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
Got a letter from “American Airways” stating that I qualified for 2 free round trip tickets anywhere in the Continental US. This one was signed by Bethany Mays, VP. Same format as all the other scam letters.
My husband also received an American Airways letter from Bethany Mays, VP. Hand addressed from Phoenix. We live in Wisconsin. Retail value up to $1,398. Dated “November 19th, 2012”. Response needed by the 30th. The phone number given was 1-866-949-5331. Thanks for this site.
I didn’t even get a letter, I got a crummy post card and the name was printed in a different font from the rest of the stuff. Same US Airways, and a ‘bonus’ a three day rent a car from Alamo. My call back number was 1-888-842-8786.
Screw ’em
I got one November 19, 2012 and I called and got placed on “hold” and hung up after 2 mins. But I called from a public telephone not my cell phone. I googled US Airlines and got your website instead….thank goodness I did.
Got my letter, mine was from United Airways, which actually is a company in India I believe, signed by VP Cathy Ryan. Not going to bother to even call them.
I received a post card. Tore it up. Received a letter today. Free roundtrip
tickets value $1298.00. Phone 1-866-949-5029, with regards Deborah Hall,
Vice president. Wow glad I checked here before I called.
Stewart,
The name is just made up to trick people..
» Letter from US Airlines about free airline tickets Subscribed to your blog, thanks
So I live in ID and received this same letter signed by Deborah Hall. Round trip tickets from US Airlines worth $1298. Asked to reply by Dec 5th. Number they listed to call: 1-866-949-5029
First Clue? This is not even my name and then I had never heard about an airline named this.Thanks everyone for this great tip of a scam. It is a bit irksome, unfortunately as times become tougher we better be prepared for alot more scams to be popping up!
I am in Idaho and received mine today…shucks thought I was gonna get a trip home for Christmas to see my family. Bad deal.
Got one today. Perforated check looking document. Advising I have until 12/18/2012 to redeem my tickets in the amount of $1298.00. Number listed to call is 1-866-949-2584. I live in Colorado. Scammers. Beware.
Got one in the mail today number on it to call is 1-866-949-0447.
I received an item that looks like a check in the amount of $1298.00 pay to the order of US Airlines
This is from Travel Union Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Nothing is ever free! Beware of scams
Received the free tickets notice today, post marked from Tampa Fl. Must respond no later than Jan. 8, 2013. Valued at $1398.00. Instructed to call 1-855-879-8217. Sure wish people would work for a living instead of stealing.
Got my award notification today. Looks like a check for $1298. It is from Travel Union in Scottsdale AZ.
Received a notice from US Airlines dated 12-20-12 that I had qualified for an award of two round trip tickets with a retail value of up to $1,398.00. to collect I am to call Dana Kline @ 1-855-879-8217…..This is printed and sent like junk mail. I get one from them about every two or three months
I just got one of these letters today, and haven’t called. My quick internet search brought me there. The letter I got was like Frank West’s in that it’s “signed” by Dana Kline, with a number of 855-879-8217 to call.
The letter had no postmark, but was marked “personal and confidential” and was one of those ‘remove ends at perforation and open’ sorts. The verbiage was almost the exact same as the letter originally posted.
Oh, and I’m in Ann Arbor MI
Received one today, I’m in Indiana. Thanks for the info!
I just recieved my letter in San Diego. They are not even picking up the phone. And my letter doesn’t even say “Fly the US Skies.” Too bad it wasn’t true, I need to make some trips and needed a break.
Oh well
US Airlines. No such thing. LOL! I got one of these letters. From Arazona. No return address.
Its a hoax.
Have received several notices of free tickets. This time I got an all-in-one document that says TRAVEL CHECK VOUCHER ENCLOSED on the outside and opens to reveal what looks like a real check worth $1,298.00. It must be redeemed by 1/23/13 and was signed by Sue Hall. FINAL NOTICE…PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL. Wow, I better act fast!
