Your Ultimate Guide to Maximizing PTO in 2025 & 2026

While personal time off (PTO) is one of the most valued job benefits, many Americans still don’t use it to its full advantage. Despite growing awareness of the importance of recharging, traveling, and reducing burnout, studies show that workers leave paid days off unused. At the same time, travel activity overall is on the rise: MMGY Global’s 2025 Portrait of American Travelers® reports that U.S. travel has reached its highest level in five years, driven by increased flexibility, blended work-leisure trips, and a renewed focus on experiences. 

This “always-on” work culture may be deeply ingrained, but comes at a cost. Regular time off can lower stress, reduce the risk of heart disease, boost cognitive performance, and improve overall motivation. In short, time away is good for your health and your productivity. 

As more people return to office settings or navigate hybrid schedules, planning PTO has become more critical and manageable. Whether you're looking to maximize long weekends or take one big trip, this guide from The Parking Spot will help you plan around key holidays, stretch your days off, and use your PTO to reduce stress, save money, and get the most value from your time away. 

PTO Planning FAQ 

Your time off matters, and with the proper planning, you can make 2025 and 2026 your most balanced years yet. Below are the top 10 questions on how to maximize your PTO. 

1. How can I maximize my vacation days in 2025? 

When maximizing vacation days in 2025, pay close attention to federal and state holidays. Holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day that fall near weekends are great days to use as building blocks for strategically placed PTO. For example, taking off December 30, January 2, and January 3 gives you nine consecutive days off using just three PTO days. 

2. What are the best days to take off in 2025 to maximize PTO? 

According to several 2025 PTO planning guides, including one published by Forbes, taking July 1–3 off (ahead of the July 4 holiday) creates a 9-day break using only 3 PTO days. Similarly, Nov 24–26 and Dec 24 or 26 are high-impact dates. 

Aim for mid-week, early morning flights to reduce costs and avoid crowds. They’re often cheaper, less crowded, and a smart way to maximize travel time. 

3. What are the best days to take off in 2026 to maximize PTO? 

Like we stated for 2025, 2026 offers ample PTO opportunities around federal holidays. Days like Jan 2, Feb 17 (Presidents Day), May 26 (Memorial Day), and July 3 are prime candidates. 

In the year's second half, try taking off September 8, October 12, November 9 and 10, November 27, December 24, and December 28-31 to maximize PTO in 2026. These fall on or near holidays, or in the case of October 12, give you a three-day weekend between federal and state holidays. 

[IMAGE: Couple on a beach vacation or hiking over a long weekend] 

4. How can I stretch a few days of PTO into a whole vacation? 

Use “Bridge days”, PTO days used between holidays and weekends to stretch a couple of days into a lengthier vacation. November and December offer excellent opportunities, with built-in time off around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. 

For example, in 2025, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 27. Taking off Monday through Wednesday (November 24–26) gives you nine days, from Saturday, November 22, through Sunday, November 30, using just three PTO days. In December, if you take December 24, 26, and 29–31 off, you can be away from work from December 24 through January 1, 2026, using only five PTO days. 

Planning ensures you lock in affordable flight, hotel, and airport parking rates before demand spikes, especially during these high-traffic weeks. 

5. What’s the best way to plan PTO around flight deals and travel windows? 

Not sure when to book your flights? Flexibility is the key to saving big. Pay close attention to peak travel times (including the busiest airports), consider shoulder season (a period typically between high and low season for popular destinations), and flexible booking windows (most common in the middle of the week) to sync your PTO carefully. Whether planning solo or with your family, planning well in advance is essential. 

Using travel tools and apps can also help you keep track of deals and maximize savings. Downloading top travel apps, such as Hopper and Skyscanner, can alert you to savings on tickets to places you want to go. You can also use AI tools to efficiently plan your itineraries or create a vacation budget to view any savings opportunities comprehensively.  

6. How can I make PTO less stressful to plan and enjoy it? 

Book key parts of your trip early, such as flights, hotels, and airport parking, to lock in rates and reduce stress. Having your suitcase packed and ready can also reduce last-minute stress and make quick departures easier. 

Furthermore, make sure you stagger your booking choices and other picks (to avoid decision fatigue, i.e., planning everything at once) and hand off your work smoothly. Let everybody know well in advance when you’re taking off, find a backup who can handle your projects, create a handover document for those picking up your work, and get ready to relax. 

7. Is it better to take long vacations or shorter breaks? 

There are definitely benefits to incorporating both short breaks and longer vacations into your calendar. 

Short breaks like long weekends are easy to plan at the last minute and break up a busy month without being too disruptive to your work schedule. They’re great for quick getaways, visiting friends or family, or simply unplugging. 

However, taking a week off or longer can allow for deeper rest and more immersive experiences. Unplugging for a longer trip can help avoid burnout and fully recharge, or visit far away places.  

Plan several short breaks during the year and one longer trip when your PTO balance and travel deals align. 

[IMAGE: A person in casual clothes enjoying coffee on the couch or front porch] 

8. What are the cheapest months to travel using PTO? 

Traveling in the “shoulder season”can be a great way to travel at a lower cost. These periods typically fall between peak travel periods. For example:  

• May, before the summer rush and school breaks
• September, after Labor Day and before the holiday season kicks in
• Early December, Before the Christmas and New Year’s travel boom

During these windows, demand is lower, with lower crowds and easier to snag hotel and airfare deals. 

Combine PTO with midweek flights in these months to save even more and make your trip as budget-friendly as possible. 

[IMAGE: A couple looking at a phone together, planning their vacation] 

9. How can I use PTO without breaking the bank?

If you’re trying to maximize your PTO for the best days in 2025 and 2026 and learn how to save money on your vacation or business trip, The Parking Spot is here to help! Book flights on less popular days like Tuesdays and Thursdays, sign up for loyalty programs, and use off-site airport parking for extra savings. 

Most reward or loyalty programs are free, meaning you save money even if you rarely travel. Try other simple tricks, such as packing light (to avoid luggage fees), tapping into credit card rewards, and downloading useful travel apps to get better results. 

PTO Planning Checklist: 6 Quick Steps for a Stress-Free Break 

The following checklist summarizes key tips to utilize when planning your PTO for maximum relaxation: 

• Check your 2025 or 2026 holiday calendar
  Look for holidays that fall near weekends to strategically stack PTO into a longer vacation.
• Submit PTO requests early, ideally at the start of the year
  Secure high-demand days before your coworkers do by getting your requests in as soon as company calendars open.
• Use bridge days and mid-week flights to extend breaks
  Strategic timing, taking the Monday after a holiday weekend or flying on a Wednesday, can turn a few days off into a whole vacation.
• Set alerts for travel deals using apps and AI tools
  Use platforms like Hopper or Google Flights to monitor prices and grab discounts before they rise.
• Coordinate with coworkers for smooth work handoffs
  Plan for backups, handover notes, and team coverage in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
• Book airport parking, hotels, and activities early to save
  Reserve with trusted off-site options like The Parking Spot to lock in pricing, guarantee availability, and keep your car secure while away.

Now You Know How to Maximize Vacation Days in 2025 and 2026: What’s Next?

[IMAGE: A group with luggage boarding a shuttle with The Parking Spot] 

Planning ahead helps you turn limited PTO into meaningful time off. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a whole vacation, booking early and using innovative travel strategies can save you stress and money. 

When flying out for your trip, save even more by reserving with The Parking Spot. With 70+ locations in 20 major cities, we make airport parking easy, affordable, and secure. Don’t forget to join Spot Club and check our coupons for extra savings.