I got in on the Copa sale from IAD-SCL. The flight was booked in L class on both the outbound and the return, and I was told any change would result in a $100-$150 fee plus the fare difference.

I need to change the outbound, and L class is no longer available for either leg. When I called in to change my ticket, I was told the change fee is $140 plus the difference in fare is $294. The agent was repricing both legs, telling me that was the only way his system allowed it.

We went back and forth, and I was told the original base fare for each leg was $143, plus $95.10 in taxes. Looking on ITA, the current base fare for E class is $236 each way, plus $95.10 in taxes. The difference in fare should be $93.

The agent insisted I was told at booking the entire ticket would need to be repriced if there was a change. I insisted I was not. He put me on hold and came back to admit that there is no language on their web site that says that. He obviously had no power to help me, so after a long phone call, he gave me a customer service email for Copa. I sent them an email explaining the issue with screenshots to illustrate.

I am fine with paying the $140 change fee plus the $93 difference in fare, as they advertised. Hopefully someone with more authority will honor this. If not, what recourse do I have?