Google announced on Thursday that it has added new travel-focused features to AI Mode, its conversational search experience. The updates allow users to ask AI Mode to track flight prices, book hotels, and show the cost of flights and hotels in points or miles.
What the new features do
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Flight tracking and options: Users can tell AI Mode when and where they want to fly, and the tool will show the best available options using the latest prices from more than 300 airlines and travel sites. If users prefer to wait for potential price drops, they can ask AI Mode to track specific flight prices and receive an email notification if fares change for the chosen destination and dates. Flight price tracking is now available in more than 180 countries.
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Hotel discovery and booking: Users can find and reserve hotels through a conversation with AI Mode by providing trip details and hotel preferences. The assistant returns a list of options along with reviews and key decision factors. When ready to book, users select the “Continue on Google” option that appears alongside Google’s integrated partners. From there, they choose a room, review details such as cancellation policies, and complete the booking using Google Pay. Google says the hotel or the booking platform will handle the reservation itself and any customer service.
Availability and partners
Hotel booking in AI Mode has begun rolling out in the U.S. in English and will expand in the coming weeks. Google listed participating partners that will provide inventory and booking support, including Booking.com, Choice Hotels International, Expedia, Hilton, Hotels.com, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Priceline, Trip.com, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
Google also added the ability to display costs in points or miles for both flights and hotels. For example, a user can ask AI Mode how many American Airlines miles are needed for nonstop flights on specific dates, and the assistant will show matching options with the required mileage. This points-and-miles pricing feature is available globally.
Why this matters
The changes suggest Google is positioning AI Mode to do more than surface travel information: it aims to handle parts of trip planning and booking directly within the conversational interface. While AI Mode can now source offers, monitor prices and initiate bookings, the final reservation and customer support remain the responsibility of the hotel or booking platform.
