The economic downturn has a welcome upside for travelers. The U.S. dollar is surging, gas is cheap and hotel rates are dipping. Resorts are throwing in free entertainment, airlines are advertising recession sales, and cruise lines are offering discounts of up to 75 percent. Deals are out there, and this is the time to grab them.

When competition for customers heats up, you've got more room to negotiate. The Internet is great for general searches and comparisons, but often it pays to pick up the phone. When you call a travel agent or hotel reservations desk, don't be afraid to ask for discounts and perks. Can you get free parking? How about resort credits to be used towards spa treatments or meals? Is there a package or any other way to get a discounted rate?

Note to bargain-hunters: Be sure to factor in the entire price of your trip. Flying from a secondary airport might seem like a deal until you add in transportation and parking fees. A cheap getaway package sounds great, but if the location is lousy, the savings aren't worth it.

These recession-busting travel tips will save you money, time and sanity.

AIRFARE

While you're surfing the Web for bargains, check individual airline sites for private sales. If you purchase your airline ticket directly through an airline website, Yapta.com will alert you if the price drops -- and even provide specific instructions on how to get a refund. Depending on the airline, you may be issued a credit for the difference or a voucher for future travel. For a $15 fee, Yapta will even call the airline and get the refund for you.

On all websites, check prices early in the morning or on weekends when short-term sales often occur. With Farecast.com, you can even predict the best moment to buy a ticket. The site uses historic pricing data to anticipate the likelihood of fare fluctuations during a given week.

Sign up for e-mail newsletters from the airlines you fly most frequently; many are releasing sales that last only a few hours or days. Travelocity, an online agency, and American Airlines are among the sites that allow you to sign up for ''deal finder'' alerts when the fare drops on your favorite routes.

$avings potential: $50 per ticket, sometimes as much as $200-$300.

HOTELS

When choosing a hotel, check sites like Hotels.com, Travelocity.com and Expedia.com to compare prices. Visit the hotel's own website for special deals that may not be listed on other travel sites. For domestic travel, call the local hotel rather than the national reservations line and ask about unadvertised specials or frequent visitor discounts. If you want to book the cheapest room, the easiest thing to do is to simply ask for it.

And be sure to ask about Florida Resident rates; this winter, even a few top-notch resorts are offering them. Remember that big convention hotels often have the best bargains; when the business people are gone, they have a lot of rooms to fill.

$avings potential: $50-$100 per room per night.

CRUISES

Start your research with Kayak.com, which lets you search by price, style of cabin, or departure port, and then links you to the appropriate booking site. Before you book, call a travel agent. Agents often have exclusive access to perks and special discounts; ask for perks like onboard dining credits. Most agents don't add a service fee for cruises, but be sure to ask. Save by choosing an inside stateroom and taking advantage of senior citizen discounts and credit card promotions.

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