Tom Stuker, United’s most frequent flyer, has just surpassed 24 million miles on United Airlines. This is an important milestone, though it will hardly slow down his gallivanting around the globe.
Tom Stuker, The Most Prolific Flyer In The History Of United Airlines, Reaches 24 Million Miles
On May 17, 2024, Stuker flew from Newark (EWR) to San Francisco (SFO), crossing over the 24 million-mile lifetime threshold on United Airlines.
Full disclosure, Tom and I are friends and I’ve written a very detailed post on his life, travels, and flight pass, and offered a rebuttal to the shameful hit piece by The Washington Post on his lifestyle. I’ve traveled with him several times, including to Cape Town and Hawaii.
> Read More: The Real Tom Stuker, United’s Most Frequent Flyer
So I approach his latest milestone with the perspective of one who knows Stuker well.
I notice that people continue to question why he does what he does…what would drive someone to fly so many miles each year on United when he does not even receive miles based upon distance flown any longer? (United awards miles based upon dollars spent, and Stuker travels on a pre-paid flight pass he bought in 1990)
Sure, the millions of frequent flyer miles earned over the decades were not just icing on the cake, but a valuable consideration of the package, but Stuker never flew just for the miles. And yes, his business required frequent travel to Australia, hence the reason he bought the pass in the first place, but there’s something even more going on: he loves to fly.
And that is something I can relate to. Some of my favorite people in the world seem to have lost their love of flying, viewing it as a tedious duty rather than something that wows and amazes each time, as it once did. Some people keep to themselves when they fly and do not want to talk to flight attendants, seatmates, or anyone else…and I get that. I have those days too.
Stuker is not like that, though. He’s charming and humorous and derives great pleasure from the sort of small talk with the ground staff and flight attendants who serve him or the seatmates he flies around. He likes the food United serves (I guess I do too, if I’m being honest) and enjoys the familiar rhythms of travel…the airport is his home away from home and I can surely relate to that.
His travel pass also drives family travel, even if he has to pay for additional tickets…he has been with his family to some amazing places around the world that were always possible, but that the pass made easier. And his family loves him…I know that because I’ve heard him talk to his wife and children.
As I’ve said before, I think this “habit” of flying certainly beats other addictions like sports, which I view as a total waste of time.
CONCLUSION
Congrats to Tom Stuker for hitting 24 million miles on United! Next stop: 25 million!
I don’t think United Airlines would ever sell a pass again and even if it did, I am not sure I would buy one (though I’d certainly strongly consider it). But at this point, I think it’s fair to say that Stuker made a very wise choice in 1990…
image: ua1flyer / Instagram
So he puts an anti-covid mask on the right side of his airplane control column . He suspects the right side of the control column was in China . That’s taking the covid fiasco too far .
I heard United took his pass away and circulated a memo to all agents that he’s not a VIP anymore, partly because of that WaPo article.
That’s not the case – I’m curious where you heard/read that.
Just the rumor mill. Glad to hear it’s not true since I thought it was unfair.
United has always any continues to treat me like a VIP. Love my United family!
Matthew – clear your FT PM’s…..
I read the same thing here from someone claiming to have personally discussed it with Tom : https://www.reddit.com/r/unitedairlines/comments/14h8ie7/comment/kv8c1rf/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
United constantly features Tom in social media and he certainly is treated as a VVIP
self indulgent loser is what this guy is…riding around with a vest with his name and miles on it. As annoying as the guy talking loudly in the lounge you complained about the other day.
Don’t judge a man by his vest. He’s a great guy.
I agree, Matthew. I met him only once in UA Global First on a SFO-SYD flight… what a very sincere/nice guy!! Congrats, Tom!!
I have never met the guy. I think his story should make all of us reflect about the way we live our lives in a variety of ways, but as for wearing the vest with his name and miles on it, I think I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on that…
The guy probably gets asked several times per flight “hey are you Tom Stuker?”, and “how man miles are you up to now?”– at some point it just makes sense to put it right out there for everyone, and give up the even more annoying routine of pretending like he’s not who he is.
