Maximizing Savings with Google Flights and Travel Arrow

My daughter’s birthday is approaching, and her fiancé wants to surprise her with a trip to California. He mentioned that he’s not very skilled at finding affordable flights, so I offered to help him out. I thought I’d share the steps I gave him, as they’ve been the most effective and time-saving methods I’ve found for securing discounts on flights, rental cars, and hotels. As my mother always says, “Work smarter, not harder.”

# 1. Get Started with Travel Arrow

Before diving into flight searches, I recommended he install the Travel Arrow Chrome extension. Here’s how to get it:

- Step 1: Install Travel Arrow

  - Visit the Chrome Web Store (https://chrome.google.com/webstore) and search for “Travel Arrow.”

  - Click “Add to Chrome” to install the extension. It will automatically activate when you browse travel sites.

This tool will help him find better deals on hotels and rental cars as he searches, saving both money and time.

# 2. Start with Google Flights

Google Flights is my go-to tool for finding affordable flights. Here’s a step-by-step guide that I shared with him, along with some uncommon tips:

- Step 1: Begin Your Search

  - Go to Google Flights(https://www.google.com/flights).

  - Enter your departure and destination cities, along with your preferred travel dates.

  - Tip: Use the “Explore” feature if you’re flexible on your destination. You can find unexpected deals to places you hadn’t considered.

- Step 2: Use the Date Grid and Price Graph

  - After entering your cities and dates, click on the “Date Grid” to see a calendar view of prices.

  - The “Price Graph” lets you visualize how prices change over time, helping you find the cheapest travel dates.

  - Uncommon Use: Use the “Flexible Dates” option to view the lowest prices for trips within a certain duration, like a 1-week or 2-week vacation, even if your dates are not fixed.

- Step 3: Track Prices

  - Once you’ve found a flight that looks good, turn on the “Track Prices” toggle. Google will notify you via email when the prices drop for your selected route.

  - Uncommon Use: Track multiple routes or nearby airports to maximize your chances of finding a bargain.

- Step 4: Explore Nearby Airports

  - Sometimes, flying into or out of a nearby airport can save you money. Click on “Nearby airports” under your destination or departure city to see alternative options.

  - Uncommon Use: Pair this with the “Explore” feature to find cheaper flights from nearby airports that you might not have considered.

- Step 5: Check Multi-City Options

  - For those planning multi-leg trips, use the “Multi-City” option to book all your flights in one go. This can sometimes uncover hidden savings compared to booking separately.

  - Uncommon Use: Consider adding a layover in a city where you want to spend some time. Sometimes this can be cheaper than booking direct flights.

# 3. Enhance Your Search with Travel Arrow

Once you’ve found a good option on Google Flights, use the Travel Arrow extension to ensure you're getting the best deal on hotels and rental cars:

- Compare Hotel Prices: As you browse hotel booking sites, Travel Arrow will automatically compare prices across different platforms and show you cheaper options if available.

- Rental Car Savings: The extension works similarly for rental cars, helping you find better deals without extra effort.

# 4. Consider Booking Two One-Way Flights

Sometimes, booking two one-way flights can be cheaper than a round-trip ticket. Here’s why this strategy can work:

- Different Airlines: You might find that one airline offers a cheaper outbound flight while another offers a more affordable return flight.

- More Flexibility: Booking one-way flights allows you to mix and match airlines and even airports, giving you more flexibility in finding the best deals.

- Hidden Discounts: Occasionally, airlines offer discounts on one-way flights that aren't reflected in round-trip pricing, so it’s worth checking both options.

# Putting It All Together

By combining the strengths of Google Flights and Travel Arrow, you can streamline your travel planning and maximize your savings. Start by searching for flights on Google Flights, use price tracking, and explore alternative airports. Then, enhance your savings on accommodations and car rentals with Travel Arrow. Finally, don’t forget to compare one-way flights as an alternative to round-trip tickets.

This approach not only saves you money but also makes the travel booking process more efficient, ensuring you get the best deals with minimal effort. Happy traveling!