BBB issues warning on free airline offer

The Better Business Bureau is warning local residents to be wary of calls or letters from a company identifying itself as US Airlines. Spokane residents have been receiving phone solicitations from the company, which indicate they have “qualified for an award of two round-trip airline tickets” and “two nights at any one of over 1000 Marriott Hotel locations,” worth up to $1,398. According to the BBB, local consumers are led to believe the solicitations were from US Airways, the Phoenix-based airline, and not from US Airlines, a non-existent airline company. A call to the 855 number provided on the solicitation directed consumers to sign up for a 90-minute seminar held at a hotel in Spokane Valley within the next two weeks. BBB officials warn that seminars like this often use high pressure sales tactics and target an older demographic. Attendees are often pushed to sign contracts without full disclosure of the details or valid contact information for the company, according to the BBB.