Author Archives: Richard Holden

Plan your winter getaway now with new features in Google Flights, Trips, and hotel search

The end of the year is fast approaching, but the fun doesn’t have to end after the ball drops in Times Square. When you’re ready to kick off your travel plans for 2018 and take a weekend getaway, check out our trending destinations for travel inspiration, and our new features to feel confident you’re getting a good deal.

Get tips when the price is right

Long weekends are a great excuse to escape to warmer weather, but worrying about getting the best price for your vacation can be stressful. A recent study we did indicated that travelers are most concerned about finding the best price for their vacations – more than with any other discretionary purchase.

Google Flights can help you get out of town, even when you're on a budget. Using machine learning and statistical analysis of historical flights data, Flights displays tips under your search results, and you can scroll through them to figure out when it’s best to book flights. Say you were searching for flights to Honolulu, and flights from your destination were cheaper than usual. A tip would say that “prices are less than normal” and by how much to indicate you’d spotted a deal. Or, if prices tend to remain steady for the date and place you’re searching for, a tip would indicate the price “won’t drop further” based on our price prediction algorithms.

GoogleTravel_Posts_Static_Flights-Price-less-than-usual_2000x1224.gif

Similarly, when you search for a hotel on Google, a new tip will appear above results when room rates are higher than usual, or if the area is busier than usual due to a holiday, music festival, or even a business conference. So if you're planning a trip to San Francisco or Las Vegas, you can make sure you're avoiding dates when big conferences are scheduled and hotel prices tend to be high.

GoogleTravel_Posts_Static_Hotel-Email-Price-Tracking_2000x1224.gif

If you prefer to wait and see if prices drop, you can now get email price alerts by opting into Hotel Price Tracking on your phone—this will roll out on desktop in the new year.

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See the sights without breaking the bank

Vacation time is precious, and once you book your flight and hotel and arrive at your destination, it’s time to have some fun. Google Trips’ new Discounts feature helps you instantly access deals for ticketing and tours on top attractions and activities. Book and save on a tour of the Mayan ruins near Cancun, or get priority access to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. No matter where you’re headed (and if you need ideas, read on), Trips makes it easy to browse and access fun stuff to do on your vacation without breaking the bank.

GoogleTravel_Posts_Static_Trips-Discounts_2000x1224.gif

Head to the beach for MLK Weekend

People are already searching for flights for Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, from January 12th to 15th. The top trending domestic destinations for MLK Weekend offer a warm climate—with Florida and Hawaii taking the lead. For folks heading out of the country, Cancun and Bangkok are top beach destinations, whereas Rome and Tokyo are top cultural destinations.

MLK Trends.jpg

Pick a tropical island or go across the pond for Presidents’ Day

Presidents’ weekend is right on the heels of Valentine’s Day next year, so it’s easy to take time off to spend time with that special someone, celebrate singledom with friends, or maybe just treat yourself to a solo adventure. Tropical islands are the most popular for a domestic getaway, with three of Hawaii’s major islands—Oahu, Maui, and Kauai—all trending in flight searches. For international flight searches, Cancun and Bangkok still top the list, but classic European cities like Paris, Rome, and Barcelona are also climbing in popularity.

Presidents Trends.jpg

Amidst celebrations with friends and family this December, start dreaming about your next winter getaway in the new year. We’ll help you get there.

Finding the perfect hotel and flight for your trip

With summer in full swing, and the holiday travel season right around the corner, it’s time to plan those last-minute vacations and start thinking about where you’ll be spending your holidays this year. Today we’re announcing several updates to Google Flights and hotel search on Google to make it easier to find the right flight or the right hotel, at the right price, for your next trip.

Track airfare changes with Google Flights

Want to stay up to date on changing flight fares without having to continually check prices? You can now track fare changes for a date and route combination, or track specific flights in Google Flights, by simply selecting to track prices after you’ve searched for a flight. When prices either increase or decrease significantly, you’ll be notified by email and Google Now cards. This is rolling out over the course of the next few weeks in all 26 countries where Google Flights is available.

Travel - 7.12 - Images 1.png

Google Flights: tracked flights on mobile and email notification of price change


Find the right hotel at the right price with Google

When it comes to booking a hotel, making the best decision can be stressful. We’re now making it easier for you to find the right hotel at the right price.

Everyone loves a good deal. When searching on Google for “hotels in [location]”, you may now see a "Deal" label indicating that a hotel’s price is lower than usual compared to historical pricing, or if there are discounts to the normal rate for those dates. These deals are automatically identified by our algorithms when we see a significant reduction in price. This will be rolling out globally over the next few months.

