A man who spent $290,000 on an unlimited flight pass has taken advantage of the deal by traveling millions of miles over the years.
A $290,000 investment that changed everything
In 1990, United Airlines offered a rare opportunity. The airline introduced a lifetime flight pass, allowing unlimited travel for a one-time payment. The price? $290,000.
New Jersey car dealership consultant Tom Stuker saw the value in the deal. He bought the pass, not knowing just how much he would use it.
Over three decades later, his decision has proven to be one of the best investments of his life.
Stuker has spent the past 35 years flying around the world. He has taken over 300 trips to Australia and gone on 120 honeymoons with his wife. His total miles flown? More than 24 million.
He once went 12 days straight without sleeping in a bed, flying from Newark to San Francisco, then to Bangkok, Dubai, and back—completing four trips around the world.
The only times he left the skies were to visit United airport lounges, according to reports.
“If I spend more than a week in one place, I’m like, ‘I gotta get back in the air.’ I’m more afraid to be on the ground than in the air,” he told *The Post* in 2019.
With his unlimited United pass, Stuker has traveled to over 100 countries and even shared the experience with his wife, taking her on more than 120 “honeymoons.”
For perspective, the distance between Earth and the Moon is about 238,855 miles. That means Stuker has traveled the equivalent of over 100 round trips to the Moon.
Why he bought the unlimited flight pass
Stuker, a New Jersey car dealership consultant, needed to travel frequently for business.
His work often took him to Australia, making the pass a practical choice. However, beyond business, he simply loved to fly.
The investment allowed him to embrace his passion for travel without limits.
On May 17, 2024, Stuker reached 24 million miles on a United Airlines flight from Newark to San Francisco. Reflecting on his journey, he called the lifetime pass the “best investment of my life.”
Although United Airlines no longer sells the pass, Stuker has undoubtedly made the most of his purchase.
However, some critics question the environmental impact of his extensive travel. In a 2020 interview with GQ, Stuker responded to these concerns.
In the interview, he said: “I’m not adding to the footprint. The plane is going to fly whether I’m on it or not. It would be much more relevant if I was flying in a private jet. Those are the people who can help the environment much more than I can if they flew commercial.”
A once-in-a-lifetime deal
United Airlines eventually discontinued the lifetime pass. However, for Stuker, it was a life-changing opportunity.
He has traveled farther than most people ever will, proving that sometimes, a bold investment can truly pay off.