Hello I am flying this route
JFK - PTY: Fare Class: Economy (B)
PTY - MVD: Fare Class: Economy (B)
MVD - PTY: Fare Class: Economy (K)
PTY - IAH: Fare Class: Economy (K)

I am Co Gold and my wife doesn't have a status.

Does Copa offer complimentary upgrades on these routes.
Should I upgrade my wife using miles
Should I split the reservation in two to ensure automatic upgrade ?

Thank you very much

As a CO Silver you are down the line, B will get you upgraded in available within 72 hours, and K at the airport, for you, and for your wife only at the airport and depending on the agent's mood, Z or I must be available. Copa's First is like a domestic first, wider seats but dont recline all the way.

yes

Is it true that you can only upgrade from Y B or K fares (elite / non elite)?
There is a fare that is $200 cheaper but its N fare

If you are Continental Gold, you will likely have no problem being upgraded. They do offer companion upgrades but I would probably split the reservation if I was you and then request the companion upgrade at the airport. Sometimes Copa does upgrades a little different, sometimes you clear a couple days ahead of the flight. By different I mean they will do upgrades either at the gate or on the plane. When I have flown JFK-PTY and PTY-MVD as a Gold I didn't have any issue getting upgraded. The ice cream sundae on the PTY-MVD flight is a nice touch and Copa in general is a very nice airline. Make sure to visit the Presidents Club in PTY, it will be free for you and a guest since you are traveling on an international itinerary and *Gold.

No this is not true, COPA will and does upgrade even from their lowest Promo fares. Your chances may be slightly less due to the heirarchy but for $200 take the N fare.

Split the PNR after getting the best coach seats available to a Gold, and then add your wife at the airport as your companion. I've seen empty seats in Copa FC on many trips. It may not happen JFK-PTY, but maybe on 2 of your 4 segments you both may be upgraded from the N fare.

Good Luck!

No, that is not true. You can upgrade from any paid fare on Copa (both you and the companion). I have bought the cheapest possible fare on Copa a number of times and been upgraded almost every time. They honestly seem to have the least amount of elites, my wife is a silver and hasnt missed an upgrade. The only upgrades I have ever missed on Copa are LAX-PTY, PTY-MEX, and PTY-GRU. I used to fly Copa a lot to South America, they are a great airline. Enjoy

I would agree that you should go for the cheaper fare, split the reservation and hope for the best to get that upgrade. Regardless, even if F, bring something to keep you entertained as I flew once PTY - GRU (7+ hrs) and there was no IFE. Believe me, it was a long long flight. You never know.

Copa just sent this to me today. It seems to follow CO closely.

http://launchpad.nbx01.com/T/ViewEma...35047BF5E3999C