How to Track Flight Prices on Google: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Setting Up Google Flights
To start tracking flight prices on Google, you need to set up Google Flights. Here’s how:
- Go to the Google Flights website (www.google.com/flights) and sign in to your Google account.
- Click on the "Sign in" button in the top right corner of the page.
- Enter your email address and password to log in.
- If you don’t have a Google account, create one by clicking on the "Create account" button.
- Once you’re logged in, click on the "Flights" tab in the top navigation menu.
- Click on the "Search for flights" button to start searching for flights.
Step 2: Setting Up Flight Alerts
To track flight prices on Google, you need to set up flight alerts. Here’s how:
- Click on the "Flights" tab in the top navigation menu.
- Click on the "Search for flights" button.
- Enter your travel dates and departure city in the search bar.
- Click on the "Search" button.
- Click on the "Flight alerts" button in the top right corner of the page.
- Click on the "Create alert" button.
- Enter your email address and choose the type of alert you want to set up (e.g. price alert, departure time alert, etc.).
- Click on the "Create alert" button.
Step 3: Tracking Flight Prices
Once you’ve set up your flight alerts, you can start tracking flight prices on Google. Here’s how:
- Click on the "Flights" tab in the top navigation menu.
- Click on the "Search for flights" button.
- Enter your travel dates and departure city in the search bar.
- Click on the "Search" button.
- Look for the "Price" column in the search results.
- If a flight price is available, you’ll see a "Price" column with the current price.
- If you want to track a specific flight price, click on the "Price" column and select the flight you want to track.
Step 4: Customizing Your Flight Alerts
To customize your flight alerts, you can adjust the settings in the "Flight alerts" section. Here’s how:
- Click on the "Flight alerts" button in the top right corner of the page.
- Click on the "Edit" button next to the alert you want to customize.
- Adjust the settings as needed (e.g. price alert, departure time alert, etc.).
- Click on the "Save" button to save your changes.
Step 5: Using Google Flights to Compare Prices
Google Flights also allows you to compare prices across different airlines and airports. Here’s how:
- Click on the "Flights" tab in the top navigation menu.
- Click on the "Search for flights" button.
- Enter your travel dates and departure city in the search bar.
- Click on the "Search" button.
- Look for the "Price" column in the search results.
- Compare prices across different airlines and airports to find the best deal.
Tips and Tricks
- Use the "Price" column to compare prices across different airlines and airports.
- Use the "Departure time" column to compare prices for different departure times.
- Use the "Destination" column to compare prices for different destinations.
- Use the "Travel dates" column to compare prices for different travel dates.
- Use the "Flight alerts" feature to receive notifications when prices drop or when a flight becomes available.
Common Issues and Solutions
- Issue 1: Prices not updating
- Solution: Check that you have a stable internet connection and that your Google account is active.
- Solution: Try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.
- Issue 2: No flight prices available
- Solution: Check that you have entered your travel dates and departure city correctly.
- Solution: Try searching for flights on a different day or time.
- Issue 3: Prices not showing in the search results
- Solution: Check that you have selected the correct flight type (e.g. economy, business, etc.).
- Solution: Try searching for flights on a different airline or airport.
Conclusion
Tracking flight prices on Google is a simple and effective way to find the best deals on flights. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can set up flight alerts, track prices, and compare prices across different airlines and airports. Remember to use the "Price" column to compare prices, and to adjust your settings as needed to find the best deal for your travel plans.