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6 Simple Ways to Save on a Last-Minute Romantic Weekend Getaway

By U.S. News & World Report

If you’re yearning for a romantic retreat but haven’t finalized your plans, you’re in luck: You can still pull off a last-minute trip without breaking the bank. You might even wind up saving more by jetting off to a warm, sunny locale with swaying palms and crystal waters in Mexico or the Caribbean than to major cities across the U.S. While you may be concerned about the latest travel advisories from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urging pregnant women to avoid tropical destinations across Mexico and Central and South America, the truth is, there are many affordable and safe places to plan a romantic getaway. And while affordable flights may be harder to find at this time of year, it’s not too late to snag deals on hotel rooms or take advantage of competitive exchange rates — you just need to know where to look. Whether you want captivating coastal views and secluded sands or a storybook ski area with pristine powder, experts share their secrets for planning a bargain-friendly weekend getaway for two this winter.

Know Where to Go

If your ideal vacation involves a combination of beachside cocktails, salty sea air and sugary sands, consider forgoing a trip to California or Florida for a quick jaunt to the Caribbean or Mexico. “Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day fall on the same weekend, which means domestic hotel deals (and availability for that matter) are going to be hard to find,” says Gabe Saglie, senior editor at Travelzoo. If you have the flexibility to extend your vacation, you can find deeply discounted hotel rates at high-end properties across the Caribbean, he says. The Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort in Curaçao, for example, is offering a promotion that allows guests to stay four nights and get an extra night free, which translates to more than $250 in savings. And if you have limited vacation days, Grand Lucayan in the Bahamas is currently offering a promotion with stays starting at $115 to $145 a night from Feb. 12-15, which is about 50 percent off regular season pricing. And in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, rooms at the Four Points by Sheraton Puntacana Village are listed at $133 a night on Travelzoo.com for the same time period, and include amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and a fitness center.

And Mexico resorts are offering comparable deals, Saglie says, pointing to a current Travelzoo.com promotion at the adults-only Grand Miramar, which is currently offering three-night stays for $450, translating to more than 42 percent in savings.

Consider a Cold-Weather Destination

Don’t dismiss cooler locations for a romantic getaway this season, says Jeanenne Tornatore, senior editor at Orbitz.com, suggesting Breckenridge, Colorado, as a mountain town that is both charming and cost-effective at this time of year. Last-minute hotel and flight packages start at $500, she says. “And there’s nothing quite like cozying up to your loved one by the fire or in the Jacuzzi after a day on the slopes in a winter wonderland,” she adds.

Look for Promo Codes and Packages

“One of the best ways to save on a last-minute romantic weekend getaway is to look at flight and hotel packages, as these will deliver the greatest value,” Tornatore explains. And with an abundance of all-inclusive lodging choices to pick from, it’s easy to organize a romantic and affordably priced weekend trip, even if you’ve waited to the final moment, she says. Orbitz.com is currently offering hotel and flight vacation packages to the Riviera Maya, a region along Mexico’s Caribbean coast and the Yucatán Peninsula filled with scenic beaches and Mayan ruins, starting at just $500 per person, she says.

Keep Your Travel Plans Flexible, and Pay Attention to Deal Alerts

“Flexibility is going to get you the most bang for your buck,” says Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com. “Airlines do offer last-minute fares, sometimes at a deep discount, usually very close to the weekend,” he says. But if you have some wiggle room, and you’re not set on a particular location, you can score some great deals in places you wouldn’t expect, he says. He also advises shifting your departure date and booking a midweek flight to capitalize on less demand and greater flight inventory. “You’ll also find hotel rates are much lower midweek and often don’t come with a minimum night’s stay,” he says.

Klee advises signing up for alerts from your favorite airlines and travel retailers. “When last-minute sales come up, they’ll come right to your inbox,” he says. Alternatively, you can use handy sites and apps like KAYAK and Hopper to find bargains. While KAYAK allows you to purchase hacker fares (one-way tickets to different destinations that are often less expensive than traditional prices), Hopper enables users to book their flights immediately after an enticing flight deal pops up.

“If you want to stay local and still get a good deal, you have to be flexible with your dates,” Saglie says. Though affordable hotel rates will be harder to snag over Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day weekend, there are deals after the holiday, he explains, pointing to a Travelzoo.com promotion for White Springs Manor, a Georgian Revival farm mansion in New York’s Finger Lakes wine country, available for $99 a night for stays through the end of May, with the exception of Feb. 14-15 and May 29-30.

Go Where You Can Beat the Exchange Rate

“You may be thinking that traveling domestically would be the best way to save on a last-minute getaway, but think again,” says TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals spokesperson Laurel Greatrix, “With the U.S. dollar being so strong, look at traveling to countries that are experiencing a beneficial exchange rate as a result, such as Canada or countries that accept the euro.” And with plenty of direct flight options, a four-day getaway to popular destinations like Paris and Dublin is within reach, she adds, noting that the U.S. dollar is up 20 percent against the euro since the same period last year.

Consider a Vacation Rental or a Hotel in an Off-the-Beaten-Track Location

Vacation rentals are often less expensive than traditional hotels and inns, Greatrix explains. Plus, they offer additional privacy, she adds, making them an ideal choice for couples on a tight budget. “Find one with an ambiance that suits your taste — be it a cozy mountaintop cabin, a beachside bungalow or an urban oasis with panoramic views. The options are endless,” she says.

And if you’d prefer staying in a hotel in a beach destination, Tornatore suggests veering away from the sands for the most advantageous rates. “Consider staying at a hotel in city center. You’ll save money, have the opportunity to take a romantic stroll on the bustling city streets and still be within walking distance of the beach,” she says.

More from U.S. News

Best Relaxing Getaways in the USA

Best Romantic European Getaways

Top Ideas for a Romantic Northwest Getaway This Winter

6 Simple Ways to Save on a Last-Minute Romantic Weekend Getaway 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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