Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Winter vacation season is quickly approaching. Many travelers and snow birds are already online looking for great airfare prices. Finding affordable tickets is like gambling in Las Vegas and it can certainly be irritating, especially if the prices change dramatically everyday. For the airlines it's about extra charges, shrinking seat size, seat selection fees and trying to get people to pay the maximum amount for a space.

A few Puerto Vallarta locals offer their advice on beating the system. "My only tip is to use Kayak.com for general pricing and then go directly to that particular airline's website to purchase the ticket as it is usually a bit cheaper," says Edward Padalinski, estate agent with Ron Morgan Properties in Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias, Mexico. "The only drawback is that Kayak.com does not represent every single airline, for example Frontier Airlines never shows up in their searches."

Travelers from Canada also have additional options. "I subscribe to news letters from WestJet and Alaska Air," says Rhonda Rohatynchuk, also an estate agent at Ron Morgan Properties, "When they announce a seat sale, I check it out. For example, recently WestJet had a seat sale and I immediately phoned my kids and told them to make a decision. WestJet often has great prices for direct flights from Calgary and Kelowna, Canada."

According to a recent study by the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), on average, fares are six percent lower if you buy six weeks before your flight. This is not always the case because airlines are constantly offering deals, so you need to be diligent, but the six week rule is pretty good.

Many airlines reduce fares late at night, so check for deals first thing in the morning. And if you find a great price, book it before some else does. There are varying opinions and theories as to what day and time is best to purchase your ticket. Some say Tuesdays at 3 pm while others say there is not specific day or time that is best. Once again, keep checking the sites.

Low cost travel days are Tuesdays and Saturdays, while Fridays and Sundays are the most popular. Yes, checking in at 4 am and making the first plane of the day is unfortunately the least expensive time to fly, unless it is a red eye.

Check charter companies like Apple Vacations and FunJet. They offer "air only" pricing, but you have to travel on specific days, but if you are flexible, you can snag tickets at a huge discount, especially if you sign up for their announcements.

As Edward mentioned earlier, check low-cost airlines individually because sites like Kayak.com, CheapOAir.com and CheapFlights.com don't necessarily do all the work for you.

Some low-cost airlines, like Southwest in the United States and Ryanair in Europe, don't allow their tickets to be quoted on popular comparison websites. Be sure to check them separately. And do your homework to make sure the so-called "low cost" airline doesn't tack on extra fees that drive up the cost, like baggage-check charge. Don't forget to check for those pesky add-on dollars.

If you fly often, build a relationship. If you're a member of the airline's frequent-flyer program or if you have a credit card that's tied to the airline, you automatically have a leg-up on other travelers. You will be available for perks that were once standard, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and seat selection, so signing up may be worth your time and energy.

It pays to be diligent and Internet savvy to fly the friendly skies at the best rate. Start looking today for your winter vacation getaway in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Ron Morgan Properties specializes in luxury real estate in the Marina Vallarta area and beyond to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta de Mita, as well as along the southern shores of Banderas Bay, from the Romantic Zone, Amapas and Conchas Chinas down to Mismaloya and even Costa Alegre. For more information, visit RonMorgan.net.

Click HERE to learn more about Ron Morgan Properties.