Got a UA award ticket on Copa metal for a friend flying OW UIO to SJO. At the Quito airport, Copa says reservation is cancelled. Logging in at UA shows the reservation as cancelled. Friend then purchased a coach ticket at the counter on the same exact itinerary for $1,135.

I called and wrote UA who says it was cancelled by Copa as a no show, UA offered to refund the miles and I could write for consideration of refunding the fees. Copa claims that the reservation was cancelled by UA, so they have nothing to answer for.

Anyone have any helpful suggestions?