Google Flights has made a breakthrough in the travel industry with the introduction of its new ‘Cheapest’ tab. This feature is especially targeting customers who are looking for affordable traveling. This is anticipated to launch globally over the next two weeks. This feature will provide users with a more comprehensive overview of flight options, that includes routes that may be longer or more intricate.
The main motive behind launching the Cheapest tab is nothing but minimizing the price. The feature is tailored to prioritize the most budget-friendly options that may not appear when convenience is the primary criterion. In convention mode, the search results on Google Flights highlight options that balance both price and convenience. However, this often leads to neglect of the availability of the absolute lowest fares.
With this feature, travelers are provided with the most affordable routes, which may include longer stopovers, self-transfers, or different flight segments booked via multiple airlines. Through this approach, users can potentially reduce the cost of travel expenses. Now instead of slogging through various features and fees, users can simply view the available cheapest options from airlines and third-party airline booking sites.
Google has demonstrated an example of comparing flights from New York City to Vancouver. Under the standard sorting system, a price of $350 has been charged including an eight-hour flight with a stopover in Calgary. If you switch to the Cheapest tab, users can enjoy an ultimate saving of $66, and the trip doesn’t involve a longer journey with a layover in Atlanta.
This update bloomed at the right time when global tourism expenditure was on an upsurge. According to the 2023 statistics, tourism has witnessed a 21.5% increase when compared to the previous year with the spend reaching approximately $6.45 trillion. That was the largest increase since the Federal Reserve of St. Louis started tracking prices in 1989. This feature will be helpful during the season time such as Christmas to navigate the often complex landscape of airfare pricing.
This feature is extensive, especially for those who prioritize budget over convenience. The new feature allows for an independent approach towards travel planning, where budget becomes the key deciding factor, consequently revamping how travelers make their decisions. Through this, travelers could save money eventually leading to travel more and unlocking the places where they felt expensive.
The tab will be accessible to mobile users. If you are searching for a flight, you will be given the ‘best’ options depending on price and convenience. Next to that ‘cheapest’ tab, which focuses solely on price.
Users can explore cheaper options if they compromise on some convenience, for example: there are some third-party booking site that offers much lower prices than the airline itself. You can also save money by flying back to a different airport which is in the same city you departed.
Even Google has said that low-cost plans are a great idea, but if you are planning on a budget those inconveniences are highly worth it.
