Vent Productively
If you have a bad experience, refrain from firing off a nasty letter to the president of the company. Instead, do some online research to find out who the right person is, or post a note on an online message board. “Cruise lines, for example, are much more likely to respond to complaints on social networks, since they have staff who monitor those posts and report them to the higher-ups,” says cruisecritic.com editor Carolyn Spencer Brown.
Write a Formal Thank-You
Had a good experience? Put it down on paper and send it to the general manager—and don’t be surprised if a bottle of champagne comes your way on your next visit.
X Marks the Spot
Finding the right seat on a plane is crucial. “I use seatguru.com to avoid bulkhead seats as well as ones that are drafty or narrower,” says Lisa Dennison, chairman for North and South America at Sotheby’s.
Yelling Doesn’t Work.
Trust us.
Remain Zen
If all else fails, make this your travel mantra.
