COPA Upgrades for United members?
Jul 13, 2012, 12:30 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: englewood nj
Posts: 123
and yes PTY-GIG is Premier upgradable
Jul 13, 2012, 1:52 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVPG
Posts: 226
What Copa fare code needs to be available to apply a RPU?
I've seen written here Z, but I've only seen Z available once on a Copa flight, so I'm hoping that's not the case.
I've seen written here Z, but I've only seen Z available once on a Copa flight, so I'm hoping that's not the case.
Oct 23, 2012, 5:35 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AS MVPG75K; UA 1K
Posts: 186
Another data point, perhaps a good post-merger development? Called Premier line this morning and a very nice, very sweet, very competent UA CSR processed the upgrades in less than 5 mins. I was told it would take 24 hours before I would find out whether the RPUs stuck, but as of 4 pm, COPA's site let me select my seats up front. ^
Nov 17, 2012, 3:17 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Platinum, *G, HH Gold, Amtrak Select Plus, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 39
COPA Upgrades for United members?
I have United Gold status and am flying IAD-PTY-SCL next Saturday. Does anyone have experience getting upgrades on COPA?
I know that COPA is part of the MileagePlus program, though they don't share a login page, and the United upgrade page claims "All multi-cabin flights operated by Copa are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades, Regional Premier Upgrades and Global Premier Upgrades without fare restrictions."
I've got my United MileagePlus number in the COPA system...is it as simple as that or do I need to take any other steps to make sure I'm eligible for an upgrade? The COPA site doesn't acknowledge my M+ Gold status next to my M+ number or anything like that.
I'm one of those people who never got their 2012 card, so I won't have any proof of my status if it's not in the system which make me extra worried (in terms of early boarding, etc. as well as upgrades).
I know that COPA is part of the MileagePlus program, though they don't share a login page, and the United upgrade page claims "All multi-cabin flights operated by Copa are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades, Regional Premier Upgrades and Global Premier Upgrades without fare restrictions."
I've got my United MileagePlus number in the COPA system...is it as simple as that or do I need to take any other steps to make sure I'm eligible for an upgrade? The COPA site doesn't acknowledge my M+ Gold status next to my M+ number or anything like that.
I'm one of those people who never got their 2012 card, so I won't have any proof of my status if it's not in the system which make me extra worried (in terms of early boarding, etc. as well as upgrades).
Nov 17, 2012, 3:58 pm
#20
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 282
Just make sure your mileageplus number is in the reservation. I had no problems last year being upgraded on MDE-PTY-LAX.
Nov 17, 2012, 4:05 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, UA Mileage Plus 1K, AA Executive Plat, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,344
COPA Upgrades for United members?
My girlfriend is doing SCL-PTY-ORD tomorrow. Already upgraded as GS. She was upgraded going south as well.
Nov 17, 2012, 5:07 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: UA Pleb, HH Gold, PWP General Secretary
Posts: 23,199
It's the same program so it shouldn't matter right?
Nov 18, 2012, 4:39 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Costa Rica
Programs: UA 1K, Priority Platinum, Marriot Gold, Delta Platinum
Posts: 308
As stated before just make sure your FF information is in the reservation and you will get upgraded. This year my upgrade ratio has been 6/8 and the two missed upgrades where PTY-SJO which is very heavy route.
Also if you are traveling with a companion, while checking in that person will be added to the flight upgrade list. This year my GF got upgraded MEX-PTY but missed the PTY-SJO upgrade, while being silver.
Also if you are traveling with a companion, while checking in that person will be added to the flight upgrade list. This year my GF got upgraded MEX-PTY but missed the PTY-SJO upgrade, while being silver.
Nov 18, 2012, 9:20 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
As everybody else said, the process is automatic. You don't have to do anything.
Normally, I would say your chance of getting a UG as a Gold on IAD-PTY would be 50/50 or worse. As a 1K, I missed once this year and made it by the skin of my teeth all of the other times. However the Saturday 11/24 flight is showing at least 8 open seats up front, which is a lot more than normal, so I think your chances are pretty good.
All three PTY-SCL flights look pretty good too.
Normally, I would say your chance of getting a UG as a Gold on IAD-PTY would be 50/50 or worse. As a 1K, I missed once this year and made it by the skin of my teeth all of the other times. However the Saturday 11/24 flight is showing at least 8 open seats up front, which is a lot more than normal, so I think your chances are pretty good.
All three PTY-SCL flights look pretty good too.
Nov 18, 2012, 5:12 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Related to this: how is COPAs first/business hard & soft product?
Nov 18, 2012, 5:50 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 328
Agree with the other posters - I've been upgraded on Copa with no problems, same as on United and PMCO
Nov 19, 2012, 9:04 am
#27
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Platinum, *G, HH Gold, Amtrak Select Plus, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 39
Thanks all! Glad to hear the process is automatic and that I have a pretty good chance on these flights. I'll report how it goes.
Dec 6, 2012, 10:38 am
#28
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Platinum, *G, HH Gold, Amtrak Select Plus, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 39
As report I was upgraded on both legs going down and on neither coming up, so it seems like as a gold member you have a decent chance but far from a sure thing.
As for being the same program, it seems to take several days for the flights to post in my United account (and they never showed as upcoming reservations) so I think while they both MileagePlus they're not actually integrated systems.
The seating is similar to United domestic, no in-seat entertainment (though the magazine implies they're upgrading to it), decent three course meal with choice of entrees plus a pre-landing snack and looked like a decent alcohol selection. Coach had a meal and snack and free (less premium) alcohol too, FYI. PTY lounge was comparable to a United domestic lounge.
As for being the same program, it seems to take several days for the flights to post in my United account (and they never showed as upcoming reservations) so I think while they both MileagePlus they're not actually integrated systems.
The seating is similar to United domestic, no in-seat entertainment (though the magazine implies they're upgrading to it), decent three course meal with choice of entrees plus a pre-landing snack and looked like a decent alcohol selection. Coach had a meal and snack and free (less premium) alcohol too, FYI. PTY lounge was comparable to a United domestic lounge.
Dec 6, 2012, 11:42 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
I didnt think upgrades were possible on international flights
Wouldnt these upgrades be considered going from Coach to "BF"?
Wouldnt these upgrades be considered going from Coach to "BF"?
Dec 6, 2012, 11:44 am
#30
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NorCal - 1K 2MM
Posts: 2,089
COPA fare bucket for instrument-supported upgrades
Sorry if this is obvious, but what's the fare bucket to be used for instrument supported upgrades (specifically, M+ award) on COPA? If I understand correctly, these are NOT *A upgrades, but rather CM is treated as if it were a UA flight for upgrade awards. I see R buckets listed on some but not all of their flights. Is the bucket the same for pure CM flights versus UA code share on CM metal?