You can also bid 10 days(thus, improving your chances, since only asking for one slot). Make sure that vacation period is your last one of the year. You can then bank a few days of vacation earlier on. For example, if you have 19 days of vacation for the year, bid the 10 days, lets say July. Next go around, bid remaining 9 days anytime earlier than July. Lets assume you bid a March period. Now, when March rolls around, bid such that your 9 days of vacation only hits 4 days worth of trips. Your bank would then reflect 15 days(the five you saved in addition to the 10 you have scheduled in July). When July comes you can now expand up to the total days you have remaining in your bank, plus 6 more hours. 16 days will normally guarantee you being removed from all flying in any month.

This can only be done IF it is your last vacation period of the year. Otherwise, you would be limited to the 10 days, plus 6 hours over. Just another way to accomplish what your trying to do. Most folks don't realize that can be done. Want Xmas off, but no way you can hold week 52. Bid first or second week of December. Bank some vacation and voilą, you've got all of December off, including Xmas. Hope this helps.