free airfare scam?

[Jenfrog79]

at a fair last week i entered a drawing to win a free trip. I got a call the other day telling me that i won that drawing. Its free airfare anywhere for four people and it just needs to be used within two years. i thought "perfect! because we're going to FL next year!"
Wow! what a prize ya know? then i find out i need to go to them to pick it up and do a 90 minute tour of their facility to get it. They are about two and a half hours away and i need to do this in the next couple weeks.
free airfare sounds amazing but is this sort of thing really true? what do you all think?

 

[rflorek]

at a fair last week i entered a drawing to win a free trip. I got a call the other day telling me that i won that drawing. Its free airfare anywhere for four people and it just needs to be used within two years. i thought "perfect! because we're going to FL next year!"
Wow! what a prize ya know? then i find out i need to go to them to pick it up and do a 90 minute tour of their facility to get it. They are about two and a half hours away and i need to do this in the next couple weeks.
free airfare sounds amazing but is this sort of thing really true? what do you all think?

Many of those "drawings" at fairs and shopping malls are really just a way to get people to sign up for a "prize" that they can only claim by touring time shares or new housing developments. The "drawing" is their way to get your contact information.

I personally wouldn't do it, but that's just me.

 

[msmayor]

And its probably got blackout days/dates/times, must be booked through them, blah blah blah. You may not know all the restrictions until after you've invested the 7+ hours of your time (driving time each way plus the presentation time)

I personally wouldn't bother.

 

[EvanMaddieMouse]

I'm not sure where you live, but we got great airfare in July out of Detroit---for the four of us, it wound up being $297 each way (I bought each leg separately, it made it easier) We got it through Southwest Ding---go to www.southwest.com and sign up for their DING! alert.

Or you could go to Spirit and NWA, etc, daily, like I did and just keep checking, and checking, and checking. It sounds like paying is better than spending all sorts of time, and then not even knowing when or where your flight is from---if the only flights available aren't compatible with the times you've planned to go, well, that's no bargain is it?


(PS the only problem with Southwest is their open seating, but if you're traveling with an under-4, you get to preboard)

 

[slruud]

I'm not sure where you live, but we got great airfare in July out of Detroit---for the four of us, it wound up being $297 each way (I bought each leg separately, it made it easier) We got it through Southwest Ding---go to www.southwest.com and sign up for their DING! alert.

Or you could go to Spirit and NWA, etc, daily, like I did and just keep checking, and checking, and checking. It sounds like paying is better than spending all sorts of time, and then not even knowing when or where your flight is from---if the only flights available aren't compatible with the times you've planned to go, well, that's no bargain is it?


(PS the only problem with Southwest is their open seating, but if you're traveling with an under-4, you get to preboard)

Preboarding with children under 4 will be eliminated in early November.

 

[hinodis]

This sounds very similar to what I experienced not too long ago. I think it might have been bluegreen. I had to go up to Novi Michigan and do the "tour thing to get the airline tickets. I singed up to do it, set the appointment up and was ready to go. I got a confirmation of my appointment in the mail. In the teeny tiny print I read that I HAVE to stay in one their required accomodations whereever I go. The catch was the high priced rooms! I called and reconfirmed this and said NO THANKS! They NEVER told me this little bit of info. Be careful and really check it out.

 

[Danemom]

Preboarding with children under 4 will be eliminated in early November.

Sorry to go OT, but WTH? That was the ONLY part of SW's boarding process that made any sense to me.

 

[wendygrace]

We had something similiar to this. I have researched the "winning free ticket" thing and personally decided its not worth my time. Dh on the other had still wants to do it. Thankfully I had to cancel our appt this weekend due to dh having another commitment. Anyways, basically you go do the time share, you get a "free" ticket but there is a catch. Either you have to stay on one of their timeshares, you have to pay the "taxes and other fees", or it is soooo difficult to schedule both the flights and resort for the same time or due to blackout times that its not worth your time (IMHO).

However, somepeople have had luck. I'd research the timeshare company with the BBB and do an online search on message boards and see what you think. Oh, and go in with the clear idea that you are going to say "NO" to the timeshare unless you really want that kind of expense.

Good luck to you.

 

[wendygrace]

douple post. sorry