Key Points
- Copa ConnectMiles offers fixed award charts with no fuel surcharges, making Emirates business class bookable for 80,000 miles with minimal fees.
- Marriott Bonvoy is the only U.S. transfer partner at 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus per 60,000 points transferred.
- Star Alliance partnership provides access to 26 airlines, with sweet spots including U.S. transcontinental flights for 25,000 business class miles.
Introduction
Copa Airlines ConnectMiles might be one of the most underrated frequent flyer programs for U.S.-based travelers. While it lacks the name recognition of United MileagePlus or American AAdvantage, this Panama-based Star Alliance program offers something increasingly rare: predictable, fixed award pricing with no fuel surcharges on partner flights.
The program's biggest strength isn't Copa's own network—it's what you can book on partner airlines. ConnectMiles gives you access to Emirates business class without the eye-watering fuel surcharges, Turkish Airlines to Africa for reasonable rates, and United transcontinental lie-flat seats for fewer miles than United would charge.
Here's everything you need to know about maximizing your ConnectMiles, from the best transfer strategies to the sweet spots that make this program worth your attention.
Understanding Copa Airlines ConnectMiles
Copa Airlines launched ConnectMiles in 2012 when it joined Star Alliance, breaking away from United's MileagePlus program. As Panama's flag carrier, Copa operates a strategic hub in Panama City that connects North and South America, serving 32 countries with direct flights.
Program Basics
ConnectMiles uses region-based fixed award charts for both Copa flights and partner awards. This means award pricing doesn't fluctuate with demand or peak travel dates—what you see is what you pay. The program offers two award types:
Saver Awards: Lower mileage requirements with limited availabilityStandard Awards: Roughly double the miles but wider availability
For most valuable redemptions, you'll want to focus on Saver Awards. Standard Awards rarely provide good value unless you're desperate for a specific flight.
The Major 2025 Program Changes
Copa made significant changes to partner awards in January 2025. Some regional rates increased substantially. For example, Panama to Central America economy awards jumped from 10,000 to 20,000 miles. However, the program's core value propositions—Emirates business class and long-haul Star Alliance flights—remain competitive.
One positive change: ConnectMiles members can now earn up to 15,000 qualifying miles toward elite status through credit card spending, though this only applies to Copa-branded cards unavailable to U.S. residents.
How to Earn Copa ConnectMiles
Unlike major U.S. programs, ConnectMiles doesn't partner with Chase, Amex, Citi, or Capital One. Your earning options are limited but workable.
Marriott Bonvoy Transfers (Best Option for U.S. Travelers)
Marriott Bonvoy is your primary path to ConnectMiles. Points transfer at a 3:1 ratio, with a valuable bonus structure:
- Transfer 60,000 Marriott points → Receive 25,000 ConnectMiles (including 5,000 bonus)
- Effective ratio: 2.4:1 when maximizing the bonus
- Transfer time: 3-7 days typically
This makes the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless cards indirect sources of ConnectMiles. However, since Marriott points are generally more valuable for hotel stays, only transfer when you've identified a specific high-value Copa redemption.
Flying to Earn Miles
ConnectMiles members earn miles based on distance flown and fare class:
- Economy Basic: 0.5 miles per mile flown
- Economy Standard: 1 mile per mile flown
- Economy Full Fare: 1.75 miles per mile flown
- Business Promo: 1.75 miles per mile flown
- Business Full Fare: 3 miles per mile flown
You can also credit Star Alliance partner flights to ConnectMiles, though programs like Aeroplan or United MileagePlus often provide better earning rates.
Buying Miles (Proceed with Caution)
Copa regularly offers buy miles promotions with bonuses up to 80%. Recent promotions have brought the cost down to 1.67 cents per mile when purchasing 20,000+ miles. Buying miles makes sense only when:
- You're slightly short of an award redemption
- The cost of buying miles is cheaper than the cash ticket price
- You've identified a high-value redemption like Emirates business class
Otherwise, buying miles is rarely your best option.
Other Earning Methods
- Hotel partners (Marriott, Booking.com, Barceló)
- Car rentals
- Copa credit cards (only available outside the U.S.)
Copa Airlines Award Chart Sweet Spots
Flying Copa Airlines
Copa's own award chart offers solid value, especially for business class within the Americas.
Economy Sweet Spots
- Within Central America/Caribbean: 15,000 miles one-way
- U.S./Canada to Panama: 15,000 miles one-way
- U.S./Canada to Colombia/Northern South America: 15,000 miles one-way
- U.S./Canada to Southern South America: 25,000 miles one-way
Business Class Sweet Spots
- U.S./Canada to Panama: 30,000 miles one-way
- U.S./Canada to Colombia/Northern South America: 35,000 miles one-way
- U.S./Canada to Brazil: 55,000 miles one-way
- U.S./Canada to Southern South America: 60,000 miles one-way
Example: New York to Lima in Copa business class costs 35,000 miles plus about $22 in taxes. The same flight costs $1,800+ in cash, delivering roughly 5 cents per mile in value.
