Great air, hotel deals to Mexican resorts

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For ajc.com

What's your definition of a travel deal?

Savvy travelers know this is the time of year when deals are popping.

Just after the kids return to school — and before the big year-end holidays are under way — airlines look to fill seats, and hotels and resorts need to fill beds.

Here is an ideal example of tremendous savings for those lucky enough to be able to get away now versus later, when prices reach their yearly high.

Code-sharing American Airlines and Mexicana Airlines are offering a bargain round-trip rate of $128 to either Cabos San Lucas-Los Cabos or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on trips finished on or before Dec. 31. The rate inclusive of all taxes and fees is $346.94.

This rate is valid only Friday-Sunday with regular rates (starting from $660 round-trip!) offered on other days of the week. Plan to stay at least two nights.

This sale rate has no blackout dates, but you should consider yourself lucky to land available seats over Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The other item this sale rate doesn't have is a ticket-by date. That means it could vanish in hours. Act fast.

American/Mexicana service is via Dallas-Fort Worth with a required flight connection.

Bookit.com is running a big 72-hour sale (ends Sept. 30) with savings at some of Puerto Vallarta's hottest resorts. Rates are from $54 per night, double occupancy, and are valid at the beachfront Villa Del Palmar Beach Resort And Spa!

Stays at the all-inclusive beachfront Hotel Riu Santa Fe in Cabo San Lucas are priced from $70 per person, per night when booked by Oct. 29 at Bookit.com.