Flights to and from college.

[Anonymous]

How could you possibly not have realized this?

[Anonymous]

For univ of Chicago, plenty of southwest directs from bwi and dca. Just looked at thanksgiving and it’s about $435 round trip (gas will be about $300). Get the top tier southwest visa and play the points game. Plus you get a free checked bag and some other perks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How could you possibly not have realized this?

NP. In OP’s defense I looked at the amount given by U of Chicago in its OVER $103k a year cost-of-attending budget. Only $702! Where they got that figure, I have no idea, but it certainly isn’t realistic for most attending. https://financialaid.uchicago.edu/undergraduate/how-aid-works/undergraduate-costs/. Buyer beware. Look at those COAs carefully!

[Anonymous]

Trips during the semester are optional.

[Anonymous]

After speaking with parents about high cost of flights for kids to return home for fall break, Thanksgiving and Xmas, I definitely encouraged school options along amtrak train route. So easy and inexpensive for us to attend parent weekends, student performances, etc. (As long as we book in advance).

[Anonymous]

Well, think ahead about graduation. Graduation dates are. Set 4-5 years ahead. Hotels, I believe, accept reservations 51 weeks ahead, but do check in advance. At least, no later than beginning of third year.

It is very common to find a combo of high rates, multi-night minimums and no vacancies. It is not uncommon to have to book miles away.

I don’t know if Airbnb follows this pattern, for those wondering.

Many colleges close by try to stagger graduation dates.