Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
Gemini gave me surprisingly specific guidance, not generic flight advice.
It pushed me toward cheaper airports and an open-jaw plan that fit my trip.
The prompts helped me understand risks like bag fees and layovers.
I want to take a family vacation in late August. The plan is simple: travel from upstate New York to Florida, spend a few days at Disney World in Orlando for my daughter (who will be five then and loves Mickey Mouse), and then head to Miami so we can see the ocean and catch a Miami Hurricanes home game at Hard Rock Stadium. Sounds fun, right?
The problem is I live in a rural area, and my airport options are not convenient. There is Montreal (which involves customs and traffic jams), Burlington, VT (a ferry ride plus a 4-hour drive), or Plattsburgh, NY, which is 1.5 hours from my home. Plattsburgh is my preference, but it’s a really tiny airport, and I don’t want to pay triple just for the benefit of a short driving distance.
Also: Tell Google’s new AI tool about your travel needs and it’ll find flight deals for you now
The other dilemma I have is that Google’s own research suggests the optimal booking window for a late summer/early fall trip is 13 to 43 days in advance. I am sorry, but my anxiety could never wait until weeks before a family vacation to book flights. I need to do research now and either book soon or maybe in the spring, preferably, but it all depends on the price and what I find.
Enter this thread I saw on X. It’s from a marketer who claims that 20 specific prompts can turn Google’s Gemini into a super-powered travel agent. I’ve seen similar posts before. They all suggest AI can help beat the airlines’ algorithms and save you money on airfare. Since Gemini has access to Google Flights data, it got me wondering whether it could really be useful. So, I decided to try it.
1. Price trend reality check
Prompt: “Look at how flight prices for [route] have moved over the last 2 weeks. Tell me if prices are genuinely rising, falling, or just fluctuating noise, and explain what’s actually causing it.”
When I fed this first prompt into Gemini, I wondered if I should include my travel dates as well. The prompt didn’t specify, so wanting to stick to the X thread’s advice, I simply plugged in my route cities and hoped for the best. Gemini took a minute, but eventually gave me a response saying that any current price movement should be considered “fluctuating noise” rather than a concrete trend.
Also: Gemini can look through your emails and photos to ‘help’ you now – but should you let it?
Gemini then pointed to Allegiant flights from Plattsburgh to Sanford (SFB) and said the prices have remained consistently low, hovering around $49 to $75 one-way for winter dates. Gemini noted that Allegiant only flies on specific days and even explained the difference between Orlando’s two main airports. Apparently, SFB can save me a lot of money compared to Orlando International (MCO).
So far, so good, except I’d like to learn more about Allegiant pricing for late August.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
2. Real-time price pulse
Prompt: “Analyze flight prices for [route] in the last 24-72 hours. Are prices moving up, cooling down, or holding steady? Explain what changed and whether this movement usually continues or reverses.”
The X thread didn’t say whether I should start a new conversation or keep the 20 prompts in one chat. I decided to stay in the same conversation, hoping each result would build on the previous one. For this second prompt, Gemini again took a minute to think. It automatically selected Sanford as the better airport option, presumably building on the first result.
It described the pricing as a “split reality” that depends entirely on the timeframe. For flights within the next two to three weeks, prices are holding firm around $203 or more one-way, indicating that the budget-friendly seats for near-term travel are likely gone.
However, for dates in March and April, Gemini found that prices are at “Rock Bottom” levels, with fares dropping as low as $49 to $57 one-way. This breakdown was useful and suggests that costs depend on the booking window rather than general fluctuations. Still, I want to get flight information for late summer, but the prompts so far haven’t indicated I should provide my travel dates.
3. Demand and crowd behavior
Prompt: “Analyze current traveler interest for [route] using recent search trends and booking behavior. Is demand heating up or slowing down, and how will that likely impact prices in the next few days?”
Gemini warned that demand is currently “heating up rapidly,” but only for specific dates. It identified a “Mid-Winter Surge” (Feb. 14 to Feb. 22) due to NY school breaks and a “Canadian Surge” (Feb. 28 to March 8) when Quebec universities go on break.
Living near the border, I know all too well that Canadian holidays impact my local airports.
Also: Can Google save Apple AI? Gemini to power a new, personalized Siri
Gemini correctly noted that Plattsburgh functions as “Montreal’s US airport,” since a lot of Quebecois fly out of there, and it advised me to wait until late March to book if I was flexible. I love this kind of tailored information. When I first considered using AI for travel research, I feared I would get generic advice that ultimately wouldn’t be helpful, but so far, it’s been useful.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
4. Book now versus wait (no guessing)
Prompt: “Based on historical pricing patterns, current demand, and time-to-departure, should I book this flight now or wait? Explain the risks of both options in simple terms.”
