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7 Top Travel Destinations With Discounts for Retirees

By U.S. News & World Report

If there is one thing retirees like to do, it’s travel. Almost all baby boomers are planning to take at least one leisure vacation in 2017, and they are anticipating an average of five trips, according to an AARP travel trends online survey.

“We’re seeing a lowering in travel to Europe and an increase in Latin America,” says Stephanie Miles, senior vice president for integrated marketing and member services at AARP. The organization found bucket list trips were a motivation for going overseas, while those traveling domestically may be meeting up with family for multi-generational trips or planning shorter weekend getaways.

No matter whether your travel is a once-in-a-lifetime trip or a more modest excursion, here are seven top destinations with discounts for retirees:

[See: The Top Travel Destinations for Retirees.]

Florida. Florida continues to be a favorite destination for seniors, and the state offers a variety of experiences at various price points. Many destinations have senior discounts as well. For instance, Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa offers 15 percent or more off room rates for those ages 62 and up.

Other destinations offer programs that cater specifically to older travelers and retirees. Panama City Beach runs a number of social events, including a senior prom and mystery golf challenges, for its winter residents. The city has also arranged special discounts on activities such as fishing, golf and dolphin tours for visitors.

U.S. Virgin Islands. Those planning a trip to the Caribbean this year may want to make the U.S. Virgin Islands their destination of choice. In honor of its centennial commemoration, the territory is offering $300 to $400 in spending credits to those who book an eligible vacation package through the U.S. Virgin Islands website. As of the first week of May, nightly rates as low as $105 were available at participating hotels.

The U.S. Virgin Islands can be an ideal destination for those who want to visit the Caribbean, but don’t have a passport. U.S. residents don’t need one to visit the territory. Retirees can save even more on this trip by looking for senior discounts on airfare.

South Africa. While Europe is often a first choice for a big trip, Greg Geronemus, co-CEO of smarTours, says now may be the right time to think outside the box. “The surge of the U.S. dollar versus the South African rand has made this bucket list destination extremely accessible for budget-conscious retirees,” he says.

The current exchange rate can make an African safari possible for those without very deep pockets. Retirees traveling through smarTours can take a 14-day excursion to the country for as little as $2,799, including airfare and taxes. The trip includes time in Kruger National Park, one of the oldest and best maintained parks on the continent, according to Fodor’s.

[Read: 6 Baby Boomer Travel Trends.]

Thailand. Geronemus says Thailand is another bargain for retirees. “Where else in the world is it possible to enjoy a two-week vacation, including airfare, for well under $2,000?” he asks. “Thailand has arguably distinguished itself as the best value destination in the world.”

It’s an exotic location that can be made more accessible by booking a vacation with a tour group. Since retirees typically aren’t tied down by a school calendar, they are free to take off early in June and beat the rush of the July crowds.

Britain. The strong U.S. dollar means much of Europe is on sale for travelers right now. However, in the wake of the Brexit vote, the U.K. is a particularly good value. There are also plenty of senior discounts, also called concessions, available for travel to and in Great Britain.

Retirees age 60 and older can purchase a Senior Railcard, which saves them one-third off standard and first-class rail fares. The card also entitles holders to discounts on other activities such as sightseeing tours and dining. AARP members can receive up to $200 off airfare on British Airways purchased through AARPAdvantages.com. They also have access to discounted rates for hotel rooms and rental cars.

[See: 10 Places to Retire Overseas in 2017.]

South Carolina. Ava Roxanne Stritt, a travel writer and blogger at Spa Travel Gal, likes South Carolina as a go-to destination for retirees. “The state, as a whole, gives a lot of senior discounts,” she says. It is also a destination that can be easy to reach for retirees who want to drive a recreational vehicle or road trip to their destination.

While Charleston is getting a lot of attention as a travel destination, Stritt likes Columbia for its mix of cultural and outdoor activities. The Columbia CulturePASS offers discount admission to the Columbia Museum of Art, South Carolina State Museum and Historic Columbia. At Congaree National Park, an elevated boardwalk loop trail offers a smooth path for seniors to enjoy the great outdoors.

Cruises. Cruises are another perennial favorite for retirees and for good reason. “These can be a bastion of super last-minute bargains,” says Gabe Saglie, senior editor for Travelzoo. “Retirees with extra time to travel on their hands can find both experiences and savings with cruises.”

What’s more, a cruise can check a lot of boxes off a vacation experience. “Seniors have been trending toward multi-generational travel with their families and genealogical travel to find their heritage,” says Jayme Montgomery, an agent with Triplemint who frequently travels with the seniors in her family. Many cruises offer activities for all age ranges and can take families to destinations all over the world.

While these aren’t the only discounted travel options for retirees, these seven choices offer great value for destinations both on and off the beaten path.

More from U.S. News

10 Ways to Celebrate Your Retirement

7 Ways to Save Money on Retirement Travel

Best Places for Snowbirds to Retire

7 Top Travel Destinations With Discounts for Retirees 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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