Letter from US Airlines about free airline tickets

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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

1228 replies
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  1. Jeff says:

    Received mine July 26, 2012 (dated three days earlier), signed by Jacklyn Paul, an alleged Vice President, for an award “up to $1,298.00.” Code at the bottom was JT-7xxxx. It says “We may need ot issue the ticket vouchers to the alternate.” I hope they do.

  2. Bill says:

    I received the letter today, 28 July 2012 from US Airlines. Signed Jacklyn Paul, Vice President. The envelope has no return address, but was postmarked from Phoenix, AZ. Also the phone number to call is 1-866-427-7990.

  3. Mark says:

    Just got a letter today from an Awards Department for US Airlines from Oklahoma City. It was made to look like a tax document and was marked with “Notice Urgency: EXTREME”. There was less personal info from the sender (probably to avoid prosecution), but otherwise, everything was the same as mentioned above. I hadn’t heard about the scam before, but I recognized it as such. Got burned by a scam before, so I’ve become a bit more savvy. (Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.)
    We live in Des Moines.

  4. ron says:

    Just as others before me, I had received this today( NW burbs of Chicago), July 30th with a respond date of Aug 1, signed by VP Jacklyn Paul, amount of $1298.00….All I have to say is that I understand how people get scammed into things like this, but come on people….USE COMMON SENSE. If you get a piece of mail with no return address, your name and address hand written, and a paper stamp, it has to make you think….I am glad that sites like this pop up when you google the Fake Company. This has provided for about 15 minutes of pure entertainment.

  5. Linda Groat says:

    I just recieved my too good to be true letter today! The vice President name signed was Jakyln Paul. Thanks for posting info. that I could easly find.

  6. Judy says:

    I got a “TRAVEL CHECK VOUCHER” “FINAL NOTICE” in the mail for $1400…from US Airlines. It is signed by…Renee Cast. The phone number to call is: 1-866-481-2535.

    I am in San Antonio, Tx.

    I had never heard of this before and knew that I had not entered into any contests. After the phone number to call, it said, “This is not a timeshare or land sales offer”, which automatically told me there was something fishy about it.

  7. gretchen says:

    I got one today in Chicago postmark was Phoenix. Signed Jacklyn Paul Vice President. Phone: 866.480.7558. Mine was only good for $1298.00, though. 🙂

  9. Brian says:

    Got my letter today in sunny south Florida. Apparently the VP was able to shed one of his/her menial tasks and was able to hire an “authorized signature” person by the name of Renee Cast. My Award Notification came from Phoenix, AZ, Permit NO. 1484. The letter looks like a W-2 as others described. The contact number is 1-866-481-6530. The letter hand an attached check in the amount of $1,398.00. Other pertinent info on the check was what appears to be a business address. Travel Union, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, 98-689926/231047.

  11. Chris B says:

    I just received this mail, and it seems their product is getting better. No handwritten, looks deceptively like a government form, and with FINAL NOTICE their number

    1`866-669-7556

    No signatures….etc.

    Looks like their cleaning it up…

  13. Sandy says:

    Wow. This scam has been going on for a couple of years. I got a letter this week in the Pittsburgh area. Thankfully it even looked fake. It was signed by Jacklyn Paul and the # was 866-384-5167.

  14. Dean & Janie says:

    We agree with Chris B…got the same voucher, with same return “866” number. However, not getting better, just not as intellectually callenged. Still haven’t figured out there exists no such animal as “US Airlines”. Probably afraid of a true lawsuit by US Airways for faudulent use of a trademarked name. I’d say you got to love their creativity, but their not even that,

  15. Brad says:

    Same as Breezer. Got it today. One of those documents like a paystub or 1099 where you remove the sides and then pull it open. Says “We have attempted contacting you several times…”. Doesn’t appear as lame as the earlier versions but still pretty obviously a fake. number on this one is 866-669-7556. Its sad to think that if they have been doing this for several years it must be working.

    People google this stuff before you call!

