Get the most out of your PTO – and the most out of your vacation! With Delta Vacations, you’ll earn toward Medallion® Status on flights, hotels, rides and activities. One vacation can make the difference in reaching Status or the next tier, so your booking can continue to reward you throughout the year. Terms apply.

A little creative calendar planning in 2026 can go a long way. With strategic use of long weekends and holidays, just a handful of PTO days can unlock meaningful trips throughout the year, from quick city breaks to longer international adventures.

Sample itineraries for demonstration purposes only. Terms apply.

MAY 23 – 25: Memorial Day | 3 Days, 0 PTO

The next long weekend is around the corner – no PTO required! Travelers can take their 3 days for Memorial Day Weekend to check out some domestic gems for an early summer mini-break!

Go: San Diego, Nashville, Atlanta
As summer approaches, this long weekend is ideal for laid-back coastal cities, music-driven destinations, and underrated gems that are easy to enjoy in a short stay. 

• San Diego: Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton
  • Add activities: Best of San Diego eBike Tour, City Lights Night Tour by Trolley, Secret Food Tour San Diego Downtown, Champagne Brunch Cruise with Dessert Buffet
• Nashville: Virgin Hotel Nashville
  • Add activities: Soul of Music City Night Tour, The Belle Meade Mansion Tour + Wine Tasting, Franklin's Civil War Tour, Secret Food Tour 12 South
• Atlanta: The St. Regis Atlanta
  • Add activities: Atlanta Ghosts: Hauntings, Ghouls and Phantoms, LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta, Zoo Atlanta

JUNE 19 – JULY 5: Independence Day | 17 Days, 9 PTO

Take 9 days of PTO in July and stretch your Independence Day holiday into a 17-day getaway!

Go: Sydney or Seoul

This extended break opens the door to longer journeys to Asia and the South Pacific. It’s a great time to go big and experience the rich culture of the region by hopping to destinations throughout. If an over two-week trip is a bit too long for you, consider shortening the trip to June 27-July 5. This 9-day itinerary would use just 4 days of PTO. 

• Seoul: Conrad Seoul
  • Add activities: Seoul Royal Palace Tour, Demilitarized Zone Half-Day Tour, Secret Food Tour Seoul
• Sydney: InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach by IHG
  • Add activities: Sydney Opera House: Architectural Tour, AEA Luxury Blue Mountains Deluxe Day Tour, Harbour View Lunch Cruise, Treetops Adventure: Nowra Park

SEPTEMBER 4 – 7: Labor Day | 3 Days, 0 PTO

Make the most of the long weekend and check out shoulder-season cities, gorgeous weather included.

GO: Seattle or Boston

• Early fall brings cooler temperatures, fewer crowds and some of the best conditions for city exploration.
• Seattle: Fairmont Olympic Hotel
• Add activities: Olympic National Park: All-Inclusive Small Group Day Trip, Night Tour + Space Needle and Skywheel Entry, Secret Food Tour Seattle
• Boston: Chatham Bars Inn
• Add activities: Beacon Hill Boston: Small Group Underground Railroad History Tour, Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise, From Food to Freedom Trail Tour

OCTOBER 9 – 12: Indigenous Peoples’ Day | 3 Days, 0 PTO

Embrace the fall atmosphere with a domestic getaway.

Go: New York City or New Orleans

From fall foliage to food festivals, October long weekends are perfect for cities that thrive during the season. 

• New York: Lotte New York Palace
  • Add activities: Central Park Bike Tour, Hidden Bars and Speakeasies Nighttime Tour, Fully Guided Statue of Liberty Tour with Ellis Island, Secret Food Tour Chinatown & Little Italy, 9/11 Memorial & Museum,
• New Orleans: The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel
  • Add activities: Swamp Boat Cruise, New Orleans City & Cemetery Tour, Cooking Class and Cocktail Walking Tour, Interactive Ghosts and Spirits Walking Tour

NOVEMBER 6 – 11: Veterans Day | 5 Days, 2 PTO

This is the perfect time to visit shoulder-season international destinations across the pond!

Go: Dublin or Marrakech

Late fall is an ideal time to explore destinations that benefit from cooler weather and lighter crowds, making the journey feel especially rewarding.

• Dublin: Mount Juliet Estate, Autograph Collection
  • Add activities: Railtours - Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and Galway Bay, Midleton Distillery Experience & Whiskey Tasting, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Cobh Cultural Tour
• Marrakech: Riad Dar Anika
  • Add activities: Les Hammam de Marrakech Experience, Private Hot Air Balloon Ride in Jbillat area, Private Intimate Visit of the Medina, Private Trekking in the Atlas Mountains

NOVEMBER 21 – 29: Thanksgiving | 9 Days, 3 PTO

This is the year to be thankful for vacations! Explore Europe and the start of holiday markets and earn toward Medallion Status for next year!

Go: Paris, Amsterdam or London 

This is the PTO window that rewards going farther. Travelers can slow down, explore multiple cities, and fully immerse themselves in Europe at the start of the holiday season. 

• Paris: Hotel de Sers
  • Add activities: Highlight of Versailles Full Day Bike Tour with Royal Gardens, Queens' Hamlet & Picnic, Bruges, Guided Visit of Louvre, Mont St. Michel, Dinner at the Eiffel Tower + Cruise, Moulin Rouge 1st Show with return transportation, Loire Valley Castles Tours
• Amsterdam: Pulitzer Amsterdam
  • Add activities: Blue Boat Company City Canal Cruise + Van Gogh Museum, Giethoorn Tour, Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague, Volendam, Marken & Windmills, Secret Food Tour Amsterdam, Bruges
• London: 100 Queen's Gate Hotel London Kensington
  • Add activities: London Dinner Cruise on the River Thames, Churchill War Rooms & Blenheim Palace Day Tour, Bath & Costwold Village Private Tour, Making of Harry Potter, Stonehenge & Bath Private Tour, Premier Classic London Private Black Cab Tour

DECEMBER 24 – JANUARY 3: Christmas/New Year | 11 Days, 3 PTO

Escape the hustle and bustle with a year-end trip to Hawaii!

Go: Honolulu or Maui

Close out the year with a reset in paradise, turning the holiday break into a true getaway with minimal PTO impact. 

• Honolulu: Alohilani Waikiki Beach
  • Add activities: Arizona Memorial/USS Missouri and Honolulu City Tour, Polynesian Gateway Buffet and S how, Semi Private Surf Lesson, Whale Watch Cruise, Sunset Fireworks Dinner Cruise
• Maui: Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateaux - Adults Only
  • Add activities: Hana Rainforest Experience, Luau - Royal Lahaina Lu'au, Molokini Snorkel Cruise, West Maui and Molokai Helicopter Tour, Kaanapali Sunset Dinner Sail

Whether it’s a long weekend close to home or a once-a-year international adventure, thoughtful PTO planning can unlock more opportunities to explore.

All SkyMiles program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide. For complete details on the limited time offer, visit worldagentdirect.com/delta/specials/specialoffer?specialOfferCode=MED2026. To review rules for Delta Vacations miles redemption, please visit delta.com/us/en/delta-vacations/use-miles. Delta Vacations packages will earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) based on the eligible value of the package, as apportioned between all travelers in the booking. To learn about earning toward Medallion Status, visit delta.com/us/en/delta-vacations/skymiles-member-experience/earn-miles. Bonus miles do not count toward Medallion Status or Million Miler™ status. Please allow 8 weeks after qualification for miles to be posted to your account. Offers void where prohibited by law. Offers subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.