Unlimited PTO is a money-saving tactic for businesses. Traditional unused PTO is paid out upon resignation, but flex unlimited PTO has no such requirement.

PTO can also mean Personal Time Off. e.g. contractors usually aren't paid during their time off.

I've also worked at places that didn't pay out accrued time when you left.

if you leave your job, the company has to pay for your unused vacation days as part of your severance if you have a set number of vacation days.

In that case just take PTO before handing in your notice.

Incidentally, I just helped a family member work around the process of quitting his job and moving to a new one.

Their contract basically states:

1. PTO can't be paid out at the end of employment

2. PTO can't be used to quit the job

3. PTO can't be used _the entire last month_ of your employment with them

Which is nuts

If that is based on calendar month, and not rolling 30-day period, then quit at the beginning of the month