The role of preadsorbed oxygen present at Cu(111), Cu(110) and polycrystalline surfaces in the oxidation of methanol has been investigated by X-ray and electron energy loss spectroscopies. In addition to the well established formation of methoxy species and its subsequent decomposition and desorption as formaldehyde, a second reaction pathway to surface formate is present. The latter is temperature dependent being undetectable at 260 K at a polycrystalline surface but occurs at a significant rate at 295 K and above. The limitations of experimental data for methanol oxidation by temperature programmed desorption and molecular beam techniques are discussed.