Fantasizing about the return of the Unlimited AirPass
Nov 1, 2020, 11:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 81
Fantasizing about the return of the Unlimited AirPass
Granted, this is purely in the land of hypothetical (and given their last experience, probably should stay there), but how cool would it be if AA issued an updated version of this pass given the need to generate revenue during the Covid crisis? How much would you pay for it? How much do you think they'd actually charge? Do you think there's any way to put enough conditions on it to be feasible?
Nov 1, 2020, 12:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,274
It was (based on the story above - based on age of the purchaser, which was 37) $250k in the late 80's. Inflation alone would put that close to $600k today. It also mentions they were sold for $3M in 2004, which would be about $4.2M today.
So, I think $5M or higher is the starting point today if it were to come back.
At $5M, if you are 40 and intend to fly until you are 80, that's 40 years. $125k/yr. If you figure 50 trips a year, that's $2500/trip.
At those rates, I am not sure there is such a value for it. If you fly international biz or first on it, then yes - if you fly domestic then probably not as most would be under $2500/trip.
So, I think $5M or higher is the starting point today if it were to come back.
At $5M, if you are 40 and intend to fly until you are 80, that's 40 years. $125k/yr. If you figure 50 trips a year, that's $2500/trip.
At those rates, I am not sure there is such a value for it. If you fly international biz or first on it, then yes - if you fly domestic then probably not as most would be under $2500/trip.
Nov 1, 2020, 1:24 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
There is someone out there that may decide to fly weekly from LAX to LHR.
That's 12,000 (non sale price) x 52 weeks x 20 years = 12.48 million.
I would not sell it for less than 13m if I was AA
That's 12,000 (non sale price) x 52 weeks x 20 years = 12.48 million.
I would not sell it for less than 13m if I was AA
Nov 1, 2020, 3:39 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
It was (based on the story above - based on age of the purchaser, which was 37) $250k in the late 80's. Inflation alone would put that close to $600k today. It also mentions they were sold for $3M in 2004, which would be about $4.2M today.
So, I think $5M or higher is the starting point today if it were to come back.
At $5M, if you are 40 and intend to fly until you are 80, that's 40 years. $125k/yr. If you figure 50 trips a year, that's $2500/trip.
At those rates, I am not sure there is such a value for it. If you fly international biz or first on it, then yes - if you fly domestic then probably not as most would be under $2500/trip.
So, I think $5M or higher is the starting point today if it were to come back.
At $5M, if you are 40 and intend to fly until you are 80, that's 40 years. $125k/yr. If you figure 50 trips a year, that's $2500/trip.
At those rates, I am not sure there is such a value for it. If you fly international biz or first on it, then yes - if you fly domestic then probably not as most would be under $2500/trip.
Nov 1, 2020, 4:36 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
What about the guy who was found guilty of violating airpass and AA cancelled his account?
Nov 1, 2020, 4:55 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 81
Nov 1, 2020, 4:59 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,273
I suspect it will never return as a lifetime pass. A yearly subscription, or something along those lines, seems possible.
Nov 1, 2020, 5:11 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
It's actually a pretty fascinating story. If you haven't seen it before: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...-golden-ticket
Nov 2, 2020, 12:00 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
It was (based on the story above - based on age of the purchaser, which was 37) $250k in the late 80's. Inflation alone would put that close to $600k today. It also mentions they were sold for $3M in 2004, which would be about $4.2M today.
So, I think $5M or higher is the starting point today if it were to come back.
At $5M, if you are 40 and intend to fly until you are 80, that's 40 years. $125k/yr. If you figure 50 trips a year, that's $2500/trip.
At those rates, I am not sure there is such a value for it. If you fly international biz or first on it, then yes - if you fly domestic then probably not as most would be under $2500/trip.
So, I think $5M or higher is the starting point today if it were to come back.
At $5M, if you are 40 and intend to fly until you are 80, that's 40 years. $125k/yr. If you figure 50 trips a year, that's $2500/trip.
At those rates, I am not sure there is such a value for it. If you fly international biz or first on it, then yes - if you fly domestic then probably not as most would be under $2500/trip.
