Booking via Google Flights
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,992
Booking via Google Flights
Afternoon all,
I am looking at flights to London and notice that you can now book VS flights directly when searching via Google flights. If I do this, would it be considered a third party booking? Or would it still be a direct booking as Google Flights is not a TA?
Cheers ^
I am looking at flights to London and notice that you can now book VS flights directly when searching via Google flights. If I do this, would it be considered a third party booking? Or would it still be a direct booking as Google Flights is not a TA?
Cheers ^
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,167
unless something has changed recently whenever I've searched on google flights and then chosen the 'book with specific Airline' option then I am sent to that airlines website.
If you have any concerns why not just book direct with VS?
If you have any concerns why not just book direct with VS?
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
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It seems to me that you are booking directly with VS via a Google skin of some kind.
Can't think of any advantage to doing so, especially if you can grab some cashback from an OTA or direct from an airline.
Can't think of any advantage to doing so, especially if you can grab some cashback from an OTA or direct from an airline.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 242
I think this is just part of Google's push to become more of an OTA. I read something about it a while back, and I think there was a suggestion that it wouldn't be counted as third party, but I can't find the article now.
I suppose there are some advantages in that it should be marginally quicker and if Google is handling payment, more secure, but I'd still probably book direct. Then again, sometimes Google brings up some great prices which disappear once you click through to the airline's website, so maybe there will be some opportunities there!
I suppose there are some advantages in that it should be marginally quicker and if Google is handling payment, more secure, but I'd still probably book direct. Then again, sometimes Google brings up some great prices which disappear once you click through to the airline's website, so maybe there will be some opportunities there!
#5
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
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At some point we'll have to decide whether we want Google, Amazon and Facebook to dominate the entire economy. Or whether we want to do our bit to avoid them wherever possible. That said, I don't really care if Google devours Expedia / Priceline, since the OTAs have their own sharp practices...
IME booking direct is the only way to guarantee full functionality - upgrade, seat selection, flight changes, etc. - so as long as I'm not paying more, I'm booking direct with the airline...
IME booking direct is the only way to guarantee full functionality - upgrade, seat selection, flight changes, etc. - so as long as I'm not paying more, I'm booking direct with the airline...
#7
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At some point we'll have to decide whether we want Google, Amazon and Facebook to dominate the entire economy. Or whether we want to do our bit to avoid them wherever possible. That said, I don't really care if Google devours Expedia / Priceline, since the OTAs have their own sharp practices...
IME booking direct is the only way to guarantee full functionality - upgrade, seat selection, flight changes, etc. - so as long as I'm not paying more, I'm booking direct with the airline...
IME booking direct is the only way to guarantee full functionality - upgrade, seat selection, flight changes, etc. - so as long as I'm not paying more, I'm booking direct with the airline...
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
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how can you be 'too far in' with a search engine??
In the time you have spent posting your reply you could have booked your flights direct with VS!
In the time you have spent posting your reply you could have booked your flights direct with VS!
#9
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,992
I use Gmail for email. I could use ProtonMail etc, but too lazy to move everything over.
I have a Pixel phone, made by Google. I could get an Apple phone but I don't want to spend $700 plus on an iPhone when I can get a Pixel 3A for around $340 (with a trade in).
I use Youtube TV because I share it with a family member and that only costs me $25 a month compared to other TV services that charge well over $80 a month.
I use Google Docs/Sheets as that is free. There is probably another version but again, have never really explored this.
I use Google flights to search for flights in general. Like you, I almost always book direct. However, as more and more airlines are bookable via Google flights, and I can get a flight confirmed in 2 or 3 clicks, why go direct?....if it's still considered a direct booking?
In today's world its convenience that sells. Right or wrong, Google seems to have got this right.
#10
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
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But that 'convenience sometimes just doesn't give you what you want!
I have an Iphone and an iPad. I have a laptop and use MS office and fire fox. I too use google flights as a search engine as it's quicker than OTA and Airline websites and gives me options I may not get looking direct at the airline. on my laptop I usually then click through direct to the airline and book direct with the airline as they have my details in my airline account (easier to deal with them direct if there is a flight change than via a travel agent if I'm not happy with the change). I then use the apps on my ipad to manage my flights.
BTW I just did a dummy booking on google and clicked the 'book with google' option and it said this
Personally I would just book direct with VS as they already have my details via my FC account. YMMV
I have an Iphone and an iPad. I have a laptop and use MS office and fire fox. I too use google flights as a search engine as it's quicker than OTA and Airline websites and gives me options I may not get looking direct at the airline. on my laptop I usually then click through direct to the airline and book direct with the airline as they have my details in my airline account (easier to deal with them direct if there is a flight change than via a travel agent if I'm not happy with the change). I then use the apps on my ipad to manage my flights.
BTW I just did a dummy booking on google and clicked the 'book with google' option and it said this
You're booking with Virgin Atlantic. Google will securely pass your traveller and payment details to Virgin Atlantic. Once your booking has been confirmed, Virgin Atlantic will handle customer support
#11
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Join Date: Feb 2006
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But that 'convenience sometimes just doesn't give you what you want!
I have an Iphone and an iPad. I have a laptop and use MS office and fire fox. I too use google flights as a search engine as it's quicker than OTA and Airline websites and gives me options I may not get looking direct at the airline. on my laptop I usually then click through direct to the airline and book direct with the airline as they have my details in my airline account (easier to deal with them direct if there is a flight change than via a travel agent if I'm not happy with the change). I then use the apps on my ipad to manage my flights.
BTW I just did a dummy booking on google and clicked the 'book with google' option and it said this
Personally I would just book direct with VS as they already have my details via my FC account. YMMV
I have an Iphone and an iPad. I have a laptop and use MS office and fire fox. I too use google flights as a search engine as it's quicker than OTA and Airline websites and gives me options I may not get looking direct at the airline. on my laptop I usually then click through direct to the airline and book direct with the airline as they have my details in my airline account (easier to deal with them direct if there is a flight change than via a travel agent if I'm not happy with the change). I then use the apps on my ipad to manage my flights.
BTW I just did a dummy booking on google and clicked the 'book with google' option and it said this
Personally I would just book direct with VS as they already have my details via my FC account. YMMV
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
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There's no question that earning miles and points and elite status and whatever is more time-consuming than just using some App on your phone. So I'll take my upgrades, lounge, etc. over the "convenience" guy on his phone sat in the back row desperately trying to get a wifi signal.
#13
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL MM (thanks PMNW!), DL PM, UA PLT, just about every darn hotel program-generally GOLD type level
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I’ve booked through the Google skin a few times. My experiences were choosing a different airline (DL and UA), but when I clicked on the booking choice I was brought to the airline website and the flight details and fare populated into the page. I merely signed in and booked “directly” with the airline.