9 awesome features you might not know about Google Flights
Editor's Note
While travel is on hold for most at the moment, many of us are looking ahead to the spring, summer and beyond for vacations. Most airlines are offering flexible booking policies so it might be a good idea to grab those deals while you can. Enter Google Flights.
Google Flights has quickly become my go-to way to search for revenue flights. Its layout is clean, functional and easy to use, and it's a really easy way to search for and compare flights on different carriers, routes, times and dates. Google has even incorporated COVID-19 updates and advisories into flight searches.
If you're looking to book some fun future travel for 2021 after the year we've had, this will make finding the best airfares for you that much easier.
Related: How to become an advanced user of Google Flights
Even if you have used Google Flights before, there are some really neat features you might not know about.
1. Search entire continents
You may be aware you can search for flights to more than just a single airport. For example, if you were looking for flights to New York and were not worried about which of the three New York area airports you flew to, you could search to "NYC" (the city code) rather than just "JFK" (one of the airport codes).
But Google Flights can do so much more than this. If you want to plan a trip and just want the cheapest flight or some inspiration to travel somewhere more unusual, you can search the airport, the city, the state or even the whole country.
Thinking East Coast but would consider West Coast for the right price?
If that doesn't give you enough ideas, you can expand this to an entire continent, for example, "North America".
2. Carry-on baggage policies at a glance
One of my pet peeves with ultra low-cost carriers is that where they don't include carry-on baggage costs, it is difficult to compare prices across different carriers. Unless you can do an entire trip with just a tiny laptop bag or other personal item, then you'll need to take a full-size carry-on bag on board or pay for checked baggage.
Some airlines charge extra for this. For example, a cheap Spirit flight won't be so cheap if you have to pay extra to take your carry-on luggage on board, whereas a full-service airline like United or Delta may be more expensive, but you won't have to pay extra for carry-on baggage.
Unless you've memorized the policy for each airline you won't be able to compare like for like. Google Flights has added a handy icon next to the price of each flight to indicate if it does not include carry-on baggage. A strikethrough means full-size carry-on baggage is not included, so you'll either need to pay for it, or you can easily see other options that include carry-on baggage.
3. The perfect weekend getaway
One of my favorite things about being in the U.K. is how easy and convenient it is to visit mainland Europe for the weekend (well, in Normal Times). Dinner in Denmark? Why not! You might see tempting advertised prices for return journeys Friday to Sunday, but when you go to book you see the prices are for inconvenient times. If you're not wanting to take any time off work but still want to maximize your time away you're probably not going to want to leave at 1 p.m. on Friday and return at 6 a.m. Sunday. But 7 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Sunday might be perfect.
Google Flights allows you to set exact hour ranges you wish to search for:
4. Never get ripped off
If you subscribe to our newsletter and keep an eye on our deals section, we find some excellent flight deals for you. If you're not sure if a flight you've found yourself is a good deal or not, Google Flights can do this for you. The service will tell you if the prices listed for your preferred dates are high, low or typical.
Prices to certain destinations can vary hugely across different months of the year. For example, Dubai (DXB) is very seasonal. During a peak time like Christmas and January, you can expect to see high flight prices, whereas during July and August when the weather is unbearably hot, the prices will much be lower, as there's much less demand
5. Earn your preferred miles and points
Want to collect miles but not worried about which airline you fly to Asia? You'll want to choose a Oneworld airline. Don't remember which airlines they are off the top of your head? Google Flights can do this for you. In the airlines filter, you can choose one or more airlines or an entire alliance.
6. Be flexible and save
If your plans aren't set in stone and you have some flexibility, there are many ways to save with Google Flights:
- Choose "nearby airports" to include options that don't include the exact airport or city pair(s) you first searched for. While it may not be as convenient to fly into or out of the exact place you first thought, you could save a packet by considering somewhere slightly less desirable.
- If your dates are flexible, you can click on the date grid, which will quickly show you if there are cheaper options in the days before and after the set you originally searched for.
- If you are faced with an expensive economy ticket, it might be only a small surcharge to fly premium economy, which could be well worth it for the price. Google Flights will prompt you if the next cabin up is not significantly more expensive.
In response to COVID-19, Google is also incorporating airline-specific change policies.
Read more: Looking past coronavirus — TPG’s Brian Kelly on the future of travel
7. Know what to expect on board
Economy seats are the same across all airlines, right?
Wrong.
Factors such as an inch of extra legroom can be the difference between an uncomfortable economy experience and a decent one. Google Flights can show you well before you book a flight specifics like legroom, whether there are power sockets at your seat, Wi-Fi and inflight entertainment.
In business and first-class, there's also information on whether your seat is angled flat or fully lie-flat. We would recommend also having a browse through our detailed flight reviews here at TPG before selecting your premium seat.
8. So much more than flights
If you're looking to book flights somewhere, then there's a high chance you'll be looking to book other things, too. Google has a hotel-booking platform similar to Google Flights -- you can read a full guide here. The service also allows you to search for things to do in a destination, as well as where to eat and what to see.
9. Fare alerts
Prices can fluctuate for your preferred dates depending on when you book. There might be cheap prices as soon as the flights go on sale, and then the prices may rise to their "normal" level. There could be a flash sale that reduces the prices again, and depending on the destination and time of year, last minute, the fares could be very high if the flight is almost full, or very low if there are still lots of empty seats left to fill.
If you turn on the "Track Prices" button on Google Flights, it can show you both the historical price for the flight since it went on sale (so you can get an idea of this particular price is a good price for that flight). But if you aren't quite ready to book yet, if you turn on the fare alerts Google Flights can also advise you where the prices decrease so you can jump on a bargain.
Bottom line
Google Flights is a fabulous tool that I use all the time. In its simplest form, it presents flight options in an easy to view, compare and book method to help you choose the right option. But the platform can do so much more than this to make sure you are picking the best flight, not just the lowest price.
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Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.