VIP Travel SCAM: award of "TWO ROUND TRIP AIRLINE TICKETS" plus complimentary "Rent-A-CAR" Lexington South Carolina

I received a mailing: "Congratulations" you have been awarded TWO ROUND TRIP AIRLINE TICKETS TO ANYWHERE IN THE CONTINENTAL USA. To claim this special gift, simply call 1-866-241-0658 Flights Fill Quickly. First to Call, First to Fly. if you respond within 72 Hours you will also receive a complimentary 7 Day Rent-A-CAR". There were no additional requirements stated.

I called, same day. They said first I and a partner have to attend a presentation. That's an added requirement. Red flag!

We attended the presentation on 2/25/08 in Columbia, MD. Afterwards I asked for the promised freebies. They gave me a certificate to fill out and send in.

The certificate informs me that "this is in no way a "FREE" gift." Oh, really!? This is another change. Red flag!

This certificate says that after mailing it in, "you will in turn receive the Certificate/Activation Form within 30 days." A certificate to get a certificate?? Red flag!

I filled it in and mailed it on 2/27. Forty days later, on 4/7 (today) I received the response.

On the rental car part, the response was a "registration activation form" which is full of fine print and additional terms and disclaimers. This form, together with a $75 money order and a copy of my driver's license will get me a "Reservation Request Form." There's no promise I'll get a reservation on a date I can use.

On the airline tickets part, today's response was a notice that began, "We are very sorry, but the certificate you requested is currently out of stock The vendor believes that this certificate will be back in stock and ready to ship in approximately 30 days."

Like it takes 30 days to print certificates!?

And to keep my request alive I have to fill in the form on this notice and send it in.

You get the picture.

Robb
Ellicott City, Maryland
U.S.A.