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
Received in Florida signed by Ann Roy & # 1-866-921-7390.
Received my letter on March 16 in Jax Florida. It was signed by Ann Roy and the number was 1-866-921-7390.
Received one of these letters in the Pittsburgh area a few days ago. Same story, handwritten address, fake “US Airlines” logo and slogan. They actually spelled my name wrong as well. The V.P. is Ann Roy still but it looks like she has had a 2-3 week run so they should be changing the name again soon. The phone # is 866-437-8134 on my letter. I have to reply by tomorrow or the “alternate” will get my vouchers. I might call them just to have some fun 🙂
Received in Arizona signed by Ann Roy & # 1-866-921-7390
Received mine today…. look out West Florida …. Port Charlotte /Tampa area Not a good airline to be a Vice President this in number 26 by my count …. Jocelyn Hall 1 866 918 3297 Tip off no address or email or website typed in US Airline and got your site thanks for posting I always use the internet to check stuff out more people should save some aggravation
I received on today in Columbus, Ohio. Same format as the others. But the phone number changed:
1-866-337-7935
By “Vice President” Jocelyn Hall
I also did a search on the number and I think it was in the middle of the ocean (dabar…?) In the Gulf of Guinea off the east coast of Africa.
I don’t think that the location is accurate, this is a purely American crew.
I live in Mississippi my husband got one but it was not a letter it had tear off sides on March 15 it said he has a Reservation Notification from US Airlines for the round trip tickets plus 7 days car rental from Thrifty Car Rental if we called within 48 hours (48 hours from when?). The number to call was 1-877-717-5992, and the letter was not even signed by anyone. He called and the man told him they were with Perfect Marketing in Phoenix AZ, and that a travel agency, “Affordable Vacations” was opening an office in our area and this was to give them publicity. BUT the letter said “In celebration of our anniversary” plus there was a copy of a ticket that expired on March 12, 2011. He called and was he had to bring ID and major credit card but was told he could hide his numbers they did not need see them all he needed to do was sit through a 90 minute presentation and his wife must be with him.
Same old, same old. See this post for another similar one: http://69.6.215.248/?p=599
also forgot return address was
OP
P.O.BOX 20389
West Palm Beach, 33416Fl
I received one of these letters in the mail on either Mon. 3/14 or Tue. 3/15. [I’d forgotten to check the mail Mon. evening.] I sensed right away that it was a scam, but out of curiosity did a Google search for “US Airlines letter” and came upon this site — thanks for confirming my suspicions.
The envelope was postmarked “09 MAR 11” from Phoenix, AZ; the letter was dated March 7th, 2011 and said “You must respond no later than March 16th, 2011”. It was signed by “A Roy” / Ann Roy, Vice President. The phone number in this copy of the letter was (866) 995-7195.
Considering they’re spending @ 60¢ per mailing (between postage, printing, envelopes, and labor), I wonder what percentage of successful “hits” (i.e., scams) they have to accomplish in order to make this worthwhile (as opposed to doing honest work).
It’s sad that there are enough dupes out there to make this a worthwhile endeavor for the grifters running this thing.
Tampa, FL, Jocelyn Hall VP, 1-866-918-3297
Got my letter today. Same agenda: 2 free airline tickets from US Airlines, claim award by 3/23/11 or will give to alternate, this is last chance to respond, no return address, checked with Reverse Phone Lookup and no such number associated with number, document was same as photocopied document, also Note: This is not a timeshare or land sales offer, the list of similarities goes on and on and on….. I am going to call the number and tell them that I am the president of US Airlines and we never entered into any contract with their company (whoever they are) .I’m also asking if they are familiar with the BBB and the Attorney General.I’m sure they are!! I’m retired and need distractions.I’m sorry for the retirees who have lost money. This should keep me busy for a while.
Got mine yesterday. Pathetic.
Got one today, from a Jocelyn Hall. 1-866-437-7729 Funny the stamp was not postmarked…my gain I suppose. I googled and found this website…THANKS!!
Dante,
Keep in mind that they get $1,500-$10,000 per couple that signs up. That’s a lot of stamps.
rcv’d mine today. signed by Jocelyn Hall, Vice President.
“Please call me today at 1-866-341-6498”
Yeah, go pound sand.
Got mine yesterday, signed by Jocelyn Hall (1-866-918-3297). I better pack my bags. I wonder where I should go? Maybe Vegas…I’ll probably spend less money there!
