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10 Hacks for Headache-Free Travel This Holiday Season

By U.S. News & World Report

It’s no secret that traveling around the holidays — when prices, frustrations and crowds soar — can trigger stress-inducing scenarios. Let’s face it: At this time of year, navigating weather-related flight disruptions, determining how to get presents from Point A to Point B and staying calm when stalled in a jam-packed terminal are par for the course. But there are ways to minimize hassles during the hectic travel period. Here are 10 time-tested tricks from industry pros to elevate your holiday travel experience, avoid overpaying and, most importantly, prevent unnecessary aggravation this season.

[See: 8 Ways You’re Annoying Passengers During the Holidays.]

Book Early

If your top priority is getting the best rates, don’t procrastinate. Ideally, five to eight weeks prior to your desired departure date is the best time to book, says Clara Sedlak, senior editor at travel site Jetsetter.com. “A lot of times, airfare sticker shock keeps people from buying holiday fares early enough,” explains Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com. Flights during the peak travel period, including around Thanksgiving and the December holidays can be 10, 20 or 30 percent higher than other times of year, he adds.

When You See a Good Deal, Don’t Dawdle

Flight and hotel prices only increase as the holidays approach, so if you see a great deal, grab it. “When you see a fare that looks good, don’t assume you can take a week or a couple of days or even a few hours to mull things over,” Klee says, pointing out that domestic carriers typically allow you to cancel your purchase within a 24-hour booking window. The same money-saving strategy applies to booking accommodations. If you see a bargain, get it, but keep your eyes peeled for an alternative option to rebook your stay at a better price if it becomes available, Sedlak says. George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, also points to Tingo, the money-back hotel site, as a great tool. If a hotel surreptitiously lowers a rate, Tingo will refund the difference in price to your credit card.

Avoid Popular Travel Days

If you can, skip traveling the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve. Flying on the day of the holiday (i.e. Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day) can be especially kind to your wallet. It’s also a wise idea to opt out of flying on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Dec. 26 or Jan. 2 if you want to slash costs, Klee says.

[See: 9 Steps to Trim Holiday Travel Costs.]

Use the Right Tools

It sounds like a no-brainer, but make sure to download the right apps before booking your holiday travel and heading to the airport. Sedlak recommends following preferred airlines’ Twitter handles to score the best deals and utilizing airfare alert tools to stay attuned to the best deals. She also suggests downloading your airline’s app before you leave home to ensure you pre-empt any delays. Tools such as Free WiFi Finder or LoungeBuddy are particularly useful if you’re stranded with a long layover, Sedlak adds. Another must-have is the TSA app, Sedlak says, highlighting that the tool showcases expected wait times and can help you choose the quickest line.

Time When You Fly and Where You Sit

This insider trick can help promote stress-free flying. “Book the earliest departure you can. Sure, you’ll have to wake up early, but the first flights out are the least likely to be delayed,” says Gabe Saglie, senior editor at Travelzoo. Beyond choosing when to fly, selecting your seat is also a critical step. For a desirable seat, utilize the savvy SeatGuru tool to pinpoint the seats with the most legroom and in-flight entertainment. After all, it’s not just about scoring a bargain-bin seat, Hobica says. It’s important to factor middle seats and connection times into the decision-making process. Like on Broadway, you can get a great deal for a Standing Room Only ticket or snag a front-row seat, he explains.

Consider All Options

Don’t overlook alternative airports. You can often find a bargain by traveling through smaller hubs, along with a more relaxing pre-flight experience. You may be able to get a better rate by flying through Trenton-Mercer Airport, rather than Newark Liberty International Airport, for example, Hobica says. It’s also important to evaluate all routes to secure the cheapest rate. “Being willing to travel on a different airline for the outbound and return can also sometimes offer cost savings,” Saglie says.

Upgrade Your Trip

Even if you’re not a frequent flier with thousands of miles, it’s a smart idea to spring for an upgrade at this time of year. “Business travel is slow over the holidays, so those seats usually taken by business travelers tend to be empty. Look for business class seats especially on international flights,” Saglie says. Another way to get an upgrade is by utilizing bidding sites that allow you to copay with miles to vault into a higher cabin category, Hobica says.

Go to Wallet-Friendly Destinations

If you’re not heading home for the holidays, plan an international trip. “For any other country, [Thanksgiving is] just a normal Thursday, and in many cases it’s low season, too,” Saglie says. A great place to set your sights on is London, Sedlak says. Thanks to a great exchange rate in light of Brexit, November is a particularly inexpensive month to travel to England, she says, pointing out that SkyScanner.com currently lists round-trip flights in November for less than $500.

Pack Smart

Traveling over the holidays is stressful enough without worrying about dreaded overweight baggage fees. Different airlines now charge $50 to $75 per overweight bag, Sedlak cautions, noting it’s best to tread lightly. Compare the costs of transporting an extra bag of presents versus utilizing FedEx ground, she says, and “keep in mind that when you wrap presents, TSA agents are free to open them.” Saglie recommends consolidating space and traveling light. “Consider buying gifts online and having your parcels shipped to your destination. Then, all you have to do is wrap the presents when you get there,” he says.

[See: 10 Frequent Flier Secrets Every Traveler Should Know.]

Insure Your Trip

Sedlak recommends either tacking on insurance coverage when booking your flights or using a trusted independent operator available through InsureMyTrip.com or Squaremouth.com. Another option if your budget allows is working with a reputable advisor who can help you if you encounter a weather-related incident and need to rebook your flight quickly. “When something goes wrong, you have an advocate,” she explains. Hobica also recommends booking your flights and hotels with credit cards that offer you some insurance, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or United MileagePlus Explorer card for built-in coverage.

More from U.S. News

9 Creative Ways to Cut Costs on Holiday Travel

6 Hacks for Scoring Seat and Room Upgrades Over the Holidays

8 Ways You’re Irritating People at the Airport

10 Hacks for Headache-Free Travel This Holiday Season originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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