One year unlimited flying...

I've been reading this thread on airliners.net forum about United Airlines having regular service to all 50 states back in the 80's and I came across a post that said this


Quoting EXAAUADL (Reply 4):
There was a UA contest back then that awarded some prize to the first traveller who travelled UA to all fifty states.

The prize was 1 year of unlimited air travel on UA, in F.

It was awarded to any Mileage Plus member who fliew UA in/out of airports in all 50 states in 50 days. The contest was "50 states in 50 days". 77 passengers were able to do this.

Quoting EXAAUADL (Reply 4):
Some people began cheating by doing open jaw terips like ORD-BVT then MHT-ORD, when UA wanted ORD-BVT-ORD-MHT

The June, 1985 issue of Frequent Flyer had an article about this - passengers determined that by, for example, flying to CLT, renting a car, then flying out of CAE, they would need to pay about $16,000 in air fare to visit all 50 states on UA.

You have to admit that is a hell of a prize in the US where flying is pretty much the cheapest and fastest way to get around.

For the whole thrad click on this link
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4097411/

Too bad they there aren't any similar contests today. I guess the price of fuel doesn't allow it.

I would have been jump-seating every day!!

As long as you have a valid airline ticket you were good, I guess.

sign me up! I'll do it.