You can now filter results according to your preferences, like “Price” or “Top rated”, with one tap on your phone. You can even combine multiple criteria like “Top-rated pet-friendly hotels in San Francisco under $200” when searching for the perfect hotel. This is now available in the U.S. and will roll out globally later this year.

Travel - 7.12 - Images 2.png

Smart filters and deals in hotel search on Google

If there is an opportunity to save money or find better availability by moving your dates slightly, we may show you Tips. For example, you may see a Tip like, “Save $105 if you stay Wed, Jul 13 - Fri, Jul 15”. If the new dates work for you, simply tap to update your search and take advantage of the savings. We’ll be rolling Tips out globally over the coming months.

We hope these updates make planning your next trip easier and stress-free!

Source: Travel


Finding the perfect hotel and flight for your trip

With summer in full swing, and the holiday travel season right around the corner, it’s time to plan those last-minute vacations and start thinking about where you’ll be spending your holidays this year. Today we’re announcing several updates to Google Flights and hotel search on Google to make it easier to find the right flight or the right hotel, at the right price, for your next trip.

Track airfare changes with Google Flights

Want to stay up to date on changing flight fares without having to continually check prices? You can now track fare changes for a date and route combination, or track specific flights in Google Flights, by simply selecting to track prices after you’ve searched for a flight. When prices either increase or decrease significantly, you’ll be notified by email and Google Now cards. This is rolling out over the course of the next few weeks in all 26 countries where Google Flights is available.

Find the right hotel at the right price with Google

When it comes to booking a hotel, making the best decision can be stressful. We’re now making it easier for you to find the right hotel at the right price.

Everyone loves a good deal. When searching on Google for “hotels in [location]”, you may now see a "Deal" label indicating that a hotel’s price is lower than usual compared to historical pricing, or if there are discounts to the normal rate for those dates. These deals are automatically identified by our algorithms when we see a significant reduction in price. This will be rolling out globally over the next few months.

You can now filter results according to your preferences, like “Price” or “Top rated”, with one tap on your phone. You can even combine multiple criteria like “Top-rated pet-friendly hotels in San Francisco under $200” when searching for the perfect hotel. This is now available in the U.S. and will roll out globally later this year.

If there is an opportunity to save money or find better availability by moving your dates slightly, we may show you Tips. For example, you may see a Tip like, “Save $105 if you stay Wed, Jul 13 - Fri, Jul 15”. If the new dates work for you, simply tap to update your search and take advantage of the savings. We’ll be rolling Tips out globally over the coming months.

We hope these updates make planning your next trip easier and stress-free!

Source: Travel


Finding the perfect hotel and flight for your trip

With summer in full swing, and the holiday travel season right around the corner, it’s time to plan those last-minute vacations and start thinking about where you’ll be spending your holidays this year. Today we’re announcing several updates to Google Flights and hotel search on Google to make it easier to find the right flight or the right hotel, at the right price, for your next trip.

Track airfare changes with Google Flights

Want to stay up to date on changing flight fares without having to continually check prices? You can now track fare changes for a date and route combination, or track specific flights in Google Flights, by simply selecting to track prices after you’ve searched for a flight. When prices either increase or decrease significantly, you’ll be notified by email and Google Now cards. This is rolling out over the course of the next few weeks in all 26 countries where Google Flights is available.

Travel - 7.12 - Images 1.png

Google Flights: tracked flights on mobile and email notification of price change


Find the right hotel at the right price with Google

When it comes to booking a hotel, making the best decision can be stressful. We’re now making it easier for you to find the right hotel at the right price.

Everyone loves a good deal. When searching on Google for “hotels in [location]”, you may now see a "Deal" label indicating that a hotel’s price is lower than usual compared to historical pricing, or if there are discounts to the normal rate for those dates. These deals are automatically identified by our algorithms when we see a significant reduction in price. This will be rolling out globally over the next few months.

You can now filter results according to your preferences, like “Price” or “Top rated”, with one tap on your phone. You can even combine multiple criteria like “Top-rated pet-friendly hotels in San Francisco under $200” when searching for the perfect hotel. This is now available in the U.S. and will roll out globally later this year.

Travel - 7.12 - Images 2.png

Smart filters and deals in hotel search on Google

If there is an opportunity to save money or find better availability by moving your dates slightly, we may show you Tips. For example, you may see a Tip like, “Save $105 if you stay Wed, Jul 13 - Fri, Jul 15”. If the new dates work for you, simply tap to update your search and take advantage of the savings. We’ll be rolling Tips out globally over the coming months.

