Google is announcing important updates to its Google Flights and Google Travel mobile and desktop search engines to highlight Coronavirus-related travel advisories and cancellation policies for consumers. The changes while small are significant and will help put important information directly in front of travelers to keep them safe.
Google Travel Advisories
If you search for travel including flights, hotels, and things to do, Google will start displaying relevant Coronavirus related travel advisories or restrictions for your destination directly within the search results.
The advisories will link directly to relevant information from your country’s travel authority when possible. For Americans, while the State Department has issued a global “Do Not Travel” advisory things could obviously change in the weeks ahead with varying advisories for regions and countries.
The information will appear on the search results page, at the top of google.com/travel, and in Google Maps when you search for hotels.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Google Flights
Airline Change Fee and Cancellation Policies
Airlines around the world adjusting flight change fee and cancellation policies in light of Coronavirus. Now, Google Flights highlight these policies so travelers can make informed bookings in light of the Coronavirus.
When you search on Google for flights with a specific airline or go to Google Flights, Google will provide links to airline policies and to its help center article with more information on airline policies. The policies are still changing frequently so Google’s help center article provides links directly to airline’s websites to get the latest information.
The Upshot
Of course, nobody should be booking unnecessary travel during this crisis. But if you’re forced to make a booking or you’re planning ahead, Google’s new resources should help you stay safe and make the best decisions for your travel plans.
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