Let me give it to you in a nutshell: The Puerto Rico Tourism Company has 9,000 free airline tickets it's ready to give vacationers from the East Coast-or anyone who can get to the East Coast-willing to vacation in Puerto Rico between November 6th and December 15th. There's no big catch: You and a traveling companion must stay for at least five nights in a Puerto Rican hotel. The room prices are as cheap or, in most cases, cheaper than they were this time last year. Like $340 per person for five nights at the Wyndham Old San Juan Hotel? Or for a real luxury stay, $455 for five nights at the Wyndham El Conquistador or the El San Juan Resort. Multiply those numbers by two for two people traveling together.

So, why such great deals? Well, tourism is off in Puerto Rico, so the tourism folks got together - and negotiated a huge, bulk purchase of airline tickets - $10 million worth-from American, Delta, Continental, Spirit, and ATA. You fly free if you depart from airports that serve New York City, Chicago, Orlando, Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. Your choice of hotels is wide: Everything from the Condado Plaza Hotel, where it'll cost two of you $250 each for five nights, all the way up to more expensive resorts such s the Hyatt Dorado or Ritz-Carlton. And you have to buy your trip through one of ten travel wholesalers working with this "Fly Free" promotion. Call the Puerto Rican Tourism Company at 800-223-6530 or visit http://www.gotopuertorico.com for details.