Letter from US Airlines about free airline tickets
Here’s another mailing about free airline tickets, only instead of coming from a fake incentive company, it is from a fake airline called US Airlines – “Fly the US skies”! (See other posts here.) Please comment if you received one.
They have a variation that includes an award notification and boarding pass. See below for pictures.
It tells you that you have qualified for an award of 2 roundtrip airline tickets. It looks like it was actually signed by Barbara Dion or Alexia Pitt or Kate White or Loretta Cape or Ann Roy or Charlene James or Angela King or Marcia O’Neal or Janelle Kelly or Candice Bray or Phyllis Neal or Melanie Car or Jessica Clay or Katherine Cota or Christina Jud or Shauna West or Jane Austin or Hillary Baio or Jessica Nish or C. Ray or Dorothy Wade or Linda Ford or Jade Beal or Nicole Clay or Valerie Fay or Erica Bale or K. Mane or Loretta Pine or Alexis Doug or Kristina Bar or Brittany Hunt or Doris Jack, the “Vice President.” They hand write the address on the envelope and use a real stamp (sometimes!).
Here is the cheesy website for this letter. 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. These tickets are valid for travel anywhere in the Continental U.S. The retail value of this award is up to $1,400.00. 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 1-866-995-7151 (numbers always changing).
Regards,
VP du jour (see above)
Vice President
AWARD NOTIFICATION/BOARDING PASS:
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
Just got one in Austin, TX signed by Lisa King with the value of $1,298. What a SCAM!
I also received this letter and I called and made an appointment after all what did I have to lose. I was not signing anything.well I showed up they look at me and told me there was no room for me that there sorry for the inconvenience after I also confirmed the appointment 2 hrs before.There was elderly people only when I should up.I was rejected because I’m younger.THIS IS A SCAM FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE.
Got mine today in the form of an “Award Notification”. Just a typed-out form, no name, no stamp. I live in Connecticut and the sender used a Postage Permit from Oklahoma City. The call back number was 1-866-217-3712. The sender was the non-existent “US Airlines” promising 2 round trip airline tickets worth up to $1,298. Very sad to see that they’ve been running this scam for 2 years now. Hate to think of the poor people duped into this. Not sure if it does any good, but I report all telemarketers that call my home to the Do Not Call Registry and will add this number as well.
Lucy,
Yeah, it won’t matter because they don’t actually make outbound calls despite what their letter says.
I live in Indiana (as another poster commented) and I knew this was a scam as soon as I saw it (1) NO RETURN ADDRESS (2) MIS LEADING LOGO & COMPANY NAME – Very common in fraudulent practices. Anyway, the list goes on…even before I began to read the body of the letter. I was the advertising review coordinator for the BBB here in central indiana and this is such a classic. BTW…the BBB is a legitimate watchdog organization that researches, investigates, and listens to consumers when it comes to organizations like this. Just sayin’
Really, three years later and no one has shut them down? I just got one today May 17- 2012, from Phoenix Az. This one is signed by A Lisa King, who in which probably doesn’t even exist! If I were the real US AIRLINE’S I PROBABLY WOULD START A LAW SUIT! SCAM SCAM!
I received this letter today, I knew it was a scam but I just wanted to see what they will tell me…so instead of using my personal cell phone, I called from gmail…which shows up as a call from Escondido, CA..as soon as I called I asked if I was talking to airlines company…the guy said yes…then I explained him that I received this award voucher for 2 free air tickets…then he asked me for the claim no….I asked him if there’s a website I want to look it up and claim it online myself just in case if it’s not scam…the guy tells me I can go to travelwhatever website and enter the claim no. then, the website will direct me to call them anyways…I said…well…looks like it’s a total scam…the guy literally says “whatever” to me…I told the guy,,,”if you were a real company and offering me these free tickets, then you would have been professional enough to talk to a customer, you’re a total scam” and hung up on his face….can’t believe people actually works to trick other people…
I live in the Indianapolis area and got one of these yesterday signed by Lisa King. Number was 866-223-6119. The unprofessional look of the letterhead was the first clue that it was a scam.
received one today from US Airlines with a signature from Lisa King “Vice President”, no return address and the phone number does not come up on any internet searches. Definitely throwing this away!
I just received this in the mail, but there was no letter. Just a boarding pass. I knew it was a scam immediately, but I had to google it to see who else has received this.
Got my letter on the 14th from “Lisa King”. I’m in Indy. Knew it was a scam from the second I read the letter. There’s a special place in Hades for people like this.
got one in Austin, Texas on 5/17, postmark is Phoenix Arizona 852
I was pretty sure that no airline would send me something with a hand written address & no return address, phone number is 1-866-223-8276
signed by “Lisa King, Vice President” ha! Check the internet before calling or buying things, there are so many scams out there!!! I got caught up in a fake shopping website once. Evil people are out there….
