Google brings flight price tracking, points searches & hotel booking to AI Mode

Google is expanding the travel capabilities of its AI-powered Search experience, adding flight price tracking, points and miles searches and, in the U.S., the ability to book hotels directly through AI Mode.

The updates, outlined in this blog post, move Google’s generative AI experience further into the travel-planning and booking journey, allowing users to go from researching a trip to comparing prices and, in some cases, completing a reservation without leaving the AI conversation.

It builds on existing AI Mode travel tools that can compare flights and hotels, pull recommendations from across the web and create itineraries.

Flight price alerts come to AI Mode

One of the biggest additions brings Google Flights’ price-tracking functionality directly into AI Mode.

Travellers can describe where and when they want to fly and receive options using current pricing from more than 300 airline and travel-site partners.

Rather than repeatedly checking fares, users can then ask AI Mode to “track these flight prices for me.”

Once the request is confirmed, Google will send an email when prices change for the destination and travel dates selected.

Travellers who are ready to purchase can also build an itinerary through AI Mode before being directed to an airline website or booking platform to buy their tickets.

Google says flight price tracking through AI Mode is now available in more than 180 countries and territories.

Points & miles enter the AI conversation

Google is also making it easier for travellers to search award travel.

AI Mode can now display the number of points or miles required for eligible flights and hotel stays, using current information supplied by participating loyalty partners.

For example, a traveller could ask the tool to find nonstop flights between two cities on specific dates using a particular airline’s miles. AI Mode will then surface matching options and show the number of miles required.

The same approach applies to hotels, with users able to specify a destination, dates and preferred rewards program before viewing points rates.

Bookings and redemptions are ultimately completed on the participating partner’s website.

The feature is available globally, initially supporting Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Choice Hotels International, Hilton and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

Google says support for Accor, Flying Blue, Hyatt, LATAM Airlines and Lufthansa Group will be added in the coming weeks.

Hotel bookings roll out in the U.S.

Google is taking things a step further with hotels, introducing a booking function that lets travellers move from discovery to reservation within the AI Mode experience.

Users can tell AI Mode about an upcoming trip and their hotel preferences to receive a visual selection of properties alongside guest reviews and other comparison information.

After choosing a property, travellers can ask AI Mode for help completing the reservation.

A “Continue on Google” option will appear for participating hotel chains and online travel agencies. From there, users can select a room, review details such as cancellation policies and complete payment using Google Pay.

The hotel or booking platform, rather than Google, remains the merchant of record and is responsible for customer service related to the reservation.

Hotel booking through AI Mode has begun rolling out in English in the United States and will expand over the coming weeks.

Launch partners include Booking.com, Choice Hotels International, Expedia, Hilton, Hotels.com, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Priceline, Trip.com and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

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