Google’s new feature helps you save money on your next trip.
Google Flights has introduced a new feature that will be beneficial for travelers looking to save money on airfare. The new feature, officially announced Monday morning via a blog post, offers guidance from Google on the most budget-friendly timeframe for flight bookings.
This addition complements the existing price tracking alerts and a price guarantee choice already available on the platform. The tech giant has promised to provide new insights on the “cheapest time to book.”
“For searches with reliable trending data, you can now see when prices have typically been lowest to book your chosen dates and destination,” said Google in the blog post.
How does it work?
For example, the new insights can tell you that the cheapest time to book similar trips is typically two months before departure, and you’re currently at that sweet spot.
Or you may find that prices tend to drop closer to the start, so you decide to wait before booking. Either way, you can make that decision with a greater sense of confidence.
The tech giant has also revealed its flight booking trends for 2023, derived from historical price patterns observed on Google Flights.
Provide a price guarantee:
“On some flight results, you’ll see a colorful Price Guarantee badge, which means we’re especially confident that the fare you see today won’t get any lower before departure. When you book one of these flights, we’ll keep the price every day before departure , and if the price drops, we’ll refund you the difference via Google Pay,” the blog post read.
“These price guarantees are part of a pilot program available on select Book on Google routes departing from the US.”
The best time to book flights for Christmas:
According to Google, for trips that start in mid-December, chances are you’ll find deals in early October. Average prices are typically lowest 71 days before departure, a major change from our 2022 insights, which showed that average prices were lowest just 22 days before departure. And the typical low price range is now 54-78 days before takeoff.
The best time to book flights from the US to Europe is:
Average prices were lowest 72 days or more before departure. In other words, average airfares from the US to Europe only go up over time, especially if you sit about 10 weeks before departure. So if you want to dust off that passport, book your flight ASAP.