Received mine today in Wisconsin. No return address but said it was sent from Oklahoma city. Mine looked like a government document, not signed by anyone, everything was typed.phone number was 1866-223-3193. My voucher was good for up to $1,298. & looked completely fake. I hope someone gets these guys!!
I got mine today. Signed by Lisa King and phone number 866-223-6119. Indianapolis, Indiana.
I got my letter today yay! I was suspicious of the no return address even before I opened it. Once I read the letter it was easy to identify it as a scam. Some things are just to good to be true. I won’t lie I did get a little excited daydreaming it was real but unfortunately there is no US Airlines and Lisa King is not the Vice President of the company.
I checked online and wound up here thanks for the blog and posts everyone.
I too received one of these fake letters, as a frequent flyer with U.S Airways, i immediately knew that this is a scam, U.S Airlines is a fake airline!! They can kiss my “Tiezza” Errie gou kouttit yemmey 😉
Rec’d mine today from Lisa King. Phone Number is 1-866-223-6277. Not going to call and waste my time.
Thanks for taking the time to make the call and making this public. I appreciate that.
Recieved in mail 5-24-2012 – this scam is still goin’ strong.
North California
From “Awards Department”, 1-866-832-0779
>.> I wish this were real… I’ve never flown before…
Today is May 25, 2012 and my husband received his US Airlines Award Notification for 2 free flights to be claimed by June 4, 2012. Our # to contact is 1-866-217-2969 Awards Department. I wasn’t sure if my husband (who travels at times) had been bumped from a flight but then I saw it was US Airlines NOT US Airways so I am glad you are posting this stuff so I can see immediately, it is a SCAM! Thank you.
Just got mine and am on hold. Going to have a little fun….
The call is over now. It said in the letter “please call me today” and was signed Lisa King. I asked for Lisa. They told me she didn’t mean to call her personally. I replied that the letter specifically states “call me.” I asked the operator what does “me” mean? She told me Lisa comes in at 3:00am. I said, “Great. Here’s my number. Have her call me.”
I always consider it a win when I act as sincerely as possible and the scammer hangs up on me in frustration.
Received a letter today and found your site on Google. The number they gave me is 866-223-3181. Signed by Lisa King.
Received mine today in Greenville, SC. Hand-addressed envelope. No return address. Metered out of Phoenix, AZ. From: AMERICAN AIRWAYS. Obviously not on company letterhead. Poorly typed. Phone # 1-866-220-0650 and signed by Lucille Dune, Vice-President. Totally not impressed and certainly not going to call. Off to the shredder. I hate to think of the people that will be pulled in by this. Especially, the elderly.
Received one today from Lisa King, 1-866-223-3181. Can they go to jail for this?
I recieved mine a few days ago and called last night just to see…i kept asking them how they “picked me”. i went along with it for a while and the only information they asked was for an email. then they told me to go to Lomard, IL – I am from Joliet, IL Saturday at 10am and specifically told me not to bring anyone with me…uhh NO THANK YOU! Screw you Lisa King!
Got the same letter today in Boston. This time it’s from “Denise Cale,” 1-866-841-1989. So ridiculous! Thanks for letting others know about this scam.
06/01/12 northern Illinois. From Denise Cale. Vice President.1.866.841.1992
I am from a south suburb in Chicago. I received one in the mail today. What a scam. Have not called the lady’s name is Denise Cale. Lucky all of you all I got was one page stating to call. What a waste of a stamp. I’m sure someone falls for this scheme. Hopefully more so no.
Received my “award notification” today for $1398. The # 1-866-219-0528 and signed by Dorothy Nale.
They must be targeting Portland, Oreg. as I just received one today. Smelled a scam and googled it. Sure enough, I found this site and confirmed my suspicions. Mine didn’t even have a name on it. It was “signed” by the Awards Department. It’s going right into the recycle bin.
Wow…I’m from Orlando, FL. Letter said this is their last attempt to contact us. One can only hope. It was from US Airlines looked like the one at the top of the page. From Denise Cale, Vice President. #1-866-841-1987. Did not call according to the letter I only have til Wed to reply. Not worth my time. Thanks to this web site!
I received a letter today in Boston, MA dated May 26, 2012 stating that I had qualified for 2 roundtrip tickets on US Airlines. The tickets were good for travel in continental USA with a retail value up to $1.298.00. The letter stated that they had attempted to contact me several times without success. This was their last attempt. Call 1-866-841-1989, Denise Cale, Vice President. As far as I know there were no attempts to contact me (thank goodness)!
I am glad to know about the scam. This scam needs to be stopped. As anyone reported this?
