The week's top five free money travel deals

Credit card issuers are trying to help boost summer travel with quick perks for airlines, hotels and car rentals. Here are some of the latest offerings from American Express, Bill Me Later, MasterCard and Visa:

$25 from Southwest Airlines by using Visa
Southwest Airlines offers a $25 credit redeemable for future flights when you purchase $100 or more in gift cards using your Visa card. You have to make the purchase before June 30 and provide a valid e-mail address to receive the discount, which Southwest's Web site says will arrive in approximately four weeks after your gift card purchase. Book online.

$25 from Avis by using American Express
When you rent a car for three days or more at Avis using an American Express card, you receive a free $25 American Express branded gift card and 25 percent off your rental. Book online.

Free car rental at Avis by using MasterCard
Avis also offers a free rental day for MasterCard purchasers when renting an intermediate to full-size four-door car for five or more consecutive days, including a Saturday, before Sept. 1. The coupon code to use for this deal is TUPA008, and the rental can be booked online.

$20 off Continental Airlines flights with Bill Me Later
Bill Me Later, a site that lets people pay online without a credit card, is running a special in conjunction with Continental Airlines. Through June 30, new Bill Me Later customers receive $20 off Continental tickets. The $20 credit will appear on customers' Bill Me Later statements within two billing cycles. Bill Me Later is subject to credit approval and permits no payments for 90 days on any purchase and no payments for six months on purchases of $1,500 or higher. Book online.

$25 from Marriott by using Visa
Pay with your Visa card at Marriott Hotels and Resorts for a weekend stay and you will receive a complimentary $25 Visa gift card. You can use the gift card through Nov. 30, but you must book travel by Sept. 1 using code V12 when reserving a room.

See related: Credit card travel tips