Daughter of man who had $250,000 lifetime American Airlines ticket reveals the shocking circumstances in which it was revoked
Published on Jan 23, 2026 at 3:42 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Jan 23, 2026 at 3:42 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
The daughter of a man who had the most amazing perk of a $250,000 lifetime American Airlines ticket has revealed the shocking circumstances in which it was revoked.
For Steven Rothstein, the ultra-rare American Airlines AAirpass worked like a cheat code for air travel, unlocking unlimited first-class flights for life.
His daughter, Caroline, says the ticket made up their entire family routine, from spontaneous trips to being known and loved by airline staff across the US.
Then, without warning, the airline revoked the pass in a moment that blindsided him at the airport.
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The $250,000 lifetime American Airlines ticket was a great perk
Steven bought the lifetime AAirpass in 1987, paying $250,000 for unlimited first-class flights on American Airlines planes for the rest of his life.
At the time, it was marketed as an exclusive offer aimed at frequent business travelers willing to make a massive upfront investment in American Airlines.
According to his daughter, Rothstein used the pass constantly.
Over the years, he logged tens of millions of miles through unlimited flights and became a familiar face on American Airlines planes flying across the US and internationally.
Flight crews knew him by name, and airports felt more like routine for business trips than special occasions.
Two years after the original purchase, Rothstein paid a whopping additional $150,000 for a companion option.
This upgrade allowed him to bring another passenger on every flight, which turned the pass into a family perk rather than just a personal treat.
Caroline says it meant that trips happened on a whim, with flying on planes woven into everyday life instead of being planned months in advance.
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The shocking circumstances in which his pass was revoked
Everything changed on December 13, 2008.
Caroline’s dad arrived at Chicago O’Hare International Airport for a scheduled flight to London, checked in as usual, and headed toward the gate.
Just before boarding, she says an airline representative handed him a letter informing him that his lifetime pass had been terminated, effective immediately.
His luggage still flew to London, and she says he was left behind with no clear explanation and no assistance in retrieving his bags.
American Airlines later claimed Rothstein violated the terms of the contract through what it described as ‘fraudulent usage’.
The airline pointed to speculative bookings he wouldn’t ever use and companion reservations allegedly made under fake playful and altered versions of his name.
Rothstein sued the airline in 2009, arguing that the company had broken its lifetime promise.
After years of legal battles, the courts ultimately sided with American Airlines, bringing an abrupt end to one of the most famous travel perks ever sold for Caroline’s dad, and in 2022, AAirpass ceased the sale of new memberships overall.
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As a Content Writer since January 2025, Daisy’s focus is on writing stories on topics spanning the entirety of the website. As well as writing about EVs, the history of cars, tech, and celebrities, Daisy is always the first to pitch the seed of an idea to the audience editor team, who collab with her to transform it into a fully informative and engaging story.