  16. cheryl says:

    If it is too good be true. Don’t believe it. Got letter Jul 31. American Airways on top of page. According to this letter . Congratulations you have won 2 round trip tickets to anywhere in U.S. retail value $1,398.00. I have to respond by Aug.8th. Give me a break as if I will call this number 1-866-384-4559. My sister in NY is very sick and is dying and I would love this to be true. I live in FL. These people need to quit messing with peoples hearts and minds. Damn them Damn them all

  17. DeAnna says:

    I got one of these “final notices” in the mail today. It looks very official but I got suspicious because the letter says they have tried to contact me several times. Not possible that anyone could try to contact me more than once and fail… New number that I don’t see listed above 1-888-429-0837.

  18. Dawn says:

    I got one today too. Mine also looked very official. I thought it was some tax document. It was signed, “Sincerely, Awards Department.” LOL. Only worth $1298 (that must look more believable than $1300). I wonder how many people fall for this stuff? Enough to waste the postage $$$ I guess. =\

  19. michele says:

    Got my letter today and it appears we have a new Vice President! Joanne Crane is the new name now. I live in Illinois.

  20. JoAnne says:

    I got one about a half an hour ago. It is the standard form letter from the top of this site. It is signed by “Joanne Cane” (signed with a pen as “J Cane”) and the toll-free number has changed to 1-866-646-0109.

    These people suck.

  22. Elizabeth says:

    Got one today – look official – but I knew better – check online, led me here. I did not call, I think it is just sad that we really can trust anything anymore.

  23. Diane says:

    Two years later and they are still at it…. Hand addressed, Real stamp (maybe), postmarked in Phoenix. Signed by VP Joanne Cane at phone number 1-866-646-0106.

  24. Heather says:

    I received on today and oddly enough am working with a travel company and thought it was from them – coincidence. I’m glad I looked before I dialed! Why on earth has this been going on for over 2 years and no one has stopped it?

  25. Jen says:

    I got a few notices and then received my Final Notice yesterday. I checked everything out online but decided to call and see what they had to say. The call sounds like it is being transferred a few times then a british female recording answers. After a minute or so on hold “Tom” answered and said it was for a Wholesale Travel Agency called Travel Deals Express (traveldealsexpress.com is supposed to be their website) and they are affiliated with Expedia. You have to sit through a demonstration about their travel agency and they will give you 2 free airline tickets for anywhere in the contential US but YOU HAVE TO PAY THE TAXES AND FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE TICKETS. The number I called was 1-866-213-0761. “Tom” was very nice and when I told him I wasn’t going to be interested he didn’t try to pressure me, he politely thanked me and then we hung up. Not your normal telemarkteer.

  26. Ulli & Johnny says:

    Hello, All!
    It is now August 11th and we JUST received our very own “US Airlines” Voucher/Award Notification. Like yours, ours is a voucher for $1400, which must be redeemed by August 17th…and, like you, we realized there is no US Airlines and figured something must be “up”, as they say. I’m still not sure how an organization profits from this…they certainly went to a lot of trouble printing these out/buying a mailing list…ours is a very professional-looking check/computer-generated letter, letterhead…the whole 9 Yards.
    Any additional information would be appreciated and I’ll keep an eye on this site…thanks again! – johnny and ulrika

  27. Donna says:

    Yep,Got mine Saturday,said they have been trying to contact me,bull.This is my final notice a check for 1,398.00.By Aug 16th.Signed
    Linda Rey. 1-866-213-1929.Im from Illinois.

  28. Rita says:

    August 12, 2012. I received my letter yesterday–just a letter–giving me a response date of August 15th. Same info and the amount is up to $1,298.00. The phone number is 1-866-651-0325 and the V.P. is now Joanne Cane. I’m from a NW suburb of Chicago. Glad I found this blog!

  29. Ronald says:

    They are persistant with mailings back to 2010. Why is it this crap is not against the law. Got my letter from Joanne today Aug 13th

  30. Debbie says:

    Mine arrived today, August 13, 2012, in KS. It was also signed Joanne Cane. I am considering turning the letter over to the KS State Attorney General. It is clearly a fraud.

  31. A says:

    I got my letter today dated August 6th, 2012. It was signed by Joanne Cane.
    First of all, in proper business format, the date would be August 6, 2012. NOT 6th. Second, there is no return address.
    Third, if I had truly won, there would be documents to sign, legal affidavits, etc. This says, “qualified.” That means we’re doing a marketing mail-out to you; please call so we can sell you something.

