- Google added hotel booking to AI Mode, with US checkout completed through Google Pay.
- The hotel chain or travel site stays the merchant of record and handles all customer service.
- Flight price tracking went live in more than 180 countries, with fares from over 300 airlines and travel sites.
Google, on Thursday, made AI Mode more travel agent-like. US users can book hotels and pay with Google Pay.
The hotel chains and travel sites are still the merchant of record and will handle any customer service.
Ten travel brands hand Google the checkout screen
A user describes their trip and preferences, and then AI Mode displays options with guest reviews and comparison points. When a hotel is selected, a “Continue on Google” button appears next to participating partners.
From there, the room type, cancellation terms, and payment are handled within Google’s interface, and the transaction is completed using Google Pay.
“When you book hotels through AI Mode, the hotel or booking platform will act as the merchant of record and handle any customer service.”
James Byers, Group Product Manager for Search, wrote in the announcement.
Google commands the discovery and checkout screen. The partner possesses the transaction and everything that goes wrong thereafter.
Hotel booking has started rolling out in the US in English. It will be available over the coming weeks with Booking.com, Choice Hotels International, Expedia, Hilton, Hotels.com, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Priceline, Trip.com, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
The hotel feature ships with two flight tools. Users enter when and where they want to fly and see options priced from more than 300 partner airlines and travel sites.
Flights do not complete inside AI Mode. Users build the itinerary there, then buy through the airline’s own site or their preferred booking platform.
A prompt like “track these flight prices for me” sets up email alerts when fares change. AI Mode confirms the route, dates, and filters, then gets ready to watch.
Flight price tracking is now live in more than 180 countries and territories.
Google added the ability to price flights and hotels in loyalty points or miles as well. Ask for Atlanta to Miami on American miles for some dates, and AI Mode will state how many miles the matching flights cost.
At launch are Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Choice Hotels International, Hilton, and Wyndham. In the coming weeks, Accor, Flying Blue, Hyatt, LATAM Airlines, and Lufthansa Group will join the list.
The points feature is available globally.
Julie Farago promised this in November 2025
In a November 2025 post, Search VP of Engineering Julie Farago said Google was already working with Booking.com, Choice Hotels, Expedia, IHG, Marriott, and Wyndham to enable users to “complete the booking with the partner of your choice” for flights and hotels, then a future feature.
That post kicked off agentic booking for restaurants and events via partners such as OpenTable, Resy, and Ticketmaster. Thursday’s update is Google delivering on the flight and hotel promise it made.
The visual side of AI Mode in Search got the same treatment last September, when generated images and shoppable product links appeared in results.
In February, Cryptopolitan reported that Google was allowing users to shop from Walmart, Wayfair, and Etsy within Search and Gemini without leaving the app.
The change “is helping to lay the foundation for a future where all commercial experiences can be seamless and agentic,” said Vidhya Srinivasan, who runs ads and commerce at Google. Travel is that pattern applied to trips.
Google retains the user on its surface and directs the sale to a partner.
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FAQs
Who handles customer service if I book a hotel through Google AI Mode?
The hotel or booking platform acts as the merchant of record and handles customer service. Payment still runs through Google Pay.
Which hotel companies are supported at launch?
Ten partners, among them Booking.com, Expedia, Marriott, and Hilton. Hotel booking has started rolling out in the US in English and reaches all ten over the coming weeks.
Where is AI Mode flight price tracking available?
Its available in more than 180 countries and territories. Fares come from over 300 partner airlines and travel sites.
Disclaimer. The information provided is not trading advice. Cryptopolitan.com holds no liability for any investments made based on the information provided on this page. We strongly recommend independent research and/or consultation with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.
Randa Moses
Randa Moses is an editor and reporter at Cryptopolitan covering tech, AI, robotics, crypto, scams, and hacks. She has worked in the crypto space since 2017. She held roles at Forward Protocol, AmaZix, and Cryptosomniac. Randa holds a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Bradford.
