Technology
Google adds flight tracking and hotel booking features to Search's AI Mode
The updates allow users to track flight prices via email, check travel costs in loyalty points or miles, and book hotels directly using Google Pay.
The short version
- Google has updated its conversational AI Mode in Search with tools to track flight prices, calculate costs in rewards points or miles, and complete hotel bookings.
- Flight price tracking is rolling out across more than 180 countries, excluding the European Economic Area.
- Hotel booking within AI Mode is currently limited to English users in the United States, utilizing partner platforms and Google Pay for checkout.
- Support for additional airline and hotel loyalty programs, as well as broader international availability, is planned for the coming weeks.
Key facts
- Google introduced a flight price-tracking feature to Search's AI Mode that covers options from over 300 airlines and travel platforms, sending users updates via email when rates change.[TechCrunch · Engadget · 9to5Google]
- Flight price tracking is available in more than 180 countries where AI Mode is supported, excluding countries in the European Economic Area.[TechCrunch · Engadget · 9to5Google]
- AI Mode now supports displaying flight and hotel prices in miles or rewards points, launching with select partners including American Airlines, Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Choice Hotels, and Wyndham.[TechCrunch · Engadget · 9to5Google]
- Hotel booking functionality in AI Mode is launching in English in the U.S., allowing users to complete purchases using Google Pay through travel partners like Expedia, Booking.com, and Marriott International.[TechCrunch · Engadget · 9to5Google]
- When bookings are processed via AI Mode, the partner site or hotel chain remains the merchant of record responsible for customer service.[TechCrunch · 9to5Google]
What remains uncertain
- The exact release dates for upcoming rewards program support—including Accor, Hyatt, LATAM Airlines, and Lufthansa Group—have not been specified beyond a general rollout in the coming weeks.[Engadget · 9to5Google]