If your goal is simply to have the best chance of getting in, then ED to Skidmore. Did we ever see what this person’s grades and scores are? I’m totally guessing that OP perhaps doesn’t have super strong grades and is applying ED as a boost to compensate.
Also, no, I highly doubt any of the colleges will pay your international airfare, unless perhaps you have been part of a low SES, first gen, or URM recruitment program.