Tons of Miles for Telecom Services
 

Found a company that awards customers frequent flyer miles based on their telecom expeditures. It's a pretty good deal if you think about it. If you pay your bill by credit card then you'll earn even more miles. They are partnered with all the major telecom carriers (AT&T Sprint MCI Qwest Verizon etc) plus they'll allow you to select whatever frequent flier program you desire. Their site is pretty crappy. I was told that they haven't officially launched yet... but wanted to put something up on the domain for now. I've known these guys for a long time and have all my company's telecom services with them. (Local phones lines... long distance T1's plus our WAN (used to be frame relay but we just converted to MPLS). They told me that they're planning on testing a few marketing ideas and plan to create a membership club for select clients. Make sure to ask them about it... I think there's a place on the site to submit a request for more information. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions... I'd like to see their business venture succeed. We met in college.

here's the site

www.telecomrewards.com

interesting. is this thing legit?

spending a couple of grand a month just on cell this would suit me perfectly

totally legit
 

Their site www.telecomrewards.com is just a template from GoDaddy because their real site isn't completed yet. I've spent the last few months working with them. Their real launch date is in Jan '08. This is more or less their beta... so, if you sign up now they're planning on making you a premium member. They have a few minor projects to complete prior to going totally live. Other than that, its pretty straight forward.

For example, let's say Bellsouth is your Local provider. You'll have the choice to either sign a Bellsouth contract via TR or go with another provider from their portfolio. One of their goals that I found extremely impressive is that 80% of the time they'll be able to save you l5-20% off your current rates. That was the reason we started talking to them to begin with... my company bills around $5k in Long Distance usage... they put me on a Sprint T-1 and almost cut our bill in half.

The biggest opportunity here is that they're targeting business customers. So, if your company spends a ton of money on their telecom bills. They'll perform an audit for free... recommend a provider.... save your company money... and award miles in just about any frequent flier program. So, I'm earning a ton of miles... the only restriction is that they're obviously bound by the T's & C's of the particular airline program. I'm able to distribute miles to my wife's account and kids accounts. If you work for someone... as long as you have the authorization to sign the telecom contract you decide how to distribute the miles. You can also get permission from your boss (if he/she signs the contracts) to be the individual who benefits by receiving the miles. It's a pretty clever idea! Glad I got in early...

The first post says he "Found" a company;

His second post (post #3) says he works for the company -

sounds like SPAM to me.

yea what gives

Well you have to find the company before you can work for them. :)

Wow... just checked my email and saw the posts after I explained that they're legit... geez! If you read the post... you'll see I said working "with" them... not "for" them. Not sure why I even bothered to reply... just got under my skin, I guess. If you don't want to earn the miles... but would rather argue symantics -- I guess that's your right. I'm a customer/client... not an employee.

And, the OP's profile says his industry is telecomm.

I think people aren't sure that it's a legit website, especially since it's "beta" right now, and are very legitimately questioning this.

Perhaps there's contact phone numbers/owner names/numbers you can provide that those interested can verify?

Thanks, I sent my interest in but didn't put progams or telco co's names. we shall see.

You're right my profile says I'm in telecom... I posted a real profile rather something like beer drinker or Gator fan. I work at TransNational Communcations, Inc. www.tncii.com - I know these guys from college and also from working in the same industry. As far as the beta goes... I've been part of several betas in the past (most recently Paypal's Home page beta) Granted, Paypal is a much larger, well known company. But, being a former investment banker... I do firmly believe that it pays off to be part of something in the beginning. I'm truly sorry that my post caused any of this... I was merely trying to help FTers while at the same time help some old college friends... that's all. Have a good weekend. I'll be more than happy to answer and all questions. I was trying to contribute to FT b/c this site has always done right by me.

Here's the email addy to send questions to [email protected]

a few more details for you...
 

I completely understand people's right to question if the website/company is legit. To give you a little better explanation of my relationship with this company... I manage an indirect sales channel comprised of consultants, agents, etc. I deal solely with B2B. I'm just trying to be a positive contributor to FT. Cool? Typically, my customers bill anywhere from $10k - $500k per month. I don't sell direct... only through independent agents, consultants, etc. So, this is by no means a solicitation for business by me. I'm not asking anyone to contact me for any business. Also, the reason I've ordered services from www.telecomrewards.com before... is that sometimes deals are too small for me to handle. In turn, they refer some of the larger deals to me - if I can help them & their customer... everyone wins. They'll likely ask how you heard of them so feel free to say you saw a post on FT. FYI- They have a couple thousand customers in their existing base... this is simply another marketing/sales program by them.

I don't understand this trend of hostility from some FTers...it feels as if sometimes you are in communist Russia and are guilty until proven innocent (and even then, you aren't trusted...).

