Google has launched a new feature within its search engine’s AI chat, allowing users in the United States to book hotel accommodations directly through the platform. This development, set to debut on Thursday, comes nine months after the company initially hinted at introducing an integrated hotel booking system.
New Hotel Booking Capabilities
The innovative feature enables consumers to search for and compare hotel rooms, choose their preferred options, review cancellation policies, and finalise payments using Google Pay, without leaving the chat interface. Despite these functionalities, the final billing and customer support still remain the responsibilities of the hotel or online travel agency (OTA) involved.
Launch Partners and Collaborations
Google’s hotel booking feature has partnered with a selection of prominent brands, including Booking.com, Choice Hotels, Expedia, Hilton, Hotels.com, IHG, Marriott, Priceline, Trip.com, and Wyndham. This collaboration aims to streamline the process of booking accommodations by utilising Google’s AI technology.
Behind the Scenes Enhancement
Although Google describes the technology as agentic, the booking itself is not autonomously managed by AI Mode. Instead, the AI works in the background to facilitate the process, providing an efficient and seamless experience for users seeking hotel options through Google’s chat-based search capability.
Reporting based on coverage first published by skift.com.