Free Airline Ticket Further Reading
February 4, 2011 – 3:06 pmIf you want to do some reading for extra credit on the free airline ticket folks (read more here), here you go. Please comment if you have anything valuable to add. There’s just too much for me to read!
US AIRLINES/UNIVERSAL TRAVEL VACATIONS/UNIVERSAL TRAVEL DEALS/THE VACATION STATION/TRAVEL DEALS EXPRESS:
News/Advice (some actually make an effort to learn something, some don’t):
GREAT REPORTING–> http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Free-travel-offer-mystifies-consumers/-/1637132/15701330/-/8s7gus/-/index.html
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/US-Airlines-not-an-airline/-/1637132/15943410/-/s3qujf/-/index.html
http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-this-a-scam-us-airlines-is-offering-me-two-roundtrip-airline-tickets/
http://www.telegram.com/article/20110227/COLUMN64/102270382
http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/consumer-alert-scheme-using-lure-free-airline-tick/nHK65/
http://www2.wspa.com/news/2012/may/03/scam-ar-3727347/
http://www.infobarrel.com/Scam_Letter_from_US_Airlines_About_2_roundtrip_airline_tickets
Folks that went to the presentation:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/opinions/x824875839/Letter-Beware-of-scam#axzz1atENPDYQ
http://brianmorristech.com/?p=869&cpage=3#comment-12765 (a comment here)
See how they try to answer objections:
http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Us-Airlines-Letter-Responses/2995395
Police warning:
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20111020/WINDSORBEACON01/110200303
USAirways’s warning:
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/contact/scamalert.html
Personal blogs of recipients:
http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-this-a-scam-us-airlines-is-offering-me-two-roundtrip-airline-tickets/
http://articleurge.com/2012/02/us-air-lines-award-notification-see-the-letter-check/
http://voices.yahoo.com/did-really-win-two-free-tickets-us-airlines-7610568.html?cat=16
http://theunemployedmom.com/2011/04/15/us-airlines-scam-for-2-roundtrip-tickets/
http://danejackson.wordpress.com/2011/11/05/beware-the-us-airlines-free-airplane-ticket-scam/
http://www.chrisam.net/blog/tag/us-airlines/
http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/07/12/1304593/vacation-station-closes-hilton.html
http://jenmurph1221.blogspot.com/2012/08/us-airlines-scam.html
Public Forums:
http://us-airways.pissedconsumer.com/us-airlines-fly-the-us-skies-scam-nashville-20101215211676.html
http://us-airways.pissedconsumer.com/us-airlines-2-free-tickets-worth-1400-00-20110328229290.html+
http://us-airways.pissedconsumer.com/us-airlines-fly-the-us-skies-scam-20110415232480.html
http://us-airways.pissedconsumer.com/us-airlines-scam-20110415232562.html
http://us-airways.pissedconsumer.com/us-airlines-20111001265472.html
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/8663998115
http://www.fodors.com/community/air-travel/us-airlines-award-notificationscam.cfm
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6220214/did_i_really_win_two_free_tickets_on.html?cat=16
http://www.idology.com/blog/592
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-292-1140
Better Business Bureau:
http://snakeriverbbb.wordpress.com/2012/07/26/american-airlines-name-being-used-in-fake-ticket-scam/
http://www.bbb.org/blog/2012/07/scammers-lure-victims-with-fake-free-plane-tickets/
Press release from the sender:
http://www.prlog.org/11360583-all-about-us-airlines-letter.html
http://www.prlog.org/11657515-us-airlines-letter-gives-two-free-round-trip-tickets.html
http://www.free-press-release.com/news-is-this-us-airlines-letter-for-real-1301289516.html
More attempts to get onto Google by the sender:
http://www.thereviewchimp.com/tag/u-s-airlines-letter/
http://hallewace.hubpages.com/hub/US-Airlines-Letter-Offers-2-Airline-Tickets
Websites set up by the sender:
http://complimentaryroundtriptickets.wordpress.com/
http://usairlines2airlinetickets.wordpress.com/
http://twoairlinetickets.wordpress.com/
