How I Use AI and Google Flights to Score Flight Deals

Ready to travel more while spending less? In the linked video below, I share my favorite strategy for finding cheap flights using AI tools and Google Flights. These are the exact methods I use when planning my own trips—smart, simple, and shockingly effective. I’ll walk you through how AI can help you compare routes, analyze fare trends, and uncover hidden deals you might otherwise miss. Then we’ll pair that with the power of Google Flights, one of the most underrated tools for savvy travelers. Whether you’re dreaming of Europe, planning a last-minute getaway, or just trying to make travel more affordable, this guide will help you stretch your budget and fly farther. I also show you how I score cushy business class international seats for a steal of a deal. Sip champagne in the lounge before having a three-course meal on the plane and then lying down in a lie-flat seat for a good night’s sleep while flying to Italy? Sign me up!

The video provides a comprehensive guide on how I uses a combination of AI tools and Google Flights to find affordable flight deals, especially for international travel to places like Italy.

Here’s a summary of the video:

1. When to Book Flights (1:22):

• Initial Release (11 months out): The sweet spot for booking, especially for business class, when airlines first release their schedules.
• International Travel: Start looking around at least 6 months out.
• Domestic Travel: Aim for at least 3 months out.

2. Best Days to Fly (4:03):

• Tuesday and Wednesday are generally the cheapest days to fly due to lower demand from business travelers.
• Saturdays can also be good (4:35).
• Avoid Sunday/Monday (business travelers) and Thursday/Friday (vacation travelers) due to higher demand (4:08).

3. Using AI to Gather Initial Information (5:01):

• Identify Airlines and Hubs: Use AI (like Co-Pilot or ChatGPT) to determine which airlines fly from your nearest hub to your desired destination (5:01). For example, finding out Delta offers non-stop flights from Detroit to Rome, and American and United offer connected flights (5:18).
• Expand Departure Options: AI can help identify connecting cities that might be within driving distance (e.g., Chicago, Toronto, Cleveland, New York for someone near Detroit) (5:37). This flexibility can lead to better deals.
• Seasonality: AI can provide information on when certain flight routes operate seasonally (7:07).
• Layover Cities: AI can suggest common layover cities (e.g., Lisbon, Madrid, Paris) that might offer cheaper connecting flights (7:22).
• Discount Airlines: Ask AI about the presence of ultra-low-cost carriers for specific routes (17:45).
• Price Validation: Use AI to check if a found flight price is considered a “good deal” based on average fares for that route and class. You can also use Hopper or Skyscanner for price predictions. (19:43).

4. Google Flights Strategies (7:33):

• Flexibility with Airports: Be willing to fly from multiple airports within driving distance (7:36).
• Flexibility with Dates: Use the calendar view to identify the cheapest days to fly (7:40).
• Search for One Seat at a Time: This is a crucial hack due to “buckets” – airlines allocate a certain number of seats at specific price points. If you search for multiple seats, and one bucket is sold out, all seats might be pushed into a higher-priced bucket. Booking individually can save money (7:44).
• Experiment with Departure and Arrival Cities: After finding a layover city via AI (e.g., Chicago or Toronto), search for flights directly from that city to your destination to see if prices drop significantly (10:50, 11:25).
• Compare Cabin Classes: Explore business class or premium economy options, as sometimes the price difference compared to economy (especially from certain departure points) can be negligible for the added comfort and benefits (12:40, 15:23).
• Multi-City Search: Consider flying into one city and out of another if it offers better prices (16:09).

5. Booking and Post-Booking Tips (18:39):

• Book Directly with the Airline: Always book on the official airline website, not through Google Flights or third-party sites, for better customer service, repricing options, and the ability to use miles or upgrade (18:40).
• Create Airline Accounts: Sign up for accounts with airlines you might use to receive deal alerts and coupon codes (20:38).
• Use the Right Credit Card: Utilize travel credit cards (e.g., Chase, Amex, Capital One) to earn points that can be transferred to airline miles for further savings (21:44).

I wish that I had filmed the video with a focus on the computer screen instead of a split screen but you should be able to get the gist of it.

Happy travels! Let me know what deals you find! Amy

Amy French, Ph.D., is the voice behind Roaming Historian. A professional historian and seasoned traveler, she shares stories that blend history and travel to give readers a deeper understanding of the places they explore.

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