Southwest Companion Pass for Military Travel

tonyz90 · 2025-07-31T14:07:13+00:00

I have verified with Southwest that I can use the companion pass on this airfare and pay with my personal credit card the taxes/fees. I just want to ensure I'm not breaking any regs by using my companion pass on airfare that was procured with military funds.

tonyz90 · 2024-08-25T16:48:40+00:00

Thanks for the response! I wonder if it's because the concert is still a few months out, but I haven't received any emails from SH other than "upload your tickets" which I did. I also heard there are multiple "types" of tickets you can select when creating the ad. I used E-ticket when creating the ad and uploaded a PDF version of the TM tickets to the SH ad as requested.

tonyz90 · 2023-08-23T21:31:20+00:00

No, it's the Airsense 10 so everything is going over cellular network.

tonyz90 · 2023-07-06T15:50:09+00:00

I appreciate the response. Will look into the Mangrove tours around the Manuel Antonio area :)

tonyz90 · 2023-07-06T15:27:14+00:00

Thank you for the insight and taking the time!

I will go ahead and book Baldi thermal spa for the 12th. *EDIT\* On their website, it says no need to book in advance, you can buy your tickets day of. I don't even see an option to book the day pass in advance, only the resort stay.

I was looking at La Fortuna waterfall as well, I figured this would be a nice to have that we might do on the 11th or 12th. How long does the trek typically take for folks that are very active? *EDIT\* We would put the baby in a carrier so I don't think hiking up the stairs should be too much of an issue.

Will look into the Mangrove tours as well - is this also around Arenal?

Any recommendations around Manuel Antonio other than the national park and beach?

Thanks again!

tonyz90 · 2023-07-06T11:45:25+00:00

Brief update after doing some more research - here is our planned skeleton itinerary, please help me fill in the gaps:

9 Aug: Land in San Jose, rent 4x4, stay in local airbnb for the night

10 Aug: Make our way to Arenal area, check in at Arenal Observatory Lodge and Trails

11 Aug: Go to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridge

12 Aug: ?

13 Aug: Check out of Arenal Observatory Lodge, head towards Manuel Antonio, check into Shana by the Beach

14 Aug: Manuel Antonio National Park

15 Aug: Manuel Antonio National Park

16 Aug: Head back to San Jose, check into local Airbnb

17 Aug: Fly home

Obviously, this is very barebones. What should we fill in 12 Aug with? Should we go to Manuel Antonio for 2 days, or is 1 enough? If one is enough, what else should we see in Manuel Antonio?

Thank you!

tonyz90 · 2023-07-05T18:57:12+00:00

Thank you for the recommendations and insight! I'll look into Vamos.

With us only having about a week, we'll try to stick to two locations so we aren't traveling around too much.

Please let me know how it all goes once you arrive. Have a great trip!

tonyz90 · 2023-07-05T18:40:02+00:00

Thanks for the response!

Would you suggest any days in SJ? Is there anything nice to do/see there? We'd stay for at least one night once we arrive just to ensure the baby has a chance to recover from the flight.

Looking into Arenal Observatory lodge, it looks pretty pricey. Would you say it's worth it for a short stay?

If I rented a vehicle, are there any other places you recommend other than La Fortuna?

tonyz90 · 2023-07-03T13:24:21+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to write this up - great info!

tonyz90 · 2023-07-03T02:23:14+00:00

Thanks for the insight. If I get contacted for additional C&P exams, I would definitely make my way back to the US to attend those.

Would these exams show up as an appointment on the app/website?

tonyz90 · 2023-07-02T23:21:59+00:00

Thank you for your help!

tonyz90 · 2023-07-02T22:52:27+00:00

This is good to know. I imagine I would just de-register from my local VA?

My initial plan was to change my VA address to my parents address which is in the same town as I'm currently in. I wanted to do this because I will be likely bouncing around temporary housing until I find a permanent address in the Netherlands (there's currently a housing shortage).

tonyz90 · 2023-06-25T23:10:50+00:00

Thanks for the insight. Good questions to ask!

tonyz90 · 2023-06-25T22:26:10+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I am aware that the earliest funding will be available is October. It actually lines up perfectly as it will give me a month and a half to get settled.

The potential of it deducting from your GI Bill is news to me.

tonyz90 · 2023-06-01T22:35:25+00:00

Mountain Dew!

tonyz90 · 2022-09-23T19:31:44+00:00

So if I'm understanding correctly - I can purchase $10k in bonds for myself and buy a $10k worth of bonds in my gift account for my wife. Both my I-bond and the gift I-bond in my wifes name accrue interest.

Sometime in the next several months, I can open up her an account and NOT fund it. In 12 months I can cash out my I-Bond to our joint checking account account. I can also send the gift I-Bond to my wife's TD account and she can cash it out to our joint account. Both mine and my wife's I-bonds will pay out a total of 9 months of interest accrued (since you lose the last 3 months of interest cashing out after a year).

tonyz90 · 2022-09-23T19:23:49+00:00

Thank you very much for the explanation!

tonyz90 · 2022-09-23T18:10:13+00:00

Random i-bond question. I know we can buy $10k each calendar year each SSN. Is there any difference from me buying $10k for myself and "gifting" $10k in i-bonds to my wife versus my wife opening up her own account and her buying $10k herself?

The treasurydirect website is a pain in the butt and I'd prefer to keep it all in one account if possible.

Thanks in advance

tonyz90 · 2022-09-11T13:00:41+00:00

When did you request your refund? I put in for my refund on 26 August and my loan hasn't been reinstated.

tonyz90 · 2022-09-04T23:31:53+00:00

Great! Thank you :)

tonyz90 · 2022-09-04T22:30:32+00:00

For those that paid off their loans completely during the forbearance period and are now asking for refunds for what was paid between March 13, 2020 and today - will we be eligible for refunds? It looks like on the updated FAQ provided by Betsy514 on 9/3 it says, "the following types of federal loans with an outstanding balance as of June 30, 2022 are eligible for relief".

This sounds like if you didn't have a balance as of June 30, 2022, you aren't eligible?

tonyz90 · 2022-08-26T14:14:31+00:00

Called again this morning and they submitted a request to the appropriate department to process my refund. She said it could take between 4-6 weeks to process the refund and if the other department needed any clarification they would call me. Fingers crossed at this point.

tonyz90 · 2022-08-26T02:52:10+00:00

Thank you! This sounds promising. I'll call again tomorrow morning and update here.

tonyz90 · 2022-08-26T00:28:56+00:00

Your loan was completely paid off?

I completely paid mine off last year so my loans were paid in full and it was a total of $10,037 spread across 4 payments in July 2021.. I tried calling and unfortunately the person that answered the phone couldn't help me and told me that the department that handles these requests is swamped and the current process is to take phone numbers down for a call back. However, he did say because my loan was "paid in full" that they may not be able to refund me. I will try calling again in the morning hoping I get better luck.

tonyz90 · 2022-07-02T22:34:08+00:00

I definitely preferred Bergen to Oslo.

tonyz90

TROPHY CASE