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 one today with US Airways on it, in Berkeley Township, NJ.
Received one today for Delta.
I received one yesterday in Irvington, KY.
I got a Jet Blue Airways one in the mail yesterday. First thing I did was google it. As I suspected, it’s too good to be true! In the shred bin it goes!
Got mine today in Edgewood New Mexico
Received one today phone # 1-800-313-1263 figured it was a scam
Today for Delta in Highlands Ranch, CO
Just got one in Fairfield, PA from address
CP
PO Box 20389
West Palm Beach, FL 33416
They stated that the promotion was from smooth sailing services and that the number to call was 1-855-449-0714
Got one today, I called, 800-952-9644 some sort of vacation club, changed the RSVP number I imagine to track the call back. Supposed to go to Gtown Holiday in for a two hour meeting after which you get to meet with gift coordinator. Might go for the free coffee and entertainment to see folks get scammed.:)
Just received a postcard for two free airfares on April 6, 2012 to New Albany, IN from Continental Airlines. Looked it up on the net and found out the scam.
Got one in Portland OR – AirTran – same picture on the front and message on the back. 888-912-6528
Don’t even make the call.
I just received this postcard, only mine says Continental Airlines, which doesn’t even exist as Continental any more. 2 round trip airfares to most major airports in the continental U.S. plus 3 day/2 night hotel stay.
This one goes in the shredded and all my family and friends will be forewarned.
Just received one in Milwaukee WI. This FLY AWAY ESCAPE postcard was for US Airways. Virtually identical to the Delta postcards. Different phone number, different Permit number on the postmark. Shucks, I could’ve really used a free vacation. lol
I received one of the Delta postcards in Tucson near April 3, 2012.
Meetings at the Double Tree. Talking with
a Mr Ron Raines.
Same picture as listed above.
“Ron” said the deal has to do with a new travel club, and that the airline tickets are a Thank You for my wife and I attending the 72 minute presentation.
We were thinking about going — until I read all of the above.
Phone number on the card said:
866-606-6905
Claims to work for World Resorts International.
Phone calls from Ron Raines come from 480 361 6905.
It smells pretty scammy …
–JB
Got a card in Ames, Iowa. US Airways.
I just got one from Alaska Airlines, sounded like a scam to me, the words are exactly the same like in the Delta one, just different pictures.
Got one in Memphis, TN
Received one today in southern Indiana. Same picture and information, but says Fly away anywhere, Continental Airlines Flies.
Is this the scam where they get our good email addresses by posting that we read this?
Nope, this is just a friendly blog post informing folks about what’s really going on with these mailings.
I recieved one of these in the mail today. I take surveys online through mysurvey.com and thought that I had won a sweepstakes, as this postcard said that I was to be awarded two airline tickets. I didn’t see a company name ANYWHERE. So I called the number. A woman picked up and told me that all I had to do was attend some seminar to recieve my free airline tickets but that first I would need to give her some information. Her first question was “Are you married?” What? She doesn’t want my name? My address? My phone number? I was like “Um…can I call you back?” Her tone changed. She sounded irritated and said “I need you to answer these questions NOW or you will not recieve the bonus.” I asked her what the name of her company was. She hung up on me!!!! It was so strange. Oh and she answered on the first ring!!!! What kind of customer service technician answers on the first ring? If this company was legitimate, I would expect to wait on hold for an hour! 😛
Jennifer M.,
Yep, you’ve exposed them pretty clearly. They know your name and address from the offer code in your letter. They require a married couple with a credit card — it must deal with the sales pitch technique or something.
Received one today with Continental Airlines on it.
I got one today advertising AirTran and Hawaiian Airlines.
Number is 1-888-365-1041.
I received one of these postcards with AirTran and Hawaiian Airlines listed as the carriers (disclaimer on the card says this is offer is not sponsored by them). 1-888-534-6977. Like Jennifer M. above they knew much of my specific personal info but wanted a credit card up front, but they would not tell me what the offer was until I gave them my card up front. Not on your life! I went to tips.fbi.gov and gave them this info. People beware!
