Free gas anyone? Not quite. But the higher gas prices go, the more hotels, resorts, cities and towns across the country are rolling out the welcome mat with rebates and credits designed to help fill your gas tank.

And if they're not offering free gas, they're offering all kinds of other freebies from upgrades — the Sheraton Chicago Hotel, www.sheratonchicago.com, will put you on the Club level with free drinks, snacks and breakfasts and free parking — to free movies and popcorn. Boutique Personality Hotels in San Francisco, (www.personalityhotels.com), where rates start at $139, give credits for the new airline fees for checked bags.

The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, (www.chesapeakebay.hyatt.com) will throw in a free s'mores kit or yoga class with the gas card (and an extra $50 card if you are driving a hybrid) while the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort near Palm Springs, www.hyattgrandchampions.com, not only offers rates starting at $99 a night, but also discount cards good for 25 percent off meals, spa and discounts at Camp Hyatt.

Honestly, I've never seen so many deals, especially to places that are "high season" in summer. For example, if your kids are begging to go to the San Diego Zoo or to the SoCaL beaches, check out the array of "Cash for Gas" deals at www.sandiego.org that include a $300 resort credit for those driving and staying four or more nights at the historic (and luxe) Hotel del Coronado (www.hoteldel.com. There are plenty of

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gas rebate deals at moderately priced hotels, too, as well as at resorts across Colorado (www.colorado.com/traveldeals).

Even dude ranches and bed and breakfasts are getting into the act. Go to Colorado's Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch (www.sylvandale.com) and the resort will give you up to $200 to pay for gas home, as long as you have your gas receipts. Book a Bed and Breakfast for two nights at www.bedandbreakfast.com this summer (and yes, many love to host kids) and get a $50 rebate check.

The bad news: For the first time this decade, AAA estimates a decline in the number of Americans traveling during the Fourth of July holiday travel period — - down 550,000 from last year, though more than 40 million Americans still plan to get away — at least 50 miles from home.

The good news: Whatever you do this summer, you shouldn't have to pay the rack rate — not even close.

Here's your chance to take your tween on the links with you and you both golf for free. Get your pick of some 450 courses, as long as you spend a three-day weekend at a Hilton Garden Inn (www.HGI.com/GOLF). Book two nights at a New York City luxury hotel this summer and get a third night free. Come during Restaurant Week — - July 21-25, July 28-Aug. 1 — and eat dinner at top NYC restaurants for just $35. (Visit www.nycvisit.com.) Consider the train. No worries about gas then. No wonder Amtrak reports that ridership has increased by 11 percent over the same time last year. Kids up to age 15 travel for half-price every day.

Canada's VIA Rail (www.viarail.ca) says kids under 12 can travel free and grandparents, as long as they are 60, can bring along a companion for free.

Clearly, we'll go where the value is — if we go at all. According to Matt Towson, spokesman for the Discover U.S. Spending Monitor, which surveys a random sampling of 15,000 people about their spending intentions every month, "15 percent of consumers look to cut their vacation plans first in the wake of high gas prices... Forty-nine percent are planning to spend less in the months ahead on major personal purchases like a vacation."

Towson adds that a month ago, 59 percent of consumers were changing their vacation plans due to high gas prices. As of June 18, that number has grown to 62 percent. "Based on what we have seen in the Monitor results," he said, "there has been no indication that consumers will be changing their behavior in the coming weeks."

Eileen Ogintz, a resident of Fairfield County, invites questions, comments and stories about your family travels. Visit www.takingthekids.com or write to Taking the Kids, 578 Post Road East, #566, Westport CT 06880.