Google Flights unveiled a new feature on Monday that allows users to compare flights and airline schedules to find the cheapest time to book a flight.
Google guidance on the cheapest time to book a flight, which works in tandem with price tracking alerts and price guarantee features that already exist on the application creates a suite of features to help users find the best deals.
Google Flights is used by travelers around the world and already offers plenty of features that allow users to see if prices are low or high for the time and place they are booking. These tools will be expanded with a new function that tells users what time of year is the cheapest to book a particular flight.
“These insights could tell you that the cheapest time to book similar trips is usually two months before departure, and you’re currently in that sweet spot. Or you might learn that prices have usually dropped closer to takeoff, so you decide to wait before booking,” a statement from Google reads.
This new function will add onto the platform’s outstanding price tracker. If users are waiting for a lower price before they book their flight, the price tracker will send a notification when a flight price drops “significantly.”
In addition to the price tracker, Google Flights also offers price guarantees for some flights. This feature will track your selected flight every day before departure and will pay you back the difference through Google Pay should the price drop. Users can receive up to $500 back in a single calendar year.
In the same press release, Google Flights also provides new insights on the best time to book for the Christmas holidays. The release states: “Average prices tend to be lowest 71 days before departure—a big change from our 2022 insights, which found that average prices were lowest just 22 days before departure. And the typical low price range is now 54-78 days before takeoff.” So for booking holiday flights, you might consider checking prices around early October.
If you’re flying from the U.S. to Europe you’ll find that average prices have been lowest around 72 days or more before departure so don’t wait until the last second to book your romantic holiday in Paris or Prague!