I remember a year or so ago I posted something about a bad stay in one of the hotels in the UK. I had no reason to lie about it...I wasn't asking for sympathy, but just wanted to share and see if anyone had any advice. While most people responded in a respectful manner, some guy questioned and re-questioned me on just about everything, more or less calling me a liar. Whatever. I just don't understand why people have to assume such a tone of negativity on here? Everyone is just trying to contribute and learn. If you have doubts, why not email the people who run the site/company? Why not do some research? Why do you start calling the OP out on this? He's not a 1st time poster...and if one must have 3,000 posts to have his/her posts trusted, then I think this speaks volumes about how jaded some people on here have become.

I, for one, wouldn't benefit from this service, but I think it's a cool offer and if somebody spends a ton of $$ on telecom, why not explore it? Hell...some people here dig through trash in convention centers for Coke caps. Emailing a site seems to be a lot less of an effort.

Dude... AMEN!

No good deed goes unpunished is what I always seem to say lately...

It might not be for everyone but they'll almost always save you money from what you're paying.... plus, you get the miles. Isn't that why most people come to this forum? At least, that's what I thought...

I did include a smiley :) and my comment was not meant to be hostile.

I think some of the concern is with identity theft, people are hesitant to give out personal information of any sort.

Well if ID theft is a concern, I would use other sources of checking the information, other than to trust an anonymous forum poster, regardless of how many posts he/she has.

I suggested he post information about the owners, etc., so others could call to verify, etc. I personally am not participating in this, as my telecomm bills are really small, so...

www.telecomrewards.com
 

Update: I spoke to the founders of www.telecomrewards.com today to explain that I submitted a post which seemed to cause quit a stir regarding their credibility. While they understand that people may have some apprehension b/c their current site is nothing more than a 'place holder'- they're willing to hold a web conference w/ Q & A session for 'qualified' participants. Once I've been given the details (Date & Time) - I'll post them here. In the meantime, please feel free to submit a request for information via their site. Please ask for an invitation to the web conference in the comments section of the form. Thanks!

Many people find credibility lacking when someone posts how they "found" a site, when they are actually affiliated with it. This is reason enough for me to not ever patronize the business.

Thanks for the positive contribution. I'm sure it's in everyone's best interests that you remain on the sidelines & sit this one out. I've been nothing short of honest, straight-forward & open to people's comments (positive or negative). This is simply an opportunity to earn miles for doing something that you're already doing today... utilizing telecom services. To each his own, I guess. Isn't it easier to be positive and open minded? I don't know about you but rarely have I had an opportunity to get involved at the beginning of something which totally interests me.

Its all good though.. no worries!

Nothing personal, jswitch, but I can see people having concerns. After reviewing the website, I have them. The .info domain is registered to "Alabama", but with bogus/incomplete data. The .com domain, with DomainsByProxy, so no information is available. There's no evidence of permission to use corporate logos of the various firms, especially logos of such horrible quality. I can't imagine the Qwest, Verizon, or AT&T approving that. There's no evidence that this 'entity' even exists, apart from these untracable domain names.

I'm not saying that they're not legit, only that they don't act as I'd like to expect a legitimate entity to act. And this isn't negativity, it's just reality. Things that anyone should at least consider before entering into any cooperational arrangement and handing over personal data.

If you're really close to them, I'd suggest you pass on that they put an ounce more work into the image side of things, and I don't mean making the Flash intro better.

I completely agree with you... on every single point you made. Great minds think alike, I guess. I happen to see the same thing when checking the domain as well. I told them that you can't blame people for questioning things... I think that I need to accept the blame here. Chad and Jeff , Telecom Rewards owners, never once asked me to submit a post to FT or anywhere else. So, I apologize for possibly jumping the gun. The site was meant to be a place holder at the domain. From what I was told they'll have everything up and ready to go within a week or so. I have no problem accepting responsibility for taking upon myself to help get the word out. All I can say is that the proof is in the pudding... so, we can sit back and wait for a few days while they get everything in order. I was also informed that the reason for the domain info is in its current state was that one of the owners registered it (personally) and they're transfering it to their parent company.

Thanks for the input!

the funniest thing about this thread is that it is more or less the same as a recent offer for a free starbucks card from a site supposedly affiliated with dell. amidst the multitude of "thanks!" replies, one could see a fervent desire to believe, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that the offer was legit.

Doubt all you want... it's legit. I just had lunch w/ Jeff from TR - wait and see.

Sounds like an interesting concept.

However, it appears limited to companies with high telecom expenditures, and not at all for individuals such as myself (and many other FTers) who take pride in having negotiated very low rates with our cell and home (if any) telecom cos. Am I missing something?

Hopefully this helps shed some light on some of the goals...


