With a smart team behind the brand, and a solid knowledge of who they are, Where I’ve Been is the mediator of the Twitter Travel Community, we well as a constant retweeter of good info, and supplier of original content. A smart negotiator, the brand is always on the lookout for new, cool travel blogs and people to work with. Hey, Where I’ve Been? Here we are!

Priceline: Tweeting as The Negotiator, the infamous Shatner character, Priceline offers deals and bargains available on it’s popular website, and then some. In early 2009, Priceline offered a special comp to any follower who helped him achieve the goal of a certain number of followers. And true to his word, everyone was mailed bonus cash to score 3-night hotel stays anywhere in the world. That’s good negotiating.

NYC Go: For visitors, New York can be a scary place. Sure, the tourist attractions are everywhere but what about hotel deals? Dinner specials? Events? Bars? What else is there to do? That’s where NYC Go steps in. This great (and till now secret) PR resource lists the best deals for those coming into the city, as well as tips for those of us who dwell here. Free days on Museum Mile? Check. Outdoor Film Fests? Double check. These tweets join insiders like Brooklyn Based and NY Mag for the real native tips.

Did we miss your great Twitter service? Let us know below.