How I Used ChatGPT Instead of Google Flights to Score a Cheaper Trip

How I Used ChatGPT Instead of Google Flights and Saved Hundreds—These 7 Prompts Are Budget Travel Cheat Codes

Planning a trip used to be fun… until I had to book the flights.

If you’ve ever stared at Google Flights, watching prices bounce around like a yo-yo, wondering if you should book now or wait another week, you’re not alone. That was me a few months ago, trying to fly from San Francisco to Tokyo without completely draining my savings. Prices were steep—over $1,200—and every day felt like a gamble.

Frustrated, I decided to try something different.

Instead of relying on flight search engines, I opened up ChatGPT. Yep, the AI chatbot you’ve probably heard about. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but within half an hour, it had helped me find a hidden city fare, switch airports to save extra cash, and even suggested better dates to fly—all in regular language, no tech speak.

By the end of it, I’d saved $326, got a smoother flight plan, and even figured out how to upgrade my seat using points I didn’t know I could use.

If you want to travel smarter (and cheaper), here are the 7 exact prompts I used—and how you can use them too. Think of it like having a personal travel hacker in your pocket.

Let’s dive in.

🛫 1. Flight Deal Hunter

Prompt: I’m flying from [CITY A] to [CITY B] on [DATES]. Find 3 ways to cut costs using flexible airports, hidden city routes, and off-peak timings.

This one is clutch. I told ChatGPT:
I’m flying from SFO to Tokyo on March 10–20. How can I save money?

It came back with:

• Try flying out of OAK (Oakland)—flights were 18% cheaper.
• Use Skiplagged to find hidden-city fares via LA.
• Depart on March 8 and return March 22—saves ~$110.

Honestly? Google Flights never gave me that combo.

💸 2. Mistake Fare Finder

Prompt: Act like a flight hacker. Search for recent mistake fares from [COUNTRY or REGION] and tell me how to book them before they disappear.

I asked for mistake fares from North America and ChatGPT pointed me to current alerts from Secret Flying and Fly4Free. One of them? A NYC to Rome roundtrip for $210—literally a mistake fare.

It also told me how to book it fast, which sites to trust, and reminded me not to call the airline (classic rookie move that gets your fare canceled).

🌍 3. Low-Cost Destination Recommender

Prompt: I want to travel in [MONTH] with a budget of [$X]. Suggest 5 underrated destinations with the cheapest flights and high value for money.

When I said, “I’ve got $600 and want to travel in May,” ChatGPT hit me with:

• Guatemala City
• Porto, Portugal
• Krakow, Poland
• Tbilisi, Georgia
• Cebu, Philippines

Each had a roundtrip under $500 and killer exchange rates. Way cooler than the usual “go to Cancun” advice.

📈 4. Price Prediction Assistant

Prompt: I’m watching this route: [ROUTE + DATES]. Based on trends and history, when should I book? Give me exact days and tools to track it.

I was eyeing Tokyo in March. ChatGPT suggested I use Google Flights’ price tracking, but also pointed me to Hopper and Kayak’s fare history—with a heads-up that prices usually drop 5–6 weeks out.

I set alerts and booked two weeks later for $200 less than what I was originally seeing. Boom.

🛬 5. Alternate Airport Strategist

Prompt: Show me if flying from or into nearby airports around [CITY A] or [CITY B] could save me money — and how much.

You’d be surprised how many people forget this trick. ChatGPT showed me that flying into Narita instead of Haneda could cut $60, and leaving from Oakland vs SFO shaved off another $75. Even factoring in the extra BART ride, it was a win.

🧾 6. Cash + Points Optimizer

Prompt: I’ve got [XX] points with [PROGRAM]. Help me use a cash + points combo to fly from [CITY A] to [CITY B] with the best value.

I had 45,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points sitting there doing nothing. ChatGPT ran a combo scenario:

• Transfer to Virgin Atlantic, book ANA biz class using 45k points + $150.
• Compared that to using all points with United or cash-only options.

I felt like a points wizard.

💼 7. Luxury for Less Finder

Prompt: I want to fly business class to [DESTINATION] under [$X]. Show me 3 realistic upgrade hacks (bids, time-of-day tricks, or lesser-known airlines).

I dreamed big—“Fly biz to Tokyo under $1,200.” ChatGPT’s hacks:

• Bid on upgrades with ANA (average win price: $300).
• Book late-night flights midweek—often underbooked and easier to score cheap upgrades.
• Fly via ZIPAIR—a budget Japanese airline with lie-flat biz seats for ~$1,100.

Guess what? I snagged a ZIPAIR ticket with a lie-flat seat, ramen service, and mood lighting. For less than coach on ANA.

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I’m not saying ditch Google Flights forever—it’s still a solid tool. But if you treat ChatGPT like a travel assistant instead of just a chatbot? You unlock next-level savings.

So next time you’re booking a flight and feeling like Frodo trying to navigate Mordor, just remember: there’s a wizard in your pocket who knows all the cheat codes.

Get airborne smarter with more travel tech hacks at Isla Guru Magazine!

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