Google Flights - Changes, Updates, Glitches and Help [consolidated thread]
#151
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
It has devalued further but certainly not crashed. And since you'll be paying in IDR when being redirected it probably doesn't make a difference.
The GF exchange rate is off by a multiple ~1,000. 100,000,000 IDR suddenly become 61£
The GF exchange rate is off by a multiple ~1,000. 100,000,000 IDR suddenly become 61£
#152
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 102
Agree on the useless white space - it may look good on a 'mood board' but it's impractical for the user. Shrinking the page in my browser using 80% zoom helps quite a bit.
Links to book flights via Google Travel seem new. eg Book on Google with KLM
Links to book flights via Google Travel seem new. eg Book on Google with KLM
Regarding functionality, I did notice one annoying change, which is that if there is a result that can only be booked by calling the airline, it no longer displays the flight numbers that you should quote to the booking agent in order to find the correct configuration and price. This feature is particularly useful when codeshare flights are involved, because often differences in operating or marketing carrier can change the cost of the fare drastically.
#155
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Is Google Flights being Blocked from Showing SkyTeam Fares?
Hey Everyone,
While partaking in my favourite past time (hunting for low cost fares to do milage runs) I started to notice a pattern - any Delta itinerary I put together I was greeted with the following:
Any idea what's going on here? This seems to happen across the board for Delta and in many cases for SkyTeam partners like KLM and AF and has been happening for the past 2-3 days.
Safe Travels,
James
While partaking in my favourite past time (hunting for low cost fares to do milage runs) I started to notice a pattern - any Delta itinerary I put together I was greeted with the following:
Any idea what's going on here? This seems to happen across the board for Delta and in many cases for SkyTeam partners like KLM and AF and has been happening for the past 2-3 days.
Safe Travels,
James
#156
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: HOU
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K
Posts: 285
Apologies for the long post and this is my just guess so I could be wrong but...
I don't think it's SkyTeam limiting Google, but rather something fundamental has changed in the way Google Flights displays pricing and it's causing problems.
I have been getting the "Book with a travel agent" messaging across carriers (AA, B6, and DL off the top my head) and across different itineraries.
I believe Google Flights gets its pricing data directly from ATPCO (the industry clearinghouse for fares) and it does not know how to interpret the wide range of things that are possible to code for restrictions. When it runs into something it doesn't know how to handle, it throws up the "Book with a travel agent" message and a price that is probably not legal (from a rules perspective) to sell, but exists and can be sold on other dates or flights or whatnot.
Why does it say "Book with travel agent"? Well, I think it's a bit cheeky. A travel agent could sell this fare by force pricing it in the GDS. However, they will 99.9999% get a debit memo from DL and so it's not worth doing it.
If you are seeing it across DL, AF, and KL and widespread lately, the JV may have changed the way it did some of their fare rules coding, which is causing Google Flights widespread problems (likely something in a General Rule to be technical).
I don't think it's SkyTeam limiting Google, but rather something fundamental has changed in the way Google Flights displays pricing and it's causing problems.
I have been getting the "Book with a travel agent" messaging across carriers (AA, B6, and DL off the top my head) and across different itineraries.
I believe Google Flights gets its pricing data directly from ATPCO (the industry clearinghouse for fares) and it does not know how to interpret the wide range of things that are possible to code for restrictions. When it runs into something it doesn't know how to handle, it throws up the "Book with a travel agent" message and a price that is probably not legal (from a rules perspective) to sell, but exists and can be sold on other dates or flights or whatnot.
Why does it say "Book with travel agent"? Well, I think it's a bit cheeky. A travel agent could sell this fare by force pricing it in the GDS. However, they will 99.9999% get a debit memo from DL and so it's not worth doing it.
If you are seeing it across DL, AF, and KL and widespread lately, the JV may have changed the way it did some of their fare rules coding, which is causing Google Flights widespread problems (likely something in a General Rule to be technical).
#157
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,665
Google Flights adds delay predictions and Basis Economy fares restrictions info
https://www.pcmag.com/news/358922/wi...ask-googles-ai
says it can use AI to know if you will have a flight delay before the airlines do.
mods please merge if I missed an old thread.
https://blog.google/topics/travel/ge...delays-winter/
says it can use AI to know if you will have a flight delay before the airlines do.
mods please merge if I missed an old thread.
https://blog.google/topics/travel/ge...delays-winter/
Last edited by boerne; Feb 1, 2018 at 6:55 am Reason: added info
#158
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
Really don't like Google Flights new UI look and feel
I don't know that any really different functionality is available in Google Flights' new UI, but I really don't like it compared to the old look. Lots of cluttering boxes and heavy borders and junk. Anyone else feel the same?
Old look:
New look:
Old look:
New look:
#161
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
#162
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,933
I'm still bitter about Google Maps too :mad #getoffmylawn
#163
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,178
I saw the icon but could not for my life believe a 'man running for the exit' was chosen as the symbol associated with 'switch to old ui'. But looking at the new ui, it is quite fitting!!!
#164
Formerly known as cagalindo
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MCO TPA
Programs: Citi AA/HH/TYP Amex SPG/HH & Chase SP/PC
Posts: 1,335
I love that upgrade, they cap the alerts at 6 it seems. Best for finding those low fares!
Does anyone know of any tools with alerts that accept more than 6 origin/destinations? (Unfortunately ITA does not do alerts)
Does anyone know of any tools with alerts that accept more than 6 origin/destinations? (Unfortunately ITA does not do alerts)
#165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,464
Thank you! Came here looking specifically for how to do this. The new UI precludes several of my favourite shortcuts, like typing the origin in the destination to get them to switch, which is useful when I have a list in one field. It looks fine, maybe better, but it requires too much clicking.