This will be most useful for those who followed Shawn’s advice and requested a status match to Copa’s new ConnectMiles program last September. I sent Copa a status match request back then and was matched to Platinum status. Unfortunately, Copa has since suspended their status match program.
Copa Upgrade Certificates
I received an email this morning from Copa announcing that my Copa upgrade certificates have been extended through December 31 2016. And, even better (for my needs), the certificates can now be used on United Airlines!
Copa Upgrade Certificates Key Terms (found here):
The upgrades are valid on all Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia operated flights. Connect Regional Upgrades will also be available soon on United-operated flights in the following regions: Continental U.S, Mexico, Hawaii, Central America, Alaska, Caribbean, Canada, Oceania – Except (HNL) Honolulu to (GUM) Guam.
Platinum and Presidential Platinum PreferMembers will receive 3 Connect Regional Upgrade Certificates when they qualify for the respective statuses. The certificates will be deposited in your ConnectMiles account as soon as they are earned, and will be valid for one year.
Key Considerations
- Upgrades are subject to the availability on the upgrade class (Z) and are not necessarily tied to actual capacity of the business class.
- Upgrades are subject to the availability on the upgrade class (Z) and are not necessarily tied to actual capacity of the business class.
- Upgrade certificates are valid for one segment; multiple certificates may need to be used to upgrade a complete itinerary.
- Connect Regional Upgrades are not valid on the following classes on United-operated flights: Z, P, S, T, K, L, G and N.
Other Considerations
- Upgrades are subject to the availability on the upgrade class (Z) and are not necessarily tied to actual capacity of the business class.
- The award miles, Prefer qualifying miles, and Prefer qualifying segments earned are based on the fare class of the ticket originally purchased, not the upgraded class. Other restrictions may apply.
- Terms and conditions and any other information are subject to change without prior notification.
- Award tickets are not eligible for Connect Regional Upgrades.
- Connect Regional Upgrades are not valid on the following classes on Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia-operated flights: L and T.
- Connect Regional Upgrades are not valid on the following classes on United-operated flights: Z, P, S, T, K, L, G and N.
- Connect Global Upgrades are not valid on the following classes on Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia-operated flights: L and T.
- Connect Global Upgrades are not valid on the following classes on United-operated flights: Z, P, S, T, K, L, G and N.
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[…] Copa upgrade certificates extended and now work on United flights […]
[…] Copa upgrade certificates extended and now work on United flights […]
[…] Copa upgrade certificates extended and now work on United flights […]
[…] Copa upgrade certificates extended and now work on United flights […]
[…] Copa upgrade certificates extended and now work on United flights […]
[…] Copa upgrade certificates extended and now work on United flights […]
[…] Copa upgrade certificates extended and now work on United flights […]
[…] Copa upgrade certificates extended and now work on United flights […]
Iahphx. lifetime 1k does come with 6 gpus and 4 rpus
[…] Copa upgrade certificates extended and now work on United flights […]
I would consider using this for a transcon where I would have to pay say $200 more for the roundtrip transcon to be able to use these (especially if it’s a 3 class PS, is that allowed?, or a 2 class international configured plane). However, the key for me is that I have 1.75MM and want to get to 2MM UA so that I can have lifetime platinum. So, I would want to use them and then credit to UA, any opinions on the possibility of that?
Otherwise, I can see a quick MR to PTY from LAX using these (maybe connecting through EWR?) Again, would want to credit to UA….
@iahphx – agreed — I’m not counting on using the Copa certs successfully on UA either — will have to wait to see others’ experience/tips. I do hope to go to (or through) PTY at least once this year and will see if a paid fare on Copa flights makes sense with the certs…
Thanks, skdelta. I’ve got lifetime UA 1K status, that unfortunately doesn’t come with any annual UA coupons but does have free “space available” upgrades. The problem is that, in recent years, there’s almost never any space, as UA will sell upgrades for little money and other elites will use coupons whenever they can. I status matched Copa for the domestic lounge access, assuming the upgrade certs were worthless (unless I happen to head to Central America this year). It seems to me that the certs are indeed worthless, because it’s hard for me to imagine a circumstance where I’d be buying a ticket in those high fare buckets.
What % of the time do you clear as a 1K on space available would you say? I would have thought at least 80% or so (except for tanscons).
@iahpx – one other note on my previous comment — I had done the search on united.com, but I’m not sure if the Z fare class has to be available on Copa code-shares or just on the United side.
@iahphx — just a quick example of a search on united.com, a flight that has almost all fare classes available with 9+ seats: J9 C9 D9 Z9 P9 R1 I0 Y9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9 G9 N9 X9 is showing $154 for G class and $268 for W class. So using a United RPU could use the $154 ticket, but the Copa cert would require $268. So debatable at best in this situation whether it’s worthwhile to use the Copa cert vis-a-vis wait for comp upgrades. I’m sure there’re better examples for tickets bought closer to the travel date where the lower fare classes are not available and W is worthwhile.
If anyone knows the actual process of using the Copa certs on United flights could you post the details or summary? Thanks! I’ve heard of having to call the *A desk, not sure what that is and whether it’s a slow or quick process.