I would think that if CM introduces its own program, it would not be be at all generous (unlike those fiscally irresponsible Colombians who run AV ). They have close to monopoly power in Panama and on many of their routes and exploit that ruthlessly with their fare structure. They don't need a strong FF program and it is not in their DNA to give pax something for nothing.

My most frequent intra-Latin American travel is between SJO and MDE/BOG. While I have plenty of M+ & LM miles to burn, I still compare before every trip, as one or the other will run a special fare ever so rarely. I have opted to buy the CM tickets at around the $550 mark, as I know I'll get the CPU as a 1K. AV doesn't have that lure with me. When I have paid for tickets with them, the LM program has proven to be very, very stingy. Only the 2x1 miles sales are a bargain. Perhaps the intra-Colombian flights, too, to a lesser degree.

When neither is running a sale, both are priced in outer space compared to trips of the same distance within North America. They don't always fill the planes, and apparently they don't care. Why would they?

Generally speaking, Latinos who can afford to fly for leisure can afford to pay whatever happens to be the going rate. There is far less middle class to attract with a fare sale that would merely result in the same number of seats being sold, only at lower margins.

In fairness, I don't know about the market farther into South America yet, as my move to Medellin keeps getting delayed. Once there and I begin exploring the region more, I'm sure I'll get a better handle on whether or not there is more middle class elective traffic taking place. For now, everyone I meet from the region is either traveling on company paid business or they simply have far more money than this Gringo will ever manage to earn or save.

I just received an update from Copa tonight. Here is the juicy part:

Will all tickets continue to earn 100% of actual miles flown?
Tickets sold by UA and flown on CM will earn based on revenue (fare), all other tickets (ie sold by CM, agencies, etc) and flown by CM will earn base on flown miles (100% plus bonuses).

Will the Premier Status bonuses (i.e.: 100% bonus for 1K) remain intact for the 2015 calendar year?
Yes.

Thanks Ken for the Update and also for the Double Miles Promo you had posted as well. I have successfully signed up. Now all I need is to find a low fare to PTY for a Weekend.. of somewhere else thats rather inexpensive Safe Travels

Depending on where you are based, SJO is usually pretty competitive. You might check the price on UA against the price on Copa, as they are usually different, and UA is sometimes cheaper! Just keep in mind that you don't get the 25% PQM bonus if you buy it through UA.

If Copa flights don't show up in a UA search, I have learned how to find them. Look for award seats. They will usually be mixed in or at the bottom. Proceed as if you are going to book it, then at the itinerary confirmation page, you'll see an offer of at least two prices. "Buy this ticket now in Economy for $XXX.XX" and "Buy this ticket now in Biusiness Class for $XXXX.XX" and/or "Add flexibility to your ticket for $XXX.XX"

Just a note here on Copa flights..lately I saw many phantom award flights while searching for CM awards on united.com..
I had to call and then agents were able to give me totally different availability..thus booking an award got really difficult with them...

Does this include earning base on flown miles on tickets sold by CM but flown on UA metal (i.e. PTY - IAH)? If so, then starting next year I'm going to book my flights through Copa.

flights operated by UA will earn via the new rules.

That's a very good question. Based on the verbiage of his reply, I think UA flights are going to be earning based on spend no matter where they are purchased, but I'll ask for clarification.

I'm guessing that you are drawing this conclusion the same way I did. Do you have some confirmation beyond what I received from Copa?

That would be great if you could clarify.

I usually fly PTY-IAH on UA and then connect elsewhere from IAH. Now that Copa has new flights such as PTY-ORD, PTY-BOS, PTY-DEN, PTY-LAS, would one be able to book one of those flights and then connect somewhere else on UA metal? This way, the longest route would be on Copa metal and one would earn miles based on what was flown instead of revenue. I've tried multi-destinations and it always routes through IAH.

Agreed. In *A, mileage accrual is always based on operating carrier regardless who sells the ticket.

That would be conventional wisdom, but isn't it directly contradicted by this:

Who among us can say with absolute certainty that the reverse will not work to our benefit? Not that I want to fly UA to the US if I have the option to fly Copa, but there are times when I simply must fly a more direct route. I go to DFW a LOT.

I have my mind made up to either split my flying between Copa and AA next year, or switch entirely to AA. Not having Copa is my sticking point on the latter. I really like Copa. Wish I could still say the same about UA, but I can't. It gets worse on every trip I take to the USA, and I go there every month.

Hmm . . . good point but I'm still pretty confident if it's UA operated, it will accrue based on UA rules.

Understand your dilemma. For those of us who average less than 18 cpm, the value proposition just won't make that much sense after 3/15/15, particularly in the wake of the *A partner award increases. Certainly not unless UA significantly ups its game in terms of service and reliability.

I am the only one hoping for Copa to start their own program for 2016???? I would welcome it with open arms...

I know that I would love to see it, and I know several others who feel the same way. It's probably a transitional nightmare and huge IT challenge for them, though. Their site has enough issues with simply looking up tickets under "My trips," among other things.

All that said, I wouldn't bet against it. It certainly wasn't ruled out by the man who has provided us with this information, and his very title suggests that they have it under serious consideration.