How to Make the Most of National Plan for Vacation Day

Did you take all your paid time off last year? If you're like most Americans, you didn't! Data from the U.S. Travel Association over the last few years show that only 25%v of us tap all of our PTO before year's end. The rest of us leave an average of 4-1/2 vacation days on the docket and, depending on which state you call home, they don't always roll over into the new year.

National Plan for Vacation Day launched in 2017, and it falls on January 30 -- the last #travelTuesday of the month -- in 2024. The idea is simple: carve out time that day to map out your vacations for the year. Even if things change down the road, earmarking getaways while tapping all of your PTO puts trips on your horizon and adventures to look forward to! 

Here are five quick tips to maximize your vacation planning on this year's National Plan for Vacation Day!

• Take time off around holiday weekends: Working with time off that's already on the calendar will give you several 4- or 5-day vacations that only cost you one or 2 days off. For example, think about taking Feb. 16 and 20 off, the Friday and Tuesday around President's Day weekend; that Monday Feb. 19 is a national holiday, and tapping two of your paid days off suddenly gives you a five-day getaway!
• Traveling during a holiday? Book now! Use National Plan for Vacation Day to lock down vacation time now around popular holiday weeks or weekends, since popular spots will sell-out early and overall costs won't come down. Want to take the kids away for spring break? Book now! Want to visit your favorite beach during 4th of July weekend? Book now! You know you want to get away over Thanksgiving? Book now!
• Go off-season: I think we'll see a big push this year to visit your favorite destinations, but without the crowds. There's a sustainability argument here: going off-season helps manage the impact on the places we visit. What's more, fewer people and lower prices are always a plus. Book travel to popular summer spots in the spring or fall, instead, and winter havens during the summer.
• Watch the fine print: Whenever you see a really hot travel deal -- and we're likely to see various travel brands doling out promos on National Plan for Vacation Day -- make sure you read the fine print. Even the totally legit bargains are likely to come with strict change or cancelation policies.
• Use your miles: I'm one of those travelers who loves to see their airline mileage account grow. Bottom line, though, is that your miles are only as valuable as where they'll take you. Use National Plan for Vacation Day to tap your miles to book your next few flights!

On Discovery Princess Sep. 2023 -- our first Alaska cruise!

One last note: look for some of the best bargains coming from the cruise industry. No less than eight new high-profile ships are slated to hit the water in 2024, including Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, which set sail on Caribbean itineraries this past weekend, the Sun Princess, which launches next month, and the Disney Treasure, which will be introduced in December. More cabins, more deals for you and me!

Safe travels!

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