Letter from a VP of Travel Awards Division about free airline tickets
These guys are going bad to their tried-and-true strategy of making up two-name companies and sending letters offering free airline tickets. (See all other posts here about these letters.) Please comment if you received one with your location.
It tells you that you have qualified for an award of 2 roundtrip airline tickets. It looks like it was actually signed by Kelly Mane, the “Vice President.” They hand write the address on the envelope and use a real stamp (sometimes!).
Here are the new companies so far:
Fletcher Adams (fletcheradams.com)
Nelson Murphy (nelsonmurphy.com)
Franklin Hobbs (franklinhobbs.com)
Duncan Jacobs (duncanjacobs.com)
Stevenson Barnes (stevensonbarnes.com)
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.Play Store Download These tickets are valid for travel anywhere in the Continental U.S. The retail value of this award is up to $1,298.00. 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 1-866-517-2406 (numbers always changing).
Regards,
VP du jour (see above)
Vice President
Travel Awards Division
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
My husband also got this letter,We have received letters like this before,all were put in the trash. Thank you for the heads up,it did sound to good to be true,if it sounds to good then its scam!!!
I got the same letter, near Pittsburgh PA – but addressed to my father, who passed away 12 years ago. No wonder they couldn’t contact him! (lol) Company is “Traveldeals” – no physical nor web address and the retail value is for $1398. The phone number they use is 1-866-493-7421 and the Vice President here is Beatrice Gill.
I just received this letter with a header for US Airlines. Not to be confused with the legit US Airways. Name on the bottom was Kerry Dyer and number 1-866-514-9756. I was also given the address: 1425 Tri State Parkway, Gurnee IL, number to call 866-213-2799. I asked for the company name and was told it’s called ‘Travel Deals’ and the website is (I’m adding spaces so it’s not clickable) travel deals (dot) com.
I Googled the site and the address is listed with hello world pages (funny if you’re a programmer) and Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet text – again… all signs of scam. The BBB has this address listed as a AB Travel with a D rating. It should be lower.
Mine is dated 7/13/12. We are in Florida. The check is “signed” by Suzanne Hill and lists a number to call as 866-493-1492. There is no return address.
This is off to file 13.
Yep just got my letter today. Signed by Jacklyn Paul, Vice President. 866-481-2524. I called just to see what recording I would get and I got an actual person. It’s after 10:30pm at night! When I started to express my skepticism and ask questions, the man making my appointment got a bit impatient and his tone was short when saying “I’m explaining that!” I made the appointment but kept doing research. SO glad to find this blog / site. I was told I would receive an email tomorrow to confirm my appointment but I got an email almost immediately. I’ve just responded that I am canceling my appointment.
Just got one today. dated 7/23/12. Hand written real stamp that went through Phoenix. I like the way they capitalized Continental US. Just in case i didn’t buy the US Airlines fake out i might think it was
from Continental Airlines. Both worked for a second.
VP Jacklyn Paul signed it 1-866-480-9766
Got mine today, very “personal” looking signed by Jacklyn Paul vice president… 866-481-2524…HA! I was immediately suspicious and googled it, here I am
I got mine from Beatrice… seems like a nice lady …I wanna be her slave !!!!!
thanks everyone for the heads up oh lol what a scam, just got mine, jacklin paul vice president
I received one of these letters last week…mine signed by Elise Tiyo ….knew it was a scam….so I looked it up…which brought me here. Too bad that some people fall for these scams.
I will post for the sake of unity, U.S. Airlines- VP – Renee Cast 2 tickets bogus
Received my letter today in the Chicago suburbs from Jacklyn Paul, Vice President. Hard to believe what they are doing is worth the time, money and postage. What a waste. People fall for this stuff, really?!?!
Got a letter in the Apollo PA Area from http://www.traveldealsmail.com for 2 roundtrip airline tickets anywhere in the contintental US retail value up to $1,398.00
the phone number is 1-866-303-6798
signed by Vice President -Elise Tiyo
So by reading all the above I would this letter is a scam.
My letter was from Jacklyn Paul 866-415-0380. I called at 6:30am, to check out what the scam was, and got voice mail. I left a funny message with no contact info. I may call a few more times just to prank them…perhaps I will record a few…
Just got one today stamped august 6th 2012. Says its from us airlines. Its signed by Joanne Cane VP. The number is 18666189974. Postage stamp says Phoenix Arizona.
I received a letter today. There was no return address on the postage, just said that it went through Phoenix. From US Airlines, which is not an airline. Said I needed to respond by a specific date and that the value was $1,298.00. Haha! I wish. The number on mine was 866-646-0104 and it was signed Joanne Cane.
