MAXIMIZING VACATION DAYS

If you're anything like me, you love to travel. But, making it happen with limited paid vacation days can be difficult. In the past six months, I've been on dozens of flights traveling on eight separate occasions. I often get questions about how I'm able to travel so frequently without wasting all of my paid time off before the third quarter of the year. Whether it be a trip abroad or a short flight back home, I've learned how to utilize my vacation time to maximize my travel. 

It's important to note that not all workplaces afford the options outlined below. Furthermore, not all individuals have the flexibility in their positions to utilize all of the options. Depending on your employer, management position, tenure, etc. some of these options may (or may not) be available to you. 

NEGOTIATE 

There are several ways you can "negotiate" your way into additional vacation days. If your supervisor is flexible, would they allow you to arrange an alternative work schedule? At my job, many employees work the standard eight hour day. I arranged an alternative schedule with my supervisor that allows me to work nine hour days, which affords me one day off every two weeks. I still work the standard 80 hours per pay period that my colleagues do, but I get two extra days off per month. That's huge.  

Additionally, some companies offer compensatory time off. Typically, this is an arrangement that allows for time off with pay in lieu of overtime pay. However, it can also apply to irregularly worked hours, too. If you expect to work overtime or irregular hours, it's worth talking to your supervisor about. It's important to note here that many salaried employees do not enjoy the benefit of comp time, but it varies widely from company to company. 

Finally, negotiate vacation time when you first get a job offer or when you're awarded a raise. If you have the ability to negotiate your benefit package before you begin a job, it's an easy way to gain extra vacation days. If that's not an option, know that many employees negotiate for additional paid time off in lieu of a monetary raise when they're slated for a pay increase. 

WORK REMOTELY

Does your company allow you to work from home or telework? If so, this added flexibility can be key to planning travel. If you have the flexibility of working from the airport, on your flight, in a hotel room or at your destination, it suddenly becomes much easier to conserve your vacation days and travel at the same time. 

TAKE THE "BAD" FLIGHT

Those 6:00a flights? The worst. How about red-eyes? Equally as terrible. But, these flights can really help maximize vacation days. I like flying early mornings on domestic departures because it allows me to enjoy a full day at my destination. Along the same lines, I like to book late flights back home. This allows me to extend my trip as long as possible — and really, I only regret it Monday morning when I'm tired. The positive? Flying early, late, and otherwise obscure times is often cheapest!

HOLIDAYS

Traveling around holidays is an easy way to scrape together an extra day or two off. In the U.S., most workplaces grant the standard Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years holidays off. Does your company offer any other obscure days off? Many workplaces grant every federal holiday off, including MLK Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day. Being aware of these extra days off ahead of time can really benefit travel planning. If you know of a three day weekend coming up, taking a vacation day at the beginning (or end) of the weekend is a super easy way to get in a four day trip with only taking one day off. And trust me, four days is plenty — especially if you plan it right! 

COMPROMISE 

Sometimes, I'll get up early and head into work at 5:00a so I can work a full day and leave by 3:00p. This allows me to beat traffic or get on an earlier flight that I otherwise wouldn't be able to. Added bonus: bring your bags to the office and leave directly from work!

But, what happens when you've exhausted all of your options and are out of vacation time? Talk to your supervisor about taking unpaid leave. Many companies have some sort of policy regarding unpaid time off, and it may be your only option if you've already used your leave allowance for the year. 

Work shouldn't have to spoil all of the fun when it comes to travel. How do you stretch your vacation days?