SextanteUK,
Someone who actually knows what he's talking about may come along to give career guidance but I get the IMPRESSION that the hours between a fresh CPL and 1500 may be some of the hardest to get.
And, if you're going to get a degree online, you might want to get on with that as soon as you finish flight training since life can get in the way and slow down progress.
Airlines may not advertise a degree as a requirement but that doesn't mean they don't prefer one as a way to differentiate between otherwise similar applicants. It's their party so they decide who gets invited even if their POV is of debatable logic.
A degree is roundly debated but the opinion of the airline HR policy makers is the only one that matters.