If you want to do some reading for extra credit on the free airline ticket folks (read more here), here you go.  Please comment if you have anything valuable to add. There’s just too much for me to read!

US AIRLINES/UNIVERSAL TRAVEL VACATIONS/UNIVERSAL TRAVEL DEALS/THE VACATION STATION/TRAVEL DEALS EXPRESS:

News/Advice (some actually make an effort to learn something, some don’t):

GREAT REPORTING–> http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Free-travel-offer-mystifies-consumers/-/1637132/15701330/-/8s7gus/-/index.html

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/US-Airlines-not-an-airline/-/1637132/15943410/-/s3qujf/-/index.html

http://redtape.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/26/12403818-the-great-airline-ticket-giveaway-that-just-wont-go-away?chromedomain=todaytravel&lite

http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-this-a-scam-us-airlines-is-offering-me-two-roundtrip-airline-tickets/

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/401043/david-bauerlein/2011-04-02/consumer-advocate-be-wary-travel-clubs-offering-deep

http://www.telegram.com/article/20110227/COLUMN64/102270382

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/consumer-alert-scheme-using-lure-free-airline-tick/nHK65/

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/10/02/airline-scam-flies-into-the-mailboxes-of-pittsburgh-residents/

http://triblive.com/business/headlines/3601393-74/airlines-airways-american#axzz2s57WCxKI

http://www2.wspa.com/news/2012/may/03/scam-ar-3727347/

http://www.wgal.com/news/8-on-your-side/us-airlines-tickets-real-deal-or-scam/-/17986766/20622384/-/10j1t5l/-/index.html

http://www.wyff4.com/news/local-news/greenville-news/Fake-airline-offers-free-tickets/-/9654794/11802462/-/e9bkr0z/-/index.html

http://www.kwch.com/news/factfinder12/kwch-free-airline-tickets-clever-marketing-or-a-scam-20120814,0,1935584.story

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lazarus-20130802,0,4815169,full.column#axzz2s56UjT82

Good interview with MA Atty Gen–>http://wgbhnews.org/post/free-vacation-offers-too-good-be-true

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/22212045/2013/05/09/offer-for-free-airline-tickets-is-phishing-scam-bbb-says

http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-citizens-urged-to-be-aware-of-us-airlines-scam-20120802,0,3485955.column

http://www.infobarrel.com/Scam_Letter_from_US_Airlines_About_2_roundtrip_airline_tickets

Folks that went to the presentation:

http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/opinions/x824875839/Letter-Beware-of-scam#axzz1atENPDYQ

http://69.6.215.248/?p=869&cpage=3#comment-12765 (a comment here)

See how they try to answer objections:

http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Us-Airlines-Letter-Responses/2995395

Police warning:

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20111020/WINDSORBEACON01/110200303

USAirways’s warning:

http://www.usairways.com/en-US/contact/scamalert.html

Personal blogs of recipients:

http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-this-a-scam-us-airlines-is-offering-me-two-roundtrip-airline-tickets/

http://articleurge.com/2012/02/us-air-lines-award-notification-see-the-letter-check/

http://voices.yahoo.com/did-really-win-two-free-tickets-us-airlines-7610568.html?cat=16

http://theunemployedmom.com/2011/04/15/us-airlines-scam-for-2-roundtrip-tickets/

http://danejackson.wordpress.com/2011/11/05/beware-the-us-airlines-free-airplane-ticket-scam/

http://blog.coloradocoachingcompany.com/2011/11/26/us-airlines-scam-for-2-roundtrip-tickets-erica-bale-scam/

http://www.chrisam.net/blog/tag/us-airlines/

http://www.scaminformer.com/scam-report/us-airlines-company-mailed-me-a-scam-letter-informing-me-c25583.html

http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/07/12/1304593/vacation-station-closes-hilton.html

http://jenmurph1221.blogspot.com/2012/08/us-airlines-scam.html

Public Forums:

http://us-airways.pissedconsumer.com/us-airlines-fly-the-us-skies-scam-nashville-20101215211676.html

http://us-airways.pissedconsumer.com/us-airlines-2-free-tickets-worth-1400-00-20110328229290.html+

http://us-airways.pissedconsumer.com/us-airlines-fly-the-us-skies-scam-20110415232480.html

http://us-airways.pissedconsumer.com/us-airlines-scam-20110415232562.html

http://us-airways.pissedconsumer.com/us-airlines-20111001265472.html

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/8663998115

http://www.fodors.com/community/air-travel/us-airlines-award-notificationscam.cfm

