Use Google’s New Tool To Save On Your Next Hotel Bookings

Google’s new “Track hotel prices” feature allows Americans to save money on travel accommodations without the hassle of constantly checking rates.

Quick Takes

Google has launched a hotel price tracking feature that sends email alerts when prices drop for selected accommodations.
The free service requires no downloads or apps and adheres to Google’s privacy practices, ensuring personal data is not sold to third parties.
Users can save an average of $50 per ticket by leveraging Google’s price tracking capabilities on flights.
Google analyzes over 2 billion flight pricing data points daily and predicts prices with 95% accuracy.
A new Hotel Deals Filter helps travelers find rooms at reduced rates compared to usual prices or similar hotels in the area.

How Google’s Hotel Price Tracker Works

Google has expanded its travel tools beyond flights to now include a hotel price tracking feature. This new addition allows travelers to monitor accommodation rates without constantly checking websites or setting calendar reminders. When users conduct a hotel search on Google’s platform, they can simply activate the “Track Prices” option, similar to the popular flight tracking feature. The system then monitors price changes for selected properties and automatically sends email notifications when significant price drops occur.

“Google’s hotel search site and flight search site are both available on the web—no apps or downloads required,” notes JR Raphael. “The services, including their price-tracking systems, are completely free to use.”

While Google provides the price information and tracking service, it doesn’t handle actual bookings. Instead, the platform directs users to either the hotel’s website, airline, or third-party resellers to complete their purchases. This maintains the traditional booking process while adding the convenience of intelligent price monitoring, giving Americans more control over their travel expenses without surrendering personal data to additional companies.

The Technology Behind Price Tracking

The effectiveness of Google’s price tracking stems from sophisticated algorithms and massive data analysis capabilities. For its flight services, Google processes over 2 billion flight pricing data points daily, achieving a remarkable 95% accuracy rate in predicting price changes. This technology has now been adapted for the hotel market, giving users similar insights into accommodation pricing trends and potential savings opportunities.

Machine learning plays a crucial role in this system, analyzing patterns in price fluctuations and providing travelers with actionable insights. The Price Graph feature helps users explore fare trends by month or week, making it easier to identify optimal booking times. Similarly, the newly introduced Hotel Deals Filter highlights accommodations offering rooms at reduced rates compared to their usual prices or similar hotels in the area.

Privacy and User Benefits

In an era of increasing concerns about data privacy, Google has emphasized that its hotel price tracking service follows standard privacy practices. JR Raphael points out that “no personal data is ever sold or shared with any third parties.” This commitment to data protection provides peace of mind for users who might otherwise be hesitant to use such tracking services, especially when planning expensive trips.

Beyond privacy protections, the economic benefits for travelers are substantial. Users of Google’s flight tracking features save an average of $50 per ticket. The hotel tracking system aims to deliver similar savings by helping travelers book accommodations during price dips. For families planning vacations or business travelers managing expenses, these savings can add up quickly across multiple bookings and trips, making travel more affordable without requiring hours of manual price comparison.

Expanding Travel Planning Options

Google continues to enhance its travel planning tools beyond basic price tracking. The platform now offers features like the Date Grid, which visualizes prices across multiple dates to aid flexible travel planning. For hotels specifically, users can search with practical filters such as “good for families” or “hotels near Disney World” to find accommodations that match their specific needs while still benefiting from price tracking.

The combination of these features creates a comprehensive travel planning ecosystem that empowers Americans to make more informed decisions about their trips. As travel costs continue to rise, tools that provide transparency into pricing and potential savings become increasingly valuable. Google’s expansion into hotel price tracking represents an important step in giving everyday consumers access to the kind of pricing intelligence that was once available only to travel agents and industry insiders.