A JET-SETTER who wants to celebrate his 70th birthday by going round the world may have to postpone his trip after an airline refused to release a ticket.

Peter Torre, a semi-retired chauffeur who turns 70 on December 28, has been saving air miles via the Continental Airline one pass scheme since 1987 and wants to use them to celebrate with a trip to Tokyo, Bangkok and Honolulu.

But his dream to cross the international date line in Honolulu on his actual birthday was dashed after Continental Airlines said it could not release an air miles ticket over the Christmas break even though there are seats available on his desired flight.

The airline told Peter, of Rydal Close, Hendon, he would have to buy a ticket - at a cost of £6,000.

Mr Torre, who recently had knee surgery to repair a fracture and is due a hip replacement, was told he could only redeem his air miles in January.

Mr Torre said: “I've been a loyal customer since 1987 and am disappointed the airline can't make this exception for my 70th. I wanted to cross the international date line in Honolulu on my birthday and I'd planned to share a cake with everyone on board, but it looks like I won't get to do that.

“It's unfair that I have more than 300 miles in my account and can't use them when I want.”

A letter received from the airline said it wanted to help Peter celebrate his birthday, but was unable to reserve a seat with his air miles, despite the fact that he has been a loyal customer for almost 24 years.

The company said it can only release a certain number of one pass seats per flight, and are already at their capacity, but staff were constantly “re-evaluating the available data”.

Mr Torre now plans to travel in style first class using his air miles in January. He said: “I can't wait to fly on a Boeing 746. It's something I've always wanted to do.”

Mr Torre runs marathons across the UK and America and has been a blood donor 153 times. A recent change in the law means that a person can now donate beyond their 70th birthday and Peter plans to use this to its full potential.

He said: “I have a bet on myself at William Hill that I'll be healthy enough to donate my blood until I'm around 83 and make 200 donations.”

Elaine Mariah, of Continental Airlines in Salt Lake City, USA, said: “There are no seats available for one pass members on the date he wants to travel. He will have to buy a seat at £6,000.”