Google Flights adds 'Cheapest' option for travelers who just don't care how they get there
(NEXSTAR) – Google Flights has a new option for immediately finding the “cheapest” flight itinerary, but it may come at a different cost.
The new feature, which Google started rolling out this week, will allow users to more easily find the absolute lowest-priced fares to the destinations of their choice. But — unlike the standard Google Flights search option — this new feature will display results with no regard for flight durations, travel times, or more complicated itineraries or transfers, according to Google's announcement.
These results can be found under a new tab simply labeled “Cheapest.”
“You may find that some of the options under the 'Cheapest' tab involve more … creative itineraries, like longer layovers, self-transfers or purchasing different legs of the trip through multiple airlines or booking sites,” reads a Google blog post published this week.
In some cases, the results found under the “Cheapest” tab may be offered from a third-party travel site, rather than the airline itself, according to Google. Some options may also offer a cheaper fare for users willing to return to different airport than the one they initially departed from, if it’s in the same city.
If the “Cheapest” feature isn’t already visible for Google Flights users, the company says it will become available globally over the coming weeks.
Google’s own data, meanwhile, has previously suggested that travelers should look to purchase their tickets for domestic flights around 21–60 days of the departure date, which appears to be when prices are lowest. Travelers to Europe might want to book a bit further ahead (129 days, about) as would travelers to Mexico or the Caribbean (59 days).
In its latest blog post, Google also offered advice for travel plans around Thanksgiving or Christmas, advising users to book ASAP.
“[O]ur latest insights found that the cheapest fares for U.S. domestic trips around Thanksgiving and Christmas are usually bookable in October — so now is a great time to see what’s out there and get your plans squared away.