Man reacted years later after having £190,000 lifetime first-class plane ticket cancelled by airline
A man who had his £190,000 lifelong, first-class plane ticket cancelled spoke out about it years later.
Steven Rothstein, a stockbroker from the US, was able to travel first class during every trip, after he purchased an AAirpass with American Airlines back in 1987 for $250,000 (£190,000).
He also paid another $150,000 (£115,000) for a companion pass which would allow him to travel with a guest, too.
According to the Los Angeles Times, in July 2004, Rothstein flew 18 times to destinations including Nova Scotia, New York, Miami, London, Los Angeles, Maine, Denver and Fort Lauderdale.
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However, his luxury lifestyle - which spanned across 20 years - came to a halt when American Airlines cancelled his ticket.
What was the AAirpass?
The pass was launched in 1981, beginning as a membership-based discount programme for frequent flyers of the airline.
It initially allowed those lucky enough to get their hands on one unlimited first-class travel on any of the airline's flights across the globe.
Why did American Airlines cancel Steven Rothstein's pass?
The airline claims that Rothstein had made 'speculative bookings' for passengers who didn't exist, under fake names, including 'Bag Rothstein' and 'Steven Rothstein Jr'.
It said the bookings came under the 'fraudulent usage' clause, which stated: "If American determines that an AAirpass has been fraudulently used, American reserves the right to revoke the AAirpass and all privileges associated with it. Holder will thereupon forfeit all rights to the AAirpass, without refund, and will return the AAirpass card and this Agreement shall terminate."
What has Rothstein said about the cancellation?
Rothstein always maintained that he never broke any rules, and actually spoke about what happened in 2019.
The American said he had only been given one rule when he bought the ticket 20 years prior - he couldn't let anybody else use the pass.
He told the Guardian: "When I bought the AAirpass, in no uncertain terms, they told me that there was only one rule: I couldn’t give anybody the AAirpass.
"And those were the days before they took identification from passengers.
"... I’m still angry. And they did it maliciously. If there had been a problem, the proper thing to do would have been to telephone me and tell me they’d like me to change the way I used the AAirpass."
Addressing the 'speculative bookings'
Rothstein - who was struggling with depression at the time - later explained: "I would book a seat for Dan or Laurie just imagining that they might come. I was making reservations and didn’t know whether I was even going. Here is why. I was up and [alone] in my home office and bored. So I would call the 800 number for the AAirpass desk and talk to the agent about the news or the weather or about Paris or little London.
"Then, after an hour of nothing they had to hang up. So I would make a reservation and ask them to fax it to me. Then the next day I would take the fax and cancel the reservation. I needed someone to talk to at midnight. The 800 number was open.
"... I never booked my own reservation on a computer. I never knew how to do this. So every single one of the reservations they didn’t like was booked and/or changed by an American employee. Again. I didn’t know how to use a computer. I still have never ever ever booked any reservation online. I always use the phone.
"So their own agents never stopped me from anything. And I didn’t understand what American was asking me to do or not to do because my mind was torn apart from depression. Real depression."
Legal action
In March 2009, Rothstein sued American Airlines, claiming $7 million in damages, but both sides eventually settled outside of court.
It wasn't just Rothstein who was investigated by American Airlines.
Rothstein was one of a number of AAirpass holders whose tickets were revoked for fraudulent activity, with Jacques E. Vroom Jr. also having his taken away.
American Airlines told the Guardian: "We are pleased to continue to provide AirPass benefits to eligible cardholders when enjoyed in conjunction with the appropriate program conditions."
LADbible has reached out to American Airlines for comment.
Topics: Travel, World News, US News, Money
Lucy Devine