Planning a holiday can involve juggling flight prices, hotel options, loyalty points and booking platforms. Google is now bringing more of these travel-related tasks into AI Mode in Search, aiming to make
trip planning possible through a more conversational experience.
The latest update adds three useful features: travellers can track flight prices directly through AI Mode, check how many points or miles they may need for eligible flights and hotels, and, in the US, book certain hotels without leaving the AI Mode experience. Here’s what the new Google AI travel features can do:
Track Flight Prices Without Leaving AI Mode
Waiting for the right airfare can be one of the most frustrating parts of planning a trip. Google is bringing its Google Flights price tracking feature into AI Mode, allowing users to set up price alerts while chatting about their travel plans.
You can tell AI Mode your preferred destination and travel dates, and it will surface flight options using current information from more than 300 partner airlines and travel websites. If you’re not ready to purchase, you can simply ask AI Mode to track the prices.
Once tracking is confirmed, Google will send an email when there is a price change for the selected route and dates. The feature is now available across more than 180 countries and territories.
Check How Many Points Or Miles You Need
Frequent flyers and hotel loyalty members can also use AI Mode to explore travel options using their accumulated rewards.
Instead of searching separately for flights and then checking a loyalty programme for redemption rates, users can ask AI Mode to find eligible options using their preferred points or miles. The system can show the number of miles required for matching flights based on the latest information provided by participating partners.
The same concept applies to hotels. Users can specify their destination and dates and ask how many points they would need through a particular rewards programme.
Google says this points and miles feature is globally available, initially supporting programmes and companies including Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Choice Hotels International, Hilton and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Additional partners, including Accor, Hyatt, LATAM Airlines and Lufthansa Group, are expected to be added.
Find And Book Hotels Through AI Mode
Google is also making the hotel-booking process more integrated with AI Mode. Travellers can describe where they are going, their dates and their hotel preferences, after which AI Mode can display a visual selection of properties along with guest reviews and information to help compare them.
Once a hotel has been selected, users can ask AI Mode to assist with the booking. For participating partners, the ‘Continue on Google’ option can take travellers through room selection, booking details and cancellation policies before completing the reservation using Google Pay.
Hotel booking through AI Mode is initially rolling out in the US in English. Google says participating partners include Booking.com, Expedia, Hilton, Hotels.com, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Priceline, Trip.com and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