Wow, does this one smell of a scam. Received one today in Newton, Massachusetts from Jocelyn Hall at 1-866-341-6498. Thank you all for posting to give me context for my suspicion. I hope this will help others. Any idea where they get the contact info? Municipality listings?
Got my letter today – from Jocelyn Hall, VP 1-866-995-7188.
US Airlines. Fake promise of airline tickets. – Brunswick, GA
I got the same letter. I called using the free phone service in google mail. It provides a generic caller ID. I talked with “Megan”. I just wanted to waste her time on the phone. Once she caught on, she was in a hurry to hang up. I may call back later. It is a slow Saturday.
19 March 2011 received my letter from Jocelyn Hall, Vice President at 1-866-995-7188. Told to call by 23 March.
I called the marketing company that was listed and asked if this letter was from Vacation Station, which has an office in Brunswick Georgia. (A few months ago I had received an IRS looking form that sounded very similar to this letter, even down to no return address. When I saw this letter from US Airlines, which I know is no such company, I got suspicious.) The marketing person explained that he is with a separate marketing company, and Vacation Station is their client who is promoting this letter and air line ticket program. A while back I did some checking of the Vacation Station company, which is a travel company and originally was from Charleston S.C. They want you to pay several thousand dollars to get a travel service that you can get for free off the internet. Do a google search for Vacation Staion in Charleston SC, and you will find a lot of scam reports, and less than desireable reports from the Better Business Bureau in Charleston.
Basically, if you attend one of Vacation Station seminars, where they try to sell you a package, and even if you decline to purchase their program, they will still give you a travel voucher for two people from a marketing company in Tampa. My wife and I attended one of their seminars in Brunswick, but declined to purchase their program. Although I have read comments from others about a very high pressure sales pitch at the Vacation Staion seminars, I must say the fellow who gave us his sales pitch and with whom we talked in Brunswick definitely tried to get us to purchase his package (even reducing the price from $8000 to $2000), I would not say he was particularly a hard pitch sales person. When I told him I was not interested after his presentation, he walked me to the front desk and had the receptionist give us our travel vouchers and we then left. The Tampa outfit seems to be a legitimate marketing company. You will need to pay $100 for taxes etc for the tickets, and must book 6 months out. There were enough travel restrictions and clauses that I figured it was not worth my effort, and although we were given the travel voucher and paper work, we decided to toss it in the trash. Decide for yourself if you think it is worth the effort.
In summary, I recommend you not waste your time calling or responding to the letter since it is basically to get you to a sale pitch for a travel service that you can get for free off the internet.
I just received this same letter in the mail today. I’m live near Pittsburgh. The person signing was a Jocelyn Hall. I figured it was a scam the minute I saw it. Thanks for posting all of the information.
I received something that looked like a tax document. You tear it open and it says US Airline Tickets worth up to 1400.00 today. Call us at 1-866-210-9052 to claim yur 2 round trip airline tickets.
URGENT FINAL NOTICE claim number cj-xxxxx
Just got one today, signed by Vice President Jocelyn Hall. I called the 1-866-995-7188 all excited. They answered and told them that Joe Biden is the Vice President…
Got the fake US Airlines letter same as everyone else. Mine was signed by Jocelyn Hall. I live in Chicago.
I received the letter today. I thought it looked suspicious. I live in Massachusetts. My letter is dated March 14th and the response must be received by March 23rd. Today’s the 21st. I suspect the writer is not from the US because of the word structure. The phone number listed on my letter is 866-341-6498 and the VP’s name was Jocelyn Hall. claim # for this one was CI-XXXXX.
I am forwarding it the Mass Attny Gen’s office. Might as well file a report here. If everyone does, perhaps all of the Attny Gen’s offices will put the heat on.
We received the same letter US airlines 2 tickets retail value $1400. It’s from Jocelyn Hall VP. We are in South GA so they must be targeting this area. Yeah. I knew when I opened it that was just too good to be true. lol
I just got a letter. No return, from AZ. Signed by Jocelyn Hall. Funn how most of the last or first names rhyme?
I called and they told me a travel agent in Dublin, OH was giving free flights away and that they wanted me to come in so I could claim it. After asking Problem is I live three hours away! I moved almost three months ago. They sent this to my last address. I told her I could make it and she asked for my new address.. I hung up.