http://www.letterfromusairlines.com
Videos created by the sender:
http://www.youtube.com/user/jeffaaronjames#g/u
http://www.youtube.com/user/usairlines999#g/u
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBHn0qo7J8k
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xq5vhm_us-airlines-letter-18662974850-part-1_travel
http://www.myspace.com/video/contributor/us-airlines-letter-christine-hay-18662974850/108680222
DOUBLE NAME COMPANIES:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/bbbconsumeralert/tag/airline-ticket/
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=2027392
http://willbradyjournal2.blogspot.com/2010/07/scams-nicholson-barnes.html
VACATION STATION/UNIVERSAL TRAVEL VACATIONS/GLOBAL VACATION NETWORK/LUXURY TRAVEL PROMOTIONS/SOUTHWEST TRAVEL/WORLD CLASS TRAVEL/ROYAL CLASS TRAVEL/CDA CONSULTING:
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/universal-travel-vacations-c410691.html
TV: http://www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?S=13958413
BBB World Class Travel: http://www.bbb.org/tucson/business-reviews/travel-clubs/world-class-travel-in-tucson-az-20029433
BBB Southwest: http://www.bbb.org/tucson/business-reviews/travel-clubs/southwest-travel-club-in-tucson-az-20007983
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/global-vacation-network-c237159.html
A little different marketing ploy: http://www.10tv.com/live/content/consumer10/stories/2010/02/17/story-columbus-vacation-scams.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=102
CASTAWAYS VACATIONS CLUB/BEACHCOMER VACATION CLUB/DISCOUNT GLOBAL TRAVEL/SOMERSET VACATIONS/GOING PLACES TRAVEL:
http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200903/1237169915.html
Blogger: http://romsteady.blogspot.com/2007/04/pen-is-mighter-than-vacation-club.html
http://www.ripoffreport.com/directory/Castaways-Vacation-Club.aspx
Lawsuit: http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/Complaint021910_2.pdf
Newspaper: http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/84829817.html
ROYAL PALMS TRAVEL/PHOENIX VACATION CLUB/SEALAND TRAVEL CLUB/BABB & MILLER/VIVA VACATION/ALL INCLUSIVE EXCURSIONS/DESTINATIONS UNLIMITED/VIP TRAVEL:
Google search: http://www.google.com/search?hl=&q=Royal+Palms+Travel
Lawsuit: https://www.oag.state.tx.us/newspubs/releases/2010/031710royalpalms_pop.pdf
Actual story: http://www.dallas.bbb.org/article/complaints-on-royal-palms-travel-allege-misrepresentation-13237
TV news: http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/Marine-Upscale-travel-club-fails-to-keep-promises-101796173.html
Newspaper: http://www.prestonhollowpeople.com/2010/03/23/texas-ag-lays-down-law-on-all-inclusive-excursions/
http://www.elliott.org/blog/texas-targets-unethical-royal-palms-travel-club/
BBB Phoenix Vacations: http://www.bbb.org/central-texas/business-reviews/travel-clubs/phoenix-vacations-in-dallas-tx-90069689
BBB Royal Palms: http://www.bbb.org/central-texas/business-reviews/travel-clubs/royal-palms-travel-incorporated-in-dallas-tx-90069626
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/royal-palm-travel-c157621.html
OUTRIGGERS VACATION CLUB/OUTRIGGER TRAVEL CLUB/PARADISE DESTINATION/FANTASIA TRAVEL GROUP/VACATION PROFESSIONALS/TRAVEL TO GO/GOOD TIMES TRAVEL CLUB/ONLY WAY 2 GO TRAVEL/TRITON TRAVEL GROUP/ANYTIME VACATIONS:
http://vacationtourtricks.blogspot.com/2010/12/anytime-vacations.html
AARP: http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-08-2010/scam_alert_vacation_club_vexation.html
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/outriggers-vacation-club-c153117.html?sort=dated
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/destination-paradise-c170246.html
Fantasia BBB: http://www.bbb.org/boston/business-reviews/travel-agencies-and-bureaus/fantasia-travel-group-in-methuen-ma-119699/
Newspaper: http://www.wickedlocal.com/plymouth/news/business/x644698521/Travel-agency-booked
STAR VACATION CLUB/TRAVEL SERVICE NETWORK
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/star-vacation-club-c1945.html
