Google Flights is my favorite travel tool

Here's why.

Clint Henderson / The Points Guy

If you’re looking for an easy New Year’s resolution that actually sticks, here’s one I can get behind: Pay less for flights.

One of my favorite tools for doing exactly that is Google Flights. It’s remarkably powerful, shockingly easy to use — and it can save you serious money on airfare.

Not just on flights you want to book.

But even on flights you’ve already booked.

And did I mention the best part?

It’s free.

Why I use Google Flights (all the time)

Google Flights is one of the best airline search tools out there. Think of it as your unbiased friend in the airfare hunt.

You plug in where you’re going, where you’re starting and when you want to travel.

Boom. Google instantly shows you the best and cheapest options available.

One important thing to know: Google Flights isn’t a booking site. It doesn’t sell tickets or force you to book through a particular airline or agency. Instead, it gives you the data — and then links you directly to the airline or booking site to purchase if you like what you see.

Because Google isn’t taking a cut, there’s no incentive to push you toward one option over another. That’s why I trust it.

‘Best’ vs. ‘cheapest’ (know the difference)

Google Flights lets you toggle between:

• Best flights: Shorter, more convenient routings

• Cheapest flights: Lower prices that may involve longer layovers or extra stops

Sometimes those overlap. Sometimes they very much don’t. The key is knowing what matters most to you.

Filters are your secret weapon

This is where Google Flights really shines. You can fine-tune your search with filters like:

• Time of day (no red-eyes for me, thanks)

• Number of stops (I usually cap it at one)

• Layover length

• Airlines or alliances (Oneworld fans — Qantas, American Airlines, British Airways, etc. — this one’s for you)

• Baggage allowances

• Seat pitch and legroom (JetBlue’s 32 inches versus Spirit Airlines’ 28 is a real difference)

You can even screen out basic economy fares, which we generally advise avoiding at The Points Guy anyway.

You can get as specific or as broad as your heart desires.

How to find the cheapest dates

Google Flights is especially good at showing you when to fly. Sometimes, leaving or coming home a day or two earlier can make all the difference (see our guide to finding the cheapest flights).

Click on the calendar icon and you’ll see prices for each day — with the cheapest options highlighted in green.

You can also use the date grid, which makes it easy to mix and match outbound and return dates to find the lowest overall price.

Scroll down farther and you’ll see whether current fares are considered low, typical or high, plus a price history chart so you know if you’re getting a good deal or not.

I love learning I am getting a good deal.

Set a price alert (even after you book)

This is a great travel hack:

Just below the search results, you’ll see a toggle that says “Track prices.” Turn it on (you’ll need to be logged in to your Google account), and Google Flights will email you if there is a price drop (or a big jump).

Here’s the pro move:
If you book a refundable or changeable fare, continue to track the price after booking. If it drops, you can rebook or request a credit (as long as you didn’t book a basic economy ticket).

Peace of mind and potential savings.

My favorite feature: Google Flights Explore

This tool doesn’t get nearly enough love.

Click the “Explore” tab and leave your destination blank. Instead of asking “Where do you want to go?” Google asks, “Where could you go cheaply?”

You’ll get an interactive map showing flight prices around the country — or the world.

You can narrow it down by typing in “Europe” or “Caribbean,” or by selecting specific dates or flexible windows.

One example?

I used Explore to search for a winter escape from New York’s cold and found a February round-trip flight to San Juan for about $150.

The bottom line

This is just scratching the surface of what Google Flights can do, but if you make it part of your regular travel planning, you’ll almost certainly spend less on airfare.

We’ve got full guides at The Points Guy on both Google Flights and the Explore tool if you want to go deeper.

As for me? I’m signing off to hunt for my next flight deal.