Letter from US Airlines about free airline tickets

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. D Lanier says:

    Statesboro, GA

    Looks like they’re hitting SE USA and specifically Georgia.

    Also Alexia Pitt at 866-281-7929

    Handwritten address, no return, real stamp from Phoenix AZ

  2. Dan says:

    I just got one today too. I called them up. The travel awards division answering service answered and asked for the claim number. I asked if the claim number would let them know who I was. He said “no”, it will just let him know what promotion the letter is for. After talking to him for a few minutes, I told him I didn’t trust it and was about to get off. He said “thanks Mr. #####”. I asked him what he just called me and he repeated it. I never told him my name. As soon as I reminded him that he said the claim number would only let him know the promotion, he hung up. Two calls back went unanswered. I might go to visit Travel and Discount in Pittsburgh, the company the promotion was for. He had given me their address: 3 West Penn Center.

  3. Dan says:

    I just got back from my wonderful vacation to the Cayman Islands via US Airlines. It was great, we flew from Columbus, Ohio in a Ford Tri-Motor with stops in Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and West Virgina……..but not in that order. We had to pick up the other suckers……err, I mean winners !! We had accommodations right on the beach. And I mean RIGHT ON THE BEACH, in a 6 x 6 tent. The food was good…….we got to keep and cook whatever we could catch. Our last evening there we had crab…. One crab, for the eight of us. I am here to tell you it’s for real.
    REALLY !

    (Yep, got my letter today)

  4. Sean says:

    I got one in the pittsburgh area from Laura Shane. I decided to call the number at the bottom- 1-866 740 8054. There was another number that they gave in a voice message 1 866 995 7079 Jess extention 3. I set up a meeting for the hell of it, I may call back a few times and keep rescheduling.

  5. cs says:

    I got one and noticed that they have a lot of “Vice Presidents”… for appointment was referred to Universal Travel Vacations, 5500 Frantz Road, Suite 110, Dublin, Ohio… Restrictions include not traveling within 7 days of a federal holiday, can’t use the “tickets” for 60 days… have to pay flight taxes…dress casually and don’t bring anyone with you…I’m going to guess that there will be a lot more restrictions (like having to use the travel agency and going on one of their trips). I doubt I’ll keep my appointment.

  6. Davis says:

    Lithonia, GA

    1-866-740-6223
    Awards Department

    Award Notification from “US Airlines, Fly the US Skies”

  7. Lindsay says:

    Got one today in Atlanta – Looks like a tax document but then in very small print says “This is not a government document.” Then it’s got the “Flight Coupon” attached. Wonder what they hope to accomplish out of all this.

  8. Ted says:

    Got one today, same basic format, different name for the VP. I’d like to hear if anyone actually was requested to provide CC details..?

  9. brmorris says:

    Ted,

    The point is that you bring your credit card to their sales presentation so you have a way to pay if you buy.

  10. Jacq says:

    Nebraska

    Kate White at 866-341-6495

    Handwritten address, no return, real stamp from Phoenix AZ

    BTW, they stated the following: We have attempted contacting you several times without success. Hmmm wonder why?

  11. Terry says:

    got one in Orlando yesterday and of course googled it today….looked very generic like the one above only with Alexia Pitt as vice president and phone number 1-866-331-5247

  12. Amanda says:

    I got one in the mail this morning- the thing that tipped me off was the fact that the name on the front was my mom’s name, but the address was mine (my mom does not live with me). Somehow they got their information messed up. it was not hand-addressed though, it was a well printed-up document.

  13. Modesto says:

    Got one today in MI- really ridiculous how unprofessional this letter looks and the fact they said they tried to contact me even though i have not received any such phone call from “US Airlines” lol my letter was signed by the VP- Alexia Pitt but the number they gave me was 1-866-926-6809

  14. Terry says:

    Received my letter in Savannah, GA.
    Same deal, handwritten address, Phoenix postmark, no return address. Phone number is 1-866-281-7965. There seems to have been a shakeup in the company as the VP is now a woman named Kate White.

  15. Jo says:

    We got our letter today in Goose Creek, SC. It’s the same thing I’m seeing from people above! Thanks for this blog!

  16. Jane Smith says:

    Received my letter in Savannah, GA beginning of January 2011, too.
    Same deal, handwritten address. Phone number is 1-866-281-7929. It is signed by VP named Alexia Pitt. Too many VPs …

  17. Matt says:

    Total scam, received in Orlando. Kate White is now VP – congratulations to her on her promotion!

    Wife almost thought it was US Airways until I pointed out the “urgent” nature of it and lack of personal information relating to our frequent-flyer program with USAir.

  18. Laci says:

    Got our letter today in Saint Marys, GA. Same deal. Hand written envelope with an actual stamp. Signed by K. White (Kate White) V.P. Phone number is 1-866-406-6447. Code at bottom is xx-xxxxx. We really needed a vacation too…

  19. But mine is REAL says:

    They paid $0.44 to send me my authentic looking, “not phony at all” letter … Kate White @ 1-866-992-0967. Here’s to you Alternate family!

