GOOGLE Flights have revealed a new tool that will help holidaymakers find the cheapest plane ticket.
The new booking feature, which was announced earlier this week, will help passengers find the cheapest fares.
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Holidaymakers who already use Google Flights to find airfares will know that the search engine displays the ‘best options’ at the top of the results page.
These deals are normally direct flights that fly to and from the most convenient airport, although they’re not always the cheapest options.
Google Flights‘ latest feature, which is being rolled out across the platform this week, will have an option to display the cheapest flights.
A blog post from Google reads: “But sometimes, there might be cheaper options available for those of you who are willing to give up some convenience for the best deal.
“For example, there could be a third-party booking site offering a lower price than the airline itself.
“Or you might be able to save by flying back to a different airport that’s in the same city you departed from — like flying out of New York’s LaGuardia and returning to JFK.”
In order to find the cheapest flights, passengers will need to click on the “cheapest” tab on the search engine to see if there are any better deals to be had.
In order to bag the cheapest flights, holidaymakers may need to be more creative with their itineraries by opting for longer layovers, self-transfers or purchasing flights with multiple airlines.
By using this new feature, holidaymakers will need to decide whether the cost savings are worth the hassle.
It is hoped that the new Google Flights feature will help budget travellers find the best bargains.
The news comes just weeks after Google Flights introduced a refund feature that offers travellers the lowest price guarantee when booking certain flights.
Google announced: “No one likes to feel buyer’s remorse, and that’s especially true for a big purchase like plane tickets where the prices change from day to day.”
The new tool enables travellers to determine whether the price of their trip is low, high, or average for their planned trip.
Jetsetters can also set flexible dates to find the cheapest time to book.
However, if the price drops between the time of purchase and take-off, Google will pay the difference via Google Pay.
The refund policy will only apply to flights that are booked with Google and departing from the US.
Travellers should ensure there is a price guarantee badge before purchasing a ticket otherwise, they won’t be eligible for a refund if the price drops before takeoff.
Cheap Airfares
Earlier this year, a travel expert revealed the “sweet spot” for flights to get cheap fares.
Jack Sheldon, flight expert at Jacksflightclub.com, said the best time to bag the cheapest flight tickets is between six to 12 weeks before taking off.
Flyers can get an absolute bargain deal while following the hack – and can save up to 50 per cent on flight tickets.
Booking a flight midweek instead of a weekend – when airports can be really busy – can also help you save some extra cash which you can splash on your vacation instead.
Gavin Lapidus, travel agent and director of multi-centre holiday specialists eShores, said Monday to Wednesday is the best time of the week to board a cheap flight.
If you’re flexible with your dates, always double-check departure days, as flying a day sooner or later could save you up to 20 per cent.
The travel expert has shared a number of tips around saving cash when booking your holiday.
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TIME TO FLY: Always use a flight comparison site to search for the cheapest operator on your chosen route.
Airlines release tickets up to a year in advance and, generally, the earlier you book, the cheaper flights are.
This is especially true if you’re planning to fly during peak periods, such as summer holidays.
FLEXIBLE WINS: You’ll be able to find the best deals if you can be flexible on your destination or with dates of travel.
Flying midweek is usually the cheapest, while Fridays and Sundays tend to be the most expensive.
If you have set dates in mind, try Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search tool, which will show the cheapest destinations available at those times.
PACKAGE UP: You can usually save cash by opting for an all-inclusive deal over booking flights and hotels separately, according to research by consumer group Which?.
However, it does depend on the destination so it’s worth doing your research.
Spain was found to be cheaper as an all-inclusive, but you would be better off doing a DIY holiday in Portugal’s Algarve.
However, travellers are advised not to overlook travel agents as lots of them specialise in finding the best value trips for customers.
Condé Nast Traveller’s fashion editor Charlotte Davey gave a word of advice when booking future flights.
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