Letter from US Airlines about free airline tickets

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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

1228 replies
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  1. Brooke says:

    From Columbus, OH as well. My husband rec’d one yesterday signed by Laura Shane and the same phone number that Ed listed. We assumed right away that this was bogus..

  2. Tim says:

    Got mine yesterday! Sent from Phoenix AZ, signed by Laura Shane, phone 866-740-5226. Grand Rapids, MI. Just wondering how they got my address? I did stay at a hotel in Scottsdale last April. hmmm.

  4. Mary says:

    The envelope was handwritten, (poor handwriting at best) with no return address. The letter is identical to those that posted above but ours said to phone 1-866-740-8399 and signed Laura Shane, Vice President. She must be the West Coast VP of this major organization since we are in CA! When searching this major organization, US Airlines, I can only find suspicious replies. Doubt will find this organization on the NYSE.

  6. Tina says:

    My husband got one today. How stupid do they think people are? A handwritten address and then no return address? Those were the first clues. Then we have not done anything to qualify for free tickets! I used reverse phone look up and the # 1-866-740-5703 is associated with no one let alone a big company. Laura Shane is the VP of BS!!!! We are in SC…..

  7. Jean says:

    Received the same letter 1-10-11 in South Carolina. Says I must respond by the 12th. Signed by Laura Shane, Vice President—since when does the VP send out award notices?!

  8. Tom says:

    We got ours today in Columbus from Laura Shane
    Gees, it looks like a 6 year old sent it. Was just like the others here with the phone number ending 1360

  9. Steve says:

    Got ours in Grand Rapids MI today from Laura Shane. Handwritten envelope, Must respond by Jan 19, number x5226.

  10. Steve says:

    Did anyone else who received this letter happen to buy vacation trips with Wyndham Rewards? I smell a connection.

  12. james says:

    I received my letter today. I live in Columbus, Ohio – seems to be a lot of these letters coming to our fair town. The postmark on the letter is from Phoenix AZ and is stamped and my name/address is hand written with no return address. Letter is from “US Airlines” and is hand signed by Laura Shane. The number to call listed is 1 866 894 1360 and the letter relates how I am eligible for 2 free airline tickets.

    Thanks for this blog. I always google phone number that are suspicious before calling because they end up spamming/calling since when you call an 800 number, they can see your phone number – even if it is private/blocked/restricted. I would not call them – just to have fun unless you want on their phone spam list. Regards – Jim

  15. Pat says:

    Received our letter today. They are now in Charleston, SC. I blocked my phone number (using *67) and called. The number is simply an answering service that makes appointments (I asked). The company is Universal Travel Vacations and they have just set up a website (www.universaltravelvacations.com) in November 2010 that shows 15 US locations. To qualify, you must be a couple with income over $50,000. The charge for the tickets is paying the airline tax, which is pushing 10% at this time. If having a cheesy fake logo is fraud, the USPS should be given a copy of the letter, but until you’ve actually been bilked of real $, I’m not sure law enforcement can be involved. I think the best action is to call your local newspaper. Surely some reporter might be interested in investigating and getting a good story?

  16. Sonya says:

    I got my letter today – L. Shane signed. Phone number was 1.866.740.8399. Supposed to reply by the 19th. I knew it wasn’t legit immediately. Handwritten address from Phoenix, AZ. Cheesy paper, terrible letterhead. If this was from a real company the presentation would have been much better. Thanks for the blog…first thing I did to confirm my suspicions was type in the phone number. Regards,

  17. Lance says:

    Got my letter today on January 15, 2011. Too obvious and amateurish. The number on the letter is 1-866-740-8399 and signed by a very important bottom feeder by the name Laura Shane. The letter was mailed from Phoenix, AZ and I’m in So. Cal.

    Don’t waste your time calling.

    Thanks to all those that posted.