Copa's business class product varies by aircraft. The Boeing 737 MAX 9 features fully lie-flat seats with direct aisle access—far superior to the older angled-flat seats on 737-700s and 737-800s. Check SeatGuru before booking.
Stopover Benefits
Copa allows one free stopover in Panama City on round-trip awards. This turns a simple award into two trips. Book New York to Buenos Aires with a three-day Panama stopover to explore the canal and Casco Viejo neighborhood without paying extra miles.
Star Alliance Partner Sweet Spots
ConnectMiles really shines when booking Star Alliance partners—26 airlines with global reach and competitive pricing.
United Airlines (Best Domestic Value)
ConnectMiles charges significantly less than United for United flights:
- U.S. transcontinental business class: 25,000 miles one-way (vs. 35,000 United miles)
- U.S. transcontinental economy: 12,500 miles one-way
- Short-haul U.S. business: 15,000 miles one-way
Example: Book the lie-flat Polaris business class from New York to San Francisco for 25,000 ConnectMiles instead of 35,000 United miles. With Marriott transfers, that's just 60,000 Marriott points.
Turkish Airlines (Long-Haul International)
Turkish Airlines business class provides exceptional value on routes to the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.
- U.S. to Istanbul business class: 70,000 miles one-way
- U.S. to Africa (via Istanbul) business class: 80,000 miles one-way
- U.S. to Middle East business class: 80,000 miles one-way
Example: New York to Johannesburg via Istanbul in Turkish business class costs 80,000 miles. The same itinerary costs $4,400+ in cash, delivering over 5 cents per mile in value. You'll enjoy Turkish's excellent hard product and service for about 30 hours of travel.
ANA (Japan Routes)
All Nippon Airways operates some of the best business class products in the sky. ConnectMiles pricing is competitive:
- U.S. West Coast to Japan business class: 75,000 miles one-way
- U.S. East Coast to Japan business class: 85,000 miles one-way
Compare this to ANA's own program, where the same flights cost similar amounts but often with less award availability.
Singapore Airlines (Asia Travel)
Singapore Airlines' business class needs no introduction. ConnectMiles offers reasonable rates:
- Within Asia business class: Starting at 40,000 miles depending on distance
- U.S. to Singapore business class: 85,000+ miles one-way
Singapore has limited award availability to partners, so finding space requires flexibility and advance planning.
Lufthansa Group (Europe)
Book Lufthansa, Swiss, or Austrian business class to Europe:
- U.S. to Europe business class: 70,000 miles one-way
- U.S. to Europe economy: 30,000 miles one-way
Be aware that Lufthansa Group airlines do pass some fuel surcharges to partners, though they're still lower than booking through Lufthansa Miles & More.
Emirates: The Crown Jewel
Here's where ConnectMiles becomes truly special. Copa is one of the few programs offering reasonable Emirates business class redemptions without crippling fuel surcharges.
Why This Matters
Emirates typically charges $800-1,000 in fuel surcharges on business class awards when booking through their own Skywards program or Japan Airlines. ConnectMiles charges the same 80,000-85,000 miles but with fees under $50 on most routes.
Emirates Sweet Spots
- U.S. to Dubai business class: 80,000 miles one-way + ~$40 in fees
- U.S. to Middle East (via Dubai) business class: 80,000 miles one-way
- U.S. to Asia (via Dubai) business class: 85,000 miles one-way
- South America to Asia (via Dubai) business class: 85,000 miles one-way
Example: Book New York to Bangkok via Dubai in Emirates business class on the A380. That's over 20 hours in one of the world's best business class cabins, with access to the famous Emirates A380 bar, for 85,000 miles and $45 in fees. The cash price regularly exceeds $6,000.
Booking Emirates Awards
Copa's online booking engine struggles with Emirates availability. Instead:
- Search for Emirates award space on United.com
- Call Copa's call center at 1-800-FLY-COPA
- Provide flight details and book over the phone (no fee for phone bookings when space isn't available online)
Emirates releases business class award space about 360 days out, though availability to partners can be limited. Book as far in advance as possible.
Maximizing Copa ConnectMiles Value
Routing Rules
ConnectMiles has liberal routing rules compared to most programs:
- One free stopover on round-trip awards
- Two open-jaws allowed
- No expressed routing restrictions beyond the regions
This flexibility lets you see multiple destinations for one award price. Book Los Angeles to Singapore via Tokyo (stopover) to Singapore to Bangkok (open jaw) back to Los Angeles from Bangkok.