We hope these updates make planning your next trip easier and stress-free!

Source: Travel


Finding the perfect hotel and flight for your trip

With summer in full swing, and the holiday travel season right around the corner, it’s time to plan those last-minute vacations and start thinking about where you’ll be spending your holidays this year. Today we’re announcing several updates to Google Flights and hotel search on Google to make it easier to find the right flight or the right hotel, at the right price, for your next trip.

Track airfare changes with Google Flights

Want to stay up to date on changing flight fares without having to continually check prices? You can now track fare changes for a date and route combination, or track specific flights in Google Flights, by simply selecting to track prices after you’ve searched for a flight. When prices either increase or decrease significantly, you’ll be notified by email and Google Now cards. This is rolling out over the course of the next few weeks in all 26 countries where Google Flights is available.

Travel - 7.12 - Images 1.png

Google Flights: tracked flights on mobile and email notification of price change


Find the right hotel at the right price with Google

When it comes to booking a hotel, making the best decision can be stressful. We’re now making it easier for you to find the right hotel at the right price.

Everyone loves a good deal. When searching on Google for “hotels in [location]”, you may now see a "Deal" label indicating that a hotel’s price is lower than usual compared to historical pricing, or if there are discounts to the normal rate for those dates. These deals are automatically identified by our algorithms when we see a significant reduction in price. This will be rolling out globally over the next few months.

You can now filter results according to your preferences, like “Price” or “Top rated”, with one tap on your phone. You can even combine multiple criteria like “Top-rated pet-friendly hotels in San Francisco under $200” when searching for the perfect hotel. This is now available in the U.S. and will roll out globally later this year.

Travel - 7.12 - Images 2.png

Smart filters and deals in hotel search on Google

If there is an opportunity to save money or find better availability by moving your dates slightly, we may show you Tips. For example, you may see a Tip like, “Save $105 if you stay Wed, Jul 13 - Fri, Jul 15”. If the new dates work for you, simply tap to update your search and take advantage of the savings. We’ll be rolling Tips out globally over the coming months.

We hope these updates make planning your next trip easier and stress-free!

Source: Travel


Google Flights lands in Malaysia

Travel_-_3.22_-_Images_1.width-358.png
Whether you’re traveling from Penang to Perth or Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, Google Flights can offer inspiration and help you find the best flights available. Starting today, you can search google.com.my or www.google.com.my/flights to quickly and easily compare and book flights — from your mobile device, tablet or desktop. And you’ll be able to see local content and pricing in Ringgit. 

Still trying to figure out where you’d like to visit and the best time to go? Try using our new flexible destination search feature that lets you explore based on dates, destinations and interests like: beaches, adventure travel, honeymoons and food.

Want to get away for summer holiday? Choose “1 week”, “June” and ”Beaches” to see popular destinations — with the best time to visit those destinations and the lowest price available to get there. Scroll through the suggestions and click on one of the tiles that interests you. You’ll see a snapshot of the least expensive flight and hotel options available (with price, stops and duration for flights — and 5, 4 and 3 star ratings noted for hotels).

Travel_3.22_Images.png

Another fun and easy way to explore your options is to set your interest and expand the map by selecting “Explore destinations”. You’ll instantly see live prices for destinations that meet your interest category around the world. You can further filter results based on your preferences and personal budget requirements.

Travel - 3.22 - Images 4.png
Perth sounds nice — and it looks like you can get there on a nonstop flight in under 6 hours.

Once you select your departure and return dates, you’ll be presented with a list of ‘Best flights’; which represents the best tradeoff of convenience and price.

Travel - 3.22 - Images 5.png

Google Flights can also help you save time when you know where you want to go and when. Say you’re commuting on a popular route — like Kuala Lumpur to Singapore — that has multiple, similarly priced, nonstop flights daily. Enter your origin, destination and dates and we’ll display all the similar flights available on an easy to scan timeline. They’re grouped by airline, price and number of stops which makes it easy for you to consider your options and book the one that best meets your needs.

Travel - 3.22 - Images 6.png

When you’re ready, simply select your outbound and return flights — and book your flights by clicking on one of the blue partner book buttons.

Travel - 3.22 - Images 7.png

Our goal is to provide you with fast results as you easily explore where you want to go, figure out the best time to travel, quickly review flight options and book a ticket. We hope you’ll enjoy planning your next domestic or international trip with Google Flights!

