Social Media Travel Roundup-News, Contests, Promos, Trends and More

Social media is increasingly becoming the method airlines, hotels, credit cards and consumers get in touch with one another about the latest news, deals and promotions. Here’s a look at the latest interesting trending topics and more on social media from the week.

I’ll be combing through Facebook posts, Tweets, Instagram pics and more to find the most interesting things going on during any given week, but if I miss something you’d like to discuss feel free to:

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Here are some of the biggest news stories and promotions that everyone has been tweeting about this week.

Delta Airlines Offering Complimentary Cocktails In Economy On International Flights For The Rest Of The Year: The holiday season just got a little bit more festive if you are flying on Delta Airlines as they will be offering free spirits in economy on all international flights for the rest of 2013. "Introducing a little holiday 'spirit' to last the whole year through. @Delta now offers free spirits in economy on international flights," tweeted @DeltaNewsroom. Although many foreign-based airlines offer complimentary cocktails in all classes, this will make Delta the only US carrier to follow the practice, with most charging around $7 for a mixed drink.

Bronx Metro-North Train Was Going 82 MPH Before Deadly Crash: @NBCNews released more details this week about the deadly train crash that derailed in the Bronx and killed four people last weekend. The Metro-North commuter train was reportedly going a "harrowing" 82 mph as it hit a curve where the limit was 30 mph, officials said Monday. It is still unclear if the engineer, a 20-year veteran on the job, hit the brakes and they failed, or he simply tried to slow down or stop too late.

Spain Bans Train Drivers From Using Cell Phones: In response to the similar devastating train crash that occurred in Santiago de Compostela in July that left 79 people dead, Spain is now introducing a cell phone ban on all drivers, reported @BBCWorld. They will be allowed to carry phones for use in emergencies, however, and this is a one of a number of measures to improve security on board Spanish trains after one of the country's worst rail disasters. The driver in that crash has also been provisionally charged with multiple counts of negligent homicide.

Alleged LAX Shooter To Appear In Court On December 4: LAX shooting suspect Paul Ciancia will appear in court for the first time today, December 4, to face charges in connection with the death of TSA agent officer Gerardo I. Hernandez and the injuring of several others, reported @KTLA. The initial court appearance will take place at the West Valley Detention Center, a San Bernardino County jail facility in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. On November 1, 2013, Ciancia allegedly pulled an assault rifle from a bag near the entrance to Terminal 3, shooting Hernandez at point-blank range, and reportedly then fired on at least two other TSA employees and a civilian passenger as he proceeded through the TSA checkpoint and into the gate area.

The Top 20 Ski Resorts And Hotels: 'Tis the season to ski, and @HuffPostTravel has listed the top 20 resorts in North America from which to hit the slopes this winter. Included on the cool list are the Viceroy Snowmass, CO, Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, CA, and the Four Seasons Resort in Vail, CO. The finalists were rated by location, rooms, service, design, food and activities.

TSA Enrollment Center Opens In Indianapolis: Travel through Indianapolis International Airport (IND) just got faster thanks to the first TSA Pre✓ enrollment center opening in the city today (December 4), tweeted @TSA. The latest location is one of 300 new sites that are planned across the country. Travelers in the Indianapolis area will now be able to apply and complete their background interview at the application center at IND, and by the end of the year, the TSA expects to open application centers in the New York City area, the Washington, D.C. metro area and the Los Angeles area.

Tips On How To Avoid Airline Fees: Extra charges are the bane of every traveler's life, but fortunately ‏@usatodaytravel has some useful tips that could save you from pesky airline fees this holiday season. To avoid paying change or cancellation fees, they suggest bundling a fare on American Airlines, or avoid baggage fees by getting an airline-affiliated credit card or shipping large bags ahead of time. To dodge phone fees, call the toll-free number, find the best seats and fares, say thanks, hang up, and immediately book online instead, advises the article on USAToday. You're only charged for the booking, not for the by-phone advice. Check out this post for the Top 10 Dreaded Airline Fees and How To Avoid Them.

Western Tourism To North Korea Is On The Rise, What Visitors Can Expect There: North Korea isn't on most people's travel bucket list, but @CNNTravel is revealing what daring travelers can expect if they visit the Communist country. As CNN reveals, vacationing in North Korea is a precarious venture in terms of security and the moral dilemma of supporting a repressive regime, but for those who are determined to go it can offer the opportunity to see one of the world's most secretive countries. In 2013, there have been 6,000 Western tourists visiting North Korea, which is 10 times the amount of a decade ago. Things to know if you do take the plunge is that bowing to the statues of both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il is expected, and beware of guides leaving out essential information, such as when driving past a concentration camp.

10 Tips For Nervous Flyers: Even if you are not a nervous flyer, chances are that someone you know is or you will sit next to one on a flight at some point. Fortunately, @HuffPostTravel tweeted some tips from Dr. Margaret Wehrenberg, Psychologist, on how to deal with anxiety while flying. Some of the tips include: preparing yourself mentally, distracting yourself while flying with books, movies, music, etc., and the most important, BREATHE.

Donate Aeroplan Miles Today And Air Canada Will Match Them, Up To 500,000 Miles: Today, December 4, all Aeroplan miles donated to the Air Canada Foundation will be doubled by Beyond Miles - Aeroplan, up to a maximum of 500,000 miles, tweeted @AirCanada. Through the Air Canada Foundation's Hospital Transportation program, Air Canada helps sick children reach medical treatment not available in their community, reveals the charity's official website, and Aeroplan miles may also be awarded to charities for projects in line with the program's mission to improve the health and well-being of children and youth here and abroad.

Atlanta Has New Competition For World Busiest Airport Title: @Skift tweeted that passenger counts have been down this year at Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, which could be due to a reduction in flying by Southwest Airlines and its merger partner AirTran. Beijing and Dubai, which both have newly expanded airports, are both aiming to take the title. Beijing has the second busiest airport in the world, with Dubai coming in at tenth. However, since Dubai has recently opened a new terminal, they are expecting a major passenger increase. The title is for bragging rights, of course, but also portrays the city as being an important commerce hub. Will Atlanta lose its title? Time will tell.

All Airport Travel Could Be As Bad As Thanksgiving If Infrastructures Aren't Improved: @Frommers tweets Arthur Frommer's thoughts on airport infrastructure. According to the iconic travel brand's CEO, passengers will face "horrendous" conditions unless airports start improving their infrastructure. Analysts say that the intense growth of air traffic and passengers, in addition to the increasing inadequacy of our U.S. airports, is now bound to create holiday-like travel conditions all the time. Action must be immediate in order to improve conditions, states Frommer.

Enter To Win A Luxury Ski Vacation: You could win a luxury ski vacation to Lake Tahoe complete with a shopping spree, tweeted @Fodors. To win, you must sign up to receive travel emails from Fodors. The free trip includes: a 3 night stay for 2 at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa, complete with Regency Club access and complimentary breakfast, 2 lift tickets to Diamond Peak Ski Resort, round trip airfare gift cards for 2, dinner for 2 at the Lone Eagle Grille and a $1,000 vente-privee credit to Shop Top Designer Brands at Up to 70% off. You have until 11:59 pm EST on December 15, 2013 to enter.

Instagram What Inspires you about LA and Win A Free Trip: @DiscoverLA tweets about posting a photo of something that you love about in the city of Los Angeles on Instagram and win one of two free trips to LA. Trips include airfare, hotel and VIP access to the red carpet at the Critics Choice Awards. Your Instagram photos must include the hashtag #RedCarpetLA. You have until December 17, 2013 to Instagram your photos.
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