Delta postcard about free airline tickets & hotel
The strategy has evolved again (maybe just experimenting) by sending out a Delta Airlines postcard. (See other posts about previous mailings here.) Please comment if you received one with your location.
See below for the postcard images and text.
The postcard says that they have been trying to contact you about free round trip tickets and a hotel stay you have won. Once you go to the sales pitch and sign up, you book through a fulfillment company. I’ve seen two lately: Universal Travel Vacations (website, BBB report) or the The Vacation Station (website, BBB report TN, BBB report SC)
Also, here is another blogger with information about a postcard that looks like it is from Southwest Airlines: http://talestoldfromtheroad.com/2011/11/02/consumer-alert-southwest-escape-offer-grounded/
I have found the answers to this mystery thanks to the great work of the folks at BBB in Tucson, AZ:
http://www.bbb.org/tucson/business-reviews/travel-clubs/southwest-travel-club-in-tucson-az-20007983
http://www.bbb.org/tucson/business-reviews/prize-promotions/patterson-bell-in-tucson-az-20027549
An actual story: http://www.kgun9.com/features/investigations/122887609.html
NEW video from INSIDE THE SALES PRESENTATION: http://www.9news.com/news/article/362984/339/Companies-behind-free-airline-ticket-letters-
Great reporting from WKMG: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Free-travel-offer-mystifies-consumers/-/1637132/15701330/-/8s7gus/-/index.html
Video from inside the first ever video encounter I’ve seen: http://www.kboi2.com/news/local/Travel-service-vacation-smart-international-us-airlines-vacationanddeals-com-175915611.html?tab=video&c=y
If you would like to read more about these folks, visit this post. You can read all about the sales presentation, the free offer and the what you get for your vacation membership club cash outlay.
ADVICE:
When I read this, it was just too good not to post. It’s from the Nebraska Attorney General (page 13 printed/page 15 PDF).
Look for the warning signs that may indicate a scam:
- Benefits sound too good to be true.
- The company has no permanent address and all presentations are held in rented conference rooms.
- They can’t, or won’t, provide you with references.
- They don’t want to give you an itemized list of what’s included in your trip until you have already signed the contract.
What you should do if you suspect a scam:
- Don’t sign any contract during the travel presentation. They are high-pressure events intended to stir the emotions of an exotic vacation.
- Contact a respected travel agent in town, give them the specifics of the trip, and ask if that seems consistent with industry pricing.
- Shop around. Compare your trip with other travel packages being offered to seniors.
Here is Michigan’s Attorney General’s advice:
http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,1607,7-164-34739_20942-44762–,00.html
Here is the of the postcard:
DELTA / FLY AWAY ESCAPE
Dear x,
Congratulations! You have been selected to receive 2 Round Trip Airfares to anywhere Delta flies in the continental USA. Call within 48 hours. You will also receive as a bonus 3 day 2 night hotel stay!
We have been trying to contact you! (This is not a timeshare or land sale offer)
Toll free 1-800-313-1263 (or other numbers)
RSVP xxxx (your ID in their database) MON-SUN 9am to 8pm
Fine print: Certain restrictions apply. Call for details of participation. This offer is not sponsored by or affiliated with Delta Airlines but they are a major supplier. Taxes, processing fees and reservation fees are the responsibility of the recipient. Offer void where prohibited by law. Not applicable to Alaska or Hawaii.
[UPDATE 12/2/2011] Apparently Delta isn’t the only carrier they are testing out in their new postcards — Southwest Airlines is targeted as well: http://talestoldfromtheroad.com/2011/11/02/consumer-alert-southwest-escape-offer-grounded/
Here is what would happen if you did call:
Received Delta postcard 3/8/12 in N.H. Tel: #1-800-279-8922, obviously a scam!
Mine says Allegiant Air and has the logo.
Sister got one from Frontier 3-10-12, return address West Palm Beach, phone number 1-888-490-6294. Sent a boarding pass with e-ticket number and everything.
Delta, the -1263 number. I am in northwest Arkansas.
Got the delta one with 3 days and 2 nights at a hotel. I think I am going to call them. I have a nice backyard they can buy…. how about 15,000 per blade of grass and I will throw in a couple weeds. I will see if can run up their talk time a little or maybe just hack one of their reps off
Got one for Alaska Airlines number on the card is 866-871-7604. I live in Oregon.
I got a similar postcard in the mail today, pitching “2 Round Trip Airfares to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies in the continental U.S.” Rest of the verbage sounds similar to that reported above. The number to call to is: 888-534-6977
March 13, 2012
Michigan
Received the Alaska Airline free trip postcard today. Pretty much verbatim like the previous posts. Suspected a scam, now confirmed. Thanks!
