Search engines moving towards more specific traveler information
Farelogic announced its iflybags, a new web site that is a trend as more companies — perhaps spurred in part by Google’s new flight search feature (google.com/flights) — that it says makes it easier for travelers and agencies to find checked baggage and other fee information.
“iflybags instantly calculates baggage allowances and fees based on the specific traveler, number and weight of planned checked bags, and airline-itinerary specific information,” says a news release.
” iflybags utilizes industry-standard data from ATPCO and currently includes information from (a growing list of) over 300 participating airlines,” it says.
“Travel search engines are finally moving away from the one-size-fits all approach to booking a flight and are building tools that answer specific questions about different types of trips,” says The New York Times.
Examples:
- Hipmunk.com introduced last year automatically includes Amtrak prices and departure times when users search for flights on a route that is also served by the train. The site also highlights which trains have Wi-Fi.
- Most travel web sites have moved towards allowing users to search for fares on dates close to those initially selected, so travelers can save money by slightly changing their itineraries.
- Microsoft’s Bing tool helps travelers decide when to book by presenting a “buy now” or “wait” recommendation when users search for a flight. The site provides fare history on average lows and a recent price for the route entered.
By David Wilkening
David
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