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/star-vacation-club-c9899.html
GLOBAL EXCHANGE VACATION CLUB/VIP TRAVEL AGENCY/HOLIDAY TRAVEL OF AMERICA
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/holiday-travel-of-america-c35712.html
Newspaper: http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/21681/The_Very_Deceitful_Holiday_Travel_of_America
http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=27410
DREAMWORKS VACATION CLUB/DREAMWORKS VACATIONS/FIVE POINTS TRAVEL/BENTLEY TRAVEL/MODERN DESTINATIONS UNLIMITED/LABONNE VIE TRAVEL/VACATION CLUBS, LLC/DREAM VACATIONS INTERNATIONAL:
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/dreamworks-vacation-club-c60341.html
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/modern-destination-unlimited-c271860.html
Lawsuit: http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases11/pr20110202a.html
http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases09/pr20091210b.html
http://www.state.nj.us/oag/ca/ocp/orders/DreamShow.pdf
http://www.walletpop.com/2011/02/09/consumers-to-get-back-almost-2-2-million-from-travel-clubs/
TV: http://www.nbc40.net/view_story.php?id=12512
VACATION TRAVEL OUTLET/VACATION SERVICES OF AMERICA/VACATION TRAVEL CLUB:
Justice Dept: http://www.justice.gov/usao/mow/news2009/wood.ind.htm
Lawsuit: http://ago.mo.gov/newsreleases/2006/121906.htm
SUN COUNTRY TRAVEL/TEXAS TRAVEL PARTNERS/HORIZON TRAVEL/NATIONAL VACATIONS:
JURY Lawsuit: https://www.oag.state.tx.us/oagnews/release.php?id=1589
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/horizon-travel-national-vacations-tci-c3541.html
GRAND CROWNE LEISURE TRAVEL CLUB:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/directory/Grand-Crowne.aspx?p=2
INTERESTING:
I guess if the pitch keeps working, keep doing it (check the date):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55195-2004Jul16.html
32 Responses to “Free Airline Ticket Further Reading”
We received the letter as well, but the phone number was 866-992-0967 and the letter was signed by Kate White, Vice President. My husband called them and said if this was legitamate we would like to bring the local TV news crew. She went off on him and said that the competition was posting bad publicity on the internet.
By Kathy on Feb 6, 2011
Kathy,
It’s so ironic that the things that they say are happening to them are untrue, but it is EXACTLY what they do to people like me.
By brmorris on Feb 6, 2011
Thanks for the blog. I knew the letter was fake the second I opened it, but it’s nice to see your website and the confirmation of what I already knew.
By Brian on Feb 22, 2011
Who doesn’t want a break in this day and age. My letter said from Ann Roy. The number I have is 1-866-921-7390. They asked me to come to Brunswick,GA. Told me to bring only my husband and no children. Then the major credit card. I told her i didn’t have one. Then she assured me the tickets were mine and I was under no obligation to purchase anything. Then said I would also get a 2 night free hotel stay. This should be illegal……It is just like a fishing website only in person.
By shannon smith on Mar 7, 2011
Received mine yesterday also from Ann Roy (Vice President!!) who claimed to have tried to contact me several times without success. And this was my LAST CHANCE to receive these free tickets. The contact number I got was 866-437-8134. Didn’t call, knew better but I googled and found this site and thought I’d post my info as well.
By Sharon Green on Mar 15, 2011
We received similar letters in 2010 for the Nashville area. We thought OK what is there to lose. We received the FREE TICKETS after listening to a VACATION STATION (this is not a timeshare) presentation. When you follow the instructions for the FREE AIRLINE tickets, they cost you approx. $250. each. SO yes they are FREE. And no do not buy in to the VACATION STATION scam.
By Howard on May 22, 2011
Received a letter today, dated May 23.
Signed by “Candice Bray” … Vice President (they must have a lot of VPs!).
Phone number was 1-866-974-0483.
Not even wasting my time calling.