"Desired" Target Market:

Business customer interested in (Local, Long Distance, Data, Cell)

telecom services which are currently NOT under a contract (or the contract is going to expire soon)

average monthly usage (per service type) greater than $100

Telecom Rewards offers residential programs as well. Its safe to say if you're looking to spend very little but reap tons of miles... it's probably not a good fit for you. Miles will be rewarded based on the amount "actually" spent per month (per service type) There will be several methods of earning miles. For example, someone who signs a 2 year contract will definitely earn more miles per dollar spent than someone on a 1 yr contract.

Keep in mind... the goal is to reward customer loyalty.

Please, let me stress, don't disqualify yourself prior to investigating this opportunity. The official site will clearly define the program and product portfolio.

There are plans for a referral program, affiliate program, etc.

Who knows? Maybe your neighbor owns a business which spends a couple grand per month on Long Distance.... there's no reason why you shouldn't be rewarded for referring business. TR mission is to create a 'win win' for everyone that has a positive vibe & good intentions. The telecom industry has been plaqued with scammers from every angle. Consumers looking for the next 'loophole' in order to cheat/trick a carrier into rewarding them miles b/c they 'worked' the system. We all know how carriers rarely lived up to their end of the deal as well. Why do you think so few carriers award miles today?

I spoke at length today with Jeff, one of the founders of the project. I am convinced it is legit.

• The announcement that started this discussion is probably premature. The website was quite experimental, via a large search engine company. It was put up to see what it looks like, and to see if this underground miles network of ours would generate customers. The actually final website will have a different name and will be professionally put together to avoid all of the warning signs you folks have spotted. The current website was never intended to be openly advertised. The final website will provide the full name of the company and all contact information. I will be told when the final website is ready for prime time, and will post this info here if no one else does. Of course, it will also be on my website below at that time.
• The business is already a going concern with many big name accounts. If you were to contact Jeff with a potentially large enough account, he says he can provide you with 300 references of companies doing business with him. All of the names he mentioned were familiar to me. This miles venture is simply another experimental method of acquiring customers.
• The company does indeed seek miles savvy people who can deliver large accounts.
• Definitions of large: They will not consider dealing with accounts under $100/month. President's Club status would depend on the value of the relationship with the company. That value could be based on actually revenue billed, or on something like successfully referring one or more very large accounts controlled by or influenced by, say a neighbor or business colleague or employer of yours. The definition for qualifications for the President's Club is deliberately fuzzy, but substantial rewards are promised, but not defined up front. The rewards are apparently negotiable and will determined on an individual customer basis.
• Accounts that meet their minimums and reply now and answer the resulting questionnaire that will be provided will receive better miles awards than those who wait until the company goes prime time with this offer.
• Miles awarded will be based on actually billing. If signup bonus miles are offered, they will be awarded only after actual business justifies the award. The formulas for miles awards have not yet been determined.
• For customers who meet their minimums, the company can provide substantial savings over the prices offered by the large telecom companies. Yet the service would be actually provided by and billed to you directly from those large companies.
• Customer service will be provided by the company behind Telcom Rewards in addition to the customer service provided by telecom companies providing the service. Jeff says this means that you will have a big fish in a small pond on your side.
• Available services include traditional local and long distance land line service, cell phone service, internet access via DSL or T1 line, ad WAN/Frame Relay/LPLS.
• Business can be split between carriers.
• The company cannot help customers currently under long term contracts, except for services not covered by those contracts.

We don't all have doubts. Your absolutely right to take offense with some of these people who basically act as if you personally hacked into their computers and uploaded a virus when you even have the nerve to suggest something that might be helpful to them. Rest assured, we're not all like that - and I, for one, appreciate you passing along all the info. I think its a great concept and after seeing it out of its embryonic stage, I might jump in. And let me provide the response that so many ridiculously jaded FTers can't seem to crawl out from under their malaise to express - THANK YOU, jswitch!

Your first response said you "found" this site, making it seem that you had nothing to do with them.
It really sound like you are getting compensated, but that is just an opinion.

Telecom Rewards Advisory Board
 

Hello there...

My name is Jeff... I'm from Telecom Rewards. I thought it'd be a good idea to introduce myself to this forum. Hopefully, we'll be able to all benefit from our concept. I've already spoken with the advertising division of FT to purchase banner ad impressions. I hope the ad revenue somehow makes its way back to the FT site itself in the form of further developments & such... I'm honestly not too familiar with how that works... anyways, I wanted to keep this short... the reason for this post is to gauge the interest level of qualified FTer's participating on our advisory board. Please let me stress that this is slated for Q1'08 -- but felt it would be wise to see if this is something of interest. Obviously, there'll be many details to discuss towards year end. Our official site... and name will be at another domain. Once it's ready, I'll be sure to inform ya'll. Thanks!

I had typed a response... then thought of other FT members (instead of only myself)... no need to punish people by continuing this nonsense. Sorry to the rest of ya'll. My bad for letting this drag on... I'll make it up to ya with the millions I'll make should he decide to join. Best of luck to ya, mvoight... no hard feelings.

i actually was commenting on the doubters, not the program itself.