Using Google Flights

I use Google Flights to purchase over 95% of my flights. Google Flights is one of the easiest tools out there to find flights - domestically and internationally. Here is a quick fire way to use the tool to find your next flight.

I'm going to split it up into two parts: Knowing where you're going and exploring.

This tells you all you need to know about your flight choice: You can "track" the flight and get alerts if the itinerary changes in price until you're ready to purchase. Google will email you whenever there is a change. You can also see the price history of the itinerary and see if you're getting the best deal. Sometimes a cheap flight might have the opportunity to become cheaper. Sample scenarios to fit your travel plans to make sure you're getting the BEST deal possible. in is important.

For my examples we will use Washington, DC as the home airport. In the DC area there are 3 major airports: Washington Regan National (DCA), Washington Dulles International (IAD), and Baltimore Washington International (BWI). Being flexible especially with having multiple options will get you better results. We'll take it a step further and include Philadelphia (PHL) and New York airports JFK, LGA, and EWR because NYC has some of the best flight deals. And I'll explain why adding them in is important.

I want to go to San Jose, Costa Rica this year. I want a cheap flight. How to do it?

Before we add the other cities, lets start with just the airports in the DC/BAL area.

As you you can see, the cheapest option leaving on March 24, 2020 will garner you a flight for $179 roundtrip - which is GREAT. But, what if that time doesn't work for you? You see there are no other flights for less than $200. But when we add other cities we get this

As you can see, the $179 is still the cheapest option; however, now you have more options with a $197 price tag for a roundtrip ticket. Use your better judgement when booking of course. Some of the savings could only be $70 - $100 which for some isn't worth it to go to another city. However savings of $200+ could be worth it. The great thing about Google Flights is that you can create multiple scenarios to fit your travel plans to make sure you're getting the BEST deal possible.

So, Google Flights allows you to:

• Add multiple departure/arrival airports so you'll get the best deals at once vs having to search multiple times

• Calendars that go up 10 months in the future so you can plan well ahead.

Another option Google Flights has for you to use is its filter option. Now beware that of course the more your filter, the less options you'll see which lowers your chance of seeing all deals.

You can filter everything from baggage allowance to how many stops you're comfortable with; which airlines you want to fly, and the times you want to fly and more. Adding filters again will filter out flights so be wary.

When you've found flights that you want, they are displayed by best flights sorted by Google and they offer details about each flight

Travel time, In-Flight extras, type of plane, etc.

Once you've chosen the flight you want, if you're not ready to purchase you can "track" the flight and get alerts if the itinerary changes in price until you're ready to purchase. Google will email you whenever there is a change. You can also see the price history of the itinerary and see if you're getting the best deal. Sometimes a cheap flight might have the opportunity to become cheaper.

This tells you all you need to know about the your flight choice:

• Is this a good price?

• How much is the flight typically?

• How much am I saving?

Usually, once you're ready to purchase, Google will send you to the airline or 3rd party sites to purchase your flight.

Now the second part of this is for the people who don't know where they want to go. Google Flights has an option called "Explore". When you put in a departure airport, and leave the arrival place empty and click explore, Google will give you options based on its world map.

As you see, there are a TON of options showing the cheapest flights for these key cities. You can zoom in and out to be more specific to the place you're interested in. Also, in the top left you'll see "1 week trip in the next 6 months" you can change this to flexible dates ranging from choosing a weekend trip, week trip, or 2 week trip in a specific month, or specific dates. This option is perfect for someone who is the ultimate flexible person or someone who may have the dates but don't have the destination.

This is a super quick tutorial on how you can use Google Flights but reach out if you have any questions or need help on your next trip.

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*Southwest does NOT use Google Flights, so you won't see pricing for their flights on this tool