You‘ve booked the flights, reserved the hotel, and packed your bags. But in the excitement of preparing for a much-needed getaway, many travelers overlook one small but significant task: putting their mail on hold.
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Forgetting to press pause on your mail delivery can have big consequences. An overflowing mailbox is an instant alert to thieves that a home is unoccupied and an easy target. Important letters or sensitive information sit exposed to sticky fingers and prying eyes. And returning to a towering mail pile dampens that serene post-vacation bliss.
Luckily, the United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a convenient solution in the form of mail holds, also known as "vacation holds." This totally free service allows you to temporarily suspend delivery to your address for 3 to 30 days. Your mail is securely collected and held at your local post office until you return to retrieve it or resume delivery.
By the Numbers: Mail Hold Trends and Statistics
Just how many travelers are taking advantage of this postal perk? Quite a lot, it turns out. USPS reports that over 5 million customers used the mail hold service in 2021, a 15% increase from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The average hold duration was 8 days, and more than a quarter of requests (28%) were for the maximum allowed 30-day period.
Peak vacation hold months align with popular travel times. Data shows mail hold requests spike in the summer, with June and July accounting for 26% of the yearly total. The winter holidays are another busy period, with December holds increasing by an average of 18% compared to other non-summer months.
While the numbers confirm mail hold‘s popularity, many travelers still skip this step. A survey by a leading travel insurer found that only 41% of Americans reported placing a mail hold for trips in 2019. Millennials were the least likely to use the service at just 31%, compared to 48% of Baby Boomers.
How to Place a Mail Hold in 2 Minutes Flat
Requesting a mail hold is a breeze and can be done online, by phone or in person at your local post office. The easiest and most popular method is to submit an online request via your USPS.com account. Here‘s how:
If you don‘t already have a USPS account, sign up for free at USPS.com. While you‘re at it, enroll in the free Informed Delivery program to preview your incoming mail and track packages online.
Log in and navigate to the "Quick Tools" menu at the top of the page. Under the "Track & Manage" column, click "Hold Mail."
Enter the start and end dates of your trip. Mail hold requests must be for a minimum of 3 consecutive days and cannot exceed 30 days. You can schedule a hold up to 3 months in advance or as late as the next scheduled delivery day if submitted by 3:00 a.m. ET.
Verify your address and identity. If you‘re enrolled in Informed Delivery, you will bypass this step.
Choose your delivery option for when the hold ends. You can either pick up the accumulated mail in person at your local post office, or have it delivered to your mailbox on the next regular delivery day.
Review the information and click "Submit Hold Request."
You‘ll immediately receive an email with a confirmation number. Retain this to make any changes, cancel the hold, or authorize another person to pick up the mail on your behalf. Pro tip: add the confirmation number to your digital calendar or notes app so it‘s always at your fingertips.
If you prefer to arrange a hold by phone, call 1-800-ASK-USPS and follow the prompts. You can also fill out a paper request form at any post office location. Regardless of submission method, the terms remain the same: free of charge, 3-30 days, and the option to pick up or have mail delivered post-hold.
Avoiding Vacation Hold Hiccups
A successful vacation mail hold really is as simple as submitting the request and jetting off. However, there are a few potential snags to be mindful of:
USPS cannot hold mail addressed to other individuals at your residence unless you submit separate online requests for each person.
The hold only applies to USPS deliveries. Other couriers like FedEx or UPS will continue to make deliveries. If you‘re expecting important non-USPS packages, make alternate arrangements or have a trusted neighbor collect them.
Scheduling a hold too far in advance can cause issues if regular mail delivery is unexpectedly interrupted due to weather, staffing shortages or other factors, cautioned Phoenix postal carrier Julie Rios. "I usually tell customers to wait to schedule holds between one and two weeks from the trip. That way there‘s less risk of previously unknown disruptions wreaking havoc on the ability to hold mail."
You have 10 days from when the hold expires to pick up accumulated mail before it‘s returned to senders. If you‘re delayed returning from your trip, call your post office to see if they can extend the grace period. And remember to bring a photo ID and your hold confirmation number when picking up.
The Crucial Role of Mail Holds in Home Security
At first glance, a mail hold may seem like a minor vacation formality. But postal and security experts agree this small step plays an outsized role in keeping your home and identity secure while you‘re away.
"It‘s one of the first things I advise going out of town, right alongside pausing newspaper subscriptions and using light timers," said Herman Singh, a retired cop turned home safety consultant. "Thieves are always scouting for signs a home is unattended. Uncollected mail is a dead giveaway."
Singh said placing a hold deprives criminals of key information. "With an empty mailbox, intruders can‘t gather clues like names, bank statements, or travel itineraries that make breaking and entering a snap. A stuffed mailbox also can‘t tip them off you‘re gone."
Mail thieves aren‘t just after parcels and payments. Personal information gleaned from unattended letters is a gold mine for identity theft. In 2021, nearly 1/3 of Americans reported having sensitive mail stolen, according to a report by Identity Theft Resource Center. Addresses with past vacation holds showed a 48% lower mail theft rate compared to the general population.
"If you‘re going to be away from home, utilizing the hold mail service through USPS is a simple, proactive way to lower your risk," said Eva Velasquez, President & CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. "It ensures sensitive information stays out of the wrong hands and prevents crimes of opportunity."
Other Security Steps to Take Before Vacationing
Placing a mail hold is an important safeguard, but it should be one component of a larger pre-trip security checklist. Postal officials and travel experts recommend taking these additional precautions:
- Pause newspaper and subscription box deliveries
- Arrange for lawn care so your yard doesn‘t look unkempt
- Set light timers to mimic normal usage
- Consider installing security cameras or smart doorbells to monitor activity
- Alert your neighbors and neighborhood watch program of your absence
- Don‘t broadcast travel plans on social media
- Secure valuables in a safe
- Unplug small appliances to lower fire risk
- Double check all doors and windows are locked before departure
Final Thoughts
Implementing a vacation mail hold takes mere minutes but delivers invaluable peace of mind throughout your travels and beyond. You can rest easy knowing your mail and personal information are secure, your home looks attended to, and you won‘t face a daunting delivery pile upon return.
As a frequent traveler, I‘ve made mail holds an automatic part of my pre-trip routine. Doing so allows me to fully unwind and focus on enjoying myself at my destination. Paired with the other security measures, holds help ensure my home stays safe and my time away stays blissful. To me, it‘s the definition of a small effort that yields major benefits.
So before packing your bags and printing those boarding passes, take a quick minute to visit USPS.com and place a hold on your mail delivery. It‘s a tiny task that will have a tremendous impact on your travel experience. With this guide, you now have everything you need to do vacation holds right. Adventure awaits!
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