How to Maximize your PTO: Use it, Don’t Lose it!
Maximizing your PTO (paid time off)! Everyone has different amounts of days allotted for PTO, and some people have a different combination of PTO days, sick days, holidays, etc. I now have a new job, but for four years I traveled by navigating my PTO.
There are ways to make your limited time off stretch further; flying on certain days, taking advantage of holidays, and more.
And, remember, though some people use all of their PTO for travel, even one international trip a year is still incredible and more than a lot of people could hope for.
Here are tips on how I utilized it my PTO to get the most of my days off and fit in the most trips for the year.ย
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About my (Previous) PTO
I was allotted 21 days of paid time off. This includes vacation days, sick days, personal days, etc plus 6 national holidays. Basically, after the holidays, I had about 14 days of paid time off to use as I pleased. I rarely use sick days, so I typically use all of my days for vacation!
In full transparency, I no longer have to request PTO, as I own my own physical therapy clinic now. However, I traveled for 4 years frequently using the above-mentioned PTO and got to see a LOT of places while working full time!
AND, owning a business and still having patients comes with a responsibility that still makes me try to minimize my days away from work for each trip.
So, here are details on the BEST strategy to stretch minimal PTO days into a 10 day trip plus a few other tips to try and see the world while still having a 9-5!
The “6 Days of PTO” Scheme to Maximize your PTO
Unfortunately, international travel can take more PTO than we would like to use. While traveling around PTO, I typically took about two international trips per year, and it takes some strategy to have enough PTO days for this!
The best strategy for minimizing PTO days and maximizing trip days is what I call the “6 days of PTO scheme.”
Using 6 days of PTO to get 10-day trips:
- Outbound Flight: Fly out on Thursday night or Friday morning in order to only utilize one PTO day the first week
- Red-eye flights on Thursday can be cheaper and will give you more time on Friday to explore
- Inbound Flight: Fly back on Sunday
- A Friday through the following Sunday schedule will add an extra weekend to your trip and give you the most days with the least amount of PTO
- This 6 PTO day scheme will give you 8 solid days to explore with 2 days of travel. This is plenty of time to do and see a lot!
If you take two international trips following this rule, you will use 12 days of PTO.
This leaves 2-3 days for any long weekend trips or other days you may need off. Or, if you like having more PTO cushion, take one international trip and a couple of long weekend trips!
Other Tips for Maximizing your PTO
While the “6 days of PTO scheme” is best for using minimal days for a longer international trip, there are still a few other things you can do to make your days stretch even further.
Take Advantage of Holiday Weekends
The advantage of holiday travel is you get a “free” day of PTO.
However, holiday travel can get expensive. So if you take this route, plan ahead so you can snag cheaper accommodations and flights before everyone else also decides to travel on the holiday weekend.
Another way to save money on holiday weekends is to take a trip that is in driving distance and cut the cost of flights out!
Work Half Days and/or Through Lunch
Book flights in the afternoon or at night and save at least half a day of PTO.
Also, if you return in the morning from a trip, you can always get a few hours of work in the afternoon to save some PTO hours if need-be.
In many instances, PTO is broken down by hours. To save some PTO hours, come in early and work through lunch to leave early and possibly use little-to-no PTO.
I know, this isn’t an option for everyone and it may not save LOADS of PTO time, but every hour counts sometimes!
Consider Non-Paid Time Off
Again, this may not be an option for you. Whether because your boss won’t let you, or financially you can’t make it work.
But if you are trying to squeeze another trip in and you don’t have quite enough days, it doesn’t hurt to ask if you can have an extra day or two to complete your trip!
Having a Plan Helps in Maximizing your PTO
If you have strict rules for your PTO and minimal flexibility, the best thing you can do is plan ahead.
EVERYTHING doesn’t have to be planned ahead, but choose WHEN you would like to take your trips for the year and set your PTO dates. You can choose where you go and what you want to do a little later!
Planning ahead keeps anyone from trying to claim your travel dates, lets your boss and co-workers have some heads-up on when you will be away, and gives you assurance you will get your trips in for the year!
A little encouragement
First of all, be an advocate for yourself. I know in the US time off of work really isn’t valued.
Did you know that the US doesn’t require payment for time off? Thankfully, I had the perk of having a boss that was pro-vacation. He had his own sense of adventure and supported me in my efforts to see the world.
If you don’t necessarily have this at your job, I encourage you to have a conversation about the importance of time-off from work. I know, this is easier said than done in many situations, but be your own advocate!
Also, I hate to see people not utilize their PTO. I respect hard work and dedication to a job. However, I believe everyone needs time away from work.
Even if you aren’t taking trips or going anywhere, days off and breaks from work are good for mental health and productivity. So whatever you choose to do or wherever you choose to go, just take some personal days!
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