How to Extend Your 2024 PTO and Travel More This Year – Women’s Lifestyle and Travel Blog

One the most common questions I hear from ladies is, “how do I travel more frequently with the limited paid time off my job gives me?” That’s a very reasonable question; especially from someone who feels as though they get a short amount of vacation days throughout the year.

Personally, my approach to travel planning is looking for ways to maximize my PTO by basing my vacations around US Federal holidays that I may already have off from my job. This can really help you stretch your limited vacation days and get more of a longer PTO experience without using them up. Here is a list of ways on how to extend your 2024 PTO by planning around the US Federal holidays:

How to Stretch Your PTO During 2024

New Year’s Day: Monday, January 1, 2024  

If you want to maximize your time off for New Year’s, consider requesting Friday, December 29, 2023, and Tuesday, January 2, 2024, off. By doing so, you’ll have a total of 5 consecutive days off, from Saturday, December 30, 2023, through Tuesday, January 2, 2024. This is a great way to extend the celebration into the New Year with just two vacation days.

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Monday, January 15, 2024  

To enjoy an extended break around Martin Luther King Jr. Day, request Friday, January 12, and Tuesday, January 16, off. This will give you a long weekend of 5 days, from Saturday, January 13, through Tuesday, January 16, with only two vacation days needed.

Washington’s Birthday: Monday, February 19, 2024  

For Presidents’ Day, you can request Friday, February 16, and Tuesday, February 20, off. By taking these two vacation days, you will have 5 days off in a row, from Saturday, February 17, through Tuesday, February 20.

Memorial Day: Monday, May 27, 2024  

Memorial Day offers an excellent chance to enjoy the start of summer. Requesting Friday, May 24, and Tuesday, May 28, will give you 5 days off, from Saturday, May 25, through Tuesday, May 28. This lets you have a nice long weekend to kick off summer activities.

Juneteenth National Independence Day: Wednesday, June 19, 2024  

With Juneteenth falling midweek, you can take either two days before or two days after the holiday to extend your time off. Requesting Monday, June 17, and Tuesday, June 18, as well as Thursday, June 20, and Friday, June 21, off, gives you a full 9-day break from Saturday, June 15, through Sunday, June 23, with just 4 vacation days used.

Independence Day: Thursday, July 4, 2024  

For Independence Day, if you want a longer vacation, consider taking Friday, July 5, along with Monday, July 1, through Wednesday, July 3. With these 4 vacation days, you’ll have a total of 9 days off, from Saturday, June 29, through Sunday, July 7.

Labor Day: Monday, September 2, 2024  

To make the most of Labor Day, request Friday, August 30, and Tuesday, September 3, off. This gives you a 5-day break from Saturday, August 31, through Tuesday, September 3, by using just two vacation days.

Columbus Day: Monday, October 14, 2024  

For Columbus Day, request Friday, October 11, and Tuesday, October 15, off. You’ll get 5 consecutive days off from Saturday, October 12, through Tuesday, October 15, by using only two vacation days.

Veterans Day: Monday, November 11, 2024  

To extend Veterans Day, consider taking Friday, November 8, and Tuesday, November 12, off. This will give you a long weekend of 5 days, from Saturday, November 9, through Tuesday, November 12, using just two vacation days.

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28, 2024  

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to take a longer break. If you request Friday, November 29, along with Monday, November 25, through Wednesday, November 27, off, you’ll enjoy 9 consecutive days off, from Saturday, November 23, through Sunday, December 1, by using 4 vacation days.

Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25, 2024  

To maximize your holiday season, request Monday, December 23, Tuesday, December 24, Thursday, December 26, and Friday, December 27, off. You’ll be able to enjoy 9 days off, from Saturday, December 21, through Sunday, December 29, by using just 4 vacation days.

Did this list help you plan more vacation days throughout 2024?

With this strategy, you can really stretch your limited PTO by piggybacking off of federal holidays that you may already have off. Don’t feel locked in on using all of your vacation days on a short vacation, instead approach your PTO more strategically and find ways to really get more value in short spurts.

Unfortunately the strategy may not help everyone, especially those of you who may find yourself on call during federal holidays or limited by block leave. Additionally the biggest vacation window is about 4 to 5 days so I don’t expect this to be appealing to someone who wants to take two weeks off, but this is a great option for someone who would prefer more than a weekend. This strategy is highly dependent on your current employment, but should be considered if it’s something that you can do.

Now that you have your 2024 travel days lined up ahead of you, make sure to check out all of my travel planning tips as well as travel inspiration if you’re looking for places to go. I am from Chicago so I have plenty of posts and things to do near Chicago, that includes free activities that allows you to really extend your travel days without breaking the bank.