While technology, including AI, may not fully replicate the personal insights and trust that come from seeking advice from a seasoned traveler, it can certainly enhance the travel planning experience. Recent innovations can simplify tasks and eliminate uncertainty, allowing travelers to focus on the enjoyment of their journey, experts suggest.
From tracking movie ticket and hotel prices to crafting personalized itineraries, AI presents various ways to streamline travel planning. Travel expert Katy Nastro emphasizes essential methods to effectively leverage AI tools, although she and other professionals recommend verifying AI-generated suggestions to ensure their practicality.
As more companies roll out AI tools that analyze historical pricing data, travelers can discover new opportunities to save—for this summer and beyond.
Avoid Locking Into Rigid Pricing
Katy Nastro, from the airfare monitoring site Going, highlights the advantages of Google Travel’s hotel price tracker. “It’s become a valuable tool for monitoring hotel rates,” she shared with ABC News.
Google – PHOTO: Google now has hotel price tracking that can alert users of a lower price drop.
The new feature enables users to set alerts for price changes at specific hotels. By simply searching for a hotel, users can toggle price tracking and receive email notifications when rates adjust based on their selected dates.
“This year, the key is providing yourself the potential to save if rates drop,” Nastro advised.
Nastro also mentioned the Google Flight Deals feature, which transforms the ‘explore’ option into an AI travel agent that actively looks for deals. While she appreciates the user-friendly design, she cautions users to “approach the recommendations with careful consideration.”
“You must be very precise about your requirements; otherwise, the suggestions may not align with your preferences,” she cautioned. “AI does not account for current travel advisories or essential local insights. For instance, it may suggest warm destinations this summer that aren’t suited for travel given the current circumstances.”
She encourages travelers to consult multiple sources, like Going, to review historical deal averages and make informed booking decisions.
Crafting Trip Itineraries with AI Resources
Other tools, such as the AI Mode in Google Search, allow users to delve into specific preferences and customize detailed itineraries, from the planning phase to booking.
Google – PHOTO: AI Mode helps users create a canvas to prepare itineraries and iterate on travel plans.
Utilizing the Canvas feature, users can outline their ideal journey by detailing their trip parameters, seeking flight options, hotel suggestions, and local attractions on a map.
Nastro reiterated that while tools like Google or EasyTripAi are improving with actionable data, including crowd levels and historical weather patterns, it’s wise to cross-check information with other sources.
“Our findings show that AI adoption in travel is still less prevalent than relying on recommendations from friends and family,” she shared, referencing their State of Travel report. Nevertheless, the growth trajectory for these tools is promising.
On Thursday, Kayak unveiled its new Ask AI feature, streamlining trip planning by allowing users to search and book travel while posing specific questions for tailored results.
Even the cruise sector is benefiting from AI enhancements. Virgin Voyages, for instance, has launched Rovey, an AI-powered assistant designed to simplify the entire cruise booking process—from searching to planning, offering insights on itineraries, cabin options, and shore excursions.
With Rovey, travelers can refine their preferences based on timing, destinations, travel styles, and interests to receive a tailored plan before embarking on their sea voyage.
Prioritize Travel Insurance and Clarify Coverage with AI
Given the volatile nature of jet fuel prices, which many industry experts warn will affect airfare and additional charges, Nastro suggests this is an ideal moment to think about travel insurance, particularly for international trips.
“Having this coverage provides peace of mind, but reading through extensive policy details can be daunting,” she explained. “This is where AI becomes incredibly useful. Just input your policy details into an AI model and ask it to clarify the key coverage points and exceptions in straightforward language.”
This approach can “simplify complex legal terms significantly, enabling you to understand exactly what is covered without unexpected surprises,” she added.
Leverage AI for Packing and Avoiding Checked Bag Fees
Witthaya Prasongsin/STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images – PHOTO: Stock photo of a person looking for flights online.
For those looking to dodge checked bag fees, Nastro recommends exploring AI-based packing assistance this year. Tools like Fits and Acloset can help you pack smartly by analyzing your wardrobe and travel itinerary.
Maintain Flexibility with Travel Dates and Destinations
Melanie Fish, an expert from Expedia Group, stresses that being flexible is crucial for achieving savings this summer.
“Timing can significantly affect the cost of airfare, so experiment with various dates to discover the best deals,” she noted.
Similar to other flight trackers, the Expedia app can notify travelers when airfare drops, she added.
“Additionally, consider exploring less obvious destinations closer to home to unlock valuable savings,” she suggested. “For instance, opting for a nearby location like Fort Lauderdale instead of a busy city like Miami can lead to cheaper rates and fewer crowds.”
Bundling your travel plans is another effective money-saving strategy.
“Combining flights and hotel bookings often yields significant savings compared to separate reservations, making it more affordable for families to plan thorough summer vacations without sacrificing quality,” Fish concluded.