Perforated check like envelope, tear down sides. From US Airlines. Phone number 1-866-955-0178. Not calling. The real shame is all the trees that are getting scammed to send this crap!
Well, it happened to me also. I got one of those bogus letters and I smelled a rat immediately. My father always told me as a young child that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is not true. I goggled for the name of the president of US Airline and the person listed as president was nowhere to be found in the literature I reviewed. I wished I could get my hands on one of these jackasses! It just proves that you must stay on alert each day. Scams are just a part of life in this wicked, slick world we live in.
WELL – I just got mine too – I’m so excited to know that I wasn’t left out of trying to be scammed like everyone else has been. I feel NOT LEFT OUT NOW!!! Are you kidding me, the sad part is that there are people (IE Senior Citizens) that will fall for this kind of CRAZINESS. My phone number was 855-879-8217 and the VP’S name is DANA KLINE and my letter was postmarked in Tampa, FL and my flight would have cost $1,398. I hope someone who has REAL LEGAL LAW AUTHORITY is able to SHUT THESE PEOPLE DOWN with some REAL SERIOUS JAIL TIME
They are in NM now and the “airline” on the header is U S Air. All the rest the same as these posts.
The offer was for two free RT airline tickets for anywhere in the continental US. I laughed because we in NM have to have a US passport at the moment to fly anywhere (drivers licenses not accepted as proof of citizenship because NM issues licenses to undocumented immigrants…whole other issue) then I snapped it had to be a scam. No return addy, no such airline, no calls I did not answer, hand addressed and a stamp (postmarked Phoenix Az)instead of postal stamp a real business would use and so on.
So they are fishing here in NM now.
I also live in NM (the Los Lunas area) and got my letter from them today Feb 4th and it says that I must respond no later than Feb 6th. It’s 2 round trip tickets that are valued at $1,298.00. Like most people I figured too good to be true. So after doing some searching I wound up here. My letter reads pretty much the same as most others but the phone number is 1-866-978-9405 and is signed by Ali Kate Vice President. Hopefully other people will find their way here and be posting how they realized it was a scam and weren’t taken for anything.
Ours came yesterday. We’re in louisiana. Give me a break. Thanks to this site – confirmed it is a SCAM. First thought after opening the letter, that it has all the signs of a scam letter, but was not sure. 2 free tickets were offered at retail value of $1,398.00 to rtavel anywhere in the ‘Continental U.S.’ (huh? …. “Continental”) …. phone contact is 1 855 879 8217. The VP’s name is Dana Kline.
Am giving the letter to our local newspaper to warn unsuspecting folks about this. Thanks again!
Just got ours today $1398.00 1-855-879-8217 Dana Kline. US Airlines does not help in mitigating Phishing against their own company – they ask that we send this through the BBB. Don’t have a company name to report.
Wow, I just got two letters! Two different claim numbers, also signed by Dana Kline. I’m in Oregon.
got my final notice from them so I decided to finally call after they have notified me several times since june. they told me that I have to go watch a 90 minute presentation and bring my id and a credit card to claim my 2 free tickets. plus since I made an appointment they are also including a free 2 night stay for a hotel. tonight is my 6 pm appointment too bad I wont be showing up for all this free stuff from a fake company. bummer
Received the letter today, Feb 8, with a deadline of Feb 13, 2013. Latest phone number is 1-866-955-7018 and the latest VP is Jane Roy. I’m in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The wife received hers today. Same old stuff. Different name and slightly different phone, but same letter and same phone exchange. I guess they really believe there’s a sucker born every minute.
Received today the same phone no. 1-855-879-8217 dana kline
got one today, same as Terrys on the 5th, same phone and VP…they just don’t give up
I received one also dated feb. 5th 2013. The number they gave to call was
1-855-879-8217 and signed by Dana Kline. I think we can shut them down or at least slow them down by making appointments with them and not keeping them and therefore waisting g their time.
