When work keeps you busy, it can be easy to let your vacation days pile up. You may have every intention of taking time off, but deadlines, busy schedules, and the cost of travel can make it tempting to postpone your next getaway. Owning a timeshare won’t give you additional PTO. However, having a vacation already planned can make it easier to prioritize the time off you already have. With a timeshare, you typically have access to accommodations at a resort for a set amount of time each year, depending on your ownership and program. If you have vacation days available, owning a timeshare may give you another reason to use them.
How Timeshares Can Impact Your Vacation Priorities
Recent research shows that timeshare owners continue to make vacations a priority. In 2025, ARDA reported that 68% of timeshare owners had already made a reservation for their next vacation, compared with a significantly smaller share of travelers overall. The organization also found that 61% of owners planned to take their next timeshare vacation within four months.
Why Taking Your Vacation Time Matters
Time away from work gives you an opportunity to step away from your everyday routine and spend time doing the things you enjoy. Whether that means relaxing at the beach, exploring a new destination, or spending time with family, a vacation can provide a much-needed change of scenery.
Still, many Americans don’t use all the paid time off available to them. A 2024 study referenced by ARDA found that 60% of Americans did not use all of their allotted PTO. And if you have earned those days, letting them go unused can mean missing opportunities to recharge and make memories outside of work. That’s where having a vacation plan can help!
Instead of waiting until you feel like you have enough time to take a trip, you can look at your available PTO and start planning around it. When you already have a destination and accommodations in mind, taking time away from work can feel like a more concrete plan rather than something you’ll get around to someday.
How Timeshare Ownership Can Help You Use Your PTO
One of the biggest advantages of timeshare ownership is having a reason to plan a vacation each year. Depending on the type of ownership, you may receive a set number of vacation weeks, points, or other usage rights. Many timeshare programs also offer flexibility, allowing owners to choose when and where they travel within the rules of their particular program. Some owners can use exchange programs or other booking options to travel beyond their home resort.
ARDA’s recent research reflects how actively timeshare owners are planning their vacations. In 2025, 71% of timeshare owners had already booked their next vacation in March, and owners were more likely than other travelers to say they planned to continue traveling despite economic uncertainty. Having that vacation ownership can encourage you to take action!
Plan Your PTO Around Your Vacation
Once you know when you want to travel, check your company’s PTO policy and request your days off as early as possible. Planning ahead can make it easier to coordinate your vacation with work responsibilities.
If your timeshare uses points or flexible booking windows, you may also have opportunities to plan shorter trips throughout the year instead of waiting for one long vacation.
Create a Vacation Budget
Even when your timeshare covers your accommodations, there are still other travel costs to keep in mind — think transportation, meals, entertainment, and resort fees. A great way to stay ahead of these expenses is to set up a vacation fund throughout the year. Try setting aside a little from each paycheck, so that when vacation time rolls around, you’re ready to enjoy every moment without any financial stress!
Look for Ways to Reduce Travel Costs
You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy your time off. Depending on your destination and ownership program, you may be able to reduce costs by staying in accommodations with kitchens, traveling during less busy periods, or choosing a destination within driving distance.
Many timeshare resorts also offer amenities that can help you spend more time at the resort rather than paying for additional activities elsewhere.
Put Your Vacation on the Calendar
Don’t leave your PTO to the last minute! Take a peek at your work calendar, spot those potential vacation windows, and start planning ahead. Even penciling in a tentative getaway gives you something exciting to look forward to — and makes taking that well-deserved time off feel all the more intentional.
How Much Vacation Time Do U.S. Workers Get?
The amount of vacation time available to you depends on your employer, industry, length of service, and other factors.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 77% of civilian workers had access to paid vacation in March 2025. Among private industry workers, 80% had access to paid vacation.
For private industry workers who receive vacation leave separately from other types of paid leave, the average number of vacation days increased with years of service:
- After 1 year: 11 days
- After 5 years: 15 days
- After 10 years: 18 days
- After 20 years: 20 days
State and local government workers averaged 13 days after one year and 22 days after 20 years.
Because PTO policies vary, it’s important to check your employer’s rules. Some companies allow unused days to roll over, while others have limits or use-it-or-lose-it policies.
Make the Most of the Vacation Time You Have
You don’t necessarily need more vacation days to take more vacations. Sometimes, you simply need a better plan for using the time you already have.
So, the next time you’re looking at your PTO balance, don’t automatically assume you have to save every day for later. Look at your calendar, make a plan, and give yourself something to look forward to. Whether you own a timeshare or simply want to make better use of your vacation days, taking time away from work can be an important part of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Save Money by Buying a Timeshare Resale
If you’re interested in timeshare ownership but want to keep your upfront costs down, consider buying a timeshare on the resale market. A timeshare resale is an ownership interest that an existing owner is selling, often at a price significantly lower than purchasing a comparable interest directly from a resort developer.
Resale prices are set by individual owners, so they can vary depending on the resort, season, unit size, usage rights, and other factors. In some cases, buyers can find substantial savings compared with the original purchase price.
Buying resale can also give you access to many of the same benefits of timeshare ownership, including the opportunity to vacation at a resort you enjoy and plan trips around your available PTO. However, benefits and program rules can vary between resorts and ownership types, so it’s important to understand exactly what comes with a resale before purchasing.
Buy A Timeshare With Timeshares Only
If you’re ready to make vacation time a bigger priority without spending as much upfront, exploring timeshare resales can be a great place to start. Browse available resale ads on Timeshares Only to compare owner-advertised prices and find an ownership that fits your vacation plans and budget.
