copa bid on UG
Aug 7, 2013 | 5:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: continental united starwood hilton marriott
Posts: 339
copa bid on UG
Just received an email, I can bid on a UG JFK to Pty $200-$400 per ticket.
Will advise if I am a winning bidder (hoped to get mileage UG).
First time I have seen this.
Anyone have knowledge or experience with this?
Will advise if I am a winning bidder (hoped to get mileage UG).
First time I have seen this.
Anyone have knowledge or experience with this?
Aug 8, 2013 | 3:53 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,517
Here is a link to a page on the COPA website that should answer all (or most) of your questions:
https://www.copaair.com/sites/cc/en/...-upgrades.aspx
It appears that mileage upgrades take precedence over the bids. When you enter the auction, you are placing a bid and are not charged at that time. At T-23, COPA determines how many seats will be released to the program after Mileage Plus members eligible for an upgrade and those buying with miles have been accommodated.
I would have thought that there would be enough Premiere Plus members on a JFK-PTY flight to fill the front cabin, though. Maybe that's not true in this case, or they send the email anyway just in case a seat goes empty. You need to keep in mind that even if you are the highest bidder, there is no guarantee that a seat will be available at T-23.
If you are a winning bidder, you will be notified and charged at T-22. If you are not, you will be notified at T-12, not charged and fly on your original reservation.
That's what they say, anyway. I am a little skeptical that they won't be tempted to bump some people who are otherwise entitled to a free upgrade, but we will see. They have been doing this for a while now (bid emails were reported in the United Forum back in March), and I have not missed a free upgrade on about 16 flights since then, so it does seem to be working as promised for the moment.
https://www.copaair.com/sites/cc/en/...-upgrades.aspx
It appears that mileage upgrades take precedence over the bids. When you enter the auction, you are placing a bid and are not charged at that time. At T-23, COPA determines how many seats will be released to the program after Mileage Plus members eligible for an upgrade and those buying with miles have been accommodated.
I would have thought that there would be enough Premiere Plus members on a JFK-PTY flight to fill the front cabin, though. Maybe that's not true in this case, or they send the email anyway just in case a seat goes empty. You need to keep in mind that even if you are the highest bidder, there is no guarantee that a seat will be available at T-23.
If you are a winning bidder, you will be notified and charged at T-22. If you are not, you will be notified at T-12, not charged and fly on your original reservation.
That's what they say, anyway. I am a little skeptical that they won't be tempted to bump some people who are otherwise entitled to a free upgrade, but we will see. They have been doing this for a while now (bid emails were reported in the United Forum back in March), and I have not missed a free upgrade on about 16 flights since then, so it does seem to be working as promised for the moment.