Delta postcard about free airline tickets & hotel
The strategy has evolved again (maybe just experimenting) by sending out a Delta Airlines postcard. (See other posts about previous mailings here.) Please comment if you received one with your location.
See below for the postcard images and text.
The postcard says that they have been trying to contact you about free round trip tickets and a hotel stay you have won. 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)
Also, here is another blogger with information about a postcard that looks like it is from Southwest Airlines: http://talestoldfromtheroad.com/2011/11/02/consumer-alert-southwest-escape-offer-grounded/
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.
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
Here is the of the postcard:
DELTA / FLY AWAY ESCAPE
Dear x,
Congratulations! You have been selected to receive 2 Round Trip Airfares to anywhere Delta flies in the continental USA. Call within 48 hours. You will also receive as a bonus 3 day 2 night hotel stay!
We have been trying to contact you! (This is not a timeshare or land sale offer)
Toll free 1-800-313-1263 (or other numbers)
RSVP xxxx (your ID in their database) MON-SUN 9am to 8pm
Fine print: Certain restrictions apply. Call for details of participation. This offer is not sponsored by or affiliated with Delta Airlines but they are a major supplier. Taxes, processing fees and reservation fees are the responsibility of the recipient. Offer void where prohibited by law. Not applicable to Alaska or Hawaii.
[UPDATE 12/2/2011] Apparently Delta isn’t the only carrier they are testing out in their new postcards — Southwest Airlines is targeted as well: http://talestoldfromtheroad.com/2011/11/02/consumer-alert-southwest-escape-offer-grounded/
Here is what would happen if you did call:
Received on in South Lyon, MI 6/25/13 with different phone number.
got one today :In celebration of our new year packages we’ve selected you to receive 2 round trip airfares to anywhere in the contiguous U.S.–good for the next 12 months!
Call within 48 hours and receive a 3-day 2-night stay at major brands.
To claim this special offer, simply call and mention your promo code.
Call Toll Free 1-888-778-8632
GotOneTodayForDeltaInDetroit
I received a post card from Delta June 23, 2013. Wanted it to be true but thought I would check the internet first. Glad I checked Delta Fly Away Promotion. Wording is the same toll free number is 1-888-252-0898 Promo code DR-xxx mailed from Las Vegas
I received the offer from “Delta Airlines” for two free round trip airfares & a three day, two night hotel stay yesterday, 6/25/13, in the Syracuse, N.Y. area. The Delta Airlines logo is used on the front and back of postcard. These SCAMS come at least twice a year to this area. Thanks to all that take the time to post these scams so others don’t fall victim to them. Don’t waste your time or hard earned money on this scam..
I got one fro the Jet Blue promo. I called the # finally got some lady that said that I go to the Queen Mary they will pay for parking and to board. The presentation is to be 90 min. Not a time share…In a group setting no one on one hard sales. They want a credit card with ID. I did say send me email for all info but I will not go but will publish all that is in the email for others to see. SCAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMERS
6-26-13 This one was from JetBlue Airways “Fly Away Promotion”.
Phone No. is 877-776-2649.
“Stay at major brands.”
English is slightly off–not quite fluent/idiomatic.
Same fine-print caveats and disclaimers as others above.
Got one from Delta today – immediately figured it had to be a scam
Received Frontier postcard with United Logo for Vegas trip. same content. Number 1-877-291-9729. Ewa Beach, Hawaii
“Delta Fly Away Promotion” on front of card. “DELTA” logo and name centered on back of card followed by “In celebration of our new year packages we’ve selected you to receive 2 airfares to anywhere in the contiguous Unite States–good for the next 12 months!
Call within 48 hours and receive a 3 day 2 night hotel stay at major brands. To claim this special offer, simply call and mention your promo code.” A toll free number and promo code is listed. the promo code seems to start by identifying my state. I’m in Birmingham, AL. Card was mailed from Las Vegas, NV and received July 1st, 2013
Just received a postcard from “Delta” for the roundtrip airfare for 2 plus 3 days/2nights hotel deal. It had a “promo code MA-xxx” which is the state, Massachusetts, where we live…nice little fake touch. We were intrigued, but thought to check out this “too good to be true” offer. Pete
I just received this as a letter in the mail– says US Airways and Delta.
I got the Jet Blue Fly Away Promotion postcard. Phone # on card is 888-818-5325 Exact language as the other postings. I am in Lakewood, Ca.
My husband has received several of these recently. The number listed is 888-252-0898. Promo code PA xxx.
Shavertown, PA
My boss’ wife received a card and he asked me to call and get the scoop. The guy that answered started with questions such as are you between ages of 23-74, are you single, married or co-habitating (what other choices would there be?). The next question … what’s your annual income. At this time I finally said I’m calling for my boss and he said … well, they’ll have to sit through a 90-minute presentation. I ask … online, and he said no and gave me a location at a local hotel but said they’d have to make arrangements for a time to go. That’s the scoop.
receieved postcard that reads: Delta Fly Away Promotion. telephone: 888-778-8632. mailed from las vegas. I am in Alabama. I called the number and was told I would attend a seminar in a hotel to receive tickets. Apparently they are pulling up stakes this saturday.
