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how_to:jubilado_airline_discounts [2024/02/15 17:58] – created 169.150.231.197how_to:jubilado_airline_discounts [2025/06/16 18:18] (current) – Updating Copa process tomf
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- The 25% jubilado discount for airlines applies to legal residents of Panama with jubilado status. Remember the discount is based on the basic fare rate; it does not apply to fuel surcharges, taxes, fees, etc.+The 25% jubilado discount for airlines applies to legal residents of Panama with jubilado status. Remember the discount is based on the basic fare rate; it does not apply to fuel surcharges, taxes, fees, etc.
  
 Another point to verify is the Panama departure tax. Currently at $40, but for pensionado it’s $20. When you get your quote or set to purchase the ticket ask for the fare breakdown and check all taxes. The Panama departure tax should be listed as $20.00. If it’s not tell the agent to make the correction. Another point to verify is the Panama departure tax. Currently at $40, but for pensionado it’s $20. When you get your quote or set to purchase the ticket ask for the fare breakdown and check all taxes. The Panama departure tax should be listed as $20.00. If it’s not tell the agent to make the correction.
  
-Airline instructions follow for Copa, United airlines…+Airline instructions follow for American, Copa, Delta, United airlines… 
 + 
 +American Airlines: 
 + 
 +From I Go Panama FB post: 
 +Call AA at +507 269 6022. You can choose option 2 for an English speaking agent.  They will assist you and process the discount and payment. Phone number verified as working 2/16/24, but didn't wait to see how long hold time was. 
 +From other FB post 7/11/24:  Tell the CS Agent to consult "tariff code SRC" (probably if you're using USA Customer Service phone line).
  
 Copa Airlines: Copa Airlines:
  
-First option: Book in person at the airport or at Copa's David office. Second option: Go online and book your ticket and place it on 24 hr. hold. Email a copy of your Cedula or Permanent Resident card to customer service contactcenter@copaair.com They will reply with a registration number. Then call the reservation number for Copa. Chose the option for a booking already made, and when you give them the email registration number, they will confirm your reservation. They may expedite your registration on this call if you haven't already sent in your cedula. If your info is in their system you get the discount and can pay immediately.+You have to document your discount each time - Copa is no longer storing jubilado details for future use. 
 + 
 +First option: Book in person at the airport or at Copa's David office. They only store your jubilado information for the day's purchase.  
 + 
 +Second option: Go online and book your ticket and place it on 24 hr. hold. Write down your reservation code. 
 + 
 +Request the discount online with their form.  https://help.copaair.com/hc/es-419/requests/new?tf_9854964819863=dc.descuento_de_jubilado&ticket_form_id=9855457716503&_gl=1*1kuoo6w*_ga*MjA2OTYyNzQ5Ni4xNjE4OTUxNzYx*_ga_SEJ8DB2YNH*MTcwODcxODQ4Ni4xMC4wLjE3MDg3MTg0ODYuNjAuMC4w 
 + 
 +Note that this page is resistant to Google Translate webpage translation! However, on the upper right of the form, in the blue bar, there is a language icon to select either Espanol, English, Francais, or Portugues. Sorry - no Deutch! 
 + 
 +Using the webform, make a simple request for Jubilado discount, include your reservation code, and attach a scan or photo of your cedula (or other entitling documentation) to the form, then submit it. 
 + 
 +June 2025: I got a confirmation email after submitting the form, then lickety-split, I received another email from customer service confirming the discount, and instructing me to call the reservation customer service center. It included a service number. 
 +  
 +Then call the reservation number for Copa: +507-217-2672. Chose the option for managing a booking already made, and when you give the reservation code (it never asked for the service number given in the email), you will be connected with an agent. The agent will confirm your reservation, the discounted price, and then you can pay immediately. The call took less than 15 minutes, including navigating the phone tree to get to the agent. 
 + 
 +Delta Airlines: 
 + 
 +Starting with I Go Panama FB post (Andrea Konduc, January 21, 2023):   
 +1) As modified by experience 16 February 2024.  
 +- Find your preferred flight details. Delta will not hold a reservation. To be safe, do not purchase your trip yet, just get the details. However, if you're confident you can get all this done within the first 24 hours, within the 24 hour cancellation policy, book the trip with seat selection, and pay full price for it, then get on the phone to Delta Customer Service. 
 +- You can book on the phone through any phone number; main US customer service number is ‭+1 (800) 221-1212‬ (other numbers found online include customer service hotline "+1-𝟖𝟎𝟓-𝟕𝟓𝟏-𝟐𝟕𝟗𝟒 Or +1-𝟖𝟎𝟓-𝟕𝟓𝟏-𝟐𝟕𝟗𝟒 (ᴏᴛᴀ) or 1-805-Delta(REal Persons)", for what they're worth).  
 +- Delta's main policy is "There is no such thing as a discount here so talk to the hand."  Nobody will know what you are talking about at Delta unless you guide them to their internal FAQ; say "Go to your 'Reference Source' and check 'KM' for International Senior Citizen Discount." Inform them they will need to "manually code the fare". If they can't find that FAQ, suggest they look for "International Senior Citizen Discount Fares" and it may be listed under "PA Special Discounts POS Ticketing: Panama." Don't harsh on the CS Agent; they're just following protocol. Just insist that it's the law here, and you understand it's strange, and request escalation to a manager who might have dealt with this before. There IS a FAQ, they just have to find it. 
 +-They asked if I had the government social security card (our cedula) and if I was a citizen.  I didn't want to parse 'resident with jubilado status' vs 'citizen' with them, so I just said 'yes' to both. They did not want a copy of the ID, but mentioned that it may be requested at the airport when checking in. 
 +- Then they should manually book the trip for you, with discount. Gently remind them about the half-priced departure tax (from $40 to $20) as part of the mandated discount. 
 +- Note: I had already booked the trip, with standard 24 hour cancellation policy. Once they found the FAQ and agreed there was a discount, they were able to rebook the trip as discounted, and cancel and refund the old purchased trip. But by doing so, they were able to see exactly what I had booked, including seat numbers. 
 +2) Unknown validity as of 2/17/24: On Delta chat, they can hold your fare and use the discount, but then you physically need to go to the airport to pay for the ticket. In Panama City.  It can be used for leaving Panama only, or round trip from Panana, unlike United which allows travel anywhere from anywhere. 
 +3) You can use a Panama based travel agent and pay the agent's fee but they can only book flights leaving from Panama but not going to Panama, unless it's a round trip flight.
  