Gemini boiled the decision down to a simple “buy or wait” verdict. Because it recommends I fly a low-cost carrier like Allegiant on a route with limited competition, it advised that waiting is rarely rewarded unless I’m booking months in advance.
Also: Gemini vs. Copilot: I compared the AI tools on 7 everyday tasks, and there’s a clear winner
It categorized my options into a “Red Light” if I plan to travel in February, urging me to buy today due to high sell-out risk, and a “Green Light” for March and April, suggesting I wait and watch since prices are stable and likely to see future promos.
Essentially, it reinforced that if I am flexible, I should wait, but it still seems to be steering me toward Allegiant out of Plattsburgh.
5. Date flexibility = hidden discount
Prompt: “I’m flexible by ±5 days for this trip on [route]. Compare prices across those dates and show me the exact combinations that save the most money and why.”
Since I still hadn’t told the AI my specific travel dates yet, it assumed I meant “right now.”
Gemini said that shifting my trip to late March would save me $150 per person compared to February break. Good to know, but at this point, I decided to stop beating around the bush and told it I hope to fly around late August or even early September.
Gemini quickly identified a “Seasonal Dead Zone” for the Plattsburgh (PBG) to Orlando (SFB) route and said Allegiant — the only direct carrier — appears to pause its service in mid-August. It found availability for early August, but no direct flights for my target dates.
Also: Let Gemini make your next slide presentation for you – here’s how
Gemini then presented an alternative option: Drive to Burlington airport. It explained that driving an extra 3 hours to BTV would allow me to catch a nonstop Breeze Airways flight to Orlando, saving roughly $200 and avoiding a layover. If I really wanted to stick with Plattsburgh, it’d be more expensive and involve a Contour Airlines flight with a United interline connection.
Bummer. Still, I told it Plattsburgh is my preference.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
6. Cheapest month logic
Prompt: “Scan the next 8 months for flights on [route]. Which month is consistently cheapest, and what seasonal or demand factors explain the lower prices?”
Gemini declared May 2026 the “Golden Month,” with round-trip flights for $135. It identified this period as the “School Void,” where snowbirds are home, spring breakers are done, but schools are still in session. It also warned me: “Do not plan a trip for September. You will likely find zero direct flights from Plattsburgh.” This was a major red flag for my late-August plan.
Also: How I bring my child’s art to life with ChatGPT, Gemini, and Sora – and you can too
I told Gemini I had to go in late August for the Miami game. It didn’t mince words, telling me my “Plattsburgh plan” is dead and that, if I insist on an August trip, I should fly Breeze Airways from Burlington (BTV) to Orlando (MCO). Tickets would be about $89 each.
7. Airport arbitrage hack
Prompt: “Compare flight prices from all nearby airports around [city]. Tell me which airport is usually cheapest, how much I’d save, and whether the extra travel is worth it.”
Gemini doubled down on the Burlington to Orlando (MCO) route, calling it the “best value.” It noted that while Montreal (YUL) is an option, it costs about $236. I started this journey hopeful I could fly Allegiant from Plattsburgh to Sanford cheaply, but now it’s looking like Breeze from Burlington to MCO. That’s eight hours of driving round trip, but at least I’d save hundreds on tickets for three.
Also: I let Gemini Deep Research dig through my Gmail and Drive – here’s what it uncovered
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
8. Layover trade-off breakdown
Prompt: “Compare nonstop, 1-stop, and 2-stop flights for [route]. Show me where the biggest price drop happens and whether the extra travel time actually makes sense.”
Gemini reminded me of the $89 nonstop flight from Burlington that it highlighted after prompt 6. It also served up a one-stop flight from Burlington via Raleigh for $119. Perhaps sensing my frustration with Burlington, it mentioned a one-stop option on Contour Airlines from Plattsburgh for $193. I told Gemini I might prefer that if it saved me hours of driving.
Gemini then dropped a bomb: “The Free Bag Math.” Contour includes a free checked bag, while Breeze charges $35 to $75. Once you add bags, the price gap closes. For whatever reason, I decided to mention where I live at this point.
Gemini effectively screamed at me: “This changes everything!” It introduced me to Massena (MSS), an incredibly small airport just 20 minutes from my house. It offers flights for roughly $102 on Boutique Air and includes bags. I didn’t even know this was an option.
9. Airline pricing personality
Prompt: “For this route, which airlines tend to offer the best prices? Explain how each airline prices seats, what it cuts costs on, and what I should watch out for.”
