Complaint Review: My free Travel grocery rebate visa card

I signed up for a new satellite TV service at the end of July because the salesperson was so excited about this program. He told me that it was free, easy and since I shopped at one of the stores included in the program anyway, it was going to be like getting an additional discount on my satellite service.

I got my registration forms and found out that I had to pay 9.95 by check and had to include a copy of my drivers license in order to sign up. I then saw out that only food items qualified for the rebate. I decided since I generally spend that much on just food, that I would sign up. My first rebate form didnt start until September 2009.

I mailed in the required forms and my check. I kept my receipts, kept track on a spreadsheet what I had spent and when I hit $100, I mailed in the original receipts per the instructions. I did photocopy them so that I had a record of what I had sent them.

I waited and waited for the visa card to show up. I didnt ever get one. I did get one email stating that I didnt send them a copy of my drivers license and so my 9.99 sign up fee would be paid on my last visa card, in 2 years, IF I continued to meet all other requirements.

I did same thing again in October. Still no visa card came. I did the same thing again in November. Still no visa card came.

I found that I could check on their website for a status of my rebates. The website showed that As my receipts did not total $100, my September rebate was invalid. The next status showed that my October receipts didnt total $100 so I was disqualified from the program.

I emailed Customer Service and received the following email: Due to the unprecedented volume of emails that we have received from this rebate program, we have been unable to keep up with responding to all inquiries within a reasonable time. We ask that you contact our customer service department directly by telephone at 815-741-3900 and we will be happy to assist you. The customer service department may be reached Monday through Friday from 9am -5pm CST. Please understand that Mondays are our heaviest call volume day and your hold time might be longer than expected. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Rebate Customer Service

I called the Customer Service number and spoke to one of the customer service rep (name withheld) on 12/7. I explained that I had proof that I had spent $100 on just grocery items. He said he would request that my receipts to be pulled & reviewed. I would be contacted and the website would be updated on that Thursday, Friday at the latest.

I called them again a week later. I spoke to a different rep (name withheld) and was told that my receipts were still being reviewed. I called a week ago and spoke to a 3rd rep (name withheld) and was told that the reviewer would need one more week to review my receipts and that if she didnt call me to call them back today, 12/18.

Today I went online to check the status on the website and got this message Sorry - Site Under Construction. Please try back later.

So I tried to call their customer service number and heard: "Thank you for calling My Free Travel. We are currently closed for the holidays, and we look forward to speaking with you very soon."

I then checked out other sites and found on the BBB site that: My Free Travel has informed the BBB that as of December 17, 2009 it has laid off its entire staff and has ceased operations. Consumers with complaints against this company should contact the IL Attorney General's office by calling the Chicago Consumer Fraud office.

I did just that. They are sending me a complaint form to complete. If you are storing up your receipts, you might as well toss them. The company is long gone with all of our money. So long to our $600 in rebates as well. I did call the company that signed me up for my satellite service and let them know that they really should stop promoting this company.