  33. Jo Dorleans says:

    I have received my letter today, August 13. I must act on a deadline no later than August 15, 2012. I

    I was wise enough to check the intent of this letter. These people don’t act professionally. I wonder how in the world they get my address? I could tell this company was not professional. Therefore it is a scam. Do not call these prople. They are trying to make a living out of poor people. US Airlines Scam, stop it now or eventually you will get sewed.

    By Jo

  34. Laurie says:

    Received my letter today must act on it by August 15, 2012. Address was hand written, year was listed as 20120. Signed J Care for Joanne Care, Vice President, Post marked was from Phoneix Arizona on August8, 2012, no return address. Can’t believe they are still scamming. Any advice whether we all should contact Attorney General Office/consumer division. I guess there is no way to track who is perpetuated this and trying to scam people. Phone number is 866-651-0117

  36. Tim says:

    My wife received this same letter on Aug 6th, must respond by Aug 15th. Same letter as the posted by everyone but was signed by Joanne Cane and phone number 866-618-9974. I didnt even realize when I read the letter that the company was US Airlines, I thought it was from USAir. Thank you for making this avail, It all looked and sounded very phony.

  37. Elizabeth W. says:

    I got a non negotiable check today for $1,398.00. “This must be redeemed by August 21, 2012. If you do not claim your certificate, it will be transferred to the alternate.” The phone number I am to call is 866-569-6094. The check has a routing number and account number at the bottom. Also a claim code is at the top of the check. It says Travel Union Scottsdale, AZ 89251 then under that it has 16-48xxxx/28xxxx.
    Beware, there is not an Airlines with this name.

  38. holly says:

    Got one today-tried to google the phone number
    1-866-568-8310-nothing came up- typed in awards department and this popped up- thanks for the heads up-

  39. Arlene says:

    Got my final notice today.They finally made it to Vegas. Their call back number was 1-866-586-8050.

  40. CP says:

    Arriving in Chicago too. Also hand signed, hand addressed envelope with individual stamp. Lots of effort for such a poor scam.

  41. Not a Sucker says:

    I wasn’t left out! LOL. Hitting the Wichita, KS area. Letter dated Aug 13th, respond by the 22nd, call 866-568-9312, signed Joanne Cane. What a bunch of losers they must be.

  42. Mike says:

    Thanks for the notice, got one in the mail today, I’m in Saratoga Springs, UT. # was 866-569-0092 signed by Joanne Cane.

  43. Leah says:

    My husband received a letter today. Same hand written envelope with the same verbiage as the letter posted above. We are located in Wichita, KS. His letter was signed by Joanne Cane, with a call back number of 866-568-9312.

  44. Megan says:

    I received my letter in the mail today. Signed by Joanne Cane with a phone number of 1-866-569-0298. Definitely bogus, not even going to bother to call. My first red flag was that there is no such thing as US Airlines lol. Thank you to everyone that posted on here before me so as to reassure me that this was simply a scam.

  45. Brian says:

    I live in Washington state and received mine yesterday, 8/17. No envelope, the entire thing is computer generated, with no signatures They are obviously trying different tactics..

  46. Amy says:

    Mailed August 9, 2012, received on August 17th, 2012. Its a typed letter same as above, signed “Joanne Cane, Vice President” with a wet signature. Phone number 1-866-646-0150. My first sign this was not legit was that the envelope was handwritten to me with no return address & postmarked from Arizona.

  47. Greg Davis says:

    I received a letter stating information the same as everyone else… i notified my local consumer fraud division about this as i knew it was a scam right away!

  48. CandI says:

    Just recieved my letter in mail today, looks like a government document, that states FINAL NOTICE from US Airlines,Awards Department Division for 2 round airline tickets including baggage. phone number 1-866-977-8325 no signature, but I sure would love to know who the head of this scam is,and feel sorry for the ones that fall for it.

  50. Jeff says:

    letter dtd 08/06/12; must respond no later than 08/15/12. hand addressed with stamp; envelope postmarked Phoenix AZ. Handwritten signature J Cane, typed signature Joanne Cane, Vice President.
    Letter requests return call to 1-866-618-9974.
    Received in Wichita KS
    Hope authorities can shut down this scam.

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