Hopper is a real travel booking app, founded in Montreal in 2007, that lets you book flights, hotels, homes and cars. The catch is on the FTC's own case page: in 2026 Hopper agreed to a 35 million US dollar settlement over allegations about pre-selected fees and add-on claims, without admitting or denying them. Read every extra at checkout before you pay.
Hopper's pitch is simple: it watches fares, tells you when to buy and sells extras that promise flexibility. That's appealing if you book trips for work, but it's also why I'd read the small print first. I've looked at what Hopper says about itself, what the US Federal Trade Commission has put on the record, and what that means when you reach the payment screen.
Who started Hopper and what it sells
According to Wikipedia, Hopper was founded in 2007 by Frederic Lalonde and Joost Ouwerkerk, both former Expedia Group executives. It's headquartered in Montreal, with a major US office in Boston. Wikipedia says the company uses machine learning to forecast fares, offers features such as price freezes and flexible changes or cancellations, and runs a business division called HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions).
On the App Store, the seller is listed as Hopper Inc. The listing describes an app for searching and booking flights, hotels, homes and rental cars, with trip tracking that alerts you when it may be a good moment to buy or wait. It also advertises a Flight Disruption Guarantee for delays or missed connections, and I'd read the terms of that before relying on it.
The FTC case against Hopper
This is the main thing to know. The FTC's case page says it filed a complaint in 2026 against Hopper Inc. and its US subsidiary, Hopper (USA) Inc. The FTC alleges the companies charged users for 'Tip' and 'VIP Support' fees that were described as optional but were hidden and pre-selected.
The FTC also alleges Hopper misrepresented total prices, and the benefits of its VIP Support and Price Freeze services, despite 'no hidden fees' promises. The case page lists a settlement of 35 million US dollars, and says the order bars the companies from deceiving consumers about fees.
What Hopper has said
Skift reports that Hopper settled without admitting or denying the allegations. It says Hopper called them narrow and primarily outdated display practices from the pandemic, which the company says it discontinued in mid-2023. Skift also reports the settlement covers Hopper's own app, not its business partners such as Uber, Expedia, Capital One or RBC.
Those are allegations and a settlement, not a finding of guilt, and I'm not drawing a conclusion about the app as it works today. The lesson I'd draw is a checking habit: look at the total, look at every pre-ticked box, and ask what each extra really gets you.
Add-ons: how to read Hopper's flexibility promises
Hopper's headline features are the extras that sit around a booking. They're sold as a way to freeze a price, change plans or get help when something goes wrong, and each one comes with its own terms. The FTC's complaint singles out the Price Freeze product, which Skift says was capped and conditional in ways the FTC alleges weren't adequately disclosed.
- Open the terms for each add-on before you tick it, not after.
- Look for limits on what's covered and when you can use it.
- Check whether the extra is refundable if you cancel the trip.
- Compare the total with the extras taken off.
- Screenshot the final payment screen and keep your confirmation email.
Flights through Hopper when the airline changes things
When a booking site sells you a ticket, the airline still controls the schedule. I couldn't find a Hopper help page I can quote on what it does if an airline cancels, so I won't describe it. Keep your airline booking reference as well as the Hopper one. If you're flying from or to the UK and an airline delay hits you, my guide to claiming flight delay compensation in the UK covers the route you can take yourself.
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Hopper-style scams and fake travel messages
Because travel apps handle large payments, they're a favourite for impersonators. Hopper's pages describe an app you book in, so be suspicious of anything that asks you to pay outside it.
- A message that asks you to confirm payment through a link.
- A 'support agent' who contacts you first and asks for a card code.
- A request to pay the airline or hotel directly after you've already paid in the app.
- A social media ad for a fare that's far below anything else you can find.
If in doubt, don't tap the link. Open the app, check the booking there and contact support from inside it. The same caution applies to any booking tool, and my ChatGPT prompts for planning travel are a safer place to start comparing options before you commit.
Hopper facts at a glance
| What I checked | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007, by two former Expedia Group executives (Wikipedia) |
| Based | Montreal, with a major office in Boston (Wikipedia) |
| Seller on the App Store | Hopper Inc. |
| FTC settlement | 35 million US dollars, announced in 2026 |
| Allegations | Pre-selected 'Tip' and 'VIP Support' fees, misleading totals and add-on benefits |
| Hopper's response | Settled without admitting or denying; says practices stopped in mid-2023 |
| Earlier history | Air Canada and WestJet ended ties over 'Secret Fares' marketing in 2018 |
Should you book with Hopper?
Hopper is real, it has a long history and a business behind it. It's also been through a federal case about how it displayed fees, which is a good reason to slow down at checkout. If you use it, read the total, untick anything you didn't choose and pay inside the app only. For a work trip, keep your receipts in one folder so you can claim or dispute charges later.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hopper legit?
Yes, it's a real travel company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Montreal. In 2026 it agreed to a 35 million US dollar settlement with the FTC over allegations about fees and add-on claims, so read the checkout screen carefully.
What did the FTC say about Hopper?
The FTC alleges Hopper charged for 'Tip' and 'VIP Support' fees that were described as optional but were hidden and pre-selected, and misrepresented total prices and the benefits of VIP Support and Price Freeze.
Did Hopper admit wrongdoing?
According to Skift, Hopper settled without admitting or denying the allegations, and called them narrow and primarily outdated display practices.
Who owns Hopper?
Hopper was founded by Frederic Lalonde and Joost Ouwerkerk and is headquartered in Montreal, according to Wikipedia. The App Store lists Hopper Inc. as the seller.
Does the settlement cover Hopper's partners?
Skift reports it covers Hopper's own app, not business partners such as Uber, Expedia, Capital One or RBC.
