Kayak travel search engine will now allow users to research trips before booking using AI. The company this week launched an “AI Mode” feature that lets users ask travel-related questions, as well as compare and book flights, hotels and cars, through an AI chatbot embedded on the company’s website.
The feature is currently available on both desktop and mobile web and takes advantage of Kayak’s integration with ChatGPT to deliver contextual results.
The launch follows the company’s launch in April Kayak.ai, built as a testing ground for working with AI technology. That site also combined Kayak’s data and tools with OpenAI’s technology, allowing its tech team to test AI features before bringing them to Kayak.com
Essentially, AI Mode offers the same functionality as the Kayak.ai website, but now it’s integrated directly into Kayak’s website. The company suggests users ask the chatbot for travel ideas, such as places to fly under a certain price, the best deals for a preferred destination, comparing hotel amenities, finding direct flights and car rental options, and more.
Additionally, users can ask the AI more open-ended questions, such as “I want to party for NYE — where should I go?” to get suggestions without specific destinations in mind. Or they could find out when would be the best time to fly somewhere, based on ticket prices. (Kayak shared other ideas for instant AI on its own blog.)
The feature could be useful to help consumers in the early stages of travel planning when they are just exploring ideas. However, it remains to be seen whether AI users easily convert into paying customers using these methods.
The AI feature is initially available in English in the United States, but will expand to other countries and languages later this month. The company also plans to roll out the feature to more platforms and add support for voice-based requests “soon.”
Travel is an area that AI providers and travel companies are exploring, as online bookings can be a frustrating and tedious experience for consumers today. To test consumer demand for AI solutions, OpenAI recently announced deals with travel companies such as Expedia and Booking.com (the latter also owned by Kayak’s parent company, Participation Reservations). As a result, these services can now function as applications within ChatGPT.
By comparison, Kayak’s decision to run its AI chatbot on its own website could give the company more direct access to consumer insights about AI usage.