Received one just like the picture after booking a Disney Vacation (probably coincidence). I booked a flight with United and had to double take when I saw US Airlines, and was like… these my plane tickets?
Anyway, I live in the Nashville, TN area. I don’t see a signed name like others have.
My husband received one of these letters today…
Signed Jocelyn Hall V.P. and the number to call is 1-866-918-3297.
Nothing else was in the envelope.
Postmarked:
Phoenix AZ 850
21 MAR 11PM 1 L
got the same letter here in Pittsburgh, except by the VP Jocelyn Hall.
FREE TICKETS WORTH $1,400!!! Ya right, I’m in West Michigan and got mine today (3-24-11) from Joceyn Hall at 866-437-7729. Code at the page is: CJ-xxxxx. BBB here I come.
I got one! I figured something was up when it said “we have tried to contact you several times without success. this is our last attempt”.
I did not get excited because anything that important would come certified mail or they would have my phone number.
FYI – The president that signed this one was Jocelyn Hall. It has a real signature! How stupid are these people…..I work in marketing the actual president of a company almost never signs anything.
My husband received the Flight Coupon good for 2 tickets worth up to $1400, postmarked Oklahoma City, OK – permit #324. The phone # for the awards department was 1-866-740-1507. We live about 30 miles west of Nashville. He recognized it as a scam and called just to find out what they might say. They told him to redeem the tickets all he had to do was go to the nearest airport and pay taxes and fees to anywhere we wanted to fly. When pressed for more information, they told him it was a promotion by US Airlines (which he knew didn’t exist) and were trying to get him to commit. He told him his wife wasn’t at home and he would have to find out where she wanted to travel before he could give them anymore information. I then googled us airlines to see what came up….and this site did. GOOD JOB!
Made it Michigan too. Post marked Phoenix from Jocelyn Hall.
I received a letter today, also signed by:
Jocelyn Hall, call 1-866-437-1409
I received the same letter from “US Airlines” Fly the US Skies. Mine stated to respond by March 30, 2011 and that they had been trying to get ahold of me. Mine is signed by Jocelyn Hall Vice President 866-437-7729.
I just recieved the letter today here in the Orlando Metro Area. It does look offical. Thanks for all this information you are saving me a lot of time and just plain crap.
I received 1 today, & my instinct said to check further. The letterhead [in black & white?], then there’s no other info about US Airlines on the letterhead, address?, email address?, something. So I searched & found out it’s fake.
Today I received my letter. No boarding passes, just the letter. It was signed by Jocelyn Hall, V.P. with the phone # 866-995-7188. Says I must respond by March 30, 2011. Think I’ll pass !!!!!
I got this letter in Kalamazoo,MI today. It is signed by a ” Jocelyn Hall. It’s not even a good attempt to look somewhat valid…..no company address and it says J. Hall is the vice-president, but not what she’s the vice-president of!
Received today, Milwaukee WI area. Signed “Awards Department”. 866-219-9052. Thanks for this site to confirm.
Got mine today in the mail today. Looks like they are working their way over to Michigan, I am in Grand Rapids. My letter has Jacelyn Hall, 1-866-437-7729. Glad I found this web site so I knew what it was about…
Just to let every one know, Jocelyn Hall VP found me in Central Florida as well. So they have a pretty extensive mailing list (mine also came from Phoenix)
Got my letter today too- knew it was fake with handwritten address and the letterhead come on? I emailed your web page and my letter to my local news so others wont waste their time with this! Thanks for the website!
Got mine today, hand addressed to my ex-husband, who moved out over 15 years ago. I live in the Chicago suburbs. Don’t have the envelope right now to check postmark, but I will check later and post again if it’s somewhere other than Arizona. Signed by Jocelyn Hall with phone #866-211-7704. Had a code on the bottom CJ-xxxxx
It continues. Hand-written envelope with no return address, first class stamp, postmarked from Phoenix, sent to me in Oak Park, Illinois. Signed by Jocelyn Hall, deadline of March 30, but with a number no one has reported here yet: 866-229-2387.
I tried calling (using *67 to block my landline caller ID), but it was after midnight and eventually went to voicemail. Apparently they’re not a 24-hour scam operation.
My dad received one of these today with it signed by Jocelyn Hall as well. Thanks for the heads up with this post!
These people need a ethics and reality check.