Loading Page...

Who is the guy with unlimited flights on United?

Tom Stuker bought a lifetime pass from United Airlines for $500,000 back in 1990. Now he has accrued over 23 million miles flying around the world with a companion pass.



The "guy with unlimited flights" is Tom Stuker, a New Jersey-based car dealership consultant who is widely recognized as the world's most frequent flyer. In 1990, Stuker made what he calls the "best investment of his life" by purchasing a lifetime unlimited pass from United Airlines for $290,000. As of early 2026, he has flown over 24 million miles and taken more than 12,000 flights—all in first class. To put that into perspective, 24 million miles is equivalent to over 50 round trips to the Moon. United, which hasn't sold the "unlimited" pass in decades, has embraced Stuker as a celebrity; they have put his name on two of their planes and even let him help design the menu for their premium Polaris clubs. He once went 12 straight days without sleeping in a bed, simply jetting between continents because he could. For a high-value peer detail: Stuker has used his accumulated miles to buy enough gift cards to renovate his brother's house and take over 120 "honeymoons" with his wife, proving that the $290k he spent in 1990 was worth millions in today's travel currency.

People Also Ask

Program. The program (now re-branded as AirPass) initially enabled passholders unlimited first class travel on any of the airline's flights worldwide. Lifetime membership was priced at $250,000, with the option to purchase a companion pass for an additional $150,000.

MORE DETAILS

Club and lounge access
  1. Premium cabin customers. All eligible premium cabin customers must be traveling on an international footnote1 itinerary or in United Business® on a premium transcontinental flight. ...
  2. Star Alliance Gold status. ...
  3. United Club membership and one-time pass. ...
  4. Other.


MORE DETAILS

Frequent United flyers can earn MileagePlus Gold status after reaching 1 million lifetime miles. Once earned, they'll get to keep Gold status for life, which is pretty cool.

MORE DETAILS

Once you've flown a million miles with United, you'll earn permanent elite status. At a million miles, you'll get Premier Gold for life. At two million miles, you'll receive Premier Platinum status for life. At three million miles, you'll get Premier 1K for life.

MORE DETAILS

THE ANSWER No, there isn't an air marshal on every flight in the United States.

MORE DETAILS

In our airport guides, we include lounges that economy-class travellers can access by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or joining a lounge membership program.

MORE DETAILS

No, it is not true that cabin crew and pilots get free air tickets for themselves and families. While they may receive discounts on flights or other benefits from their employer, these are usually limited to certain routes or times of year.

MORE DETAILS

Free Flights
As well as ID90 travel, some airlines offer their pilots a number of 'confirmed tickets' for free every year. This will usually guarantee a seat on the aircraft and would usually be for a seat in First or Business Class.

MORE DETAILS

Family members may fly free when space is available or at discounted rates. Flying stand-by is a common benefit, but it can be challenging when there is a group. Some airlines provide “buddy passes” to pilots to share with friends and families.

MORE DETAILS