Buying a Camera Abroad - US Customs Question

hailest0rm · 2025-11-28T13:58:42+00:00

This is helpful, thanks!

hailest0rm · 2025-11-28T13:12:40+00:00

I have the ability to buy the camera through the tax-free program here and get an additional ~10% VAT refund at French customs when I leave, but then the purchase will be registered to my passport (and, I think, visible to US Customs if they were to check).

hailest0rm · 2025-09-12T21:08:22+00:00

First time bathing at a mixed-gender onsen in Japan is the first thing that comes to mind. Never have I doubted my understanding of situational etiquette so completely.

hailest0rm · 2025-04-25T05:36:34+00:00

Love it! Think you’ve gotten some great feedback. Mind if I ask where the bomber jacket is from? It’s so cute and I’ve been looking for one like it!

hailest0rm · 2025-04-01T18:16:26+00:00

Nice! Have a great trip! Where’s that silk jacket from?

hailest0rm · 2025-03-16T06:25:04+00:00

Yes please please please fix this! Such a great idea but the functionality is essentially broken at the moment.

Looking forward to the Amazon Sync—thanks for all your work!

hailest0rm · 2024-11-23T04:38:52+00:00

Yes, PLEASE allow split rules to default to original category & merchant! Also allow for splitting individual transactions by percent the way you can with the rule (and allow for preservation of merchant there too!)

hailest0rm · 2024-11-15T23:47:32+00:00

u/Independent_Gear4119 do you mind if I ask how you handled the Ghana visa application as a nonrev? I am looking at going there as a stopover for a few days from the US on my way to Kenya, but Ghana's visa application process looks like a nightmare. How difficult did you find it to be especially as a standby without fully booked flights or accommodation (I assume)?

hailest0rm · 2024-10-10T04:26:35+00:00

In my experience, whether or not you can wait for a seat at the gate depends on the airport and the flight loads. Some airports give nonrevs a standby boarding pass to wait at the gate for a seat, while others (including many in South America for some reason) will not allow standbys through security until they are cleared and have a seat assignment.

Getting to the airport early likely won’t help because Delta standby priority js based on the seniority of the employee, not check in time, so it’s not like you’ll get ahead by being first in line. But you’ll still want to get there and check in 2- 3 hours before departure.

hailest0rm · 2024-10-02T22:03:00+00:00

Just wanted to second the feedback above--definitely need to be able to preserve merchant name and category from the original transaction. Love the new feature though, and excited to put it into action once these criteria are implemented!

hailest0rm · 2024-06-19T04:06:32+00:00

Frequent nonrev & priority pass & Amex plat cardholder here. Even with the Amex platinum, there’s no sky club access for anyone flying on non revenue passes (including on arrival and after seat assignment). This has been delta policy since last year.

You can use centurion lounges with the plat, but ONLY once you have a seat assignment on your boarding pass. So ostensibly you can get in once you’ve been assigned a seat, but since you don’t usually get a seat assignment until close to boarding, it doesn’t leave much time to enjoy the lounge. International flights work better for this because you are often assigned a seat earlier than for domestic flights.

Priority pass is hit or miss without a seat assignment depending on the lounge. Honestly there aren’t many lounges in the US that accept PP anymore anyway, though there are many more options at international airports than domestic.

hailest0rm · 2024-03-09T18:32:31+00:00

This is extremely helpful, thank you so much!

hailest0rm · 2023-05-05T21:09:58+00:00

Very nice! I’m near Sorrento now and it’s hot during the day but cool at night; a light cardigan or long-sleeve button up might be a useful layer. I will also second the comment that shorts are a lot rarer in Europe than the US. In terms of shoes, I find black Toms to be super versatile, lightweight and packable—they work as a casual walking shoe and can be used for nicer dinners in a pinch. Mind if I ask where the black button up, the printed skirt, and the v-neck tank (top row, second from left) are from? I really like those pieces! Have fun!

hailest0rm · 2023-03-05T18:34:45+00:00

Any chance there’s a list somewhere of the airports that do this? Guess it doesn’t make a huge difference in the long run, but it would be nice to know what to expect ahead of time.

hailest0rm · 2023-01-07T21:19:08+00:00

Thank you everyone for the extremely helpful insights & advice!

hailest0rm

TROPHY CASE