By William on May 27, 2011
I just received “US AIRLINES” letter saying we are qualified for 2 roundtrip airline tickets.
Signed Phyllis Neal. Well, I called after I read some of your blog. They want us to come for some kind of presentation. I mentioned the free tickets and the person on the phone said we have to pay taxes.
By Bo on Jun 13, 2011
Just got my letter offering 2 free tickets from TRAVEL & DEALS. It’s signed by Rita Bea Vice President. At the bottom of the page is an official looking logo for Southwest Airlines. They also say they tries to contact me. No messages on my home or cell phones or emails. Thought of calling them and jerking them around, but I’ve got more important things to do.
By Bill Eckenrode on Jun 27, 2011
I just received my letter signed by Rita Bea VP in the mail and immediately knew it was fake…would southwest airlines really hand write my name, not have a return address and the letterhead was extremely cheap looking. Anyways i googled the number (1-866-973-8294) no results, googled Rita and this site is what came up. Scary how people can get your address and could really take advantage of innocent people.
By Kendra on Jun 27, 2011
Same letter as Bill, above. Rita Bea, Vice President of Travel & Deals, is “pleased to inform [us] that [we] have qualified for an award of 2 roundtrip airline tickets.” Lucky us.
Same “We have attempted contacting you several times without success.” A fat lie.
Same closing caveat, “If we do not hear from you soon, we may need to issue the ticket vouchers to the alternate.” Okey-doke. Because we’re feeling magnanimous, we’ll let our replacements enjoy the opportunity.
By Paul on Jun 28, 2011
Yes I just got this too! I wonder is Southwest knows someone is using their logo.
By Deb on Jul 1, 2011
Yes I just got the same letter dated July 2. Name on the letter is Katherine Cota Vice President of Traveldeals. At the botton of the letter is a logo of Southwest Airlines with a DD-xxxxx number.
By Denny on Jul 10, 2011
Same letter received dated July 1 from VP Katherine Cota which led me to this web site. Had no intention of calling but curious as to how many people are commenting on this scam. I’m sure there are elderly people out there who are falling for this………scary!!
By Ulla on Jul 21, 2011
Got the same Catherine Cota letter with Southwest Airlines logo. Made an appointment but not going… hee, hee,hee…:)
By Megan Eckert on Jul 26, 2011
New twist on the US Airlines tickets — today I received a “travel check” payable to US Airlines and (my name), for $1400 and good for 2 free tickets. And, it “must be redeemed by September 1st, 2011.” Looks just like the kind of check you’d receive from the government, complete with the tear off ends and top. This is our Final Notice and last chance to respond to the offer! I’d best get going!!
By roberta on Aug 29, 2011
Just got one of these today…”US Airlines” signed Linda Ford, VP (of course!). Contact # is 1-866-227-7147. Can’t these idiots go to jail for mail fraud or something?
To the idiots credit, they hand wrote my name/address and the Linda Ford signature. No return address of any kind on the envelope or letter, although it is postmarked from Phoenix, AZ.
By Scam_Buster on Oct 3, 2011
Just received my AWARD NOTIFICATION in the mail for 2 free roundtrip airline tickets to anywhere in the continental US from any major international airport. Value $1,400. Sent from Oklahoma CIty to my address in Florida. Contact number 866-207-2386 Sincerely the Reward Department.
SCAM>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
By John Paul on Oct 5, 2011
I got mine in the mail too. My number that the fake company gave was 866-267-7256 with the VP named Linda Ford. I knew something was wrong when I looked at the envelop and seen that they had no return address and my address was hand written. I’m glad I looked up the people before I called. Thanks all for posting you saved me time and frustration.
By Ted on Oct 10, 2011
Got my letter from Linda Ford….handwritten envelope, offer expires tomorrow.
By Julie P on Oct 11, 2011
Received a letter dated November 14, 2011 from Valerie Fay, Vice President with phone number 1-866-351-3463. No attempts made to contact.
By Ray McFeaters on Nov 20, 2011
I received a postcard offering 2 round trip tickets on jetBlue. Thanks for the info – I will be sending to my local Investigative Reporter to keep the people of Indianapolis safe.
