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.

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).

Trips during the semester are optional.

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!

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.

How could you possibly not have realized this?