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6220214/did_i_really_win_two_free_tickets_on.html?cat=16

http://www.idology.com/blog/592

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-292-1140

Better Business Bureau:

http://www.bbb.org/nashville/business-reviews/travel-clubs/vacation-station-the-in-nashville-tn-37059617

http://www.bbb.org/columbia/business-reviews/travel-agencies-and-bureaus/the-vacation-station-in-charleston-sc-34004033

http://watchyourbuck.com/2012/07/26/scam-alert-american-airlines-name-being-used-in-fake-ticket-scam/

http://snakeriverbbb.wordpress.com/2012/07/26/american-airlines-name-being-used-in-fake-ticket-scam/

http://www.bbb.org/blog/2012/07/scammers-lure-victims-with-fake-free-plane-tickets/

Press release from the sender:

http://www.prlog.org/11360583-all-about-us-airlines-letter.html

http://www.prlog.org/11657515-us-airlines-letter-gives-two-free-round-trip-tickets.html

http://www.free-press-release.com/news-is-this-us-airlines-letter-for-real-1301289516.html

http://www.free-press-release.com/news-us-airlines-letter-gives-two-free-round-trip-tickets-1317004132.html

http://www.free-press-release.com/news-us-airlines-offering-2-complimentary-airline-tickets-1315793527.html

More attempts to get onto Google by the sender:

http://www.thereviewchimp.com/tag/u-s-airlines-letter/

http://hallewace.hubpages.com/hub/US-Airlines-Letter-Offers-2-Airline-Tickets

Websites set up by the sender:

http://complimentaryroundtriptickets.wordpress.com/

http://usairlines2airlinetickets.wordpress.com/

http://twoairlinetickets.wordpress.com/

http://www.letterfromusairlines.com

http://airfareanddeals.com/

Videos created by the sender:

http://www.youtube.com/user/jeffaaronjames#g/u

http://www.youtube.com/user/usairlines999#g/u

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBHn0qo7J8k

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xq5vhm_us-airlines-letter-18662974850-part-1_travel

http://www.myspace.com/video/contributor/us-airlines-letter-christine-hay-18662974850/108680222

DOUBLE NAME COMPANIES:

http://tucsoncitizen.com/bbbconsumeralert/tag/airline-ticket/

http://brahblog.com/2009/08/08/all-the-same-scam-bradley-tate-spencer-burns-hammond-reed-donovan-rich-lambert-steel-and-watson-brooks/

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=2027392

http://willbradyjournal2.blogspot.com/2010/07/scams-nicholson-barnes.html

VACATION STATION/UNIVERSAL TRAVEL VACATIONS/GLOBAL VACATION NETWORK/LUXURY TRAVEL PROMOTIONS/SOUTHWEST TRAVEL/WORLD CLASS TRAVEL/ROYAL CLASS TRAVEL/CDA CONSULTING:

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/universal-travel-vacations-c410691.html

http://universal-travel-vacations.pissedconsumer.com/misleading-free-airline-tickets-20110117216786.html

TV: http://www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?S=13958413

BBB World Class Travel: http://www.bbb.org/tucson/business-reviews/travel-clubs/world-class-travel-in-tucson-az-20029433

BBB Southwest: http://www.bbb.org/tucson/business-reviews/travel-clubs/southwest-travel-club-in-tucson-az-20007983

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/global-vacation-network-c237159.html

http://www.yourgetaway.info/

A little different marketing ploy: http://www.10tv.com/live/content/consumer10/stories/2010/02/17/story-columbus-vacation-scams.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=102

http://tucsoncitizen.com/bbbconsumeralert/2010/11/10/southern-arizona-consumers-receive-mailing-from-world-class-travel-suggesting-they%E2%80%99ve-won-a-computer-other-prizes/#more-342

CASTAWAYS VACATIONS CLUB/BEACHCOMER VACATION CLUB/DISCOUNT GLOBAL TRAVEL/SOMERSET VACATIONS/GOING PLACES TRAVEL:

http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200903/1237169915.html

Blogger: http://romsteady.blogspot.com/2007/04/pen-is-mighter-than-vacation-club.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i10700-k1586708-Castaways_Vacation_Club_aka_Beachcombers_Vacation_Club-Timeshares_Vacation_Rentals.html

http://www.ripoffreport.com/directory/Castaways-Vacation-Club.aspx

Lawsuit: http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/Complaint021910_2.pdf

Newspaper: http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/84829817.html

BBB: http://www.bbb.org/wisconsin/business-reviews/travel-clubs/going-places-travel-corporation-in-grand-chute-wi-44157486/

ROYAL PALMS TRAVEL/PHOENIX VACATION CLUB/SEALAND TRAVEL CLUB/BABB & MILLER/VIVA VACATION/ALL INCLUSIVE EXCURSIONS/DESTINATIONS UNLIMITED/VIP TRAVEL:

Google search: http://www.google.com/search?hl=&q=Royal+Palms+Travel

Lawsuit: https://www.oag.state.tx.us/newspubs/releases/2010/031710royalpalms_pop.pdf

