In 1987, American Airlines sold a lifetime unlimited first-class pass for $250,000. Steven Rothstein bought one.
He flew over 10,000 flights. Breakfast in London, dinner in Tokyo. He even booked a fake passenger named "Bag Rothstein" to keep the adjacent seat empty.
American Airlines estimates he cost them over $21 million before they revoked his pass — and handed him the termination letter at the gate.