Letter from a VP of Travel Awards Division about free airline tickets

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These guys are going bad to their tried-and-true strategy of making up two-name companies and sending letters offering free airline tickets. (See all other posts here about these letters.) Please comment if you received one with your location.

It tells you that you have qualified for an award of 2 roundtrip airline tickets. It looks like it was actually signed by Kelly Mane, the “Vice President.” They hand write the address on the envelope and use a real stamp (sometimes!).

Here are the new companies so far:

Fletcher Adams (fletcheradams.com)

Nelson Murphy (nelsonmurphy.com)

Franklin Hobbs (franklinhobbs.com)

Duncan Jacobs (duncanjacobs.com)

Stevenson Barnes (stevensonbarnes.com)

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)

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.

LETTER:


I am pleased to inform you that you have qualified for an award of 2 roundtrip airline tickets. Congratulations.Play Store Download These tickets are valid for travel anywhere in the Continental U.S. The retail value of this award is up to $1,298.00. Certain restrictions apply.

We have attempted contacting you several times without success. This is our last attempt. If we do not hear from you soon, we may need to issue the ticket vouchers to the alternate.

Please call me today at 1-866-517-2406 (numbers always changing).

Regards,

VP du jour (see above)

Vice President

Travel Awards Division


 

 

Here is what would happen if you did call:

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

330 replies
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  1. Barbie says:

    I just received a letter from “US Airlines” stating pretty much the same as all above. It was signed by “Juli West”, Vice President. All I did was google vice president of US Airlines and it brought me to this site. AIRLINES NEVER GIVE ANYTHING FOR FREE…true give away of this scam.

  2. Janese says:

    I received same American Airlines letter the other day….I called to see what it was about & was told I would have go to a seminar of some sort at the same Orlando address some of you have listed above. I can’t believe people are allowed to do things like this.

  3. Mike says:

    I got this letter, dated 8/26, on 9/11 stating I had to call by 9/12 to receive my vouchers for up to $1229.

    I called, they told me they were booking on behalf of “The Wholesale Travel Agent, Jan Sterling.. spelled like silver” .. offices located [insert address]. Which turns out to be the Embassy Suites address. Claims that this weekend is the last presentation & cannot book after that; must bring ID, spouse & ID, and CC for “verification”

    I’m tempted to go.. just to mess with them and then throw a raging fit if I don’t get my free tickets, lol

  4. Rosie P says:

    Just got this letter today. Looked into it….all the same stuff as everyone posted.
    SCAM!!

    Thanks everyone for posting your experience. It was helpful for me to verify it was a scam.

  5. Laura says:

    I received a second letter that is similar to the one I received some months back. The scam is still running and they tried for a second time to rope me in. I just put it in the circular file and went on with my day.

  6. Dave says:

    Received info from Travelawards for 2 round-trip air tickes up to $1399.00 value to call Joi Edmunds VP at 877-542-7716 by Jan 3rd 2014. No return address on envelope. Mailed from zip code 73125 Oklahoma City OK, December 2013. Permit # 2001. Computer generated label on envelope.

  8. Donna says:

    Received card for same this week
    #1-877-542-6753
    from VP Leann Turner

    Thanks for helping me verify this scam.

  9. M says:

    I received a card with the same info except:
    Phone #877-525-1062
    from VP Edythe Roberts.

    No return address but mailed from a Phoenix, AZ zip code.

  10. T says:

    I received the same card from VP Leeann Turner with phone number 1-877-542-7670

    No return address, but mailed from zip code 85026 – Mesa, AZ.

    Thanks to these posts, it’s going to be fire kindling.

  11. Chris says:

    Received same card from VP Edythe Roberts, phone number 877-517-3793. No return address and I did not look at the post mark.
    I live in central NY.

  12. Carol says:

    Wow, this group is desperate! Nearly two years of doing this crap.
    Received TRAVELAWARDS notice on 1/30 in Chicagoland area from zip code 73125 (Oklahoma City) and no return address with signature from VP Edythe Roberts and Phone # 877-542-7679. They added a claim # and now state NOTE: You must respond no later than February 3rd, 2014. Also value is up to $1,399.

  14. Maurice says:

    Got mine in Philadelphia, also post marked from Oklahoma City, zip code 73125, hand written with no return address and signature from Edythe Roberts Vice President at phone# 1-877-497-1183. I must respond by February 12th, 2014. My tickets are valued at $1,399,

  15. Steve says:

    Got same Travelawards ‘invite’ today; searched internet for marketing sceams or scams – guess what? It is….