I just received the Delta “Fly Away Escape” card in the mail yesterday, in Northwest Arkansas. It listed a 1-800-313-1263 number.
Glad I googled it!
Hubby received one 3/13/12, Middleton, Massachusetts.
I just received the Delta “Fly Away Escape” card in the mail yesterday, in Northwest Arkansas. It listed a 1-800-313-1263 number.
Googled the phone number since the company wasn’t listed on the offer (Can you say RED FLAG?). The phone number is linked to scams for years.
Very corrupt operation with dozens of company aliases. Very organized scam.
delta “call within 48 hours” variety. northwest arkansas, 3/13
Received the Alaska Airlines postcard today offering 2 air line tickets and 3 day 2 night stay. You saved me a phone call. Thank you! Portland, OR
Mine arrived today. Central New Hampshire.
seems they have changed the tactic a little bit–Delta same as above but the fine print is changed ” all trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners. offer void where prohibited by law.(here’s where they say its not from delta but don’t really say it)all components of the offer are fulfilled by a third party(Bingo!!!)the rest is the same as other above. # 1800 279-8922 thanks From NH
total scam beware arrived today in lowell mass wit number 18002798922
recieved one 3/13/12 Northwest Arkansas
got one last month in Westchester Co, NYS
It’s the Delta one.
TomJV
They’re still at it. With a foto of the bottom of a two-engine jet and a separate Delta Logo on the front and the following on the back “Congrats…you’ve been selected to receive 2 round trip airfares….”. etc. The phone listed is 800 952-9644. The only return address info is West Palm Beach. And they aren’t even using correct English. There’s no such thing as receiving an “air fare.” Air tickets, yes.
Received one in Spokane, WA on March 15th, 2012. Mine looks just like the picture above but mine says it’s for Alaska Airlines. Yet the print is exactly the same as above with a different phone number.
Just got the identical delta postcard today…think i will call monday for entertainment only…number is 18009529644..northwest arkansas
Thanks for the fun video. Got my postcard today 3/19/2012. Phone 800-279-8922.
Got mine today 3/19.2012. Exactly as described. Phone: 800-952-9644. I hope they spend all their money on postage.
I received mine from US Airways today 1-888-535-8521
Im in South Dakota.
Got the Delta “Fly Away Escape” postcard (as seen in the article above) in Lexington KY. Thanks for having this page posted.
Received a card March 19with Delta Fly Away Escape. I live in central Kentucky.
Got the Delta one today in Alexandria, VA
I got one in Lawrenceburg KY 40342
Received one in Woodbridge, VA on March 20, 2012
I got one too – in IL. Could anyone who received one in IL post a pic of the postcard? I’m trying to gather as many as possible to try to submit a complaint. Thanks!
I got one today for Airtram on Upper Sandusky, OH
Received the Delta offer 3/21/2012 in Wilton, NH
I got one in Spokane Valley, WA from Alaska Airlines on March 24th, 2012
Received the postcard in Cordova, TN 3/24/2012.
I received one today in Georgetown, KY.
Received the postcard in Winchester,KY. From the number of post listed, how could the US post Office be losing money?
Got one today, but was AirTran. Number is 1-855-836-1658. Apparently to these guts, I’m William Schenectady, which made me laugh.
Apparently KY is the target this month. Got one in Lexington, KY today. 1-800-952-9644
My family received one today in Maryland. March 27, 2012.
Received the Delta Version in Gainesville, VA on 3/27/2012.
I received a postcard offering 2 round trip tickets from Delta.
I received a postcard from AirTran like this. Which is the airline we use most often. The card offers 2 RT airfares and 3 day 2 night hotel stay. 1-855-449-0719 is the number. It states it is not a timeshare or land sale offer and that they have been trying to contact me. I can see how one could easily be seduced by this. I’m in FL and is is postmarked from WestPalm Beach FL
Mine is from UNITED. Phone -1-866-606-6905
Postmarked from West Palm Beach, FL
Tells me to respond within 48 hours – LOL
48 starting when? when it was mailed? when I recieved it? when I acutally looked at it?
Received mine on March 27, 2012
What a joke!
Received one today, Pepperell Ma.
Received the version pictured above in Arlington, VA on 3/28/12.
Received one yesterday from “AIR TRAN” with the number 1-877-252-1979. We are in Atlantic Beach, Florida.
Received my Delta post card March 31st Elizabethtown, KY
I got one today with U.S. Airways as the carrier. I am wise to these scams, but thanks for websites like this one so the less savvy among us can look this stuff up.
BTW, I am in central Illinois.