What a scam. I actually found this out myself back in Feb, forgot I'd ever posted this. I simply asked at the Copa desk in MDE and they did exactly what you said. She kinda rolled her eyes as if she didn't want to refund me, like it was coming from her personal stash (like they do with the damn ketchup!) but eventually she refunded me in cash, which I thought was a little odd and I'm sure I lost money on some margins but whatever, better than nothing.

Now the problem is, you're talking about going to this desk in Bogota, what a pain, most connections won't really have enough time to just go sit in some bogus line. But for like $60 CAD it's worth it. At least now I know, I will keep asking even at the domestic check-in, or at the very least I'll ask at the first point of contact in Colombia, maybe the AV sales desk at MDE, see what they say then argue with them if they direct me to Bogota.

I still don't understand why they just don't charge it when you input your home address and pay with a foreign credit card. I'm sure a couple people could learn this and dodge a tax, but the alternative is nailing anyone on a trip originating in this country for money that they don't owe AND not telling them. It's a complete scam by the government. I don't complain much about the government down here, but this grinds my gears.