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
Yea this is definitely a big time scam, that is very repetitive and all over the country. I live near Orlando FL and received this same letter. It had all the usual signs Hand written name and address on the envelope, American Airways in bold across the top of the letter. I received it 10/26/12 and it was dated for 10/20/12. The letter suspiciously had congratulations you “Qualify” for an award of 2 round-trip airline tickets for up to $1,398.00. Of course i immediately knew it was a scam anything too good to be true and out of the blue is most likely a scam or there is something else behind it. It was had a sense of urgency at the 2nd paragraph in closing saying “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” – Yea anyone else not aware and will fall for the scam!!! Contact number was 1-866-753-5880 and the letter signed “Cortney Kuhn” VP. Letter was from Phoenix Arizona. Good luck hope no one gets scammed into this.. I got my kicks from it i called them from a blocked # and acted all interested but asked a lot of questions and frustrated them!! LOL.. haha I guess i got the last laugh!!
In Oklahoma I received the same letter today from Jaqueline Simms 1-866-753-5083
The first thing I did was look it up on the internet and here I am at this website.
Mailing letters is not cheap, I wonder how much they spend on postage for every successful scam.
Arkansas is now getting the letters dated 10/22/12 from Jaqueline Simms with US Airlines, deadline to call 1-866-673-3911 by 10/31/12. Same earmarks as others – handwritten envelope with US 45c stamp postmarked out of Phoenix AZ. And of course, no return address, and no company information on the letter.
I hope people aren’t falling for this!
In Cape Cod ,Mass I received same letter Says US Airlines tickets $1298.00 Jaqueline Simms 1-866-753-5875
Received in Chicago, IL today: a letter from one “American Airways” dated 10/22/12, promising 2 roundtrip airline tickets at a retail value of up to $1398.00. From a supposed “Cortney Kuhn” (new VP!) @ 866-753-7106. Also came in a handwritten envelope postmarked US 0.45 from Phoenix, AZ.
I pretty much knew it was a scam. Checked the web to find out how far it had gone. Just wanted to post to keep track of the fraud. Thank for the site!
Got my letter today.
American Airways was headlined.
Ours was 1398.00 value.
name of VP was monica hunt.
signed M Hunt.
Go figure. 866 746 4358
Just received my letter today from VP Jamie Cape of US Airlines for two airline tickets. Can’t wait to go, heh, heh, heh.
Got my letter today for my free airline tickets from “American Airways” and signed by their VP Monica Hunt. Apparently you all are really getting scammed, since my round trip is worth $1,398.00.
Glad they wrote to me, since they said in the letter that they had tried several times to contact me.
Stupid Scammers… first clue this was a scam: no return address on the envelope. Second clue: regular paper, not letterhead.
I also rcvd a letter from American Airways stating I qualified for an award of 2 roundtrip airline tickets and the award is up to $1,398.00 is such a scam people do not fall for it. Im from Orlando Fl and when I called that number to verify they wanted to know my income if i`m married or single. Why ask all this questions if I was award……. DONT FALL FOR IT!!!!!!! Thanks to this website for letting me read all this post
Got a letter today, from American Airways, same phone number 866-746-4358….signed by Monica Hunt, VP. Sent from Phoenix, AZ…real stamp!
Apparently Monica Hunt, VP of American Airways, can also be reached at 1-866-753-0075.
I got mine from Jamie Cape..V.P of US Airways
My husband received his letter yesterday. It is from Us airlines.He has to respond by Nov. 7th or they will be passed on to an alternate. The number is 1-866-752-8905. The person that signed it is Jamie Cape. I am a very suspicious person anyway, and got this letter, I knew it wasn’t real.I hope everyone is made aware of this. If you have elderly parents, you should be on the look out for this..By the way, I’m in the great state of Oklahoma.
i received letter today from US Airlines, same letter as you have posted, 2 airline tickets worth 1298.00, has different phone #1-866-673-3910 and vice president jamie cape. cant even keep their vp’s straight. lol
My letter was from Monica Hunt too. I figured it was a scam and not a good one. Threw it in the trash.
Mine is from Jamie Cape, US Airlines @ 1-866-209-8342. I googled this simply because it looks like a letter a jr high student could write and print – no color, not official and vague. They will have to do better than this!
My husband got one too!! Monica Hunt must have given up!! From American Airways. Signed B (Bethany) Mays…it looks like my two year old daughter signed it. The phone number is 866-949-7214. Located in Mansfield Ma…total scam. Thanks for all the posts, I knew it!
I received one today, it didn’t have any signature on it. It just said sincerely, Awards Department. the title was US Airlines, 2 round trip ticket, worth $1298. phone number is 1866-949-7198
My boss also recieved this letter award of 2 roundtrip airline tickets.
Rtail valu of $1298.00 Certain restrictions apply. Please call 1-866-949-5036.
Regards,
D Hall
Deborah Hall
Vice President
They are down in Ga down, received one Dec 1st, same MO, they are now using “grand opening” of Scenic Travel, as the draw, same deal with free airline tickets, etc. phone # is 1-877-932-1947. Beware!
I recieved a letter today in Colorado Springs. The voucher was from Travel Union for 2 RT tickets on US Airlines. The voucher must be certified by calling 18669492584.
I received 2 of these vouchers Sept. 5 and Sept. 13, 2012. This was apparently mailed from Oklahoma City, OK. I suppose they think that 8 days was too long to wait for a response? LOL. I’m guessing they have me twice in their scam database or forgot to flag my record in their scam db that a mailer had already been sent the first time. It has “Notice Urgency: EXTREME”, “PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL”, supposedly “OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED”. For credibility, it says “Note: This is not a timeshare or land sales offer”. “Sincerely, Awards Department”, but no where does it say what company within which this “Department” is, other than a sketchy “US Airlines” logo at the top of the doc. I counted about a good dozen distinct fonts being used on this very small mailer. That, to me, is definitely a sign of a scam, along with the non-descript and bogus-looking “US Airlines” company logo that only appears once in all of the mailer.
