TRAVELER'S ADVISORY DEEP TRAVEL BARGAINS AVAILABLE.

Byline: Staff and Wire Services

A room at a three-star New York hotel for less than $100. A free tank of gas for a two-night stay in Santa Fe, N.M. Double frequent-flier miles through Nov. 15.

Bargains continue to shower upon travelers who have shaken off their uneasiness over taking to the road - and the air - following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

``Prices are a constantly changing type of thing,'' said American Airlines spokeswoman Martha Pantin. ``There are many sales out there. The airline industry is definitely in a crisis.''

The travel industry in general is struggling to work its way out of a major one. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that travel is down an estimated 30 percent worldwide, and a deluge of bargains has been unleashed in an effort to lure customers back.

New York City, site of the horrific onslaught on the World Trade Center, is being particularly aggressive in its pricing. A few days ago, the Hotel Reservations Network Web site (www.hotelreservationsnetwork.com) was listing some astonishing room rates for a weeknight stay in mid-October. The Central Park Inter-Continental and the Carnegie Suites could be had for $150 nightly, while the Pennsylvania, the Ramada New Yorker and the Wellington were priced only slightly over $100.

But the deals extended far beyond New York, which is all but begging travelers to return. With travel down across the country, many bargains are available. Among them:

Southwest Airlines, the first carrier to return its full fleet to the air after the attacks, is offering special inducements. Through Thursday, travelers can purchase three-day-advance round-trip fares for as low as $68 for travel any day of the week. The fares are valid for travel through Jan. 11. Information: [phone]; www.southwest.org.

In hopes of attracting people to the 100th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney's birth at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Fla., hotels are offering significant rate reductions. Marriott Vacation Club International resorts have getaway rates starting at $119 per night through Nov. 24. Information: [phone]; www.vacationclub.com.

Closer to home, Berkeley's Claremont Resort & Spa is promoting a ``Restorative Getaway'' package for people within driving distance. The one-night stay includes a spa treatment and yoga session for $187.50 - a 15 percent savings on the usual rate.

In another campaign designed to attract those making driving trips in the West, a group of hotels in Santa Fe, N.M., is giving away a free tank of gas ($40 value) with a two-night stay. If you stay three nights, you also get a fourth night free. The special is good through the end of the year. The hotel conglomerate, Santa Fe Accommodations, can be reached at [phone] or [phone]; www.santafehotels.com.

Despite a 17 percent jump in train travel in the aftermath of the attacks, Amtrak is nonetheless offering discounts of 30 percent for seven-day advance fares. The booking deadline is Nov. 16 for travel through Dec. 14. Blackout dates include Nov. 20-27, and some trains aren't covered. Information: [phone]; www.amtrak.com.

Dollar Rent A Car has U.S. rate specials through Dec. 21. Request promotion code USA1 for compact cars at $19.99 per day, full-size cars at $29.99 and SUV, luxury or minivan vehicles at $39.99. A 24-hour advance reservation is required. One-way rentals start at $44.99 a day. Information [phone]; www.dollar.com.

Through Oct. 19, Greyhound is offering a 15 percent discount on its Discovery Passes purchased at www.greyhound.com and www.greyhound.ca. Passes are good for four to 60 days of travel in the United States or Canada. Online bookings receive additional discounts on sightseeing. Further information: [phone].

The beleaguered airlines have been aggressive in attempting to lure people back into the air, particularly in the case of the carriers' bread and butter: business travelers.

United Airlines recently instituted reductions of 50 percent off regular walk-up business fares for 21-day advance purchases. For 10-day advance purchases, the reduction was 25 percent. Several major carriers have matched the offer.

American and other airlines launched several initiatives this past week. Among them: double frequent-flier points for travel through Nov. 15, and reduced point requirements for frequent-flier awards.

American has also resumed its NetSAAver Internet fare specials, and extended AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Gold status for elite-status members through February 2003.

Bargain hunters are finding that the Internet is a key component of tracking down a great deal.

During past events that have severely disrupted travel, such as the 1991 Persian Gulf War, ``the Internet wasn't available as part of a supplier's recovery strategy,'' said Suzi LeVine, director of product marketing at Expedia Inc. ``For the first time with the Internet, quick distribution channels exist for suppliers.

``In the past, an airline or a hotelier or a car rental agency would have to fire up a whole new ad campaign, put it through to the media, send it out to the travel agents. Now, with the Internet, we're able to right away use our e-mail communications to let people know very quickly about things that are going on.''