In an age where travel apps are becoming the go-to choice for planning and booking trips, one app that has gained attention is Hopper. But is the Hopper App legit? This article will provide a comprehensive review to help you decide if it’s the right app for your travel needs.
Hopper is a travel app that predicts future flight and hotel prices using historical data and machine learning. It helps travelers find the best deals, save money by booking at optimal times, and even freeze prices for a limited period. But there are questions about its reliability, customer service, and overall legitimacy. Let’s explore these aspects in detail.
What Is Hopper?
Hopper is a travel booking app that focuses on providing the best possible deals for flights, hotels, and car rentals. The app was launched by Frederic Lalonde and Joost Ouwerkerk, and it has quickly grown in popularity due to its ability to predict price trends and suggest the perfect time to book. Hopper’s predictions are said to be 95% accurate for up to a year in advance, and the app has a large user base that trusts its recommendations for finding cheap flights and accommodation deals.
Key Features of Hopper
- Price Predictions: Hopper uses a proprietary algorithm to predict future flight prices and hotel deals. By analyzing historical data, Hopper advises users on whether they should book now or wait for a better deal.
- Price Freeze Option: The app also offers a feature called Price Freeze, which allows users to lock in a price for a flight or hotel for a limited time. This feature helps travelers avoid sudden price increases while they finalize their travel plans.
- Hopper Wallet: Users can also use Hopper Wallet, which stores credits and rewards called Carrot Cash that can be used towards future bookings. This adds an extra layer of savings.
- Comprehensive Listings: Hopper offers listings for flights, hotels, and car rentals all in one place, making it an all-in-one travel booking platform.
Is The Hopper App Legit?
User Experience and Interface
Hopper’s user interface is easy to navigate, with a clean design that allows users to search for flights, hotels, and rental cars seamlessly. Users can enter travel dates and destinations, and Hopper will show the best available deals. The app also allows you to set up notifications for price drops, making it convenient to track potential savings.
The travel app features Hopper hotels and Hopper flights, covering both domestic and international travel. The user experience is enhanced by a visually appealing design that provides all relevant information, such as amenities, reviews, and flight details, which contributes to user satisfaction.
Accuracy of Price Predictions
One of the major selling points of Hopper is its ability to predict future travel prices. According to the company, the app uses machine learning and AI-driven algorithms to analyze historical data and provide price predictions. The company claims a 95% accuracy rate in predicting flight prices up to a year in advance. This can be particularly helpful for travelers who want to plan in advance or find the lowest price available.
However, it’s important to note that no prediction tool is 100% accurate. Factors such as unexpected weather events, sudden changes in demand, or geopolitical issues can significantly impact airfare and hotel prices. While Hopper’s price prediction algorithm is helpful, users should still use caution when relying solely on it to book their travel.
How Does Booking with Hopper Work?
Booking through Hopper is a straightforward process. Users can search for flight tickets, hotel options, or rental cars and then proceed to book directly through the app. Hopper claims not to have any hidden fees and presents the final price that users need to pay, including taxes and fees.
Payment Methods and Security
Hopper accepts various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay. The app uses SSL technology to encrypt credit card details, which ensures that users’ payment information is protected from unauthorized access.
The app may also place a temporary $1 charge on your credit card. This is a security measure to verify the payment method and protect against fraudulent activities. The charge is refunded shortly after verification. While some users find this annoying, it’s intended to ensure a secure booking experience.
Price Freeze and Price Drop Guarantee
The Price Freeze feature allows users to freeze a flight or hotel price for a certain period. If the price increases within that period, users pay the frozen price. If it drops, they pay the new, lower price. The Price Drop Guarantee is another feature that helps users get refunds if the price of their booking drops after purchase. This feature adds value to the user experience by ensuring travelers don’t overpay.
Hopper’s Carrot Cash Rewards
Hopper offers Carrot Cash rewards, which can be earned by booking certain deals through the app. These rewards are stored in the Hopper Wallet and can be used for future bookings. For example, if a user books a flight or hotel and earns Carrot Cash, they can apply it as credit toward travel purchases later. This makes Hopper a more enticing travel app for frequent travelers looking to save on future expenses.
Hopper Customer Service
Positive Experiences
Many users praise Hopper for its easy-to-use interface and the ability to find cheap flights and hotel deals. The app provides price alerts and helps users determine the perfect time to book, which is a great benefit for those looking to save money.
Hopper also offers 24/7 customer service through chat, which is useful for answering questions about bookings and providing support in case of problems. The app’s integration with Google Play Store allows users to leave reviews, where many express their satisfaction with Hopper’s predictive capabilities and price alerts.
Negative Reviews
Despite the positive feedback, Hopper has received negative reviews regarding its customer service, often cited as “poor customer service.” Some users report difficulties in reaching real humans when they need help or experience issues such as flight cancellations or price discrepancies. The lack of direct phone support has left some travelers feeling frustrated.
Moreover, users have reported instances where promised refunds or Carrot Cash rewards were delayed or not received. There have also been complaints about unexpected price differences when booking. While Hopper claims that there are no hidden fees, some users feel misled by the final cost due to extra charges imposed by airlines for things like baggage fees.
If you are planning to use Hopper, be prepared for a potential lag in customer service responses and consider using it for simpler bookings where minimal support is required.