  18. Patricia Stevenson says:

    I received a letter from Laura Shane of US Airlines – Fly the US Skies. It’s so obvious it’s fake – It’s US Airways and Fly the Friendly Skies. And no one has tried to reach us because we have Vonage so whether anyone leaves a message or not we still get a missed call with the phone number. My concern is what they ask for if you respond to the phone number — I am a senior citizen and feel I am more savvy than some and would hate to see an elderly person end up being a victim of identity fraud.

  19. brmorris says:

    Patricia,

    I don’t think this is an identity fraud case, this is a sales presentation they are trying to get you to visit and buy!

  20. Karen says:

    I received one in the mail today as well and it was also signed by Laura Shane. Could the letter be more fake??!!! My husband called from his cell just to see how the phone was answered and it was an automated voice that stated “Rewards Division”. He hung up and within 30 seconds his phone rang with a rep from the so called US Airlines. He let it go to voicemail as we knew it was them calling back. By the way, we live in Georgia – so they are covering the whole US. Craziness!

  22. I Got One Too says:

    I got one today too. The letter is not hand addressed or signed it is a cheap font and digital signature. The content is an exact match to the rest. Laura Shane is the name on my letter. Not even close to getting me to call. I Googled this number so fast the browser about exploded.

    Next time they’ll tell you that a long lost Brother in Iraq is waiting to send you 40 million Dinar. All you have to do is give him your SSN and Banking info. Right???

  23. Rick says:

    Laura Shane must be the new vice president, I got my letter today. I live outside of Pittsburgh. Glad I checked on here first. Oh If you want Laura’s number, its 1-866-740-8054

  24. hll says:

    Got ours today in Columbus, Oh signed by vice president Laura Shane! Phone number to call is 866-894-1360. Also in a hand written envelope.

  25. Eduardo says:

    I received the letter today – Laura Shane signed. I googled the company name: “US Airlines” and found this blog. Thanks for posting your comments.

  26. Andi says:

    I received a letter today in Michigan…same as the above. No return address, handwritten address, dated Jan. 3, says a I must respond by Jan. 12th…oh wait it’s Jan. 18th…oh well. Laura Shane is supposedly who it’s from. Phone # 1866-740-5226. Pretty unprofessional. If it sounds too good to be true…then guess what, it is!

  27. Dave says:

    I received a letter yesterday in Georgia that Laura Shane signed. Found it funny that an Airline would mail a letter in a plain envelope with no return address.

  28. JL says:

    Got my letter yesterday. I thought about calling and having some fun but I don’t have time for that.
    Laura Shane is still the VP but the number is different: 1-800-258-1316.
    I want to know how they got my address!!I live in GA

  29. BB says:

    US Airlines does not exist.

    See: http://69.6.215.248/?p=453 for multiple complaints.

    When I did a search for “US Airlines” on the BBB site, nothing came up?

    The letter I received used the phone # 1-866-740-5226 and was signed by Laura Shane, V.P. The code number at the bottom of my letter is BX-63187.

    I live in a private house. The letter was addressed to my correct address but at Apt.46. That does not exist.

  30. David says:

    Got a letter today (I live in the country in between Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA) with the exact same wording as the letter described in the post, but this one was signed by Alexia Pitt, Vice President. Maybe the new management will have better service (lol, right?). Also, the envelope had no return address but had a normal stamp and a Phoenix postmark (I have family in Phoenix so I thought I had gotten a letter from them, but still thought it was strange that there was no return address).

    I, too, would like to know where these people are getting the addresses from. Perhaps they stole a database from a legitimate company.

    Also, in the past few months, I have received numerous phone calls from Kingston, Jamaica claiming that I have won $5 million but they do not have my correct name in their system (I have received phone calls from George John Washington, Michale Myers, and Will Smith – an agent with the FBI lol!). I never gave them my name but perhaps these two are somewhat related.

  31. Brad says:

    My mom got one of these yesterday. Luckily, she was supicious since had entered no contest, and had never heard of the airline.