Got mine today in Boston, MA
my wife recieved this letter today signed Joanne Cane “vice President”
Happy at home in Kansas
Recieved a stamped envelope with No return address from AZ852. My name was misspelled, appeared to be hand written but is some sort of computer font handwritting font in blue ink. US Airlines no address signed J Cane above Joanne Cane Vise President. I am in Utah and we do have local News Stations that do investigate these things do I will forward it to them as well as a Utah Fraud Report Line. If I have the time I might screw with them if they are a REAL biz & contact AZ authorities.-c
My husband received this letter it says from US Airlines – Flight Coupon. It has a boarding pass but it says it needs to be certified to be valid. but general letter info is the same as you all saying. Not signed by anyone just Awards Department. Thank you everyone whom has posted their posts, very helpful – SCAM!!!! They are trying very hard to get people to believe it’s something real. Phone # used 1-866-586-8049
I received a copy of the letter today. The envelope was postmarked from Phoenix. The letter is dated August 6th, 2012 (exactly how it is typed), and was postmarked on the 10th. The envelope was handwritten, and my name was incorrectly spelled. The number listed for my response is 866.618.9974. It was signed by “Joanne Cane”. I live in Kansas.
Rec’d a copy of a similar letter from US Airlines (Never have flown with them) for a round trip for two. Post marked from Phoenix, hand written address, the telephone number listed is 1-866-618-9974, and it was signed Joanne Cane. From Kansas. Not really “too good to be true”, more like “too weird to be true”!!!
I received a letter today, signed by Joannes Cane. I figured it is a scam since I didn’t sign up for anything. The number they used is 1-866-646-0106. I live in Oregon.
Received also in Wisconsin on 8/15/12-same “award notification/check/claim code number, $1398. Called and given address as 1425 Tri State Parkway, Gurnee, Ill 60031 Suite 130 and a phone number to call to confirm a time (and receive a gift for calling) for a 90 minute presentation and to bring ID and a major credit card “for identification purposes only” stated. Told vouchers were for tickets good for anywhere in continental US, good for 2 round trip tickets for one year, and no blackout dates except travel 7 days before or after a major holiday. Stated “free travel except normal taxes and fees” was cited when I questioned any additional costs. Told it was for a “tour of their showroom” and to pick up vouchers. Confirmation number was 866-213-2799. Thank you for the posts above as we will not be attending! Yes–deceptive indeed at best.
Received letter form “US Airlines” from Joanne Cane VP. I have ‘qualified for an award of 2 two roundtrip ticket’ phone number to call 866-569-0506
My husband received a check travel voucher in the amount of $1,400.00 payable to US Airlines on his behalf. The check was signd by C Rey.
The letter was very similar to the ones mentioned above and the number to call was 1-866-569-3417. We live in Orlando, Fl.
Thank you for all your posts. I am glad I searched about it first.
Kansas – received letter dated aug. 20th, 2012, with letterhead US Airlines, signed by VP Jill Taye, tel # 866-568-0147
Kansas – received my letter Aug29, 2012. No return addres on the envelope with hand written address. 2 round trip tickets worth $1,298.00 signed by Jill Taye. #866-568-0147
Ohio received the same letter today, only difference is at the top it reads NEWS. And is signed A Fay (Alice Fay) Vice President
No, trying to get you to hand over your money.
My husband got 3 of these letters in the past 2weeks. The funny part is two of them have different names as the Vice President.
I wonder what the scam is. Are they trying to gather more info for identity fraud?
Same details as everyone else here. Jacklyn Paul, VP. Live in Pittsburgh, PA, letter dated July 30th, 2012. Called 1-866-384-5167, got recording in a British accent, then listened to an obviously scripted reading from someone claiming to be from a marketing company. When I referred to the scam-related info I had read on the internet, the response was, “How can this be a scam, they’re not asking for any money. This is a legitimate offer…” (or words to that effect). I guess no matter what someone is offering, there are marketing companies willing to make the calls and set up the appointments. So glad I came across this website. Thank you! (I hope I don’t start getting e-mails as a result of providing my “required” e-mail address here. 🙂
Arrived today. Pittsburgh, PA Area. http://www.traveldealsmail.com ME-8xxxx “supposedly” Expedia.com affiliate. From: Phoenix, AZ. Phone: 1-866-530-1636. VP: Crystal Ashe, Signed: C. Ashe
To bad we don’t have a return address for everyone to send 100 mails each to teach them how it feels. Oddly enough I booked a plane through Expedia within the last 2 months. Will be having a word with them concerning this, though it is not confirmed that they have anything to do with this.
We received a Final Notice Award Notification (Official Documents Enclosed). Posted Marked Oklahoma City,OK Permit # 324. The notification had a US Airlines letter head. It was signed Sincerely, Awards Department 1-866-493-7435 (This looked like it was computer generated letter with a flight coupon.(Must be certified to be valid.
Hi Y’all,
I just received this letter in mail today dated Sept 20,2012 from AZ852 signed Cathy Stein vice president. phone number 1-866-870-7042. I live in Boston Massachusetts and now we are being targeted by these miscreants.
