My wife and I traveled to Cusco Peru from Toronto, we booked with Avianca on the way down and Copa on the way back.

Our return leg with Copa started from Lima. We booked the business class flight in August for the Lima/Panama leg but were unable to get upgraded to business as there were no seats available. We tried daily to upgrade but were unsuccessful.

Finally on our last day in Cusco 2 seats became available, we did not bid but paid the asking price and were accepted. We received confirmation of the upgraded by email but not the seat number.

When we arrived at the airport we were told that the seats were not available and gave us no explanation.

Another couple from Toronto overheard our conversation and told us that they had experienced the exact same thing on this flight.

I can't help but wonder if this bidding process is just a way to get the absolute best price regardless of the negative effect it has on their clients.

I NOW HAVE TO TRY AND GET MY MONEY BACK! INSULT TO INJURY!

My understand is you paid a instantaneous price to upgrade in the business bid seats. According yo the police if you don't get this upgrade you can claim money back.
recomedation for the future, the upgrade bid is gambling, so some PreferMember can have priority then bid upgrade process.
Also other disadvantage is don't get the benefits of business class ticket, I mean refund, miles and some more.
At the end in the T&C says, this upgrade is not guaranteed. So, you can go head and claim the refund of money.

Final recomedation, if want a upgrade is better call to copa and change the ticket from economy to business. That means new ticket and only pay the price difference.