United Airlines Wants to Send the Hardest Working Person in America to Tahiti

Every year, more than 700 million vacation days go unused across the United States, signaling that Americans are working harder and not taking the time off they’ve earned to unplug, relax and recharge. United Airlines today announced Time Off in Tahiti, a contest designed to recognize the hardest-working person in the country with a dream trip to the islands of Tahiti.

“With the unofficial end to summer this past weekend, it’s disheartening to think that so many Americans won’t have had a chance to use vacation days and get time away from the daily grind to experience something different,” said Toby Enqvist, United’s Chief Customer Officer. “This is why we’re so excited about this contest – it presents the opportunity for the deserving winner to experience some of the most relaxing scenery in the world in Tahiti.”

More than 50 percent of American employees have unused vacation and United and Project: Time Off are encouraging the U.S. workforce to reverse this stat and unplug with the trip of a lifetime

“The benefits of getting away are unparalleled – from improving your on-the-job performance and physical and mental wellbeing to enhancing your personal relationships,” said Katie Denis of Project: Time Off. “United is helping to raise awareness about the importance of taking time off to travel, which our research has proven to be the most effective way to use vacation days. In fact, those who use the majority of their vacation days for travel are significantly happier than those who travel very little or not at all.”

Do you or someone you know deserve some Time Off in Tahiti?

The winner could be anyone – mom, sister, brother, dad, wife, husband, friend, boss, co-worker or you – the possibilities are endless because each person’s story is unique. Entering the contest is easy and encourages nominators to speak from the heart about why the nominee deserves Time Off in Tahiti. To enter, simply identify someone who deserves the trip and time off – whether it’s someone who works 80-hour weeks, a stay-at-home parent, or someone working multiple jobs to make ends meet – and compose a 300-word submission on why they deserve the trip.

The United journey of a Lifetime

The winner of United’s Time Off in Tahiti contest and their guest will fly from their hometown to San Francisco and then on to Papeete, Tahiti for the ultimate getaway. The journey includes a visit to the United Polaris lounge at San Francisco International Airport, where they will find space to relax, dine and refresh before their flight to Tahiti. They will then fly in United Polaris business class to Tahiti.

In addition to the round-trip flight, hotel accommodations for three nights at the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort and Spa, two nights at the Intercontinental Moorea Resort and Spa and two nights at the Maitai Rangiroa, as well as transportation between islands, access to local sights and a $2,000 prepaid card to personalize the trip is also included.

All Work and No Play is Bora Boring

Approximately half of full-time workers surveyed by Project: Time Off did not take all of the paid vacation days they earned last year. Workers are giving up more than a well-deserved break, when they give up vacation days. Project: Time Off has found that traveling can positively impact work performance and overall wellbeing:

• Those who use most of their vacation days for travel reported a higher likelihood of receiving a raise, bonus or both than those who travel little or not at all (51 percent compared to 44 percent) as well as greater physical health and well-being (61 percent compared to 49 percent).
• Workers who use the majority of their vacation days for travel are significantly happier than those who travel less or not at all.
• 82 percent of Americans want the opportunity to relax and reduce stress via travel/vacation.

Uniting Tahiti with the U.S.

Considered by many to be a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list vacation destination, the islands of Tahiti and the neighboring French Polynesian islands of Moorea, Bora Bora and Huahine are accessible with United’s new nonstop flight from San Francisco. Launching October 30, United will be the only U.S. carrier offering nonstop service between the mainland U.S. and Tahiti. This new route will operate three times weekly and offer seasonal service through March 28, 2019 with Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

For complete rules and to enter, visit united.com/timeofftahiti. The contest runs through September 25 and winners will be selected on or around October 15.