I have received the letter twice, telling me they have contacted me without success. It is signed by Jane Roy with code of WP-5xxxx
I received one Today in SC.. 1,199. The signature is not legible But it is in real ink. Mine was in a very official looking tear off sides check and the Phone number is 1-888-737-2395. My give away is to USA Airlines which does not exist!
Got mine today in FL. 2 tickets worth 1298.00. The kicker was I received it on 19 Feb but had to respond before 13 feb. Crap I totally missed out! Mine was signed by “Jane Roy, VP” 1-866-955-7021. This has been going on for over 4 years now, you would think someone could stop these guys.
I also received one dated Feb. 11, 2013 Only now they are using UNITED AIRWAYS in a hand written envelope, with no return address.
It was for 2 roundrip tickets worth $1,298.00. They said they have tried contacting us several times without success, and this is our last attempt or they will have to give our ticket vouchers to the alternate.
Signed by the VP Jane Cae 1-866-955-1623
Good luck catching these guys!
I received one today in FL. 2 Tickets with awards up to $1,398.00. Call 1-855-879-8217. Signed by Dana Kline. I knew immediately it was a scam. There is no US Airlines.
I just received my US Airlines award notification worth $1,298.00. I allowed myself to dream about all the places I could go. Then reality set in when I found this blog site alerting me to this scam.
Thank you.
Just received my “Final notice” with respond date of March 1 — Phone number of 866-723-6417. This is such a “cheesy” looking letter. The signature is one of Joy Hill – and she’s a Vice President – of course.
The promo arrived on Feb. 26, and I see that the “value” has gone up to $1,398.00, the phone number is now 855-879-8217, and signed by Dana Kline, VP. The “US Airlines,” and the little triangle logo have not been changed.
As I am a Chairman level flier on US Airways (merging with American Airlines), I knew that this was a scam, but this thread proved that to me.
Hope that others are as suspicious.
I receivd my letter today, Feb. 28, and the offer expires Feb. 28. Drats!! I need more time to get ready – for the trip I will never take on US Airlines. What a scam. These people should be put out of business. What is it going to take to make these people stop this nonsense.
We received a US Airline letter promising 2 round trip tickets that we have to call in to get. Thanks for putting this out there.
I received my letter today,Dated March 20, It was $1,350.00 for two round trip airline tickets “US Airlines”. phone 1-866-915-7197. The letter came from Phoenix AZ. signatured by a Sue Bayler “Vice President”. I live in Arkansas.
Letter received yesterday was from Dana Kline, Vice President. Name at top of paper was US Airlines and some funky logo. The respond by date already passed. Letter states I have qualified for 2 roundtrip airline tickets with a retail value of $1,398.00. Letter states they have attempted contacting me several times, wrong. Amateur letterhead, my name spelled incorrectly, from non-existent airline. No, I will not be contacting them.
They might have a new twist as this letter is from Florida and has prepaid postage listing a permit #78 in Tampa FL. Front has “personal and confidential”.
Funny line: “This promotion is not sponsored by or affiliated with US Airlines…”
Finally got my letter. I was starting to feel left out. Where shall I fly to?
they are still at it. received letter today same as all others. Guess I wont pack just yet
Received letter today in Portland, OR. My name and address were hand written on the envelope with no return address. There was a postage stamp and the letter was mailed from Phoenix, AZ 852 on March 22, 2013.
Found this web site immediately. The only thing I typed into Google search was the word “received”. The first thing that came up was “received letter from US Airlines Scam”. Here is my letter printed on the same letterhead as previous letters in above posts.
March 18th, 2013
Name
Address 1
Address 2
NOTE: You must respond no later than March 27th, 2013.
Dear Amber,
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. from any major international airport. The retail value of this award is up to $1,350.00. 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 1-866-915-7124.
Regards,
Sue Bayler
Vice President
XY-3xxxx