Buying Unused Credits - Safe?
Jan 20, 2010, 7:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 26
Buying Unused Credits - Safe?
Hi All,
I recently discovered this forum a few months ago and thank you all for providing such great information here.
I have a question for all of you. Is it safe/wise to buy unused VX Flight credits from someone? I see ads once in a while on Craigslist that sells $1000 flight credits for $700 for example. Assuming that once the funds are transferred to your elevate account, are there any risks when checking in?
I actually did this already and booked a flight from SFO to FLL. Everything looks good right now but in the back of my head, I am just worried a surprise might come when I check in or approach the gate. Thanks for your opinions.
I recently discovered this forum a few months ago and thank you all for providing such great information here.
I have a question for all of you. Is it safe/wise to buy unused VX Flight credits from someone? I see ads once in a while on Craigslist that sells $1000 flight credits for $700 for example. Assuming that once the funds are transferred to your elevate account, are there any risks when checking in?
I actually did this already and booked a flight from SFO to FLL. Everything looks good right now but in the back of my head, I am just worried a surprise might come when I check in or approach the gate. Thanks for your opinions.
Jan 20, 2010, 7:46 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 460
As long as the person you're buying from calls in and verifies the information before the transfer, ok'ing the transaction, as it were, there shouldn't be an issue.
VX records all their phone calls, and there would be an internal audit trail for the file itself.
VX records all their phone calls, and there would be an internal audit trail for the file itself.
Jan 21, 2010, 1:09 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 26
Aviator: you are worrying me as my flight will be taking off in 48 hours. Why can you not elaborate on what happened? When/how did you realize that you got scammed? Please help!
Last edited by kman008; Jan 21, 2010 at 1:14 am
Jan 21, 2010, 9:43 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,047
I sent you a PM regarding the next set of steps that can happen. I can't elaborate, because explaining how to perpetrate it can lead to more people doing it. I don't want more people to lose money.
Jan 21, 2010, 6:53 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,388
http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams
"DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist."
I have NEVER done a transaction on Craigslist that doesn't meet this rule. I've also never been scammed.
"DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist."
I have NEVER done a transaction on Craigslist that doesn't meet this rule. I've also never been scammed.
Apr 20, 2015, 3:35 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Ultimate, Amex, Delta, AA, BA Avios, United, US Airways, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 260
Just buy using Amex card. Has best buyer protection. They put onus on seller to prove they are legit when you dispute. Just know that you may be without money for a couple of months. Its usually a scam when it comes to this stuff though. 