I just got one in the mail yesterday. Similar to above post for Jet Blue. Same phone number 888.818.5325
We were planning a trip and my wife saw this and got excited. But it sounded too good so I Google the phone number and came here. I didn’t bother to call the number figured it was a scam and I was right. I’m in Cerritos,CA
Received first class pre-printed postcard in New Jersey posted from Las Vegas for two round trip airfares to anywhere in the contiguous United States. JetBlue Airways logo, photo of plane in clouds, and “Fly away promotion” on front. Back has my name and address, phone to call is 1-888-252-0898, promo code PA-xxx. Coincidently, I had booked a round trip flight on line with a different airline last week.
I received one 7/10 in Colorado. My card has Orbitz on it offering 2 two trip tickets on Southwest, Jet Blue, United, or a comparable airline.
I called and they asked the same questions as a previous commenter said. Received an email too. It said it was from “The Claims Center”. I’m thinking about calling the local news station to see if they want to investigate and bust these scammers!
Just got similar card in mail today: Honolulu, HI and the airlines this time is United. # 877-706-8643. Call number and and you attend a seminar in a hotel. Thanks for these postings…save some time and not go!
Company was setup in a hotel in the Syracuse area and set up an appointment with you if you called the number. Once there, they wanted you to join a vacation club for 8,000. Local TV news went to the hotel to ask questions and they skipped town the next morning (were booked at the hotel for several days more).
Received post card today it says
DELTA
Congratulations! you have been selected to receive 2 round trip airfares to most major airports in the continental US.
CALL WITHIN 48 HOURS. YOU!( THIS IS NOT A TIMESHARE OR LAND SALE OFFER)
To claim this special offer, simply cal 1-800-329-3283
Promr Code:NH 07/26/2013
Monday through Fridat 9:00AM-9:PM EST Saturday 9:00AM-4:00PM EST
With all these so called scams why is nobody shutting these down?
Received Delta Fly Away Promotion today in Fishers IN.
7/24/2013. Received postcard from Delta today…..all same as above. Phone number is 800-329-3283. Thanks for being the alert monster!
Got the postcard today – Atlanta, Georgia. Scumbags….
Received postcard from Delta today in Ogden, UT…not their correct logo…checked it out for grins…as expected…another scam. Promo code UT-xxx from Las Vegas. Phone 1-888-598-2322
How can we stop this…other than using the shredder?
Received one and called today. Tried, but I couldn’t get much information from the person on the other end. I was amazed at all the appointments she offered for the 90 min presentation on their discount travel program in Amherst, Ma. She said the company was in Atlanta.She also said bring a picture ID when you attend. I will not be going.
Fresno, California 7/29/13. I called and they told me my annual income was too low to qualify.
Thought for a moment Delta was rewarding me for recently joining their Frequent Flyer program, since I’m flying to Europe on Delta in 3 days. Just the same scam as above. Same phone number as listed above:1-888-598-2322, two free round trip airfares plus 3 day 2 night hotel stay. Checked the scam out here first before calling.
Got one today!
Fresno, California. Received Delta fly away promotion same wording as other posts and same mailing permit as others 2736 from Las Vegas
Western Massachusetts, recieved the identical postcard as above for Delta. July 28, 2013
N. Central MA, Received from zip code 32216 Permit #584 on August 4, 2013. Identical one from Delta
my husband received one today.the delta and the Hilton. oak ridge, Tn
I received a postcard today but for Jet Blue, which was misspelled, asking to call 1 888 598 2322 with promo code LONGxxx. If you read fine print if you read fine print in left hand corner it reads,”All components of this offer are fulfilled by a third party” (the state even has misspellings as well)
Received the same PC (in Atlanta, GA on 8/5/13) only with a slightly different image, oh and they used an old Delta Airlines logo. It also has just the word Delta on the top of the flip side. Having worked in advertising for nearly 30 years, that was a dead give-away for me. You can never “imply” a company name (by putting it in a larger, bolder font) without using the full name – Delta Airlines or CURRENT logo and/or ® registration. Just a little interesting tidbit.
Got the Delta card today in warner robins ga
Always leery about winning something when I haven’t entered to win anything
Got the Delta card today in Eastern MA
Recieved in Leawood, Kansas on August 12, 2013.
received in Charleston, WV 8/13/13
CT Consumer Protection response was first hit when I searched on the reply phone number
Just got one today in Charleston, WV.
Received the Delta postcard today in 37377.
We got our Delta card today – August 13, 2013. We live in Charleston, WV. The toll free number was 1-888-778-8632.
Looks like American Airlines is also being targeted. I smelled scam because I have never flown American, (use Delta when I travel) Mine had a Las Vegas mailing Post paid. and came to Fayette Co. Pa.
Received yesterday in Overland Park, KS.
Received Delta post card on 8/29/2013. I live in Clinton, Maryland. The toll free number listed is 1-888-252-0898. The card looks genuine, but I knew Delta giving away something was too good to be true.
Got one of these in August 2013. Posted the reply number (888-513-7937) to whocallsme.com.
Just got a post card from “American Airlines” same exact verbiage and phone number. I googled the number and found this blog. Not going to call. I was glad to find on this blog some posts from folks who actually called. Thank you for posting.
Just received mine from “American Airlines”…googled the phone number 1-888-793-9387…thanks for the post.
Got mine yesterday for 2 round trip from AA…total scam