Hopper Flights: Are They Really Cheaper?
Hopper has built its reputation around offering cheap flights. By using machine learning algorithms, the app predicts future flight prices and provides users with alerts when it believes it’s the right time to book. Hopper partners with a variety of airlines, including budget airlines and smaller regional carriers, to offer affordable travel options.
The app’s ability to monitor flight fares, hotel prices, and other factors makes it a great tool for finding competitive rates. However, for those who are wary, it’s always a good idea to double-check prices on other travel deal sites like Google Flights or the airline’s official website to make sure you’re truly getting the lowest fares.
Price Alerts and Predictions
One of Hopper’s standout features is its price alerts, which notify users when flight or hotel prices drop. The price prediction algorithm helps travelers book at the lowest price possible. However, while Hopper’s predictions are often accurate, they are not foolproof. The market for flight tickets can change rapidly, and Hopper’s suggestions should be treated as helpful guidelines rather than guarantees.
Competitive Rates vs. Airline Sites
Another point of consideration is whether Hopper’s rates are competitive compared to booking directly with airlines. The app sometimes includes promotional discounts that aren’t available on airline websites. However, travelers should be cautious of baggage fees and other potential extras that might not be clear upfront.
Hopper Hotels and Rental Cars
Apart from flights, Hopper also provides hotel booking services and rental car listings. The app gives hotel options with predictions of when the best deals will be available. Like with flights, the price prediction algorithm plays a role in suggesting when to book for the best rates.
Users can filter accommodation options by amenities, rating, and price range to find the best fit for their needs. Hopper also offers accommodation deals and Flash Deals for limited times, which can be an advantage for travelers looking for last-minute savings.
While Hopper has a strong focus on providing the cheapest options for travel, it’s still important to compare listings with other online travel agency platforms to ensure you’re getting the best deal available. Frequent flyer members might also find it beneficial to check whether bookings made through Hopper qualify for their airline loyalty programs.
Hopper vs. Other Travel Apps
Hopper vs. Google Flights
Google Flights is a popular tool for comparing flight prices and finding deals. While Google Flights doesn’t offer booking directly, it redirects users to airline websites to complete the purchase. Hopper, on the other hand, offers an all-in-one solution by allowing users to book directly in the app.
Hopper’s advantage lies in its price prediction algorithm, while Google Flights shines in providing flexibility for sorts of searches, such as exploring multiple destinations simultaneously. Both platforms have their benefits, and using them together can be a powerful strategy to ensure you’re getting the cheapest deals.
Hopper vs. CapOne Travel and Chase Travel
CapOne Travel and Chase Travel are options available to customers of Capital One and Chase credit cards. These platforms offer travel booking services with competitive rates and often provide credit toward travel purchases as a reward.
Hopper has a broader audience, while CapOne and Chase cater specifically to cardholders. Hopper’s Carrot Cash rewards are similar in concept, as they offer users an incentive to book within the app, but CapOne and Chase provide additional benefits like travel insurance that Hopper lacks.
Is the Hopper App Worth Using?
The Hopper app is useful for travelers looking to save money by booking flights and hotels at the right time. With its price freeze feature, price alerts, and Carrot Cash, it’s certainly appealing to those trying to minimize travel expenses.
However, due to its poor customer service reputation and complaints about booking issues, Hopper is best suited for those who are comfortable with minimal interaction with a customer support team. If you value speaking to a real person when issues arise, Hopper might not be the best choice.
Pros and Cons of Hopper
Pros:
- Accurate price predictions for flights and hotels.
- Easy-to-use interface with a visually appealing design.
- Offers Price Freeze and Carrot Cash rewards for savings.
- All-in-one booking platform for flights, hotels, and rental cars.
Cons:
- Customer service can be lacking, with difficulties reaching real humans.
- Some users report discrepancies in pricing and additional fees.
- Not all bookings qualify for frequent flyer programs or loyalty rewards.
Conclusion
Is The Hopper App Legit? Absolutely. Hopper is a legitimate travel booking app that offers users the chance to save money through its price prediction algorithms and features like Price Freeze and Carrot Cash rewards. The app’s user experience, comprehensive listings, and unique price tools make it an appealing choice for travelers looking for affordable travel experience.
However, as with any service, it has its drawbacks, especially regarding customer support and the occasional negative feedback. It’s advisable to use Hopper alongside other travel booking functionalities to compare deals and verify prices. If you are a traveler who values finding the cheapest deals and doesn’t mind handling potential issues independently, Hopper could be a great tool to add to your travel booking platform toolkit.
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FAQs
Yes, the Hopper app uses encryption technology to ensure your payment details are secure. They accept credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay for added convenience.
Hopper predicts flight price trends and partners with budget airlines, which helps provide users with the lowest fares. The Price Freeze option also allows users to lock in a lower rate before booking.
Carrot Cash is a reward system within the Hopper app. Users earn Carrot Cash after bookings, which can be used towards future travel purchases.
Hopper claims a 95% accuracy rate for flight price predictions. However, it’s essential to remember that predictions are based on historical data and may not account for sudden price changes due to unexpected events.
Hopper is transparent about its pricing and does not have hidden fees. However, users should be aware of possible airline fees like baggage charges that may not be included in Hopper’s quoted price.