  20. Roger says:

    Just opened my letter for “2 Free Roundtrip tickets” as well. Its one thing to clutter my inbox with bogus gimicks and sales but this type of targeted marketing is starting to tick me off. Everywhere I look it’s buy this of drive that, eat this or wear that, FREE FREE FREE. I am not a sales figure and I’ll buy whatever the heck I feel like buying. US Airlines, keep your shaddy bussiness practice out of my house.

  21. Jessica says:

    Got a letter today in Lincoln, NE with same VP K. White. Thought it was a scam so I looked it up and found this blog. Thanks for the info.

  22. Shauna says:

    Received the letter February and it actually went to my parents address where i obviously used to live. The number posted was 1-866-341-6495.

    It came from Phoenix, AZ

  23. Natasha says:

    got one today but it was for my father in law… he lives in oregon and i received it in georgia… weird… mine was signe kate white… hmmm

  24. Bill says:

    same thing here – looks like they are sending the notice to nebraska now. a wish and a dream and I can fly anywhere.

  25. Curt Johnson says:

    Boy, these people are busy and must have a LOT of Vice Presidents. Mine came from Phoenix, AZ; phone number was 1-866-406-7113; Vice Pres was Kate White. The envelope’s address was handwritten. I am in Pittsburgh, PA. I received the letter on Feb 10, 2011, and had to respond by Feb 16, 2011. I would like to try US Airlines but maybe Delltuh or Contramental can give me a better deal. LOL.

  26. Cynthia says:

    Rec’d the same exact letter from Alexia Pitt, Vice President, call 1-866-926-6809. I received the letter on Feb. 10th, 2011, handwritten addressee (me), with no return address, postage stamp (handplaced), from Pheonix, Arizona. Hey, i called the 866 #, it is definitely a SALES presentation to be held at some ‘public conference hall’ in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Be careful. Don’t waste your gas. I rent a home from VBRO or Craigslist “city” directly from a private owner, love too & i’ve gotten awesome vacation deals; like $300 for two weeks for a private home with pool & spa/internet, etc.

  27. Kate says:

    The one we got today (live in Nashville) looks very much like a W-2 form. It is an all-in-one style envelope like the kind that hold checks and documents. Has a “2011” in bold print on the Exterior similar to IRS format and “Official Documents Enclosed” on outside of envelope too. Postage is pre-paid in Oklahoma City, OK. A boarding pass is included from “US Airlines”: call back number is 1-866-341-6496. Also says “This is not a timeshare or land sales offer”. (HA!) No specific names given. signed, Sincerely, Awards Department. Boy, with their persistance, if these people developed a little more intelligence, they could be really dangerous.

  28. james says:

    I got TWO letters on such cheap letterhead and with the US Airlines name, I fly a lot and it looks so crappy I had to check it out. How do we stop these people? Someone will fall for it, sad to say. I enjoyed reading your comments and plan a harassment call later today..

  29. K says:

    Yeah! I got one yesterday, too! Lucky me!

    Kate White, 1-866-281-7962

    The complete absence of a physical address on the envelope and letter was the first red flag. No hits for that phone number using reverse lookups, strike two. And it’s “US Airways” not “Airlines”… recycling bin.

  30. M says:

    My mother received two of these notices yesterday and both were dated the same day. She lives in Florida so they are going after the senior market.

  31. Michele says:

    My husband received one today signed by Kate White, VP, supposedly and the number was
    1-866-406-6447
    I looked it up online and found this website. I didn’t think it could be real. I guess now that most people got rid of home phones they just use the mail for scams now.

  32. Mike says:

    Letter rec’d today, 02-11-2011.

    Columbus Ohio area.

    Phone number given 1-866-281-7962.

    Some one with tech savy should ste up a robo caller to call all these numbers repetively.

  33. Judy C says:

    I live in TN, got my letter today I knew it was a scam before I even googled it. Number this time is
    866-341-6496 Except now it says From 645–HH I would call and give them a piece of my mind but I would hate to know the goal of it was to get you to call so they can sell your telephone number. With this many folks why hasn’t our Attorney General put a stop to this.

  34. brmorris says:

    2/11 5:12pm

    Judy C,

    Their goal is not to sell your phone number — it’s to get you to go to their sales presentation.

  35. Ward says:

    We got ours yesterday (11 Feb 2011) in S. Georgia. Like the guy said, “If it sounds too good to be real…”.

    Signed by “Kate White”.

  36. john says:

    I called and kept them on the line for a few minutes… then I said I tracked the number and I was coming to pound on everyone there you dumb$%^..then they hung up.. hahahah… I guess that make me just as bad them… but it was enjoyable….

  37. Kat says:

    Got one today. I live in Chicago.

    I like Mike’s idea

    Here is another number if someone sets up a robo caller.

    1-866-740-5197

  38. Leda Jones says:

    Well, clearly Ohio is now too cold (Feb. 12, 2011) to continue at this time of year since my husband received a letter today and we are in warm and sunny Florida! Kate White’s phone number has changed to 866-992-0967. The unprofessional logo, real stamp, handwritten address with no return address are all tip offs. Guess we’ll need help when they finally smarten up …!

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