17 Last Minute Credit Card Rewards Hacks to Get the Most Out of Your Summer Getaway

If you're planning a last-minute summer getaway but need help figuring out the financials, it can help to take a closer look at any credit card rewards you've accrued. These last-minute rewards hacks can help you use excess points and miles to save money and get the trip you deserve.

Before you do anything else, take stock of all the credit card points you have-including airline miles, flexible travel points and hotel points. Once you know where you stand in terms of rewards, you can craft a plan to use them to save on your summer trip.

If you find you have a random point amounts in various programs-but not enough to redeem for flights or other travel-see if you can cash in points for gift cards. Many loyalty and rewards programs offer this option, and they may let you redeem points for travel gift cards good for airfare, hotel stays, cruises and more.

If you have flexible travel credit you can redeem for any travel expenses, it can be smart to look for last-minute travel deals that can stretch your points further. Check out VacationstoGo.com for last-minute cruises at up to 82 percent off, and explore Expedia.com, Priceline.com and other travel discount sites for cheap vacation packages that can be booked on the fly.

If you want rewards you can use right away but don't have any points or miles, consider signing up for a travel credit card that lets you redeem points for travel expenses after the fact. The Capital One Venture Rewards Card is a good example because you can earn points on all your summer travel expenses-plus a big signup bonus-then redeem your points to cover some of your trip expenses when you get home.

If you are looking for more ways to save, check which types of travel protection your travel credit card offers. With a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, for example, you get primary auto rental coverage, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost baggage insurance and more just for being a cardholder.

If you don't have any points or miles to spare this year, you could also leverage your summer getaway to earn rewards you can redeem later. Consider signing up for a travel credit card that offers a big signup bonus then using your trip expenses to meet the minimum spending requirement.

If you have some Delta SkyMiles in your account, consider checking out the airline's SkyMiles Deals. This discount redemption program offers low rates on domestic and international awards, yet they're typically only good for a limited time and the included deals rotate frequently. If you find a way to take advantage for your last-minute trip, you can save big.

American Airlines offers some web specials that can help you redeem miles for discounted economy flights that work for specific dates and specific destinations. Tickets that include an Economy Web Special award don't allow changes, however, so you need to be 100 percent sure before you book.

If your goal is getting to Europe this year, don't forget to check out the Air France/Flying Blue Promo Rewards. These special deals let you book international flights (and flights within Europe) for a lot fewer miles than usual, so they can help you stretch your miles for as far as they can go.

Want more value out of your cashback or flexible travel credit? Compare prices for flights across all major airlines on Google Flights, which is free to use. This tool even lets you search for flight deals in regions of the world for your dates, such as "Europe" or the "Caribbean."

TheFlightDeal.com is another website that can help you stretch your rewards further when you are redeeming flexible travel credit or cash back. This website lists an array of cheap flights deals all over the world, but they only last a few days so you have to book fast.

If you want to skip the cost of airfare and save money on a last-minute trip, don't forget about the interesting destinations in your neck of the woods that may be worth driving to. If you can redeem hotel points or travel rewards for a hotel stay close to home, you can score lodging for free and save on transportation expenses.

Also remember that rewards aren't just good for hotels. Flexible travel credit earned with a card like the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard can be redeemed in increments of 10,000 points ($100) or more for campgrounds. Camping is inherently frugal, but it can be downright cheap if you cover your campground fees with points.

Need to top off your frequent flyer account in a hurry? Consider a card that lets you earn a signup bonus with your first purchase. The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is a great option since you earn 60,000 American AAdvantage miles after you make a purchase within 90 days and pay the $99 annual fee.

Also remember that, if you don't have any "travel points" per se, you may be able to redeem cashback rewards for travel expenses. If your rewards credit card lets you cash in points for statement credits, for example, you could use your card to pay for hotels, airfare or other travel expenses then redeem your points for statement credits later.

When it comes to credit card travel portals through programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards, don't forget that prices can go down if regular rates drop. If you find a good last-minute hotel deal, look to see if you can redeem your flexible points for the same deal through a portal instead of paying in cash.

Finally, don't forget the ultimate rule of saving money on travel-be as flexible as you can. Figure out how many points you have to spend then let the deals guide the way. If you have flexibility in where you travel and when, you'll be in the best position to get more bang for your buck when it comes to cashing in your rewards.