If you’re a travel geek, you’ve probably heard of United’s MillionMiler program. Part of the airline’s MileagePlus program, it rewards members for extraordinary, long-term loyalty to United Airlines. The MillionMiler program grants lifetime Premier status to all qualifying members, even if they fly less in the future. Lifetime miles are earned based on the flight distance of eligible United- and United Express^®-operated flight, and through the program, members can earn lifetime Gold, Platinum, 1K, or Global Services status.

United’s website goes through the four levels of lifetime Premier status, which, of course, increase with each level, up to four million.

Tom Stuker, a car dealership consultant from New Jersey, beats 4 million miles. Big time. In fact, so far, he’s flown on United for twenty three million miles. He’s flown, not only more miles than any United MillionMiler, but that of any other airline’s “Million Mile” program. In fact, he’s the most frequent flyer in the world.

Not long ago, we wrote a piece about the different U.S. airlines that had offered lifetime passes at one time or another. A couple of readers reminded us that we had neglected to mention United’s now-defunct lifetime pass, as well. Stuker bought one of those passes in 1990, for $290,000 (that’s about $682,562 in today’s money). And, unlike American Airlines, who have done their best to cut out the flyers who bought THEIR pass, United has been allowing Stuker to take advantage of his purchase ever since.

Two Articles

The Washington Post wrote about Stuker not long ago – not just once, but twice! The first article, from June 23, was an “Opinion” piece written by Rick Reilly. I won’t rehash the whole thing, but I will go into the travel secrets he mentioned to them during their interview because they were kind of fun and interesting.

“Best investment of my life”

This one wasn’t really a secret as much as something you can take to heart.

Stuker readily admits that getting this pass was one of the best things he ever bought. It’s helped him travel the world countless amounts of times, of course. But since you can use the frequent flyer miles you earn for more than just flights, the miles he’s traveled have also earned him fancy shmancy hotel suites, cruises, gift cards that he used to redo his brother’s house, and even earned him a guest spot on a “Seinfeld” episode (it’s (it’s the one where George’s fiancée dies from licking envelopes. Stuker can be seen in the diner.).

Of course, no airline offers lifetime passes like that anymore; they haven’t for decades. They realized that although those passes were a great “make cash quick” thing, with people like Tom Stuker around 30+ years later, they were also a long-term money loss.

Granted, Stuker’s experience of 23 million miles (and counting!) shows the extreme. But it also goes to show you how sometimes paying more money for something “really good” can be a money saving boon in the long term. So maybe splurge on that Romowa or Briggs and Riley checked bag, that they’ll repair for life, instead of another $150 bag from Walmart that will need to be replaced in 2 years.

“Lie to the first flight attendant you meet inside the door”

Stuker told WaPo:

She’s the head attendant. I always say, ‘I remember you! You gave us such great service last time. I wanted to thank you again.’ Even if I’ve never met her. I guarantee she’ll bring you all kinds of free stuff.

If that doesn’t sounds like the advice from a shmoozer who gives advice on selling cars, I don’t know what does ;-). But he’s definitely got a point. Flight attendants see literally hundreds of people every day. Unless you fly the same route over and over, or happen to be memorable for some other reason (case in point: I’m 4’6″; people tend to remember me), chances are excellent they’re not going to remember if they actually served you or not. So why not make them think they did and that you really liked them?

The same could be said about any person you come in contact with. The person at the doughnut shop who might throw an extra doughnut into the bag. The tire salesperson who might shave a little off the price. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, so yeah, you never know.

“Never check a bag”

Never, ever, ever. Stuker also suggests to underpack. “Every town has laundromats. And stores,” he said.

For the most part, he’s right. But I think it depends on you and your trip.

As I mentioned previously, I’m 4’6″ tall. So the height of a 9- or 10-year-old, but with the curves of a woman. So with the exception of shoes, socks, shorts and undergarments, I generally can’t buy clothes and wear them off the rack. With very rare exception, I always have to get them altered. But that’s me and I realize my situation is pretty rare. Most people CAN go shopping while they’re traveling. Well, that’s IF they want to spend some of their traveling time shopping. Or doing laundry (granted, some people can be in the position to pay a laundromat to wash their stuff; we’ve done that on occasion if we didn’t want to spend the time, but were willing to spend the money). But yes, it’s a possibility.

“Don’t use your cell phone without headphones”

Whenever somebody takes a long business call on speaker, I always say, ‘Hey, next time you’re going to have all of us to your business meeting, bring doughnuts.’

It’s to stop people from hating you, LOL!

I don’t understand why some people have whole conversations on speakerphone when in public, but there ya go; United’s only 23,000,000 miler says to keep your private conversations private, LOL!

Again, Stuker’s interview with the Washington Post was kind of fun and interesting, if you want to take a look at it. The WaPo article might be pay-to-play though, so you can also check out Simple Flyer’s interview with Stuker, from a few months ago. He’s got some flying advice in that one, too.

The follow-up interview

On July 11th, Washington Post wrote a follow-up to their original post. Apparently Reilly’s original column “stirred strong reader interest” in the man who has “flown more miles than any human.” So this time around the WaPo Staff asked Stuker some of the questions their readers had for him. They went something like this (well, the questions went exactly like this. We’re paraphrasing Stuker’s responses):

What’s the biggest mistake you see travelers make over and over, and what do you recommend they do instead?

Stuker says: “Always have a Plan B”

Well heck, we’ve been telling people that for years:

• Always have these Plan Bs ready when you travel
• What to do when you might miss your connecting flight
• 12 simple things you should do before going on a plane

What is your favorite carry-on luggage? Do you have any packing tips?

Personally, I’m a fan of the lightest carry-on bag in the world. But Stuker likes his Tumi spinner.  He also suggests packing light so all you need is a carry-on (this woman has it down to a science), and doing laundry at a local laundromat, if needed.

What comfort aids do you use?

Stuker says he focuses more on his fully charged electronics than a particular pillow or blanket. As long as he can play relaxing music, he’s good.

My husband and I always buy one-way tickets only (added flexibility). How long before our return flight is the best time to book?

Stuker recommends buying your return ticket ASAP so you can get the best seats and prices.

By the way…

As an aside, Matthew from Live and Let’s Fly posted about the original June 23rd WaPo article not long after it was originally posted. Matthew says he knows Tom Stuker personally and he (Matthew) took objection to some of the things the WaPo reporter, Rick Reilly, wrote.

As an example, Matthew suggested the travel tips, some of which were covered above, didn’t come directly from Tom Stuker; he said WaPo “took some liberties in concocting” them. Although I’ve met Matthew, I’ll admit I’ve never met Mr. Stuker, so I can’t give an opinion either way about what advice he would or wouldn’t give. Then again, I’m friends and acquaintances with a handful of reporters from both local and national newspapers. I’m well aware that unless you write for the likes of the Weekly World News and cover stories about Sasquatch, there’s only so far a columnist will go for sensationalism, click bait, etc.

That being said, the travel tips above can still go a long way to make travel (and life) a little easier, whether they, in fact, came from Mr. Stuker’s lips or not.

I guess it’s possible WaPo saw Matthew’s thoughts about the June 23rd article and that’s what started the July 11th one. Either way, all good advice.

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