This is a common misconception. The PWA says it MAY be denied if it touches the period around the stated holidays not that it WILL be automatically denied. I've had one approved for a Christmas trip. Granted, these days we can assume it will always be denied; however, we shouldn't spread rumors that APDs/IVDs will always be denied around holidays because it's just not true.

And it's 2 days before to 1 day after the listed holidays.

Pro tip: APDs and IVDs process ahead of straight drops during the PCS process, and are guaranteed to go through if you have positive coverage even during a holiday blackout. This can be a smart way for a junior person to snipe the holiday off using an APD/IVD ahead of senior pilots using a PD.

Bingo. That plus junior reserve folks YS'ing on days off early in the month to get full before the holidays.

I recently noticed at the bottom of my Feb time card IVDs AVAILABLE and
OCCASIONS AVAILABLE counters. I appreciate having these as it has been a pain in the past to try and remember how many I have used and if I have any available.

Concerning though, in Feb it showed 5 IVDs AVAILABLE and 3 OCCASIONS AVAILABLE. On subsequent time cards the counters showed 4 and 2 respectively and I haven’t used an IVD yet. Did anyone else out there have the same thing happen?

I had the same thing. Was hoping the time time card (when that kicks in) would reflect properly, but alas…

I didn't notice that but the 6 IVDs/3 Occasions don't get implemented until 7/2/23.

I think all that actually happened in March, not February. There was a bit of a glitch in March after the TA passed where it showed everyone with the extra occurrence. However, it all reset properly on April 1 with the start of the new vacation year. In fact even in March if you went to view April's time card April showed correctly. Double in fact, I just went and looked at my March time card and it still shows the 3/6 IVD info. So something was wonky with it but everything that is current shows correctly.

I wish. Still only 2 occasions of IVD use starting in July (From the C2019 TA Reference Guide):

PWA Section 7 I. 1. – Improved Individual Vacation Days (IVD)

- Pilots with 3 weeks or more of vacation may use up to 6 IVDs with 2 occasions of use. This is in addition to any IVDs/occasions from Section 14 K.
- Currently pilots are limited to 4 IVDs with 2 occasions to use.

Dang, good job catching me in a little wishful thinking.