No Fuel Surcharges
Copa doesn't pass fuel surcharges on any award bookings—Copa flights or partners. This is increasingly rare and makes ConnectMiles valuable for booking airlines that typically levy high surcharges (Emirates, Air Canada, etc.).
Your out-of-pocket costs are limited to:
- Government taxes and fees
- Security fees
- Airport departure taxes
Most awards cost $20-100 in total fees, with longer international flights at the higher end.
Booking Strategy
- Search award space first: Use United.com or ANA.com to find Star Alliance availability before transferring points
- Transfer as needed: Don't speculatively transfer Marriott points. Only move them when you've identified a specific award
- Book far in advance: Copa releases most award space 330 days out
- Consider Copa's hub: Sometimes routing through Panama City opens award space when direct flights are sold out
- Use flexible dates: Fixed pricing means peak travel dates don't cost more miles—but availability varies
When ConnectMiles Makes Sense
Use ConnectMiles when:
- Booking Emirates business class (huge value)
- United transcontinental flights (10,000 miles cheaper than United)
- Long-haul Star Alliance business class with no fuel surcharges
- You have Marriott points burning a hole in your account
- You want predictable, fixed award pricing
Skip ConnectMiles when:
- You can use United, Aeroplan, or Avianca LifeMiles for better rates
- You need economy awards on short routes (usually better options exist)
- You're booking Copa flights where other programs offer cheaper rates
- Award availability is limited (transfer partners may have better access)
Elite Status Overview
ConnectMiles offers four elite tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Presidential. Benefits include bonus miles, priority services, complimentary upgrades, and Star Alliance Gold lounge access at Gold level and above.
However, earning elite status is difficult for U.S.-based travelers who don't regularly fly Copa. You'll earn status faster with United, which offers the same Star Alliance benefits and has more earning opportunities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't Speculatively Transfer
Marriott points are valuable. Transfer to Copa only after finding specific award space. Unlike Chase or Amex transfers, you can't easily use ConnectMiles if your plans change.
Don't Assume Online Booking Works
Copa's website frequently fails to display partner award space that exists. Always check United.com or another Star Alliance search tool first, then call Copa to book.
Don't Overlook Taxes and Fees
While Copa doesn't add fuel surcharges, some destination countries impose high departure taxes. Research total costs before committing miles.
Don't Book Standard Awards Unless Desperate
Standard Awards cost roughly double Saver Awards. Only book them when Saver space is completely unavailable and you have no other options.
Don't Forget About Expiration
ConnectMiles expire after 24 months of inactivity. If you transfer Marriott points, use them within two years or keep the account active with small purchases.
FAQ
Can I transfer Chase, Amex, or Citi points to Copa ConnectMiles?
No. Marriott Bonvoy is the only U.S. transfer partner. However, since Chase points transfer to Marriott at 1:1, you can indirectly move Chase points to Copa (though this is rarely optimal).
How long do Marriott to Copa transfers take?
Transfers typically complete within 3-7 days, though some report same-day transfers. Plan accordingly and don't wait until the last minute.
Does Copa charge change or cancellation fees?
Yes. Award tickets cost $150 to change or cancel, and you'll forfeit 20% of miles redeposited (maximum 10,000 miles). Book carefully.
Can I mix cash and miles?
No. Copa doesn't offer a revenue + miles option. Awards are all-miles or all-cash.
How do I search for Copa award availability?
Use United.com, ANA.com, or Aeroplan.com to search Star Alliance award space, then book through Copa's website or call center. Copa's own search tool is unreliable.
Is Copa business class worth the miles?
On newer aircraft with lie-flat seats, absolutely. On older planes with angled-flat seats, it's less compelling. Check aircraft type before booking.
What's the best Copa ConnectMiles redemption?
Emirates business class for 80,000-85,000 miles with minimal fees. This redemption alone justifies the program's existence.
Should I credit Copa flights to ConnectMiles or another Star Alliance program?
Unless you're working toward Copa elite status, credit to United, Aeroplan, or Avianca LifeMiles for better elite benefits and more redemption flexibility.
Conclusion
Copa Airlines ConnectMiles won't replace United MileagePlus or Amex Membership Rewards as your primary points currency, but it fills a specific niche remarkably well. For travelers willing to route through Panama City, ConnectMiles delivers exceptional value on Emirates business class, United transcontinental flights, and long-haul Star Alliance redemptions—all without the fuel surcharges that plague many programs.
The program's fixed award charts provide predictability, and the partnership with Marriott Bonvoy gives U.S. travelers a realistic path to earning miles. Just remember to search award space before transferring points, book well in advance, and focus on business class redemptions where ConnectMiles truly shines.
Ready to start earning? Check out the current Marriott Bonvoy credit card offers and start building your ConnectMiles stash for that Emirates business class flight to Dubai.
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