This winter, you can expect to see the most travel bargains since 2002. In today's economy, so much travel is discretionary and airlines are trying to compensate for the decreased demand by grounding planes. But there are still too many seats!

Need proof? Just look at Southwest -- historically one of the cheapest discounters -- which has had sale after sale in recent weeks. One of their latest promos was for $98-$218 roundtrip to just about anywhere Southwest flies (excluding Orange County).

In another indicator, Treasure Island casino (aka T.I.) was recently purchased for about one-sixth of the replacement cost if it had to be rebuilt from the ground up. Why so cheap? Well, it's not surprising when you consider room rates are completely depressed -- sometimes going for as little as $49.

Ditto for deals on accommodations in the Caribbean and Hawaii. In fact, Hawaii has seen tourism rates drop as 2 airlines that served it both folded. So if you can get to Hawaii, the bargains on accommodations are the best they've been in a long while.

In a further example, USA Today is reporting that hotel rooms in New York City are going in the $100 range. Last year, the average hotel price was some $400/night!

You shouldn't, however, expect to see any deals to Europe. The airlines are still levying their ridiculous fuel surcharges and driving the price of a ticket up -- despite the low cost of a barrel of oil.

Why not instead spend your money in America where our economy really needs it? One in every 3 airline seats in the U.S. is flown by discounters. Overseas, however, discounters account for just a fraction of 1%.

So now may be the perfect time to heed Clark's first rule of travel: Find the bargain, buy it and then figure out afterward why you want to go there!