- In 1990, Tom Stuker purchased a lifetime pass for United Airlines. Since then he has flown 23 million miles.
- Mr. Stuker has redeemed countless miles and once went 12 days without a bed.
- Stuker told The Washington Post that the pass was “the best investment of my life.”
Tom Stuker is not your typical frequent flyer.
Many travelers nostalgically reminisce about stays at luxury resorts and the first-class seats they were able to book with tons of airline miles.
Stuker — a car dealership consultant from New Jersey — has flown 23 million miles. According to the Washington Posthas more miles than any individual in history.
In 1990, United advertised a lifetime pass for $290,000, and Mr. Stuker quickly accepted the offer.
Thirty-three years later, Mr. Stuker often enjoys his favorite perch in Seat 1B.
According to The Washington Post, Mr. Stuker at one point flew from Newark to San Francisco to Bangkok and Dubai, spending time outside in friendly skies only while visiting airport lounges and staying in continuous motion without touching his bed. Spent 12 days.
Mr. Stuker, now 69, told the newspaper that his frequent trips were driven by accumulation of airline miles.
“It’s the best investment of my life,” he said.
Mr. Stuker said he knew early on that frequent flyer miles weren’t just a way to get more flights. He also ended up selling and exchanging miles with others.
He once told the Post that he used miles to get so many gift cards that he was able to renovate his brother’s house.
(United Airlines currently does not offer such passes on its flyers, according to the paper.)
Years ago, he bid 451,000 miles to guest star on an episode of NBC’s “Seinfeld,” even winning an auction.
Mr. Stuker told the Post that he has visited 100 countries and has honeymooned more than 120 times with his wife.
United then took in Mr. Stuker and asked him to help create the menu for the Polaris Club. And, according to the Post, the airline has a Mercedes on the airport’s tarmac in case Stuker needs a quick connection.
United’s 800 representatives also confirmed Stuker.
While that level of service seems almost mythical, Stuker still reaps the benefits of the 1990s pass that truly put the world within reach.