Originally Posted by Jughead135

To avoid coverage: No.

To "shape coverage advantageously": Maybe. Consider a situation where one wants a very specific set of days off, during a period likely to be hit with coverage. Now throw a VAC block on there, one which cannot effectively be moved due to that coverage, particularly at a seniority or in a category with only (or predominantly) longer trips. VACATION ANY may allow a specific trip that satisfies coverage (but would be otherwise unavailable due to one or more vacation days). Edge case, sure, but a valuable tool (as you say)--even if you're subject to coverage, I would argue.