COPA new FF program -- ConnectMiles -- where to discuss?
 

Do we have a forum for the new Copa program? They are launching ConnectMiles which is distinct from MileagePlus... :confused:

Probably not the forum to address this...

http://connectmiles.copaair.com/en/

Interesting mileage redemption and they establish Presidential Platinum instead of the 1K tier. Copies a lot of the MP program though minus the PQD.

Maybe an alternative for MileagePlus members but i'd wait and see.

Other thread on this topic
 

great!

Interesting that they are still somewhat tied to United with their new RPU/CPU for Plat and Presidential Plat levels

Hopefully they will match to what we are at MileagePlus if we want

Looks like they are going to automatically match for those MP members that fly Copa a lot.

Looks like the old mileage plus program with miles earned based on what's flown and status. I stopped flying united when i hit lifetime gold but this is interesting....

I like that they have "In ConnectMiles, will miles be awarded based on flight distance or ticket prices?" as a FAQ :p. I might consider them if they have decent award redemption prices with no YQ... too bad I don't do much flying within South America.

As described, it sounds like an excellent alternative except that Copa has the worst customer service ever. Seriously, there is nothing to make you long for United cs like trying to deal with a CM issue. They may offer *A partner awards, but I can't imagine how one might actually go about successfully booking one.

Didn't long for united...
 

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Come back and share your experience after CM IRROPS or after you've tried to get a refund out of them.

I've flown CM dozens of times, but not since they stranded me in Cartagena in October 2013 when their PTY ops shut down for an entire weekend due to a computer glitch. I didn't even spend the $500 voucher they gave me as partial compensation.

And the Copa Club at PTY is worse than most UCs.

My Sincere Apologies
 

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Copa has their issuer but has a lot of upside.

I do not understand how a voucher needs to be redeemed at one of their offices or mail to Miami. Or picked up at their head office and not at the airport.

Has any other airline expanded more recently in the region.

Be nice to use miles aero Mexico and Klm flight.

Just like AA. :-:

Cyborg,
Thanks for your comments. To clarify, my Copa flight experiences have generally been fine. The in-flight service is variable, sometimes very good, sometimes cold and dictatorial. It's the CM customer service I was commenting on. If you ever have a problem, whether it be IRROPS, a refund issue, or something else, it's an absolute nightmare.

The October 2013 PTY shutdown was not the only issue I've had with CM cs, it was just the final straw. What I left out of the story is the hours I spent on the phone with clueless phone agents who insisted all flights were departing on schedule when the entire network was basically shut down. And how it took me four months and dozens of e-mails (including two to the CEO) to get a refund of my refundable ticket. So based on that, and prior experiences, I really have doubts about how well their cs personnel will administer a relatively complex frequent flyer plan.

Your reaction sounds like something that would have come from me! :D

Getting compensation for irrops or any other inconvenience is more than just a little bit challenging with CM. I completely agree that the Copa Club at PTY is lacking in many, many ways, too.

I wrote off AA forever back in 2009, and I meant every word of it. In a sane world, they would have deserved it. Last year, however, I accepted their EXP match (via a challenge) to my UA 1K status, and I'm reaping many rewards as a result. AA still irritates me from time to time, but I'm getting the better end of the deal.

Several years ago, after struggling with a problem caused for my by CM and finding absolutely zero satisfaction through the conventional means of contacting their "Customer Service" folks, I was pretty upset. Finally, I took the time to research and find the name and email address of their CEO, and I wrote a very succinct, professional email to him explaining how unhappy I was and why.

He answered personally within minutes! What followed was almost as good as an online chat, as I replied to his questions, and he responded with more. Within just a few exchanges, I had an acknowledgement of the validity of my displeasure and a commitment to get it resolved asap. The resolution appeared in my email the following day.

Although I fly frequently on Copa, I have had only one further occasion to resort to writing to him, and the response/resolution was the same. I now even have an email relationship with their guy in charge of the loyalty programs. I don't abuse it and write to him only when it's absolutely necessary, but it has come in very handy a couple of times.

Point is, the folks in management are on top of their game. That's probably why the problems, while difficult to resolve, occur so infrequently. It is my belief that they struggle greatly with getting employees with government forced job security to care as much as they should. You know as well as I do that this can be a problem in our little corner of the world.

As an employer in both Costa Rica and Colombia, I have a bit more empathy for the challenges of putting the right people in the right positions and then keeping their focus in line with the company mission. Although I have been really blessed to find good folks, it is still a different culture. It's a challenge to respect their culture while keeping our focus on our goals, and surely the airlines competing in a global marketplace have the same challenge.