A US man who bought a lifetime membership with United Airlines three decades ago has "lived like a sultan" ever since, according to a report, flying no less than 23 million miles with far beyond what the Apollo 11 space shuttle flew over.
Tom Stuker of New Jersey paid $290.000 for the membership in 1990, according to the Washington Post, a decision he said was "the best investment of my life."
In the 33 years since then, Stuker, 69, has flown more than 23 million miles (37 million km) and visited more than 100 countries. In 2019 alone, Stuker managed to fly 1.46 million miles, making 373 flights. If he had paid, all his flights in 2019 would have cost $2.44 million.
A big plus, though, is the miles Stuker has racked up along the way. In 2009, Stuker passed the 5 million mile mark, according to Simple Flying, and in 2019 it passed the 10 million mile mark – we're talking loyalty program miles.
"Stuker lived like a sultan on United miles — luxury hotel suites around the world, week-long Crystal cruises, gourmet meals from Perth to Paris," said the Post report, written by noted American sportswriter Rick Reilly.