 United Airlines: United Airlines:
  
-To receive the 25% Jubilado (senior citizen) Discount at United Airlines, first you must create a file with your name with the Panama Ticket Office. Here's what to do to create your file: Send an email to: panamacto@united.com with the following: - A photo of your Panamanian ID [I used my cedula] - Your address [I used my US address] - Your phone number in Panama [I used my WhatsApp] - Your email address for all references Once the file is created, you will be able to make your plane reservations and apply the discount going forward. Best way: Find the flight and seats you want on United's website and put the flight on hold. DO NOT pay for the ticket there. Contact the Panama ticket office via WhatsApp with your desired flight and seats and they will respond with a quote for the discounted amount. Once you confirm, they will call you to get payment info to book the flight. NOTE: The jubilado discount can only be applied for purchases made through the Panama City Ticket Office.The united.com site does not process jubilado discount. Also, contrary to popular belief, the flight can originate outside of Panama, but again, must be booked through the Panama Ticket Office. General Email: panamacto@united.com Direct Email: david.yanguez@united.com WhatsApp +507 6899-7114 Address: (for in person reservations) Edificio Galerías Balboa, planta baja. Avenida Balboa y Aquilino de la Guardia Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá Phone Number: +507 6899-7114 [better to use WhatsApp] Open only during business hours. 9a-6p M-F. Sat until 1pm. Local time. +To receive the 25% Jubilado (senior citizen) Discount at United Airlines, first you must create a file with your name with the Panama Ticket Office: Send an email to: panamacto@united.com with the following:  
 +- A photo of your Panamanian ID [I used my cedula]  
 +- A copy of your passport 
 +- Your address [I used my US address]  
 +- Your phone number in Panama [I used my WhatsApp]  
 +- Your email address for all references  
 +Once the file is created, you will be able to make your plane reservations and apply the discount going forward.  
 + 
 +Best way: Find the flight and seats you want on United's website and put the flight on hold. DO NOT pay for the ticket there.  
 + 
 +Contact the Panama ticket office via WhatsApp with your desired flight and seats and they will respond with a quote for the discounted amount.  
 +Once you confirm, they will call you to get payment info to book the flight.  
 + 
 +NOTE: The jubilado discount can only be applied for purchases made through the Panama City Ticket Office. The united.com site does not process jubilado discount. Also, contrary to popular belief, the flight can originate outside of Panama, but again, must be booked through the Panama Ticket Office.  
 + 
 +General Email: panamacto@united.com  
 +Direct Email: david.yanguez@united.com  
 +WhatsApp +507 6899-7114  
 +Address: (for in person reservations) Edificio Galerías Balboa, planta baja. Avenida Balboa y Aquilino de la Guardia Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá  
 +Phone Number: +507 6899-7114 [better to use WhatsApp] Open only during business hours. 9a-6p M-F. Sat until 1pm. Local time.