There’s no shortage of AI-powered platforms today, with machine learning tools multiplying rapidly. Yet ChatGPT remains the standout name, attracting more than 400 million weekly active users. People are testing it out in countless ways—at work, at home, and even for saving money. But can it really cut your costs?
Cheaper flights
With holiday season around the corner, flight bargains are on everyone’s mind. Social media is full of posts claiming AI tools helped travellers shave hundreds off airfare. Curious, I spoke to regular users and tested ChatGPT myself to see if these claims hold up.
The chatbot now has dedicated travel GPTs like Fly GPT and AirTrack GPT, plus direct links to platforms such as KAYAK, a major flight and hotel aggregator.
Success depends on how you phrase your request. You might type: “Show me flights from Dubai to London in July under $500,” or “When’s the lowest-cost time to fly from Dubai to Tokyo?”
ChatGPT pulls data from familiar search engines including Expedia, Skyscanner, and KAYAK. Those platforms already use AI for price forecasts and fare alerts, but ChatGPT’s benefit is that it scans across multiple sites simultaneously.
It’s also handy if you’re flexible. Prompts like “What days are cheapest to fly to New York?” or “Are there budget-friendly airports around Paris?” can reveal hidden savings. Generally, midweek flights—Tuesdays and Wednesdays—tend to be cheapest. Another useful tactic: “Act like a travel agent. Plan me a budget trip to (destination) in August with cheap routes, airlines, and dates.”
Smarter budgeting
Beyond travel, ChatGPT claims it can act as a personal finance assistant. You can upload a bank statement and have it sort spending into categories like dining, travel, or subscriptions. I gave it a try and found the breakdown surprisingly detailed. It even pointed out I was overspending on airport snacks and suggested stocking up at a supermarket instead.
Banking deals
For UAE savers, finding the best account rates is never straightforward. No single website lists every promotion in one place. With the right prompt, ChatGPT can provide a shortlist of banks currently advertising higher rates. But it’s only a starting point—you’ll still need to confirm rates on official bank websites and read the terms carefully.
Discount platforms
ChatGPT also flagged popular UAE deal sites, such as The Entertainer, Groupon, and Cobone. If Cobone is new to you, it’s one of the region’s biggest group-buying platforms, offering discounted stays, meals, activities, and retail deals across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
When I checked them out, they did feature plenty of attractive offers. The chatbot also mentioned Keepa, which tracks product prices on Amazon, although it doesn’t support Amazon.ae. Honey, a free PayPal extension that automatically applies coupon codes at checkout, turned out to be a more practical suggestion.
Grocery shopping
With food costs rising across the UAE, I wondered whether ChatGPT could help find the cheapest supermarket prices. In the UK, a tool called Trolley compares groceries across 16+ retailers—type in “blueberries” and it instantly shows the lowest-priced option.
When asked about the UAE, ChatGPT suggested Pricena (electronics-focused) and Yaoota (an Egyptian e-commerce site). Neither offered what I was after: a direct supermarket comparison tool here in the Emirates. At present, no such service exists locally—perhaps a gap in the market waiting to be filled.