Sincerely,
Steve G
I received one in Pittsburgh today. Had US Airlines letter head, VP is Cathy Stein and no address for them. I knew it was a scam but called anyway to see what they have to say. Basically they will give you free tickets but first you have to decide where you want to go and when, and then pay tax for the tickets. Yeah, like after I pay them tax I get my free tickets…please.
I kept asking a lot of questions and the lady hang up on me. Hehehe.
I received one sent from Phoenix to me in Salt Lake City, UT. It is signed VP Cathy Stein. When I called, all I heard was a message saying my call was important and to stay on the line. No sense in even wasting my time waiting for a joke.
Just received one in MA today. I thought it was odd at a first look. The address was handwritten and with awful handwriting. Then the letter head was “US Airlines” and sooo fake! It was almost comical. This letter said the same as the rest,except signed Cathy Stein with a phone # of 1-866-353-3192. These people suck.
I received one in Boston this weekend from Cathy Stein, VP. Handwritten envelope, no return address and the letter was very fake looking. Black logo header that doesn’t even closely resemble anything official from US Airlines.
10/1/12 (866)-353-3192 CATHY STEIN thanks but no thanks! US Airlines…haha…really?!!
Im a Wells Fargo customer also…hmm! Go get a real job LOSERS!
People always remember “You NEVER get anything for free!”
I just received a letter almost identical to your letters. Mine was from “US Airlines” and was signed by Cathy Stein – Vice President. My offer expires on October 3rd. Should I rush right down there and buy their program so I can get their fee airline tickets and the additional free “travel gift” for calling today? Not!!!
Isn’t anyone working to put these guys out of business?
I got the same letter today and called them. The woman I spoke to was very shady. I asked her for her work address and she said she didn’t know it. She said that she knew how to drive by “remembering the way to work” HA !!!!!
letter received yesterday…had a hand written address to a mailing address i used maybe 5 years ago…letter was the same “been trying to contact, continental airlines 1398 in value letter”…signed by Jill Sharp
I’m so glad I found this site. I received a hand-written envelope to my dad, who doesn’t live in my house, postmarked from Phoenix, AZ. Opened the letter and it said “US Airlines” at the top – not on their letterhead with the wrong logo. Same format as the above letters signed by Margaret Fultz VP. I implore all of you to not go through with being transferred to a live person. Thank God I didn’t reach someone or they would’ve received an earful.
Same fake “Award Notification” letter from US Airlines.
Lists phone number of: 1-866-49-7435.
“Call us at 1-866-493-7435 to Claim your 2 round trip airline tackets worth up to $1,298 Today!”
Sent to Clackamas, Oregon
Note: Outside of letter stated “Offical Documents Enclosed” and attempted to mimic IRS document with “2012” on it.
Recieved mine yesterday. Always promise more than they can deliver. Mine is from Jaqueline Simms, Vice President. Interesting how many Vice Presidents there are in a company that is about as solid as a vapor. Typical hand written address on envelop with no return address, surprise, surprise. Would love to make this practice ILLEGAL!
Mine came in the mail as a US Airways Fly Away promotion. US Airways and Fly Away are both legit (I’m a frequent flier member), so without thinking, I gave the number a call (1-888-639-6990). The lady on the phone asked for a promo code, which was printed on the card, so I gave it to her. She then asked for some demographic questions; name, marriage status, name of spouse, whether my household income was greater than $50K. Her phone was ringing off the hook and she must have gotten confused, because she ran me through the questions twice. She said, “Well, congratulations, you have two round trip tickets to anywhere in the USA plus two nights hotel in most major cities. This is to promote a new travel agency opening in Issaquah, Washington called “Pennies to Paradise. All you need to do is join us at the Issaquah Holiday Inn for a 90 minute presentation on Pennies to Paradise’s services. This is not a timeshare and you will not be asked to pay any money.” She asked for a phone number, so I gave her an internet voicemail number. I wasn’t planning on going since it was scheduled for Thursday after work, but figured I’d keep my options open. After reading this thread, the complaints to the BBB and state Attorneys General, I’m glad I saw this for the scam it is before committing and missing Thursday Night Football. That would have pissed me off royally. Same old same on this… if it sounds too good to be true, it generally is.
Got the same letter today in Rhode Island. Signed by Jaqueline Simms with a phone number 1-866-381-9944. We must respond by October 24, 2012. Thats not happening!! It is post marked in Phoenix Arizona.
Letter from Jaqueline Simms 1-866-673-3911
Letter is the same…word for word. Just the date, recepient, phone number and contact person vary.
I am so excited…a free trip from US Airlines….going to call Cathy as soon as I finish corresponding with a gentleman in Senegal who is giving me $4,500,000.00 if I will only give him 49.00 and all of my personal information and bank account info.
I never life could be so SWEET!