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
Letter rec’d today, 02-11-2011 from “US Airlines Fly the US Skies”
Columbus Ohio area.
Phone number given 1-866-281-7962.
Letter signed by “Kate White”
Code at bottom of letter = CC-xxxxx
I got mine yesterday. I live in Columbus, Ohio. I was going to block caller ID on my phone and call them, but decided to Google “u s airlines” instead. u s airlines?
Like many others that have posted here I also am from Columbus Ohio. I received my letter the other day. It was the same story two free US Airlines tickets. I called and the guy that answered the phone said that I would have to come by and pick up the tickets. He said that they wanted me to hear a short presentation about their travel service so I would use it in the future. I was very skeptical and couldn’t wait to google it. I scheduled to go this Wednesday February 16th. I would like them to give me two tickets to an imaginary airline in person. I still kind of want to go just to ask them about all of this in person. I found some other links about this company including their own very vague website for the Dublin Office. The local news has done at least two different stories on this company and they have had many complaints to the BBB and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
http://www.yourgetaway.info/services.htm
http://www.10tv.com/live/content/consumer10/stories/2010/02/17/story-columbus-vacation-scams.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=102
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/global-vacation-network-c237159.html
I’m a flight attendant for U.S. Airlines…this explains why they never call me to work?!…
Got mine today in PGH
Whats next…West South Airlines?
(bing!) ..”you are now free to scam across the country…”
Thanks for putting this page up. I just got my letter from “Kate” here in Pittsburgh, PA and Googling the phone number yielded this page.
This has saved me from calling the number and figuring it out actually talking to them.
Got mine in a suburb of Pittsburgh today as well. Very thankful for sites like this!
Got one here in Charleston, SC. Mine was from Kate White as well. Do they really think that a VP at an airlines will sign the letter in Blue pen and hand-write the envelope with no return address? I don’t know what more sad, the lack of effort put forth by this scam, or that it must work since they keep doing it!
My husband got his letter here in Western PA today and was angry because the deadline was in just two days! As soon as I read it I knew it was a scam. At least with the $.44 stamp they are giving business to the poor USPS!!
Got my letter today, however “Fly the US Skies” does not ring a bell as any legit tag line. I’m tempted to call the number just to mess with them for fun. Apparently Kate White is now the VP, congrats Kate on your promotion! Hailing from Clearwater, Florida.
Got one of these today. Live in Kalamazoo, MI. Signed by Kate White. Phone 866-348-1766.
I live in Pittsburgh – got a letter today 1-866-406-7113 – STAY AWAY
I receive the letter from US Airlines here in Charleston and luckily I found your web site.
Am scheduled to go to a presentation Friday but will be a no show..
Thanks
Jim
Just got my letter–Columbus,Ohio. At least this wasn’t one of those horrible collection agencies that call every person with your last name and then try to convince you to pay off a ten year old debt for someone you do not know. A co-worker got caught up in one of those loops. We learned that the magic words for that situation are, “Please tell me what state you are calling from, so that I know which Attorney General to contact about this call” It works like a charm!
Got my letter from US AIrlines today post-marked from Phoenix, AZ. The lack of a return address on the envelope and the black & white stationary should be a instant signal.. Hope no one has fallen for these low-lifes yet…
My letter has a new 866-number that hasn’t been mentioned yet:
1-866-331-6516.
Someone please put these clowns in jail already….
I’m afraid that lots and lots of people have signed up — it’s a very good use of high-pressure sales tactics and are proven to work!
We also got a letter today. Dated Feb. 14th.
Loretta Cape Vice President. The phone # now
is 1-866-341-6530. Shows it was mailed from
Phoenix, AZ. Funny thing is on a post (on here) from
someone who called the company they stated they
“wanted to get the word out about their company” Looks like they are doing just that
with this website. But not how they would like.:)
We live in Michigan.
Still at it, received mine in Michigan today, Feb17, 2011
We got a letter today in Florida. It was signed by Loretta Cape and the number to call was 866-671-2647.
My letter came today. Number is 866-281-7962. I’m mad that some people are falling victim to this. Spread the word!
Got one today in PA. Loretta Cape, 866-336-5238, letter ends with an inexplicable “CD-xxxxx” tag at the bottom.
Richard,
The CD- tag at the end is your identification number for when you call — they can then confirm that you are who you say you are.
We got our letter from “US Airlines” today. Signed by Loretta Cape, VP. Now listing a new phone number 1-866-331-6516. Promised 2 free tickets worth $1,400. Looked funny so did an online search. Glad I found this blog. We lives in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
I used to work and sell timeshare for Wyndham Resorts. I say this is false advertisement because it says clearly that the name of the company is listed at the bottom of the letter. Either I am blind or they forgot to put their name on the letter. So, I say it’s false advertisement and they should pay with free airline tickets without any obligation. Someone on here has to be an attorney to file a class action lawsuit. Why should we have to pay a fee to collect on a free advertisement? That has to be a violation of an advertising law.
Please let me know if you are interested.
got mine in michigan today…i typed the phone number into google and this site came up…thank you to whomever started this site. saved me a phone call and a potential scam….boy, telling someone in michigan they can fly away in february is very very tempting.. 🙂
Central Ohio must have been the most recent target for this letter because I just received my award letter yesterday in Columbus. It screamed “scam” so I thought I’d investigate online. All i had to do was type in the phone # and found this blog. I’m amazed that someone takes the time to hand sign, address and stamp these letters. I guess they get enough takers to make it worth it.
