No more 30 open tabs: Google's AI will now book hotels and flights for you
Google is introducing AI Mode, a new feature that turns its search interface into a virtual travel agent. The tool allows users to track flight prices, book hotels, and pay using loyalty points directly within the chat.
Anyone planning a vacation or flight knows that it usually requires opening dozens of tabs in your browser, comparing prices across several sites simultaneously, and manually managing Excel spreadsheets.
Now Google is trying to compress all this headache into one AI chat and is announcing a series of updates to the AI search interface, AI Mode. According to Google, these updates turn the tool into a smart virtual travel agent, moving users from searching for information to full active handling of all stages of planning and booking.
Price tracking and payment with points
One of the most requested innovations is the integration of flight price alerts directly into the chat. If you specify your destination and dates, the system will scan data from more than 300 airlines and flight sites to present the best options. You can ask AI Mode to track prices for you in the background; as soon as there is a relevant price drop, you will receive an alert directly to your Gmail. According to Google, this tracking option is already available in more than 180 countries.
Another useful feature will interest frequent flyers. Instead of digging through various loyalty program sites, you can simply ask AI Mode exactly how much a flight or hotel costs in points or miles. For example, writing "I want to fly from New York to Florida with miles I accumulated on American Airlines" will show you the different options and their cost in points. At this first stage, the feature mainly supports American airlines such as American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, with Lufthansa Group and others joining later.
Organizing the whole trip
Another significant innovation concerns hotel booking. You can describe your perfect vacation and budget to the system, and it will present suitable options alongside user reviews and important details. Once you find a hotel you like, you can complete the entire booking process without leaving the Google interface. The process includes quick room selection, viewing detailed cancellation policies, and secure payment via Google Pay. The feature also supports American loyalty programs of chains such as Hilton, Wyndham, and Accor.
Google emphasizes that it is only the intermediary, and the transaction itself as well as customer service will continue to be managed by its partners such as Booking, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
