Google Flights price guarantee is marketed for some tickets (but not all). What is it and how does it work?
If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com.
If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today.
Google Flights Price Guarantee is a feature that offers refunds to travelers if the price of their booked flights drops after the purchase. This feature aims to provide travelers with peace of mind and the opportunity to save money on their airfare. With the fluctuating nature of flight prices, it can be frustrating for travelers to see the cost of their flights decrease after they have already made a booking. However, with Google Flights Price Guarantee, travelers can be confident that they will not miss out on any savings.
Google Flights Price Guarantee works by continuously monitoring the prices of the flights that travelers have booked. If fares drop before the first flight departs, Google will refund the price difference to the traveler via Google Pay. This ensures that travelers are always getting the best possible price for their flights. However, it is important to note that the refund will only be given after the first flight in the itinerary takes off. This ensures that the refund is based on the actual flight experience and not just a temporary price decrease.
For example, let’s take a roundtrip flight from New York to Los Angeles through Google Flights. After a traveler makes their booking, the price of the same flight has dropped by $50. With Google Flights Price Guarantee, travelers can receive a refund of the price difference after the first flight takes off. This way, you can still benefit from the reduced price and save some money. However, if the price is above your purchase price on the departure day but has spent the prior month below your purchase price, no refund is given.
How Does The Google Flights Price Guarantee Work?
To take advantage of the Price Guarantee, travelers need to book their flights through the “Book on Google” checkout platform and have Google Pay set up (not booking direct.) Google Flights will automatically monitor the prices of the flights that have been booked and notify travelers if there is a drop in price that qualifies for a refund. Travelers do not need to take any additional steps or submit any requests to receive the refund. Google Pay will automatically process and send the refund to the traveler. The pilot program has some rules and here are some notable parameters:
- Google only refunds a difference in excess of $5 with a cap of $500 across all bookings in a calendar year
- Calculations are based on the original price you paid for an eligible itinerary through Book on Google, consisting of the base fare, taxes, and mandatory airport and airline fees. Ancillary fees (for example, priority boarding, baggage, and seat selection fees) and change fees are excluded.
- Only Book on Google prices for the same itinerary available through the same booking partner are considered; lower prices on non-Book on Google itineraries or Book on Google itineraries available through a different booking partner will not be taken into account.
- All components of the lower-priced itinerary must match the eligible itinerary that you purchased, including airline, flight number, dates, number of passengers, fare and cabin class, and cancellation policy.
- Prices are measured between the purchase date and the departure of the first flight of your eligible itinerary.
- If more than one lower-priced, matching itineraries are available on Book on Google through the same booking partner within the relevant timeframe, only the lowest price itinerary will be considered.
- One of the benefits of the Price Guarantee is that it helps travelers who book their flights well in advance. Sometimes, travelers book their flights months in advance to secure the best prices. However, it can be disheartening to see the price of the same flight decrease significantly before the departure date. With the Price Guarantee, Google Flights ensures that travelers are always getting the best possible deal. By continuously monitoring the prices, travelers can have peace of mind knowing that they will not miss out on any potential savings.
- You will not be eligible for a Payout if you have not downloaded the Google Pay mobile app, or if your Google Pay account information does not match the information you provided when booking the flight. You must download the Google Pay mobile app and set up an account within 90 days of the departure of the first flight in your eligible itinerary to receive a Payout.
Which Flights Are Eligible For The Price Guarantee Program?
Currently, the Price Guarantee program is available for flights departing from the United States. It is most likely to be seen on flights with Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian, and Spirit. However, it is a work in progress and may not be available for all flights or airlines at this time. Google continues to work on expanding the program to include more airlines and destinations, ensuring that more travelers can take advantage of the Price Guarantee.
Are One-Way Flights Included In The Price Guarantee Program?
Yes, both one-way flights and roundtrip bookings are included in the Price Guarantee program. Whether you are booking a single one-way trip or a roundtrip itinerary, you have the opportunity to benefit from the Price Guarantee if the flight prices drop. This allows travelers to have flexibility in their travel plans and still be eligible for potential refunds.
Is The Price Guarantee Available For Flights Departing From Countries Other Than The US?
At the moment, the Price Guarantee program is limited to flights departing from the U.S.. Travelers flying from other countries are not eligible for the Price Guarantee benefits. However, Google is constantly working to improve and expand its services, so it is possible that the Price Guarantee program may be extended to include flights departing from other countries in the future.
What About Sweet Spots?
The best way to use the Google Flights Price Guarantee is to secure one-way flights. Why does that matter? Because the two one-ways add more chance for isolated pricing changes. For example, if an outbound ticket from New York to San Francisco drops $35, but the return increases by $30, a roundtrip yields nothing whereas two booked one-ways would net the traveler $35.
One could also focus on routes that are not typical (or high) compared to normal markets but this is harder to take advantage of and it wouldn’t make sense to necessarily target those routes. Secondary markets may be a better target as they have fewer flight options and any significant purchase or group would put pressure on the route.
When Will I Receive The Refund If My Flight Price Drops?
If the price of your booked flight drops and you qualify for a refund, you will receive the refund via Google Pay. However, it is important to note that the refund will only be issued after the first flight in your itinerary takes off.
In my experience, I received an email that stated the price did not drop and that I got the best price based on when I chose to book.
Will The Price Guarantee Be Expanded To Include More Airlines In The Future?
The expansion of the Price Guarantee program to include more airlines in the future is uncertain. As of now, the program is limited to select airlines, and it remains to be seen if Google will extend it to cover additional carriers. Google Flights continues to improve its platform with features like Price Alerts and carbon emissions estimates, indicating their commitment to enhancing the user experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Google Flights Price Guarantee reduces buyer’s remorse by ensuring that it’s the cheapest time to book whenever you buy. By utilizing this program, travelers can potentially save money and have greater peace of mind when booking their airfare. With Google continuously monitoring flight prices and automatically issuing refunds, travelers can be confident that they are always getting the best possible deal. While the program is currently limited to select flights and airlines, it is a promising feature that may expand and benefit even more travelers in the future.
What do you think? Have you tried the Google Flights Price Guarantee? Do you have a different trick for picking the perfect time to book flights?
“However, if the price is above your purchase price on the departure day but has spent the prior month below your purchase price, no refund is given.”
Am I correctly understanding that your booking needs to be cheaper on the day of departure to qualify for a refund?
Therefore, it wouldn’t matter what the price changes to except the final price on the day of travel. The airline I typically fly removes advance purchase fares close in to departure, so the odds I’ll get a lower price is basically nil… I’ll stick to booking directly, instead of using Google as an OTA
@Andrew … good reasoning .
I am disabled , and need as much help as I can get , so I have only ever purchased at the airport on the day of flight . I get there before the regular check-in , and there has always been someone to help me directly . I specify that I need a premium economy with extra leg room , and usually the bulkhead row is not yet open , and I get a better seat than I would have if I had purchased early , even from the airline . They save the bulkhead row for the check-in . I get the extra assistance squared away from the get-go . Sometimes , I even get the upgrade at the gate if I establish a good relationship face-to-face . Once PanAm gave me a first class from the get-go after I purchased the economy seat .
The program, as you described, is completely useless for a vast majority of customers since fares are almost always highest on day of departure. It’s a gimmick or you didn’t report it correctly. BTW, I don’t think Book on Google is a requirement any longer either.