T-Mobile Companion Air Fare "OFFER" is a RIP OFF! Olympia Washington

I signed up for T-Mobile December 19, 2008 and there was an offer of "Free Companion Airfare with the purchase of a new phone or line." I inquired to the salesman on the phone during my order. He said that the offer was one of the best that T-Mobile has come out with and its a "hell of a deal to pass up."

Today, 1/19/2009, I received an email from T-Mobile. The email included my PIN number so that I could book travel using the companion airfare. I wanted to see how much I would save, so I created a mock travel itenerary, did not purchase, but here is what I came up with.

Departure:

Boston (BOS - Logan International), MA
Orlando (MCO - Orlando International), FL
Airtran Airways 298
Thursday, February 19, 2009 4:02 PM - 7:15 PM
Boeing 737-700 0 Stop(s)

Return:

Orlando (MCO - Orlando International), FL
Boston (BOS - Logan International), MA
Airtran Airways 278
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 12:35 PM - 3:22 PM
Boeing 737-700 0 Stop(s)

Total Price was $593.04 included the FREE companion.

So then I went on Orbitz.com and researched the EXACT same dates and flight numbers, and the costs for TWO (2) people to fly. The cost was $352.38. That's a difference of $240.66 from T-Mobiles FREE Companion airfare offer.

So I called T-Mobile today and asked them about it. They said, "Well Mr. (last name) you should have read the fine print of the informational packet that was sent along with your phone, it says that you have to pay a minimum of $500.00 for a flight for that particular region." I responded and said, "That doesn't make sense. You have these commercials on TV that show three ladies sitting around a table discussing who will get the free flight in exchange for a babysitters phone number." The representative responded, "Well sir, that is just a commercial. Is there anything else I can help you with today?" I said no and we hung up.

This is the biggest scam! I am not surprised to hear it, but come on, let's have at least a shred of honesty! Promising something on a commercial that MILLIONS of people are going to see and then not honoring what it says and their only response is, "that is only a commercial." That is a RIP OFF! Beware of T-Mobile and their SCAMS!

Jim
New Gloucester, Maine
U.S.A.