If I bought an AAirPass, I would have to make a difficult decision. Fly non-stop and pay or fly on AA with a connection but it would be "free" (no cost other than the initial very expensive AAirPass).
I wonder if it would be worthwhile if one took, over a space of 50 years, 20 domestic trips per year that were necessary and 20 unnecessary trips, 5 of them international? $250,000 would be $700,000 in 2019 dollars????? That would be 1000 necessary trips ($700 round trip value) or 2000 necessary and unnecessary trips ($350 round trip). Going to Europe for $350 round trip in First Class is sweet. At least before, you'd get miles so that's worth something more. Conclusion: barely worth it for moderate use, worth it for heavy use.
The value would be greater if one lived near ORD or DFW because of the many flights. Not as useful if one lived near ATL because a connection would often be needed. Not bad if one lived near LAX, PHX, CLT, PHL, JFK or a city where no airline had a hub or focus city.