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Google Flights Now Shows Cheaper Fares From Different Services

April 11, 2016
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4 min read
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Google Flights Now Shows Cheaper Fares From Different Services
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Google Flights is one of the most effective tools for finding cheap airfares. As you search for flights, you can narrow down results to specific airlines and flight times, as well as other variables to personalize your trip and create the best possible itinerary. Recently, the service also began listing train tickets in Europe, as well as the option to book certain flights directly through Google.

A new update introduces the option to search for separate tickets, meaning that Google will search individual segments — even if that means booking from different services. As a result, the cheapest itinerary could be composed of flights booked directly through the airline or through third-party services like Orbitz (or a mix of the two). You'll still have the option to pay directly through one service, but both choices are available nonetheless.

Booking through both Icelandair and Orbitz will save you money for this deal.

For example, there are currently deals on Icelandair between the US and Reykjavik (KEF). If you're booking normally through the airline, tickets start around $604 round-trip. However, return tickets booked through Orbitz (or other third-party services) are slightly cheaper than a return through Icelandair alone. So in this case, if you book two one-way flights (an outbound and a return trip), you can save about $90.

Google will provide links to both options and include the total price if you choose to book separate tickets.

If your itinerary is cheaper because you're booking separate tickets, Google will give you that option as you choose your return flight. The site will prompt you with a small notice saying that you must book through two services, and it will provide links to both.

You can turn off the separate tickets search from the options menu.

If you'd prefer to book your entire itinerary through a single booking service, you can always turn this option off from the drop-down menu located below the search bar.

Here's a full look at today's Icelandair deal:

Airlines: Delta, Icelandair

Routes: EWR, JFK and more to KEF

Cost: $507-$604+ round-trip in economy

Dates: April 2016 through February 2017

Elite Mileage Earning: At least 5,186 elite-qualifying miles

Fare Class: T (Delta)

Booking Link: Orbitz

Pay With: American Express Premier Rewards Gold, Citi Prestige or Chase Sapphire Preferred

Booking on separate tickets through multiple services:

Outbound flight: New York (JFK) to Reykjavik (KEF) for $286 on Icelandair (booked through Icelandair):

Outbound flight: New York (JFK) to Reykjavik (KEF) for $286 on Icelandair (booked through Icelandair).

Return flight: Reykjavik (KEF) to New York (JFK) for $227 on Icelandair (booked through Orbitz):

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Return flight: Reykjavik (KEF) to New York (JFK) for $227 on Icelandair (booked through Orbitz).

Booking a single ticket through one service:

New York (JFK) to Reykjavik (KEF) for $603 on Delta (earns 5,186 MQMs):

New York (JFK) to Reykjavik (KEF) for $603 on Delta.

Newark (EWR) to Reykjavik (KEF) for $603 on Icelandair:

Newark (EWR) to Reykjavik (KEF) for $603 on Icelandair.

Maximize Your Purchase

Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as the American Express Premier Rewards Gold or Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.

H/T: The Flight Deal

If you’re able to score one of these tickets, please share the good news in the comments below!

Featured image by Elli Sveins

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.