In 1984 I flew across the Atlantic about 10 times. The first of those flights was in February of that year and I specifically remember NOT joining Pan Am because of the "fee" involved.

In 1986 about the time they sold their routes, they revamped their FF programme and dropped the fee. I know I never paid a fee, and believe it or not I still have my FF card from that time and it expired in early 1997 (no, I do not save all my expired cards, but that one surfaced a few years ago, and I didn't toss it due to the curiosity value).

That being said, I do remember that I took a trip to Rome in March/April 1986 and was still not a member. I do know that I later managed to get retroactive credit, therefore I would surmise that they changed the programme in mid 1986.

Prior to taht date it had a very genric name like the FF Progrram, while later it became Worldpass.

Also, at that time Pan Am was BARELY a domestic airline.