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Here Are Copa's Star Alliance Earning and Redemption Charts
Brian Kelly
Founder + "The Points Guy"
Since launching TPG in 2010, founder Brian Kelly has expanded the team to include a distinguished editorial staff and an extensive network of freelancer contacts from around the globe. Today, TPG reaches 11 million unique monthly visitors and more than 3 million followers across social media platforms and has offices in New York City, Charlotte and the U.K.
May 20, 2015
•
3 min read
Here Are Copa's Star Alliance Earning and Redemption Charts
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Star Alliance member Copa Airlines has just released a new partner earning chart and award chart for their new frequent flyer mile program, ConnectMiles.
Copa was previously using United's MileagePlus program, but in March of 2015, the airline announced it would be launching its own new program, ConnectMiles. ConnectMiles made it a point to explain that at least one mile is awarded for each mile flown, and you won't need to meet any revenue requirements to earn elite status (they call it the Prefer Program, which offers four levels: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Presidential Platinum).
In fact, in an email they sent out back in March, Copa stated that it thinks revenue-based earning structures (ahem, Delta and United) are complex and not right for ConnectMiles, so they created a program they feel is a bit simpler.
Here is the mileage earning chart for Copa flights, and it does seem to be true that you will get at least one mile for mile flown, regardless of fare class, at least for Copa flights.
United flyers out there who don't like United's revenue-based program can now look into ConnectMiles as another option. Here is the new partner mileage earning chart showing the Copa ConnectMiles you can earn when flying on United.
As you can see, whereas the ConnectMiles mileage earning on United flights isn't based on revenue, you won't get 100% for discount fares (so with partner airlines, the one mile per mile flown isn't necessarily true). Don't worry too much about the "No Mileage Accrual" category — those are either award or upgrade fare classes (if you're upgraded, you should receive miles based on the fare class you paid for).
In general, the fare classes that offer 100% of the miles flown would be quite expensive to book, so it's unlikely that crediting your flights to ConnectMiles would earn more miles than United's MileagePlus revenue-based program.
Here are the award charts for redeeming Copa miles (they don't offer first class, just business and economy):
And here is a link to the one-way Star Alliance award chart. Note that you can redeem for first class on Star Alliance airlines. Redemption rates are nearly identical to United's MileagePlus program, so don't expect any steals here.
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You can sign up for the program now if you haven't already, and starting July 1, 2015 you can begin to earn Copa miles, so make sure to add your ConnectMiles number to any flight reservations you have for July 1 or after. Another perk if you are aiming for Prefer Program elite status is that travel between July 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016 will count towards 2017 status, so you actually have 18 months instead of the standard 12 months to qualify. For more information on the Prefer Program, click here.
H/T: View from the Wing
TPG readers, what do you think? Will you be crediting your United flights to Copa's new ConnectMiles program?
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.