61: AAirpass: American Airlines’ Best Worst Idea

61: AAirpass: American Airlines’ Best Worst Idea

In 1981, American Airlines offered an incredible deal. For just $250k, people could purchase a lifetime pass that entitled them to unlimited first class travel, anywhere the airline flew, for the rest of their lives. People could also purchase a companion pass that would allow anyone to fly with them.

They called it the AAirpass. It didn’t take long for the airline to discover that they’d priced the AAirpass too low. Way too low.

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from:
“The frequent fliers who flew too much,” by Ken Bensinger for the Los Angeles Times
“My father had a lifelong ticket to fly anywhere. Then they took it away,” by Caroline Rothstein for Narratively
“The rise and demise of the AAirpass, American Airlines’ $250k lifetime ticket,” by Zachary Crockett for thehustle.co
“‘Free’quent flier has wings clipped after American Airlines takes away his unlimited pass,” by Kate Briquelet, for the New York Post
“Extreme frequent fliers sue American Airlines over loss of unlimited lifetime ticket,” by Erin McLaughlin for ABC News

Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.

Avsnitt(96)

56: JC Penney Loses *Almost* Everything (Part 4)

56: JC Penney Loses *Almost* Everything (Part 4)

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55: JC Penney Becomes Rich *and* Cool (Part 3)

55: JC Penney Becomes Rich *and* Cool (Part 3)

James Cash Penney had an ambitious dream. He wanted to own 50 Golden Rule stores. Over the course of just a few years, he achieved that dream and then some. But tough lessons in his personal life taug...

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54: JC Penney Was a Hustler! (Part 2)

54: JC Penney Was a Hustler! (Part 2)

Say what you will about James Cash Penney Jr. Just don’t say he didn’t work his booty off. After he left his hometown, James tried desperately to succeed as a businessman. He found work as a sales per...

14 Maj 20251h 37min

53: Is JCPenney the Best Department Store? (Part 1)

53: Is JCPenney the Best Department Store? (Part 1)

Normie C starts this series with a bold claim: That JCPenney is the best department store ever. This raises a lot of questions. Questions like… Really? Has Norm been to other department stores? Also, ...

7 Maj 20251h 22min

52: The Creator of Mother's Day Tried to Destroy it

52: The Creator of Mother's Day Tried to Destroy it

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30 Apr 20251h 34min

51: America Can’t Figure Out Daylight Saving Time (Part 2)

51: America Can’t Figure Out Daylight Saving Time (Part 2)

In his final episode on Daylight Saving Time, Norm tells us that America has flip flopped on Daylight Saving Time for decades. We love it! We hate it! We implement it; we rescind it. Will the battle e...

23 Apr 20251h 35min

50: Hello, Sunshine: Why We Have Daylight Saving Time (Part 1)

50: Hello, Sunshine: Why We Have Daylight Saving Time (Part 1)

“OMG, the sun is up! Shouldn’t you be awake, doing productive things?” … that’s essentially what Benjamin Franklin shouted when he advocated to change the hours of human activity to take advantage of ...

16 Apr 20251h 23min

49: Cleveland’s Chaotic 10-Cent Beer Night

49: Cleveland’s Chaotic 10-Cent Beer Night

In the summer of 1974, the Cleveland Indians had a big problem. Hardly anyone showed up for their games. It was embarrassing! So, the team’s management brainstormed ways to get butts in seats. Ultimat...

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