Source: Travel


Google Flights lands in Malaysia

Travel_-_3.22_-_Images_1.width-358.png
Whether you’re traveling from Penang to Perth or Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, Google Flights can offer inspiration and help you find the best flights available. Starting today, you can search google.com.my or www.google.com.my/flights to quickly and easily compare and book flights — from your mobile device, tablet or desktop. And you’ll be able to see local content and pricing in Ringgit. 

Still trying to figure out where you’d like to visit and the best time to go? Try using our new flexible destination search feature that lets you explore based on dates, destinations and interests like: beaches, adventure travel, honeymoons and food.

Want to get away for summer holiday? Choose “1 week”, “June” and ”Beaches” to see popular destinations — with the best time to visit those destinations and the lowest price available to get there. Scroll through the suggestions and click on one of the tiles that interests you. You’ll see a snapshot of the least expensive flight and hotel options available (with price, stops and duration for flights — and 5, 4 and 3 star ratings noted for hotels).

Travel_3.22_Images.png

Another fun and easy way to explore your options is to set your interest and expand the map by selecting “Explore destinations”. You’ll instantly see live prices for destinations that meet your interest category around the world. You can further filter results based on your preferences and personal budget requirements.

Travel - 3.22 - Images 4.png
Perth sounds nice — and it looks like you can get there on a nonstop flight in under 6 hours.

Once you select your departure and return dates, you’ll be presented with a list of ‘Best flights’; which represents the best tradeoff of convenience and price.

Travel - 3.22 - Images 5.png

Google Flights can also help you save time when you know where you want to go and when. Say you’re commuting on a popular route — like Kuala Lumpur to Singapore — that has multiple, similarly priced, nonstop flights daily. Enter your origin, destination and dates and we’ll display all the similar flights available on an easy to scan timeline. They’re grouped by airline, price and number of stops which makes it easy for you to consider your options and book the one that best meets your needs.

Travel - 3.22 - Images 6.png

When you’re ready, simply select your outbound and return flights — and book your flights by clicking on one of the blue partner book buttons.

Travel - 3.22 - Images 7.png

Our goal is to provide you with fast results as you easily explore where you want to go, figure out the best time to travel, quickly review flight options and book a ticket. We hope you’ll enjoy planning your next domestic or international trip with Google Flights!

Source: Travel


Google Flights lands in Malaysia

Travel_-_3.22_-_Images_1.width-358.png
Whether you’re traveling from Penang to Perth or Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, Google Flights can offer inspiration and help you find the best flights available. Starting today, you can search google.com.my or www.google.com.my/flights to quickly and easily compare and book flights — from your mobile device, tablet or desktop. And you’ll be able to see local content and pricing in Ringgit. 

Still trying to figure out where you’d like to visit and the best time to go? Try using our new flexible destination search feature that lets you explore based on dates, destinations and interests like: beaches, adventure travel, honeymoons and food.

Want to get away for summer holiday? Choose “1 week”, “June” and ”Beaches” to see popular destinations — with the best time to visit those destinations and the lowest price available to get there. Scroll through the suggestions and click on one of the tiles that interests you. You’ll see a snapshot of the least expensive flight and hotel options available (with price, stops and duration for flights — and 5, 4 and 3 star ratings noted for hotels).

Travel_3.22_Images.png

Another fun and easy way to explore your options is to set your interest and expand the map by selecting “Explore destinations”. You’ll instantly see live prices for destinations that meet your interest category around the world. You can further filter results based on your preferences and personal budget requirements.

Travel - 3.22 - Images 4.png
Perth sounds nice — and it looks like you can get there on a nonstop flight in under 6 hours.

Once you select your departure and return dates, you’ll be presented with a list of ‘Best flights’; which represents the best tradeoff of convenience and price.

Travel - 3.22 - Images 5.png

Google Flights can also help you save time when you know where you want to go and when. Say you’re commuting on a popular route — like Kuala Lumpur to Singapore — that has multiple, similarly priced, nonstop flights daily. Enter your origin, destination and dates and we’ll display all the similar flights available on an easy to scan timeline. They’re grouped by airline, price and number of stops which makes it easy for you to consider your options and book the one that best meets your needs.

Travel - 3.22 - Images 6.png

When you’re ready, simply select your outbound and return flights — and book your flights by clicking on one of the blue partner book buttons.

Travel - 3.22 - Images 7.png

Our goal is to provide you with fast results as you easily explore where you want to go, figure out the best time to travel, quickly review flight options and book a ticket. We hope you’ll enjoy planning your next domestic or international trip with Google Flights!

Source: Travel