Hi - does anyone have an updated date as to when Copa will join the alliance and thus help in my quest to achieve AC E again this year?

The most detailed info I can find, which may in fact be rather old, is that Copa will join in April - but does that mean early April, end of the month, sometime in the middle...?

I'm thinking of a trip to Central America to visit friends sometime in the spring, and Copa would be the best choice in terms of fares and times. I'd like to time the trip so I can earn status miles as well, if it's at all possible.

Thanks to all for any insight you might be able to provide!