Gemini broke it down neatly:
Boutique Air (from Massena): The “Price Champion” (~$109), adding that it “feels like a private jet, risky in bad weather.”
Contour (from Plattsburgh): The “Comfort King” (~$193), with “free legroom, free bags.”
Breeze (from Burlington): The “A La Carte” trap (~$89 base), but “you pay for everything else.”
Also: Want better Gemini responses? Try these 10 tricks, Google says
It also included a comparison that helped me weigh the cost of gas for traveling, checking baggage, airport parking, and more.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
10. Split ticket strategy
Prompt: “Is it cheaper to book this trip as a round-trip or as two one-way tickets? Break down when splitting tickets works and when it doesn’t.”
Interestingly, Gemini advised booking two separate one-way tickets.
Also: AI is quietly poisoning itself and pushing models toward collapse – but there’s a cure
I had assumed I would book a round trip, as that is what I have always done. Since I am flying into Orlando and then traveling to Miami, Gemini recommended a more efficient approach. I had envisioned driving back to Orlando to fly home, but it suggested booking the outbound flight from Massena to Orlando and the return flight from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) back to Massena separately.
11. Booking window sweet spot
Prompt: “Based on past data for this [route], what’s the ideal booking window before departure? Explain when prices usually spike and when they stabilize.”
Gemini provided a very handy checklist:
Jan. 26: Check the ACC football schedule as soon as it releases to confirm the exact date for the first Miami game of the season.
April/May: Book my ticket to Orlando.
June: Book my return ticket to Massena.
Aug. 1: Hard deadline. Everything should be booked by now.
Also: I asked six popular AIs the same trick questions, and every one of them hallucinated
I love that Gemini told me to check the ACC schedule. I knew it was releasing any day now, but I didn’t know exactly when.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
12. Day-of-week advantage
Prompt: “Which departure and return days are usually cheapest for this route? Explain the airline pricing logic behind those days.”
Gemini suggested I depart on Wednesday, Aug. 26, and return on Tuesday, Sept. 8, to avoid the Labor Day surge. But I had to correct it here. I can’t return to New York on Sept. 8 because my daughter will have started kindergarten by that date. I can’t miss that.
Also: I tried Google’s new trip-planning AI tool, and I’ll never plan my own trip again
Gemini replied, “Pray for an Aug. 29 game.” Ha. The thing is, I know Miami will have a Week 0 game that day. It always does. So I told the AI I can arrive in Orlando earlier than Aug. 26 and leave Miami any day right after the game.
This was one of the first prompts I found less helpful, but I suppose that’s because I never gave Gemini exact dates, just a late August to early September timeframe.
13. Budget airline reality check
Prompt: “List the budget airlines flying this route and explain the real cost once baggage, meals, and seat selection are included.”
Gemini repeated that Boutique Air ($109) has $0 in hidden fees, and that Breeze ($89) becomes $149+ with bags. Easy peasy.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
14. Hidden route detours
Prompt: “Are there alternative connecting cities or indirect routes that usually reduce prices for [route]? Explain which detours work and which ones are risky.”
Gemini suggested a “Baltimore Hacker” route, which involves flying from Massena to Baltimore (BWI) and then taking Southwest to Orlando. However, it warned that this is high risk because it involves separate tickets. If the first flight is late, I lose the second one.
Also: Google Maps vs. Waze: I compared the two best navigation apps, and this one wins easily
I decided to stick to protected connections.
15. Peak season trap detector
Prompt: “Identify peak and off-peak periods for this route. Explain how much extra people usually overpay during peak season and when prices normalize again.”
Gemini explained the “Massena Tax.” During snowbird season, prices jump to $450 or more. But late August and early September mark the “Golden Window,” when prices can drop as low as $109 as kids head back to school. So, my timing is accidentally perfect.
Also: Why you’ll pay more for AI in 2026, and 3 money-saving tips to try
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
16. Red-eye and odd-hour advantage
Prompt: “Compare prices for red-eye and early-morning flights versus normal hours. Tell me if the savings are worth the inconvenience.”
Gemini clarified there are no red-eyes from Massena and suggested I take the “first flight out” at 7 a.m. ET. Not for price, but for “thunderstorm insurance.” Flying in the afternoon in August is apparently a recipe for delays.
17. Price drop probability
Prompt: “Given today’s price and historical patterns, what’s the probability that this fare will drop before departure? Explain what signals would confirm or invalidate that expectation.”
