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Google Flights

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Re: Google Flights

#81

Post by alec »

mwexler wrote: post #76
downey wrote: post #3

It's okay, but it's no Hipmunk.

There's presenting the existing data well (Google) and there is adding value to existing to make it more useful (Hipmunk). I find that Google's innovation for almost every one of their products is in saying "we have oodles of data, how can we display it effectively"? They have done well at collecting and quickly accessing large amounts of data, linking loosely coupled sets, and in some cases, adding meaning (image se…

Both Hipmunk and Google Flight Search help you sort out bad flights in ways that other websites don't - Hipmunk calls this "agony". To see this in Google Flight Search, scroll down to the bottom of a results list, you'll see something like "123 longer or more expensive flights hidden. Show all." - these are the longer, no less expensive layovers that you probably don't care about.

Re: Google Flights

#82

Post by rubyrescue »

rabble wrote: post #80

So sad to see matrix.itasoftware.com's amazing search engine get most of it's features ripped out and replaced with a pretty UI that does so little. For folks who like hipmonk? Do you really travel? Their search engine also fails to find most good fares. Pretty but useless. Most people who are serious use expertflyer.com and matrix.itasoftware.com to find fares. Yes you have to learn a bit about how air fares are con…

I can't agree more. hipmunk is totally useless for truly finding good fares. matrix is the only site i start with, then i go to sites that aren't on ITA (jetblue/southwest/some south american airlines like gol) but i try to avoid those airlines anyway (and like you i'm usually travelling internationally so they're not relevant)

Re: Google Flights

#83

Post by asdkl234890 »

A few days ago my gf tried to book a flight. Like most people, she starts with googleing flight tickets. And sees Google flights for the first time and starts using it.

Gets to the point where Google kicks you off to the airline's own page, and that's where the trouble starts. She is forced to pick seats but can't, because the only ones available require being a specially background checked and known passenger. Eventually she gives up.

Then she googles Expedia. A few minutes later she has her tickets. Yesterday she printed out the boarding passes complete with her seat assignment. On the same flight Google Flighs couldn't book.

Re: Google Flights

#85

Post by ccleve »

This isn't remotely as good as Kayak.

Kayak allows you to search for flights that are +- a few days around your desired dates, and shows you fares on a calendar. Indispensable when you're just exploring prices.

Re: Google Flights

#86

Post by gokulk »

I find the ticket prices too high .. wonder if it just gets the prices from the vendor websites or has some special arrangement with them.

Re: Google Flights

#88

Post by mda »

rabble wrote: post #80

So sad to see matrix.itasoftware.com's amazing search engine get most of it's features ripped out and replaced with a pretty UI that does so little. For folks who like hipmonk? Do you really travel? Their search engine also fails to find most good fares. Pretty but useless. Most people who are serious use expertflyer.com and matrix.itasoftware.com to find fares. Yes you have to learn a bit about how air fares are con…

May I ask which feature in Matrix you like is not available in Google Flights?

Re: Google Flights

#89

Post by mda »

ojbyrne wrote: post #64
Justin_Time wrote: post #2

I'm a big fan of https://www.google.com/flights/explorer , since it gives me an immediate picture of how far in advance I should book to get the lowest prices.

I find it interesting that it basically has the same function as Kayak Explore: http://kayak.com/explore - but with a completely different presentation.

Not exactly, this shows daily price changes through a few months, You cant see this in Kayak's interface.

Re: Google Flights

#90

Post by mda »

ccleve wrote: post #85

This isn't remotely as good as Kayak. Kayak allows you to search for flights that are +- a few days around your desired dates, and shows you fares on a calendar. Indispensable when you're just exploring prices.

There is an interface for exploring prices on calendar, click on the "Lowest prices" icon next to the map icon. It shows changes in the prices when you change dates etc and its usually very fast.
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