By Jim S on Feb 21, 2012
it just makes no sense! ,We just watched on our local news all the fake handbaGs and sneakers(BEING CONFISCATED) coming in from China, sending a real hurt to our original designers/companies.Well who would have thought something like that could happen, when the big companies tranferred all their production overseas somewhere and to other countries.Its a wonder that Americans most innovative moves are scams to get you locked into ob;ligations somewhere down the line.We got ours today,we only shopped inthe location(illinios , the previous week.And like it said they had been trying to contact us, and this was the final notice.Our appointment is set up tomorrow at 10am Sat morn, but now that we know we just might not go!
By WHAT?They sent them to you too...we just got to alert the fraud dept. on May 11, 2012
I live in Portland, OR and just received the “US Airlines” letter, dated July 23rd, 2012. The phone number that is listed is 1-866-480-7559. The letter is signed by Jacklyn Paul, Vice-President
By Ashbrook on Jul 26, 2012
Just to let folks know, they are still up to their old tricks. I received a letter today from American Airways, handwritten envelope with no return address, stating I’d won two round trip airline tickets, and the letter was signed by Renee Poe, Vice President.
Obviously a scam for all the reasons mentioned above, but I do want to tell another story on why it’s worth checking this stuff out.
A few years ago, I received an e-mail from NBC Sports requesting my social security number so they could send me a prize for a contest I’d entered. I immediately thought scam until I did a little research (and recall). In fact, I had entered a contest on their website (which I’d forgotten about) and did win a $250 prize. After a couple of phone calls, I satisfied myself that the e-mail was actually from NBC and they had a legitimate need to get the info. I gave it to them and received my check about 10 days later.
It pays to check. 99% of the time, it is a scam….but that other 1%…
By Gary Renard on Jul 26, 2012
I live near Chicago and I just got mine, dated 7/23 and, like Ashbrook from Portland, it’s signed by Jacklyn Paul. The number to call is 866-481-2524. Thank goodness for the internet.
By Pattys on Jul 27, 2012
Another one to add to the list. Live in Los Angeles, CA area and got a ‘telegram’ – that’s what it said on the envelop, from US Airlines.
Mine actually had a pretty convincing looking copy of an E-ticket on it as well. Promising 2 free roundtrip airfairs, AND a hotel stay if I call in the next 24 hours lol How do they know WHEN I receive this… they’re slipping.
I’m tempted to contact US Airlines and let them know someone is using their name and logo. What bastards!
By Elin on Aug 3, 2012
Just got my letter today, hand addressed, sent from Phoenix, signed by Cathy Stein, contact 866-357-1991. Decided to call that #, just to give them a bad time. Was pretty sure it’s a scam because there’s NO company info. Called the #, got put on hold for about 2-3 min & decided I had better things to do than listen to extremely poor music & a very foreign-voiced female telling me a rep would be with me ASAP. Decided to go on-line & found this site right away. THANK YOU for confirming my gut instinct & posting all this info for us.
By Sheryl D on Sep 27, 2012
I got my letter today (I must be on the B list). No signature, just “Awards Department,” and no faux airline, just “American Rewards Center” at the very top. 1-855-232-5100 is the number to find out how I collect this rare prize. I’d better do it soon; after all, the letter tells me “[f]lights fill quickly.”
By Filbertus on Jan 19, 2013
I just got that same letter, exactly!
By Larry Cohen on Jan 21, 2013
Got a letter from Anderson Lang dated January 14th, 2013 the same as the above letters. I live in Albuquerque, NM and was knew it was some sales pitch, so we didn’t reply. Thanks for the above comments so to be fore warned is to be fore armed with the truth.
By Mary on Jan 25, 2013
I just got a letter stating the same thing. Phone number to call (855) 343-1600.
It has my name. Tickets worth $1298. Respond by February 7th.
The end of the letter does not have the name of a person. It just says.. “Regards,
American Rewards Center”
I am half tempted to call them up and mess with their heads a little. If only I had a voice recorder I could set up to my phone. Darn!
By Miranda on Feb 4, 2013