Five Google Flights Shortcuts And Hacks For Cheap And Efficient Airline Bookings

For any trip planning, Google has always been the go-to tool for trip activities and itineraries, mapping, hotel accommodations, getting in contact with local tour guides and now, for booking flights. Google Flights, one of Google's newest platforms for travelers, helps book your flight, as well as navigate the intricacies of budget pricing and routing any possible layovers - think Skyscanner but with Google's vast plethora of intelligence and user-friendly design.

Here are some tips on how to optimize Google Flights for your next holiday:

1. Don't have a destination in mind yet? Google will show you.

According to The Huffington Post, you can search for a general region and Google will pop up a map of the area, with flight ticket costs to major airports within the vicinity, so users can decide what's within budget.

In addition, Google's 'I'm Feeling Lucky' doesn't just do the same magic it does with the regular search option, it randomly (Google bases user preferences on search history) chooses a place for users and lists down all the necessary flight information.

2. Date Options

In the same way apps such as Skyscanner or CheapAir helps spot the airline with the lowest cost for a certain destination, Google Flights shows users a whole calendar with a bar graph on which days are cheaper on the calendar.

3. Flight Tracking

In case the cost for a flight goes up or down, users can be notified of this fluctuation by clicking on 'Save This Itinerary', ensuring users buy when flights are cheapest or are not surprised by a sudden surge. In addition, Life Hacker suggests that the sweet spot for finding tickets at their lowest price is about 54 days in advance.

4. Tip bar

Once users have keyed in their particulars for the trip and have selected an itinerary, Google opens a 'tip' that notifies users if there are any other flights that, albeit having a layover or being a day earlier or later, could save money.

5. For Layover Lovers

Nobody likes long layovers when stuck at the airport, but Google offers the option to look for longer layovers that allow travelers to go outside the airport for a few hours, stretch their legs and have a look at the layover city while waiting for their next flight - making it almost like a double vacation.