Got an “Official” version today in TN – no signatures or anything. Phone # was 866-437-1130. Hilarious!
Got my “Award Notification” today. Thought it looked suspicious- found this page. Wont call the number- will notify BBB. BBBy the way- BBBeware!!
Received in Florida today from my new BFF Loretta Cape. The US Airlines letter in a handwritten envelope, no return address, postmark PHX 22 Feb with a real stamp! New phone # 1-866-348-0837. At least they are using US mail, I’d hate to end their scam and put postal workers out of a job. But I’m getting my phone recorder warmed up, this should be fun… Thanks for the web site!
got mine today, Feb25,2011, hand written, real stamp from Phoenix. almost had me since I’m from Phoenix, but it didn’look right, so I googled and found this site. VP is Loretta Cape and the number this time is 1-866-740-1512
Just received my letter today in Western Michigan. Thanks for the postings. I won’t call, but I thought the hand written address was a nice touch
Got one today in Tampa. Same as above. Will not call. Guessed it was bogus, but wanted the confirmation from all of you! Thanks – off to the circular file!
My husband received one today and was instructed to respond by 3/2 by calling 1-866-925-3581. It was signed by Loretta Cape. They also tried to reach him several times by calling his cell phone. Thanks for the info!
Forgot to mention, we’re from Illinois.
got one a few days ago too. signed by Kate White, number is 1-866-406-6447. The stationery and grammar was a dead giveaway.
Recieved same letter and I thought I would call. The agent sent me to a website http://www.travelanddiscount.net
The web site has glowing testimonials and has decriptions of vacation destinations at offered at deep discounts.
The gift is contingent on my wife and I showing up at the Brunswick GA location and sitting through a 90 minute presentation. I made an appointment but I don’t think we will show up. Has anyone actually sat through the presentation??
My parents Recieved the same letter today, mom was already to go for it, so I looked up the number and found this site. Thank you to whomever decided to start this post
I’m in Michigan and got my letter today, saying how they had been trying to contact me and this was my last chance. Pretty much the same as you all have said except the phone number was 1-866-341-6530. Loretta Cape (Vice President).
It really stinks that they would do this and the sad thing is that some people will fall for it. 🙁
Thank you for this page that lets people know!
Melissa,
They didn’t actually call, they’re just saying that…
Got the same thing today in Charleston, SC. I called to get some more info from them before I reported.
By the way “US Airlines” isn’t a real company. Don’t confuse with US Airways…
I called and talked to “Donna”, a real sweet girl that referred me to a local travel company, and I’d have to go in to get a “Tour” before I got my free tickets. I would have to pay tax on them, and I had to fit the demographic of 28-70 years old and married.
The gist of it is: who knows if the tickets exist. This company (travelanddiscount.net) gets paid to get you in their front door. And then you have to buy a membership from the local company to get anything in return, and you definitely are not going to get your money’s worth.
Luke,
That’s not exactly how it works. The two companies are probably run by the same people, or they are in some sort of cozy relationship. Once you sit through the high-pressure sales presentation, you get a voucher. However, when you go to use the voucher, there are so many road blocks and hassles that people give up.
Received mine two days ago in South Georgia. Signed by L. Cape (Loretta Cape). Phone number is 866-671-2647. Thanks for this website!
Received ours today in Charleston, SC. Letter exactly the same as mentioned and pictured above, signed by Loretta Cape, VP, but number seems to be a new one again, 1-866-341-6501. At least I didn’t see it listed yet. They just keep rolling!!!
I got mine, kinda looked like a gov’t tax notice, said “Official Documents Enclosed” with that awful crease and tear the edges form. US Airlines? How stupid do they think we are? What I want to know is, which slimy f*@$ gave them our mailing addresses?
JHY
Gurnee, IL
You wouldn’t believe how many marketing firms have mailing addresses for sale!
Got one today near Nashville. Ticks me off that other companies make money off of my address…that money should go to me!
Got ours today from lovely Ms. Cape. Another new number 1 866 341 6530. Always love reading others comments and doing what I can to warn others. These are really annoying…
So what do we all have in common that we were lucky enough to receive free tix? Who sold our addresses? Delta? Ford?
Got mine today in Summerville SC. Had the number 1-866-341-6501 and the code CE-xxxxx [note from Brian – I don’t want them to know who you are]. Sad thing is, how many poor schmucks have given their info and been duped out of their money as long as this has been going on? Think I’m gonna turn it over to a local talk show host tomorrow and let him have fun! Keep your guard up folks, they ARE out there!
My husband got all of the above documents, now the hand addressed envelope w/ no return address and a reg. stamp too. I think I’ll let them kept spending their $ or think of something clever to say & keep them on the phone for nothing…the thing is, are there innocent ppl out there working trying to make a buck by representibg these people? I hope no one is spending their $$ to get a commission from this.
Received this in the mail today in Atlanta, GA. Yet again a new number 1-866-537-4523. This time signed only as “Rewards Department”. Gonna call them with several diffent accents and people just to make them mad… By the way, who gave out our mailing addresses???