AI Tools Fail at Live Travel Price Shopping

CNBC Select analyzed the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in reducing travel costs during a period of rising airfare and gasoline prices. The findings show that general AI chatbots, including ChatGPT from OpenAI and Claude from Anthropic, are ineffective for direct price shopping because they lack sufficient live data access and face plugin restrictions.

While general chatbots struggle with real-time quotes, the analysis found that AI provides value through itinerary optimization and price monitoring. Specialized tools such as JetBack, Junova, and Autopilot can automatically track reservations and secure savings when prices drop, although these services typically require commissions or subscription fees.

To maximize travel value, the analysis recommends a hybrid approach. Travelers should use AI for planning and monitoring while relying on traditional travel-specific aggregators like Skyscanner and Google Flights for booking. Additionally, the report suggests leveraging premium credit card benefits from issuers such as American Express and Costco to access luxury hotel and lounge perks.