    Thanks for posting this!

  32. Marty S Stankus says:

    My husband received his letter yesterday Jan 23,2011. We live in Omaha, NE..so they are branching out.

    I knew from the start no such airline!

  33. cliftif says:

    Thanks for all the info I actually did call and book the appointment but decided to check out some info on line. I will not be going there is not an airline called us airlines anyway here is the website that they gave me http://www.universaltravelvacations.com and two numbers 1-866-339-6427 for directions and info and the number to book was 1-866-995-7150 my letter look just like the one that person scanned at the top. Thanks for posting.

  35. Jennifer says:

    My husband received one of these today and we were suspicious. Google confirmed. Ours was signed by Alexia Pitt with the number 866-875-6174. We’re in the Columbus, Ohio area too.

  36. Amy says:

    Got the same type of letter today from Alexia Pitt number was 866-281-7929. If these people were looking to make easy money, they should have kept the money they spent on paper and postage!

  39. Mike says:

    Hello all I live in West Virginia and recieved a letter from ” US AIRLINES” signed by the same Alexia Pitt, phone number 1-866-740-6040, I tried calling the number to have some fun with these idiots but it was 11:00 PM and no one answered, Ill try again in the morning.

  40. Bill says:

    Got mine today too, feel like calling with a block on and giving them bogas information and stating my address has changed and give them a bogus address in Arizona. But I will be nice and shred the letter. Letter was from Alexia Pitt VP US Airlines and # was 866-281-7929.

  43. Amy F. says:

    Sylvania,Ga..
    Well we have received the same letter today..Address hand written ..no return address.
    From Vice President Alexia Pitt 866-281-7929

  44. mark says:

    I’m reading a lot of comments about people receiving a letter from this, but has anyone actually gone to the appointment? Do they not give you the free airline tickets? I have an appointment scheduled for this weekend and not sure if I go what will happen or how they can get out of giving me my “free” airline tickets.

  45. SurpriseSurpiseAnotherScam says:

    Got one too- When I read it I had a feeling it was suspect however prior to getting the letter I had received 2 phone calls from the # 1-866-995-7150 (which I didn’t answer because I don’t answer numbers I don’t know)- Too many scams out there to count. Don’t know how my name and address and phone number was obtained. Feel bad for the people that take this seriously and indulge any more information then they already have.

  46. Angela says:

    I received mine today (Jan. 27th)- the mail came as a Happy Birthday card. Inside asking me to pack my bags “IN CELERATION OF YOUR BIRTHDAY” by offering me “Two Roundtrip Airline Tickets to and from a Major International Airport Anywhere Within the Continental U.S.!”
    My birthday is in January, but how did they find out? Where did they obtain this piece of information? The number listed to call is 866-396-3279. The letter indicated that this offer is powered by Expedia. I am not sure what does that mean?

  47. kelly tabor says:

    I received my letter. Handwritten envelope from AZ. I know there is no airline called US Airlines. My letter is signed by an Alexia Pitt, who is the Vice President. I live in Rey. Ohio. They want me to cal 1-866-875-6174. They made several attempts. Rule of thumb, if its too good be true, then normally it is.

  48. Big Mo says:

    Got one too from their vice president Alexia Pitt 1-866-875-6174. I think i’ll call and have some fun with them. Not sure how they got my information.

    thanks for the blog.

  50. Alyson says:

    I received one today as well. It was not hand-written and used. Pre-sorted U.S. Postage Paid from Oklahoma City, FL. I live in Orlando, FL. Mine was not signed at all. The signature line says “awards department” and the number 1-866-740-3111. The notice is for two round-trip tickets to anywhere in the continental United States. Darn … I needed a vacation so badly too!

    Funny enough, my mother’s name is Barbara Dion, but I can assure you that the one in everyone else’s letters is not my mother.

    Thank you for this post!

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