Gemini advised locking in the southbound Massena ticket by May 1 because the odds of a price drop are tiny compared to the risk of the eight-seat plane selling out. Yes, I will literally be flying in a puddle jumper.
Also: Use an AI browser? 5 ways to protect yourself from prompt injections – before it’s too late
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
18. Multi-city money saver
Prompt: “Build the cheapest possible multi-city trip for: [city A > city B > city C > return]. Explain why this costs less than booking everything separately.”
Gemini built what it called an “Open Jaw” itinerary, in which you fly into one city and return from a different one.
Leg 1: From Massena (MSS) > Baltimore (BWI) > Orlando (MCO) via Boutique and American for ~$109.
Leg 2: From Miami (MIA) > Boston (BOS) > Massena (MSS) via Boutique Air and American for ~$207.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t like the price of the return trip from Miami. It’s not outrageous, but I was hoping for another ~$109 ticket, not double the price. So I veered from the X thread a bit and asked Gemini to find me the cheapest airline ticket back to Massena from either Miami or Orlando on or around Sept. 1.
Also: 5 tech gadgets I never travel without (and heavily discounted for a limited time)
It just repeated that the best option is the $207 one-way “protected” ticket from Miami to Massena, since it’s a single itinerary with a safe layover and full rebooking support if delays happen. Sigh.
19. Smart comparison summary
Prompt: “Summarize the top 3 cheapest flight options for [route] and clearly explain the trade-offs between price, time, and comfort.”
I guess I should’ve waited for this prompt, because I think I jumped the gun a bit in the last one when I got frustrated.
Gemini once again recommended I fly “Open Jaw” from Massena (MSS) to Orlando (MCO) for Disney, then return from Miami (MIA) to Massena after the football game, for a total of about $316 per person with fully protected tickets on both legs and baggage included.
There’s a slightly cheaper split-ticket “hacker” route that would save me $33 per person, but Gemini strongly warned it’s a stressful gamble because of tight connections and the risk of being stranded.
Also: Best travel VPNs of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed
Finally, Gemini said I could fly round-trip out of Orlando (~$321), but noted it forces me to drive four hours back from Miami to Orlando on my last day, and it’s slightly more expensive.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
20. Final booking verdict
Prompt: “Based on everything above, give me a clear recommendation: Which flight should I book, when should I book it, and what’s the biggest mistake to avoid?”
Finally, Gemini served up the “Open Jaw” flights with prices clearly shown and the ability to click through to Google Flights and proceed with booking. While I do get to fly out of an airport very close to me, and not hours away, it looks like $316 per person is the cheapest I can do with one connection each way, price and layover protection, and baggage included.
TL;DR
One thing I noticed is that, after using these 20 prompts, I feel like I have done a pretty thorough job of investigating flights and understanding what risks and limitations I face. It was also pretty smooth sailing and enlightening until about prompt 18.
Gemini started by giving surprisingly useful, specific guidance, including warning me when certain routes shut down in late summer and even pointing out Massena (MSS), a tiny airport minutes from my house, that I didn’t realize was an option.
Also: Traveling soon? 5 simple ways I thwart phone thieves – and you can too
By the end, it consistently steered me toward an “Open Jaw” plan — flying from Massena into Orlando and returning from Miami — as the most realistic balance of price, protection, and convenience, even if it costs more than I originally wanted to spend.
I plan to go through this exercise again once the ACC schedule drops, so I can give Gemini my exact travel dates rather than a window. Maybe then it’ll be able to find me something under $250 per person. One can hope, right?
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Can I use ChatGPT instead of Gemini?
I usually rely on ChatGPT when I want to use AI, but when I fed the prompts above into it and asked it to find me cheap flights from Plattsburgh to Orlando for next August, ChatGPT just gave me booking tips and said it couldn’t access real-time flight calendars. It was still helpful, like suggesting I fly into Sanford (SFB) instead of Orlando (MCO), but it was very general.
Also: Is ChatGPT Plus worth your $20? I compared it to Free and Pro plans, and here’s my advice
Even with web search enabled, ChatGPT couldn’t access the live inventory systems (GDS) that airlines use. It can read blogs about prices and link to booking sites and aggregators, but it can’t see availability in real time like Gemini, which integrates Google Flights.
Can Gemini book the flight for me?
No. Gemini can find flights, provide links, and offer helpful travel advice, but you still have to go to the airline’s website or another booking service to enter your payment information and check out.
Are the flight prices Gemini finds accurate?
Flight prices seem to fluctuate constantly. When I clicked through the listings Gemini gave me, they were pretty accurate. However, my research spanned a couple of days, and I noticed the exact dollar amounts varying slightly over that time.