The Brave, The Bold and The Travel Brands Americans Love

[Kaleel Sakakeeny]

No, price isn’t everything in travel. It counts for a great deal in making travel decisions, but those merchants of “low, low prices” are missing the point.

What seems to drive travel choices is the ability for the traveler to connect with a brand; to feel and identify with it.
At least that’s what the Harris Poll EqiTrend 2012 (EQ) study tells us.

The poll is a study of the health and function of major brands, and Travel Daily News has a neat summary in its newsletter.

Stating a travel axiom, perhaps, Joan Sinopoli, Senior VP at Harris Interactive, says that travelers are savvy, and “before they buy, they want to feel linked  and connected to the brands they’re purchasing.”  She also wisely notes that though many brands provide equal service, it’s the ones that “exceed a customer’s expectation” that will make them recommended to others.

So how do American travel brands do?

Companies like Alaska/Horizon, Southwest, Enterprise-Rent-A-Car, Kayak.com and Royal Caribbean Cruises make the short, preferred list, as Travel Daily News reports.

Among the airlines, Southwest Airlines takes the lead with Jet Blue in second place.
Although Southwest has grown into a national carrier, its vocally loyal and passionate followers still tout the airline’s refusal to “nickel and dime”  them. And the airline’s somewhat irreverent approach to flying the friendly skies is endearing.

While not a great year for cruising (think Costa Concordia off the Italian coast), Royal Caribbean Cruises  posted a “better brand equity score” this year, a result of quality service and stronger customer intention to use the line. Caribbean was followed in rank by Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Kayak.com is doubtless as familiar an online travel agency these days is as  Expedia and Travelocity. Except it’s  Kayak that takes top honors as this year’s Online Travel Service Brand of the Year. Its “one click, see all options”  function, makes it a first choice as a travel brand for travel lookers and bookers.

And when I rent a car, I rent Enterprise. Maybe it’s because they come and pick me up. Or maybe it’s the loyalty program or personal attention, but it’s no surprise that Harris rated Enterprise number 1 in brand preference, followed closely by Hertz and Avis, the forever-reigning top three.

Americans may see travel these days as a necessity, not a luxury. But choosing whom to travel with, is a case of which brand they most connect with.

[Kaleel Sakakeeny]

Well, maybe that's what makes us so loveable, or frustrating as a species :)

Thanks, again. Take care

[Northeast News]

Yes, it is contradictory, but you're right. Inwardly we still crave great service even if financial considerations sometimes prevent us from satsifying that craving.

[Kaleel Sakakeeny]

Ok...maybe I misunderstood. I think its a dichotomy. Maybe in real life we jump to book the cheaper/cheapest seat. But inwardly still crave great customer service.

Is this contradictory?

[Northeast News]

Kaleel I'm not saying that Americans care most about customer service. I'm saying that Purdue University's survey made that conclusion.   I'm saying that "these surveys do not reflect the way people behave in real life," like booking the cheapest seats on airlines and therefore encouraging the airlines to make seats too small and close together so they can fit more cheap seats in there. Also cutting food service to keep prices down. 

[Kaleel Sakakeeny]

Yea, but aren't we saying the same thing? If what you say is true, and it is, that Americans "care most about customer service," then that translates into the title of the blog, I guess: "The Brave, The Bold, and the Travel Brands Americas Love."

I would asssume solid, reliable customer service is one major reason they become beloved brands :)

Thanks for writing in. Always a pleasure

[Northeast News]

Last week I read that Purdue University found that Americans care most about customer service when they travel. However, these surveys do not reflect the way people behave in real life, at least not with regard to airlines. U.S. Airways, Spirit Airlines, and other flawed carriers, including the big carriers in the U.S., are squeezing too many seats into their cabins and still filling those seats (which are much too small and cramped for my frame) because people are searching for the lowest airfare. If we cared about "connecting," nobody would fly US Airways or even Delta or American.