I have searched the forum and most post are older so seeking advice from Copa FF after reading the following to understand this properly and best method to execute:

I currently have 9:55A departure JFK to PTY and connection from there at 7:12PM

I would prefer to depart at 1:55AM JFK to PTY and spend my day in Panama.

I'm referencing this link https://www.copaair.com/sites/cc/en/...5-dolares.aspx = it is my take away I can call 24 hrs prior of my 9:55aM departure to change to the earlier segment (if same class of service)? My question is if they do not have my class of service available at T-24 - do I simply goto airport and wait standby (two hours prior)? And is Standby free of charge or also incurs the $25 if seat made available?

Bonus Question - Can any of it be accomplish via OLCI or airport kiosk a day in advance?? I haven't had the most reliable responses from Copa Customer Service in prior experiences.

Sorry - I don't have any experience with COPA SDC or standby. However, if you are willing to spend the money, COPA's change fees aren't bad. If you have a COPA ticket (as opposed to UA), the change fees are often $100 to $115. It's more money, but you can confirm now.

And they've never actually collected it from me. If they ask "would you like to pay the change fee now or pay at the airport," the correct answer is "airport."

Thanks for the tip! I haven't actually had to pay a change fee for a few years just because I haven't needed to make a change. However, in the past I always paid on the phone in the past to avoid the airport hassle. If/when it comes up again, I will take the airport option and see if I get lucky.

So my experience - in two attempts to use SDC were unsuccessful. Most likely due to busy route JFK<>PTY and staff.

Outbound - I wanted to change from 9:55am to 1:55am departure from JFK to PTY. Calling the desk indicates due to my low SPECIAL fare no seats in that fare class were available. I asked could I goto airport and just sit there as a stand-by - she stated yes but if I got on I would have to pay a $140 change fee for stand-by at airport? I'm doubtful since there website indicates only $25 but didn't chance it at 1:55AM.

Inbound - checkin at POS with connection from PTY-JFK next morning but an evening flight out of PTY was available for same night. The counter person in POS indicates because I was upgraded to Business (PTY-JFK) - now shown as an R fare which is not availability and if I want to downgrade to Econ I must switch to regular Y I would have to pay the change fee plus fare difference. I'm doubtful my 1K status factored in whatsoever. Upon arrival in POS - the Copa Club personnel indicated no seats available and didn't offer I could go stand-by at gate and I didn't even ask at that point.

In my opinion - it probably works on connections from PTY elsewhere and non-busy holidays (Passover and/or Easter) but not my experience in the past 4 days.