  16. JB says:

    I just received one from Alice Campbell customer relation manager 7Feb2014 from the company TravelAwards. I’m in Allentown,Pa the post mark is Arizona. no return address.

  17. Glenn says:

    Just got mine today. It too was from OKC, OK.
    Thought it sounded phony so I googeled it and Presto there it is!
    Thanks!

  20. Joe S says:

    I just received a card today, signed by Edythe Roberts. I immediately googled and found this discussion; I knew it was too good to be true but wanted confirmation. Thanks!!

  24. GG says:

    Easton, Pennsylvania. “Congratulations” card with same text as above. Company: TravelAwards. Signed by Alice Campbell, Customer Relations Manager.

  25. Susie says:

    I just won two tickets valued at $1399.00 to anywhere I want to go. Signed – Regards, Alice Campbell, Vice President of TRAVELAWARDS. Too bad it’s not true, I’d like to get out Illinois and all of this snow!

  26. STAN says:

    Berks County-PA
    Just received my letter today 22FEB2014 – I just won two tickets valued at $1399.00 to anywhere I want to go. Signed – Regards, Alice Campbell, Customer Relations Manager of TRAVELAWARDS.
    These scams really tic me off – so I called – have an appointment for 6pm on 28FEB.

    Think I will open carry when I show up (not the best part of town you know) and see if their tone changes when I insist on receiving my “free” tickets – I’ll update you with how it all turns out!!

  27. L says:

    just received letter from Tgravel Awards Division, two tickets award $1595.00 zip code on leter from AZ, pone number 1 866 282 4890…. final notice.. Dam missed out…to bad

  28. Crystal says:

    I received one today also mailed from 85026. This letter gives me a ccn # care of vp Sarah Stewart. The value of the award is up to $1595.00. I’m surprised they are still sending this scam. First post was almost 3 years ago.

  29. david kendick says:

    Oh Yeah!…..TWO FREE AIRLINE TICKETS!!!! Mine was sent by Sarah Stewart, VP of Customer Relations

  31. Deborah Edgar says:

    Received a letter yesterday signed by Sarah Stewart, VP of Customer Relations, however no company name given, awarding me two airline tickets valued at $1,595.00. Must respond by January 22, 2015.

    I have no intention to do so. Don’t even want to listen to what’s involved in order to redeem. Not that desperate.

  32. Hi says:

    I just recieved same letter sounds too good to be true. No return address. Hand written address and signed by vp to appear valid. Dnt trust it

  33. jason geary says:

    Just received one today. 1/28/15. Two free plane tickets up to 1595.00 Call 866-282-4890. VP name Sarah Srewart. Also no return address. Upon a little investigation post mark out of Phoenix, AZ. After reading this…WOW they must still be going. I live in central Florida. Own a condo and things like that. I have contact the BBB in arizona hust to continue to give them a heads up.

  34. Jackie says:

    My dad just received such a letter, claiming he had just won a complementary round-trip airline tickets for two value at $1,595.00. There was no return adress and the phone number was 18662825005 and the Vice President was Sarah Stewart. As soon as we receive this letter we shredded the paper because it is a scam.
    Jackie

  35. L Capone says:

    Letter from Sarah Stewart, VP customer relations
    Travel Awards Division (no company name)
    Circular filed with no regrets. Thanks!

  36. Angelo says:

    Sarah Stewart and $1,595 seem to be the latest most common combination. Same thing for me. The company seem to be something like “Travel awards division”

  37. Brandon Carter says:

    I received a letter from Sarah Stewart and I want to let her know that she need to get a life or fly some kite outside. The phone number was 1-866-2824890

  39. Patsbax says:

    Years ago I went to a seminar for a time share where I would get free airline tickets. With all of the excluded days that you couldn’t use them there was about three weeks out of the year you could use them. I threw them away.

  41. Mike says:

    I just googled the phone # 18667049290 and came up with a Chinese web site. Wish I could read Chinese then I could find out where I’m not going. Thanks Sarah Steward VP

  43. Dee Bright says:

    We received one yesterday in our mail! I knew it was a scam…but wanted to see if anyone else has had this happen. How come this is still going on? How do we stop Sarah Stewart and 1595.00 value airline ticket scam?

  46. Sharon Norman says:

    I looked up the zip code on the envelope (with a real stamp), and it was from Phoenix, AZ (phone number 1-866-931-8148). I guess Sarah Stewart wanted a change in scenery! BTW, I live in California.

  47. George says:

    Today Sarah Stewart sent me a letter with a note that I “must respond no later than April 2nd, 2015.” At least she wasted a stamp trying to scam us.

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