Is Google Flights Becoming Useless?
Feb 1, 2017, 11:23 am
#1
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,205
Is Google Flights Becoming Useless?
This seems to be happening with greater frequency - Google returns an amazing fare in a premium cabin, but the fare is unbookable and cannot be found on any website, GDS or even the airline itself.
Just happened again today - LAX-DPS/HKG-LAX prices at $2,100US on Google - but more than double the price on cx.com, Orbitz, Expedia, Apollo GDS and even an ITA search.
What's the use of this product if the results cannot be trusted?
Just happened again today - LAX-DPS/HKG-LAX prices at $2,100US on Google - but more than double the price on cx.com, Orbitz, Expedia, Apollo GDS and even an ITA search.
What's the use of this product if the results cannot be trusted?
Feb 2, 2017, 5:54 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
In a few instances for coach seats on AA, I was able to first go to "google flights" and then seamlessly book them on aa.com; but when I first went to aa.com, those flts weren't even listed.
Feb 2, 2017, 1:44 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA, AS, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 52
saw the very same today.
was looking for a DEL-IAH r/t in economy. Google flights had nothing under 1200 for the date range I was looking for. +/- 3 day search.
Kayak had 900 dollar combination. bookable directly with BA.
was looking for a DEL-IAH r/t in economy. Google flights had nothing under 1200 for the date range I was looking for. +/- 3 day search.
Kayak had 900 dollar combination. bookable directly with BA.
Feb 2, 2017, 3:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
I've definitely noticed some pricing discrepancies from time to time, but it is still a good tool for quick searching availability and routes. I tend to trust ITA Matrix more even though they are supposedly puling from the same data.
The simple interface and the price tracking feature is the main appeal for using google flights.
The simple interface and the price tracking feature is the main appeal for using google flights.
Feb 3, 2017, 12:33 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PHX
Programs: AAexp, AC75k, HertzPC, NationalEE, Accor/MariottP, Hilton/HyattG
Posts: 3,614
I've seen it go both ways with google flights recently. Higher fares on Google, lower on airlines website and vice versa.
Also had a weird one... Google flight showed a certain price($499), but when I click the booking function on google flights, the price dropped on the booking site($449). When I search straight from the same booking site, it's the same($499). Super weird. But anyways, saved $50 booking through google flights link lol.
Also had a weird one... Google flight showed a certain price($499), but when I click the booking function on google flights, the price dropped on the booking site($449). When I search straight from the same booking site, it's the same($499). Super weird. But anyways, saved $50 booking through google flights link lol.