Similarly, it is actually probably very helpful for the United employees. The reality of his situation is that he gets treated differently from other passengers, and he is actually supposed to be treated differently. So, if he doesn’t identify himself clearly and unequivocally to the rank-and-file employees as someone who the bosses think should be treated differently, then he’s basically setting a trap for the regular employee and setting them up for failure, which isn’t a nice thing to do.
On the other hand, maybe he is just self-absorbed. I went for a walk at the beach early in the morning once on vacation, and came to a coffee shop in a small village. I got a coffee and sat down and thought “Is that Ted Koppel drinking a coffee at the next table?” Then I noticed that he was wearing a sweater that said “Ted Koppel, Nightline” on it– in Florida, in August. Some people are just like that.
Envious, aren’t you? Why not just be happy for the man?
So we’re supposed to celebrate this mindless conspicuous consumption
while the planet burns from climate change?
This man is not a hero.
The fact this exists means the human race is doomed…..
Relax pal, the only thing harmed by Tom Stuker’s near constant flying is his own health, what with spending hours in a sedentary position and subsisting on a steady diet of United spare ribs and beef filets.
Do you understand the miniscule relative carbon footprint of aviation?
2.5% – 4%
I suppose we could debate whether or not that is miniscule.
At an average of 500mph, that’s 5.5 years in airplanes. On United. Ouch.
This whole situation just reekes of unfairness. He says United always treats him like a VIP even though he is not paying for tickets. He has an unlimited lifetime pass for free air travel. I am shocked they didn’t just cancel the pass and make it invalid. United has cancelled many of their Million Miler benefits and that was backed up in civil court that it was perfectly legal and fine to cancel the benefits. I personally have over 1.8 million miles on United and had to pay for almost all of the tickets. United definitely doesn’t treat me like a VIP. Can you image how much it costs to acquire 1.8 million miles. Even if it was all in coach but many times, I flew Business. Maybe if I become an elite 2 million miler, they will start treating me like a VIP
1) He has lifetime GS status anyway.
2) They can’t cancel the pass. They made a deal with him and have to honor it.
3) The only MM benefit that was removed is LT RCC. MM benefits were added in LT Plat, 1K and GS.
4) You really think they want to lose such good press?
They made lifetime deals with the MMs and they diluted/cancelled the deal. Well they get plenty of bad press almost daily.
I was unfamiliar with the wapo hoopla, and a little surprised, so I went back to read it.
Next time, all you need to say is Rick Reilly. arguably the Tom Stuker of douchy sportswriters. If there’s someone that I can’t believe is still hanging around, it’s Rick Reilly.
Now as far as sports being a waste of time – not so sure about that.
Signed, a former sports illustrated employee
I just read the Washington Post article that you linked. I’m sure the editors there are thanking you for the clicks. That aside, I don’t get why you call it shameful and a hit piece. Was anything inaccurate? I thought it was interesting and a fun read. Sure didn’t make me dislike the guy.
The WaPo piece you read has been revised. The principal was far less flattering.
Suppose he has only been to Australia 110 times and not 300. I’m skeptical. The story doesn’t add up. Somethings seem a bit off but It doesn’t matter . Undisputed world’s most frequent flyer.
Often overlooked is that he bought the pass in 1990 for inflation adjusted $1.2million
Curious as how that was possible without a silver spoon?
How many 20/30-somethings have made that kind of money themselves
I had gotten word that Flyertalk late last year or earlier this year was looking to suspend this 24M+ United mega-flyer’s Flyertalk account and/or his relative’s account because some on the site thought the 24M+ flyer was using a duplicate FT account. But instead of pursuing the matter, the former CT Community Director reportedly stepped in and said something like he is one of the site’s few celebrity members and thus the Admin/CD/moderators should walk carefully and not alienate him.