5 Summer Shopping Tips To Boost Your Credit Card Points and Rewards
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Written by
Andrew Lisa
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Edited by
Levi Leidy
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
July Fourth and Labor Day shopping events join Amazon Prime Day and weeks of back-to-school savings to make summer the season of sales. However, long days, warm weather, no school, travel and vacations also make it the season of spending — but smart shoppers can spend less and save more if they leverage their credit card points and rewards programs for every dollar they’re worth in 2025.
We’ll show you how to use rewards credit cards to earn bonus points for your biggest summer spending categories, maximize cash-back earnings, capitalize on valuable merchant offers and stack your rewards with third-party platforms.
Get the Most Out of Summer Bonus Categories
Rotating category credit cards pay outsized benefits, but only for specific purchases during set time periods. They typically alternate quarterly: for example, gas in April, May and June, then entertainment in July, August and September. Those who can keep track of the schedule can earn some of the highest rewards rates available — often 5% or more back.
If you have several cards, create a calendar and timetable to make sure you’re using the best credit cards for each bonus category for all your summer spending. Some cards let the cardholder choose the categories, but many do not.
Tip: Meticulous borrowers capable of responsibly managing multiple rotating category cards can maximize credit card rewards by staggering elevated cash-back rates across several key categories during the summer and throughout the year.
Don’t Settle for Less Than 2% With Out-of-Category Purchases
If you’ve taken the time to schedule, strategize and get the most out of your rotating category card this summer, don’t ruin it by making it pull double duty as your all-the-time card, which it’s not designed to be.
Most cards with rotating bonus categories default to a paltry 1% back for all other purchases. However, you can double your out-of-category cash-back rewards this summer by carrying a respectable flat-rate cash-back card for everyday spending. These cards often pay 2% cash back for all purchases, with rewards that never expire and multiple redemption options — and there’s nothing to keep track of or monitor.
Check for Merchant Offers Before You Shop
Many card issuers partner with third-party companies to offer exclusive deals and discounts on purchases you might be making anyway this summer. These potentially lucrative credit card perks can magnify your standard rewards earnings many times over.
Card-linked merchant offers typically include big brands across various categories, including:
- Dining
- Entertainment
- In-store purchases
- Online shopping
- Travel
- Services
There’s More Than One Way To Earn
Some merchant offers provide a discount on the purchase itself. Others pay cash back as a statement credit for spending a minimum amount at a specific store or business. It’s usually a fixed dollar amount, but can also be recorded as a percentage of the total purchase price.
Summer 2025 examples include:
- 10% back on Crocs purchases up to $10
- $100 back on $500 spent at Omni Hotels and Resorts
- $30 back for $60 spent on Fubo TV, up to three times, for a total of $90 back
Merchant offers rotate, change and usually expire, but anyone doing summer shopping should scan their card’s offerings before they check out.
Shop Your Way to a High-End, Low-Cost Summer Vacation
If you’re one of the millions of people who have travel plans on their summer itineraries, the right travel credit card can help you punch above your financial weight to buy more vacation than you could otherwise afford. This is because:
- Several travel cards, including some with modest or even no annual fees, offer welcome bonuses worth four figures when redeemed through the card provider’s travel portal. You can work toward the bonus while shopping for your vacation this summer.
- You can get triple-digit credits for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and other Trusted Traveler programs that help you save time at the airport.
- Several cards offer free annual hotel stays and complimentary room upgrades as perks.
- Discounts or free upgrades on car rentals are common.
- You can enjoy peace of mind with free or reduced-price travel insurance, such as rental car coverage.
- You can redeem points for extra value when buying experiences, flights, resort stays and gift cards.
Stack Rewards To Magnify Your Earnings
Cash back is good, but it’s better when you earn it more than once on a single purchase over and over again, all summer long.
Whether you complete the purchase with a flat-rate card, a rotating category card or a travel card, you can compound your cash back by signing up for one or more apps that pay you to shop. By combining merchant offers, your card’s rewards program and one or more of the following cash-back apps and browser extensions, you have the opportunity to stack rewards with many purchases and double-stack with some:
- Rakuten
- Ibotta
- RetailMeNot
- TopCashback
- Upside
- Fetch Rewards
- Honey
- Dosh
