Nearly every travel website seems to offer an e-mail ''deals'' newsletter, available by free subscription. Here are our favorites:

• Smarter Travel (www.smartertravel.com): Deals (air, hotel, cruises and vacations) featured on the website and in the newsletter are chosen by knowledgeable editors; suppliers can't pay to get included on the newsletter list. The weekly newsletter includes last-minute deals for your home airport (you can choose one or more). The website includes tips and information on fare sales. Weekly.

• Cruise Critic (www.cruisecritic.com): Cruising news plus deals from knowledgeable editors. Whether you're an avid cruiser or a first-timer, this site and its newsletter are musts. The website includes editorial reviews, forums, advice and articles.

• Airfare Watchdog (www.airfarewatchdog.com): These airfare deals and sales are hand-chosen -- and pre-tested -- by an editorial staff. Newsletters highlight deals specific to your location. Daily.

• Where to Go Next (www.wheretogonext.com): Originally aimed at travel professionals, this newsletter is packed with tips, ideas and deals useful to all travelers. The editors combine information from industry press releases -- which means it isn't independently verified. Weekdays.

• Travelzoo's Top 20 (www.travelzoo.com): Deals (vacations, hotels, cruises and some airfares) included in the TravelZoo Top 20 must meet standards of its in-house experts, says Travelzoo's spokesman. All are tested before they're included in the newsletter. And yes, we've found deals here we haven't found elsewhere. Suppliers like the site because Travelzoo doesn't book trips but sends users directly to the supplier. Weekly.

-- JANE WOOLDRIDGE