Actual story: http://www.dallas.bbb.org/article/complaints-on-royal-palms-travel-allege-misrepresentation-13237

TV news: http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/Marine-Upscale-travel-club-fails-to-keep-promises-101796173.html

Newspaper: http://www.prestonhollowpeople.com/2010/03/23/texas-ag-lays-down-law-on-all-inclusive-excursions/

http://www.prestonhollowpeople.com/2010/05/18/travel-club-cleans-up-act-but-thats-not-stopping-lawsuit/

http://www.elliott.org/blog/texas-targets-unethical-royal-palms-travel-club/

BBB Phoenix Vacations: http://www.bbb.org/central-texas/business-reviews/travel-clubs/phoenix-vacations-in-dallas-tx-90069689

BBB Royal Palms: http://www.bbb.org/central-texas/business-reviews/travel-clubs/royal-palms-travel-incorporated-in-dallas-tx-90069626

Angry people: http://phoenix-vacations.pissedconsumer.com/phoenix-vacations-has-committed-fraud-taken-thousands-of-my-dollars-20080612123866.html

http://vip-travel.pissedconsumer.com/vip-travael-sealand-travel-all-inclusive-excursions-big-scam-20091007158776.html

And more: http://www.measuredup.com/review/Phoenix-Vacations-Complaint-Going-Places-Travel-Phoenix-Vacations-3402

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/royal-palm-travel-c157621.html

OUTRIGGERS VACATION CLUB/OUTRIGGER TRAVEL CLUB/PARADISE DESTINATION/FANTASIA TRAVEL GROUP/VACATION PROFESSIONALS/TRAVEL TO GO/GOOD TIMES TRAVEL CLUB/ONLY WAY 2 GO TRAVEL/TRITON TRAVEL GROUP/ANYTIME VACATIONS:

http://vacationtourtricks.blogspot.com/2010/12/anytime-vacations.html

AARP: http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-08-2010/scam_alert_vacation_club_vexation.html

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/outriggers-vacation-club-c153117.html?sort=dated

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/destination-paradise-c170246.html

Fantasia BBB: http://www.bbb.org/boston/business-reviews/travel-agencies-and-bureaus/fantasia-travel-group-in-methuen-ma-119699/

Lawsuit: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=cagopressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Cago&b=pressrelease&f=2010_07_06_fantasia_travel&csid=Cago

Newspaper: http://www.wickedlocal.com/plymouth/news/business/x644698521/Travel-agency-booked

STAR VACATION CLUB/TRAVEL SERVICE NETWORK

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/star-vacation-club-c1945.html

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/star-vacation-club-c9899.html

GLOBAL EXCHANGE VACATION CLUB/VIP TRAVEL AGENCY/HOLIDAY TRAVEL OF AMERICA

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/holiday-travel-of-america-c35712.html

Newspaper: http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/21681/The_Very_Deceitful_Holiday_Travel_of_America

http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=27410

DREAMWORKS VACATION CLUB/DREAMWORKS VACATIONS/FIVE POINTS TRAVEL/BENTLEY TRAVEL/MODERN DESTINATIONS UNLIMITED/LABONNE VIE TRAVEL/VACATION CLUBS, LLC/DREAM VACATIONS INTERNATIONAL:

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/dreamworks-vacation-club-c60341.html

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/modern-destination-unlimited-c271860.html

Lawsuit: http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases11/pr20110202a.html

http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases09/pr20091210b.html

http://www.state.nj.us/oag/ca/ocp/orders/DreamShow.pdf

http://www.walletpop.com/2011/02/09/consumers-to-get-back-almost-2-2-million-from-travel-clubs/

TV: http://www.nbc40.net/view_story.php?id=12512

http://www.shorenewstoday.com/index.php/egg-harbor-twp/eht-general-news/1564-travel-club-denied-mercantile-license-over-fraud-allegations.html

VACATION TRAVEL OUTLET/VACATION SERVICES OF AMERICA/VACATION TRAVEL CLUB:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/travel-services/vacation-services-of/vacation-services-of-america-v-98w2f.htm

Justice Dept: http://www.justice.gov/usao/mow/news2009/wood.ind.htm

Lawsuit: http://ago.mo.gov/newsreleases/2006/121906.htm

SUN COUNTRY TRAVEL/TEXAS TRAVEL PARTNERS/HORIZON TRAVEL/NATIONAL VACATIONS:

JURY Lawsuit: https://www.oag.state.tx.us/oagnews/release.php?id=1589

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/horizon-travel-national-vacations-tci-c3541.html

GRAND CROWNE LEISURE TRAVEL CLUB:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/directory/Grand-Crowne.aspx?p=2

INTERESTING:

I guess if the pitch keeps working, keep doing it (check the date):

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55195-2004Jul16.html

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