Google Flights Cheat Sheet
Google Flights is a powerful tool for finding the best deals on plane tickets, but many people don't know how to use it to its full potential. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the settings, filters, and other unique features of Google Flights, and provide some professional tips for finding the cheapest and most convenient flights.
Here are some of the things we'll cover:
How to use the advanced search options
How to interpret the price calendar
How to set up fare alerts
How to use the Explore map
How to find flights with specific amenities
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time flyer, this article will teach you everything you need to know about using Google Flights like a pro.
The Basics:
Before getting into the advanced features, let's chat about the basics. Google Flight has an advanced filtering that allows you to simply remove flights that you would never take. Let's take a look at a NYC to London itinerary:
A. Filtering for Stops:
Consider the most layovers you’d take. In most cases, selecting “direct only” will increase your cost floor. More often than not, I will select “one or less stops” unless I am traveling to the other side of the world
NYC to London is a common route, I should not expect to stop more than once (if at all)
B. Excluding Airlines:
You can remove certain airlines that you’d never take - usually used to remove the budget options
I removed “Air Serbia” for the sake of this exercise, I am sure its great
C. Including a Carry-On
The standard “lowest price” is one that is tied to no carry-on bags. If you know this is something that you will need, checking this filter will exclude “click-bait” prices that show up and muddy your results
I selected the Carry-On required
D. Manage your Layover:
Have you ever selected the cheapest flight option just for it to include a 15-hour overnight layover in Orlando? This is a common tactic to push less-than-ideal flights up on your search results.
The most amount of time I can spend in an airport is 8 hrs, of course, this could and would change my situation.
Check with Southwest
Southwest does not feed pricing data into Google Flights. If you are flying domestically, make sure you double-check with Southwest as well!
The Advanced:
Fare Alerts
Google Flights fare alerts are like a personal travel assistant, constantly watching the skies for the best deals on flights.
The fare alerts are best used when you know the location and dates of your prospective travel. For example, If I know I want to travel from NYC to London from March 9th - 16th, I will set up “flight alerts” that will email me if prices go up or down.
For any search, you will see "Track Prices” below the search bar; it's as simple as that!
Here are some additional tips for using Google Flights fare alerts:
Be specific when setting up your alerts. The more specific you are, the more likely you are to receive alerts for the flights you're actually interested in.
Set up alerts for multiple flights or routes. This will increase your chances of finding a good deal.
Check your alerts regularly. Fare prices can change quickly, so it's essential to check your alerts regularly so that you don't miss out on a good deal.
The Explore Map
Google Flights explore map is a tool that allows you to explore flight options to different destinations around the world. It is a great way to find new places to visit and to get the best possible deals on flights.
To use the Google Flights explore map, simply enter your departure airport and the number of stops you are willing to make. The map will then show you the cheapest destinations to fly to from your home airport. You can also filter your results by price, duration, and airline.
My go to search is “Flights out of NYC, no set dates (flexible weekend trip), and a month. This is a great way for me to plan vacations if I am simply looking to “explore”, pun intended.
Here are some additional tips for using Google Flights Explore map:
Be flexible with your travel dates. If you're able to fly on weekdays or during the off-season, you're more likely to find cheaper flights.
Consider flying into a smaller airport. Smaller airports often have lower landing fees, which can translate into lower fares for passengers.
Use the Google Flights Price Graph to see how prices have changed over time and find the best time to book your flight.
Chrome Extensions
There are many Chrome Extensions that work with Google Flights to add additional layers of information. These are all free add-ons that will make sure you are getting the best deal, get a much deeper look into flight Amenities, and provide information about travel you are about to do.
Flight Fare Compare: This extension allows you to compare the price of a flight on Google Flights with prices from other popular travel websites, such as Skyscanner, Momondo, and Kayak. This can be helpful to ensure that you're getting the best possible deal.
TravelArrow: This extension adds a number of features to Google Flights, including the ability to see the flight model and legroom for each flight, as well as the ability to earn airline miles when you shop online.
Peanut: This extension provides you with information about visas, insurance, and current border restrictions for any destination you're researching on Google Flights. This can be helpful to ensure that you have all the necessary paperwork and requirements in order before you travel.
Key Takeaways:
Always start your search with Google Flights
Utilize the “fare alerts” tool to track prices over time
The explore map is a unique tool that can help you find cheap and unique travel destinations for a given time.
Keep an eye out for Chrome Extensions that can elevate your ability to use Google Flights efficiently.