Got one in Washington State for Alaska Airlines. 1-888-534-6977
Got one in the mail today in Los Angeles, CA. The promo was from Jet Blue, Delta and AA. When I called they said the meeting would be held at a travel agency so it sounded legit. I was all prepared to go. I needed a vacation!
May 16 2012
Same thing today only the airline is now Alaska.
Received one to fly allegiant or US,call within 48 hours for 3 day/2 night hotel stay. Hawaii or anywhere they fly in the Continental U.S.
I just got one with USAirways or Allegiant. Sure looks like a scam to me.
Received one for Delta Airlines with a hotel stay at Marriott. Mine has the Travel Channel and As Seen In TV logos at the top of the postcard.
Received postcard for two round trip airfares to Hawaii or other US locations that Allegiant or Delta Flies. Thanks for the post.
Rec’d same as Michele.
Got this card in Western Mass today (5/31/12). It astounds me how LONG this has been going on and NOTHING is being DONE about it. Just goes to SHOW you that our GOVERNMENT *WANTS* us to be “DISTRACTED” by this SH*T so we won’t NOTICE the GRAFT and CORRUPTION that is **REALLY** going on ALL around us.
These people are using a USPS POSTAGE PERMIT!!! “Sacramento, CA PERMIT NO. 1684” WHY???? Can’t they be TRACED via that and SHUT DOWN?????
I received a postcard today for Alaska Airlines.
Got one in Los Angeles last week, same exact card except with United Airlines on it.
USPS permit no. 3950 West Palm Beach, FL
Amazing they are still allowed to do this; what’s the FTC and Postal Inspectors doing???
I received a Delta one on 06/04/2012 Whidbey Island, Washington.
Got this one yesterday-no visible Delta logo on the plane.
Shows “travel channel” logo and As Seen on TV
Same scam- different day.
Now it’s Allegiant airline to Hawaii and 3 days 2 nights.
Allegiat denies it, the company won;t give me any info until i SHOW UP FOR THEIR “PRESENTATION”:
Same scam but says 2 free round trip tickets to Hawaii on US Air, 2 night Marriott hotel stay, and a $100 restaurant gift certificate. No company name listed but address says 120 State Ave NE #1417 Olympia WA 98501, and USPS permit says Sacramento, CA PERMIT NO. 1684. Says to call within 48 hours to 1-800-463-8413. Some poor person must be falling for this and giving these criminals money
Received near Seattle, Washington 6/9/12
I received a postcard today. Vacation Choices is offering you a fly away escape. 2 roundtrip airfare to Hawaii or other US locations that US Airlines flies- AND a stay at a Marriott Hotel! ( 3 days two nights) plus a $100 bonus if I call within 48 hrs…1-888-535-1518
Special offer for me??? lol
Barling, AR.
Received one on 6/12, 2012 offering 2 RT airfares to Hawaii or anywhere US Airways flies and 3 day/2 night Marriott hotel stay! Promo Code: 12x-xx1, phone 1-800-463-8418, call within 48 hours and receive $100 restaurant bonus gift certificate. Does anyone believe this stuff?
Received this postcard on 06/13/2012
Received a postcard on 6/18/2012 – 1-800-613-1886
You really have to ask yourself why every one of these respondents got a crad with a different telephone number. Perhaps it’s so they can’t be tracked down. DATELINE said this has the word SCAM wriiten all over it.
These card are great recycling container stuffers…….filed under TRASH!
Received a postcard 6/18/12. Highwood, IL
Received this same postcard 6/21/12. Northern Virginia
Just got one from Portland, ore with phone #1-800-479-6122 for 2 RT airline tickets to Hawaii on US airways and 2 night stay at the Marriott Hotel. Hubby wanted to go, but I’m glad I checked it out before hand.