The most famous case of a US airline cancelling an unlimited ticket involved American Airlines and the AAirpass program.
- The Case: In 1987, Steve Rothstein purchased a lifetime unlimited first-class AAirpass for $250,000, later adding a companion pass for $150,000.
- The Usage: Over 20 years, Rothstein took over 10,000 flights, racking up over 30 million miles and costing the airline more than $21 million. He frequently booked seats for strangers or used the companion pass for empty seats to create more space, often booking under the name "Bag Rothstein".
- The Cancellation: American Airlines cancelled his pass in 2008, accusing him of fraud and misuse (e.g., booking flights with no intention of flying).
- The Lawsuit: Rothstein sued the airline for breach of contract, but in 2011, a court ruled against him, upholding the airline's right to terminate the contract.
- Program Status: American Airlines stopped selling the unlimited version in 1994, replaced it with a traditional AirPass, and ultimately sunsetted the entire AirPass program by March 31, 2024.
Other Similar Cases:
- United Airlines: Tom Stuker, who purchased a similar United lifetime pass in 1990 for roughly $290,000, has flown over 20 million miles, but his pass was not cancelled.
