Tips to save on airfare?

[spk926]

We're pretty sure we're going to Ixtapa, Mexico next summer. We'll need 3 tickets since DD will be 3.5 at the time. Flight schedules aren't out yet for when we want to go but based on how much it costs to fly from MSP to ZIH this summer we're looking at about $1800-2000 JUST for airfare! I have about a year before we go - what can I do now to help with the cost? Is there some magic credit card that will get us lots of points we can cash in? Any tips would be helpful. Thanks!