I need advice. I know that I should know better than allowing myself to be bumped off a flight for a voucher, but I wasn't in a great hurry, and so I thought, "Why not? Save money on my next flight."

Ok. Here's the problem. The nearest Copa airport is LAX, about 200 miles from my home. The message that I get is that I have to redeem the voucher in person. I guess that would be no big deal for an airline that flies into every airport, but I think Copa only flies into about 5 in the USA.

Making a special trip just to redeem the voucher would be time consuming and definitely not cost effective.

I will be flying through LAX on 6/18, but during my 3 hour layover Copa's office will not be open.

I know I shouldn't make a big deal about this, but $350 is $350.

Does anyone have anything to offer that could help me out?

I've had a similar problem where as I purchased a ticket for a friend 3rd party and was told I must go to the Copa office to sign a form for my credit card. I understand why, but it was not practicle. I eventually found someone to put a note in my PNR that I would visit the office in LIM when I was there to take care of it. With some persistance you should work it out. This policy is easily enforced in Latin America where there are Copa offices everywhere and the people are used to picking up their tickets. But here in USA offices are in 5 cities .. they have to make an exception (at least they should).

Be prepared to send the voucher Fed Ex to LAX office with copies of your passport, etc. That may be an alternative, but I would not depend on the employees based out of Panama to accept that. You may have to call the LAX office directly. No guarantee this will work, but it's probably the best alternative .. or give the voucher away if it's transferrable.

I have attempted to get the LAX office on the phone, but with little success. I would be more than happy with the FedEx plan. I hope they go for it.

My flight put on hold expired last night without ever making contact with the LAX office. I called back Copa's customer service number again, but I was still told that there was no other way. The gentleman gave me a different number for the LAX office, which too was only answered by answering machine.

I should know better than to VDB an airline that is not local to me. I will know much better next time.

I still have 6 months on the voucher, so there is still the potential that I will be able to use it - just not for my Christmas plans.

I tried to make the point with both customer service agents that their airlines was in a bind and was begging for people to stay a day in Panama City - I did them a favor by staying - and they repay me by giving me a voucher that is impractical to use. (Not a new story, but still frustrating.) The second expressed a little sympathy, but sympathy don't buy tickets.