This year has been one of the most jam-packed travel schedules I’ve ever had. Between work conferences and trips with friends, 2026 has felt a bit like Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
Maybe that’s dramatic, but I’m not the only one jetsetting and roadtripping.
Millions of Americans are gearing up to travel for Labor Day weekend. While AAA has not yet released its 2026 predictions for total travelers, it has already reported that this Labor Day will see heavier traffic and higher costs.
Right in time, Google is rolling out three new travel features for AI Mode in Search to book and save. From flight price tracking to hotel booking to understanding your points and miles, here’s what you need to know about these new features to make the most of upcoming travel.
Google’s new travel features
While I’ve covered numerous Google travel-related rollouts, such as using AI Mode to find items you forgot to pack and planning trips with Gemini and Google Maps, these new features are coming directly to AI Mode in Search.
First, Google is putting its airfare tracker right in AI Mode. As you chat, you can describe when and where you’re looking to fly to, and you’ll receive a list of the best options available. From there, you can prompt the AI to track airfare for that location on those days or times and set up email notifications if the price changes.
You’ll also be able to do a similar search and book routine for hotels. You can use AI Mode to research hotel options based on your location, dates and preferences, making comparisons easier. If you’re ready to book, you can now do so right in AI Mode, including booking through Booking.com, Choice Hotels, Expedia, Hilton, Hotels.com, IHG, Marriott, Priceline, Trip.com and Wyndham directly through Google’s AI Mode in Search.
This feature is available now in the US in English, with plans to expand globally soon.
Even travel savants struggle to understand how best to use points and miles. Now you can view the cost of airfare and hotels with points or miles added.
Using AI Mode in Search, you can write something like “I want to fly from Seattle to Boston using AA miles. Help me find nonstop flights in late September” to see what your flights would cost using those miles.
This feature supports multiple airlines’ rewards systems, including Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Choice Hotels International, Hilton and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, with plans to add more soon.
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