Google Flights announced on Monday, August 28, a series of updates aimed at making flight booking not only cost-effective but also incredibly convenient for prospective flyers.

The new features, which include insights on the cheapest time to book, price tracking, and a unique price guarantee badge, promise to give travellers the information they need to make informed decisions and save money on their flights.

James Byers, group product manager at Google Flights, emphasised the importance of planning ahead to save on travel expenses. In an article on the Google blog website, he said: “If you want to save money on flights this holiday season, or any time of year, a little bit of planning can go a long way.”

“Most of the time, it’s better to book on the early side, especially when your plans aren’t very flexible. But flight prices do change frequently, and there are often low fares to be found with the right tools,” he continued.

Google Flights functions as a flight price comparison tool, pitting airline and travel agency fares against each other, and does not allow for the booking of flights, hotels, and other travel services such as those on travel agency websites.

Google Flights is free and boasts an extensive array of filters, enabling users to refine searches based on factors like price, travel times, stops, and airlines.

Here are the key features of the new Google Flights update:

1. Get new insights on the cheapest time to book

Google Flights users can now access upgraded insights that provide information on the historical lowest prices for booking specific dates and destinations. This information aims to help users decide whether to book immediately or wait for potentially lower prices. By offering a greater understanding of price trends, travelers can confidently make booking decisions that align with their budgets and preferences.

2. Turn on Price Tracking

For those seeking the best possible deal but not in a hurry to book, the new price tracking feature is a game-changer. When enabled, the system will automatically notify users if flight prices drop significantly. Users can opt to track specific dates or even turn on “Any dates” price tracking, allowing them to receive alerts about deals within the next three to six months.

3. Snag a Price Guarantee

One of the most noteworthy additions is the price guarantee badge. For select flights, Google Flights will display a colourful badge indicating that the displayed fare is not expected to decrease before departure. If the fare does indeed drop, Google Pay will refund the price difference. This feature provides travelers with added peace of mind when booking their flights.

Additionally, Google Flights has compiled trends based on historical booking data for 2023. Travellers will find valuable insights into the best times to book flights for Christmas and flights from the U.S. to Europe.