I’m sure all this is common and not news to anyone here, but I thought I would post what were the most significant impressions and observations.
I received a letter from United Airways signed by Amy Reed, Vice President. The envelope was handwritten with my name & address but no return address. Conveniently, the postmark is illegible so I can’t tell what city it was stamped. I called the number & when it said, “Thank you for calling Travel Awards Division,” I immediately Googled it. Thank you for posting this….I hung up & threw it away.
Brooke,
I’m in Chicagoland and received a letter from United Airways also signed Amy Reed. Phoenix postmark., where is my trash can?
They have a new VP,signed Sue Bell
I also received a letter, signed by Sue Bell, VP. Hand written envelope, and seems to be hand signed by Sue Bell. It’s a shame as some people will believe this is a true offer.
Received in Cincinnati, Ohio on 1/17/2013. Letter dated January 14. Hand-addressed envelope with first class stamp. Letterhead reads company name ‘ANDERSON LANG.’ Signed by ‘Sue Bell, Vice President’ as many others have noted above. Contact number 1-866-955-0926.
Got one today. Company Webster Hall, signed by Vice President Jan Hill, the phone number is 1-866-978-9406.
I got one dated Feb 11,2013 from American Airways VP Zoe Dyer @ 1-866-953-6545
I got one of this letters and Thank God I came in to check on them. Mine is signed by yet another VP to the company, Dana Kline.
Dana Kline provided the following number for me to call: 1-855-879-8217. And they are having a presentation tomorrow at 4:30pm at 31130 Cortez Blvd. In case anyone from the media or interested in exposing them wants to attend you can use my reservation number: BKxxxx. [EDITOR: edited to protect you. They check driver’s license and credit card at the door anyway.]
Sandra.
I receive a voucher on 3/9/2013 for $1,298.00 to use toward 2 airlinre tickets.it was sigb by Jan Lane number was 1-866-349-0122
I have one dated March 25th signed by Sue Bayler. Number 1-866-915-1587
I called the number to tell them to leave me alone, and all they want is to get you into a Travel Agency so you will get scammed into buying some other crap.
Received mine for two night resort getaway. The wording is exactly like the letter above. My VP appears to be new on the scene: Judi Cane 866-981-5712.
Now they have jumped onto Hyatt. Received a letter stating I qualified for an award of a complimentary two night resort getaway. Everything else fits the same MO as the other notices. Even the hand-signed signature from the VP, Judi Cane.
I got mine today, and like Kris above me I am also from Orlando. They must be hitting central Fl right now. Anyways.. Heading was “Peterson White”, number was 866-221-3638 and VP was Sue Ross. Plane tickets, no airline affiliation, value $1350. Everything else was cookie cutter. Oh and tracking gibberish at the bottom.
I receive a voucher on 4/22/2013 for $1,350.00 to use toward 2 airlinre tickets.it was sigb by Ali Hull ne number was 1-866-510-1821
reference # YU-7xxxx
Just got a letter today. I too live in Orlando. Heading on mine was Percy Warner, phone number is 866-592-2390 and signed by Len Hill Vice President. Same deal, plane tickets valued at $1,350.00
Scam! Beware!
Received a letter dated 4/22/13 phone number 1-866-638-9284 signed by Eli Rey VP. Same story as above for $1350.00, but I am from Arizona.
I received on 5/4/2013 a voucher for $1,350 for US airlines. Signed by Taylor Barrone number 1-866-430-7943 I’m in Sunrise, FL
Singed by Taylor Barrone. Phone is 866-430-7943. Tamarac, FL.
I received on 5/28/2013 dated 5/20/2013 a letter stating I qualified for an award for 2 round trip tickets. Also stating the tickets are valid for travel any where in the U.S. from any major air port. The retail value is up to $1,350 with certain restrictions applying. Signed by Keli Hayes Vice President number
I was told that they made several attempts to contact me and left a number 1-866-749-0614 to call. ’m in Illinois
We got one 6/3/13 dated 5/23/13. Phone is 1-866-815-6156. Travel Union in Scottsdale, AZ.
Value $1350 signed by Angela Hudson.
We are in Seattle, WA.
just received a letter from “American” – same letter signed by Ali Dunn, Vice President
with 1-866-237-6916 to call.
Got the Ali Dunn one. I called and now keep calling back and rescheduling for a different date and time. My, they seem to be getting annoyed.
Reminds me of the old days on ebay selling junk IT parts to scammers from africa, in bulk, and forcing them to pay very unreasonable import fees to get these packages that they think are five laptops int the country and are actually broken dusty cooling fans and power cables.
Just received a letter from “American” – same exact letter as originally posted. Signed by Ali Dunn, Vice President. It says to call 1-866-243-7675.
I live in Virginia.
I wonder how they pick their victims.
Got this letter on June 17, 2013 from “US Airlines” signed by Elise Warren, Guest Services Manager with phone number 1-855-879-8217.
Round Hill, VA
Add another to the list, the first one I’ve seen received in Seattle yesterday for $1198.00 and signed by a Briget Long. Yet another phone number!
I read on another blog that someone actually cashed the check?! I doubt that….Routing number isn’t valid or proper, for one.
Got this letter on June 18th from “American” signed by Jen Meade, Vice President with phone number 866-267-7017. What a scam!!
Just received two letters, one from Ali Dunn and one from Elise Warren. I smelled scam right off. Thanks for all the posts, keeping us in the know. Locust Grove, VA.