Google Flights Introduces Price Guarantee Pilot Program

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

Google Flights has launched a "price guarantee" feature that refunds travelers if the flight price drops between booking and departure for select flights in the US.

To access the price guarantee feature, travelers must sign in to their Google account, set their country/region to the United States, and use U.S. dollars as their currency.

Flights eligible for the price guarantee will display a colorful price badge, and travelers must download the Google Pay app and set it up within 90 days of the first departure flight of the itinerary to receive payment.

Google plans to shut down the "Book on Google" feature, which serves as an intermediary between travelers and airlines or travel agencies, and explore options to support price guarantees.

Google Flights has also introduced a swipeable story format for exploring hotels in a specific area.

Google Flights has launched a new “price guarantee” feature to help travelers confidently book flights without worrying about potential price drops after purchase.

The pilot program, available only for select flights in the United States, offers refunds if the flight price decreases between booking and departure.

The feature aims to end the uncertainty many travelers face when deciding whether to book a flight immediately or wait for a possible price drop.

How the Price Guarantee Works

To access the price guarantee feature, travelers must sign in to their Google account, set their country/region to the United States, and use U.S. dollars as their currency.

The option is currently available for flights purchased via the “Book on Google” option for one-way and round-trip flights that depart from the United States.

Flights eligible for the price guarantee will display a colorful price badge.

Once the flight is booked with the “Book on Google” link and the “Price Guarantee” box checked, travelers will receive a confirmation email.

Google will then monitor the flight price until departure, paying any difference in price via Google Pay if the cost drops, up to $500 per calendar year for up to three price guaranteed bookings.

To receive the payment, travelers must download the Google Pay app and set it up within 90 days of the first departure flight of the itinerary.

If the airline cancels or reschedules the flight, Google will not pay the difference.

However, if the price decreases and then increases again, Google will pay the difference between the original booking price and the lowest price available before takeoff.

“Book on Google” serves as an intermediary between travelers and airlines or travel agencies, enabling customers to complete bookings within Google using contact and payment information stored in their Google account.

The Future of Book on Google

“Book on Google” serves as an intermediary between travelers and airlines or travel agencies, enabling customers to complete bookings within Google using contact and payment information stored in their Google account.

However, Google plans to shut down the booking feature and is exploring options to support price guarantees without requiring “Book on Google.”

Other New Google Flights Features

In addition to the price guarantee pilot program, Google Flights has introduced a swipeable story format for exploring hotels in a specific area.

This feature displays a slideshow of hotels, allowing users to swipe up to view another hotel.

While price guarantees are not unique in the travel industry, with Priceline, Orbitz, and some airlines offering partial refunds, Google Flights’ price guarantee feature distinguishes itself by actively monitoring prices on behalf of travelers.