Im in the Mile High & got an actuall Check. Pay to the order of US Airlines on my behalf for $1400…Yea me!? Called & got an ext. mail box. Meh,theres no place like home anyway.
I received a letter today in California dated May 29, 2012 stating that I had qualified for 2 roundtrip tickets on US Airlines. The tickets were good for travel in continental USA with a retail value up to $1.298.00. The letter stated that they had attempted to contact me several times without success. This was their last attempt. Call 1-866-493-9801, Sincerely, Awards Department. As far as I know there were no attempts to contact me.
Knew right off that it was a scam, thank you for having this website to keep track.
I got my letter 5 June 2012, must reply by 6/12/12 2 free US Airlines tickets reference #HP-61xxx 1-866-493-9801 post marked Oklahoma city. Ok. Same letter with out a signature, from awards department. Form 645–HH Scanners will never learn.
yep, received my “award notification” today and would you believe that I “won” two round trip airline tickets from US Airlines! I thought it was very nice of them to award me free tickets after I have been so hard to get in touch with. Afterall, the letter indicated that they have tried to contact me multiple times and I must respond by 08 June. After some digging around, it looks like this belongs to universaltraveldeals.com. 1-866-219-2035. I certainly hope no one falls these scams.
Received one frm ‘American Airlines” from VP Michelle Dalo. Same as the above – hand addressed, no return address, no official corporate stationary. Offering a $1398 voucher for two tickets to anywhere. Phone number is (866)535-7176. My cousin works for AA in corporate and he says this is totally a scam to pitch timeshares or some such pyramid scheme. Says the scammers have used other airline names or sound-a-likes. Avoid like the plague.
They’re still at it! Ours is as the “Award Notification” pictured above from US Airlines. Dates & contact phone numbers are different.
Got this letter in San Francisco Bay Area. They continue on. Thank you for this website!
I received this award notification letter, today, so they are still at it, for sure. Mine came from AZ, was addressed by hand, the vice president is listed as Denise Cal, and the number to call is 1-866-803-9895. Yay! I’m a winner!!! LOL.
Thank you & all the contributors for your posts. Glad I read this page.
6-10-12 and the scammers are still going with it in the central CA area now! Our letter was just like the “Award Notification/Boarding Pass” pictured above from US Airlines.
The phone number they used on our notice was 1-866-493-9801 and it said it had to claimed by 6-12-12!
Our letter was sent prepaid postage from Oklahoma City, OK with Permit NO.324 without a postmark.
Someone needs to go after and prosecute these con artists!
Same o, same o. Got the notice yesterday in the mail: 2 Round Trip Airline Tickets Worth Up To $1,298 Today! Came from Awards Department 1-866-535-7168. Must be claimed by June 19th, 2012 or it will be transferred to the alternate. My claim number is Ht-2xxxx. Check in time with US Airlines is 7:40am for a flight at 8:10am (no date for flight). Weird.
Mine expires today. from “Denise Cale, Vice Presidnt” of “US Airlines”. I qualified for two round trip tickets worth $1,298.00!!!!!! (Certain Restrictions ApplY)
came in hand written envelope with no return address. Return phone number is 1-866-575-0464.
I am going to call this number and I urge everyone whor reads this blog to do the same. Let’s keep their “travel agents” so tied up with bogus calls they can’t function
I live in Greenville sc and just received a travel check voucher in a mailout in which you tear off the sides. It appeared to be a check for 1,398.00m but only a voucer. Signed by Grace Bell. Call 866-530-1762. US Airlines. No return address. “May be withdrawn at any time”.
I received a letter as well. sounds legit but now I will just tear it up. Mine is signed Ashley Hill Vice President and the phone is 1-866-235-5343
we received it yesterday signed by Denise cale,Vice president,phone number 1-866-598-9740.Address on envelop very neatly writen.letter has foot note HO-4xxxx.we are in IL
Let me just start out by saying I don’t trust anything I get in the mail. I go with the saying, “if it sounds too good to be true, it is.” The envelope was addressed by hand (but almost looks like the type of font that appears to be handwritten. There is no return address. Anybody can print up this type of letter. There is absolutely nothing on it that looks official, including the bogus airline name. I knew it was fake immediately, but came online to see what others were saying. My phone number is: 1 (866) 351-5907. My letter is signed by A. Hill. It says HQ-8xxxx at the bottom. If you receive a letter from a supposed reputable business, then they would have their contact information on the letter. I don’t feel like calling and playing with the person on the phone. I would not give them the time of day.
Got one today from “American Airways”. Thanks for the post.
Received both the ticket vouchers/boarding passes and the letter. Oops! Missed the June 12, 2012 deadline to reply. Phone number on my letter: 866-398-1774. Postmarked Phoenix AZ and “signed” by Ashley Hill.