Hopper App Review: Is It Worth Your Time?

Hopper is a popular app-based travel agent that helps users find and book flights, hotels, and car rentals. It has been downloaded over 20 million times and is available on both iOS and Android devices. The app has a range of features, including price predictions, price alerts, flexible dates, and free cancellation. It also offers a 'Price Freeze' feature, where users can pay a small fee to hold a price for a limited time.

However, reviews for the app are mixed, with an average rating of 3.3 to 4.8 stars out of 5. While some users praise the app for its convenience and ability to find cheap deals, others have complained about issues with customer service, hidden fees, and problems with the 'Price Freeze' feature.

So, is Hopper a good travel app? The answer depends on individual user experiences and preferences. While some have found it to be a helpful tool for finding cheap travel options, others have encountered issues that have left them disappointed and frustrated.

Hopper's user experience

Hopper is a mobile app designed to help users find the best prices on flights, hotels, and car rentals. It has been downloaded over 20 million times and is available on both iOS and Android devices. The app has generally positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.8/5 stars on the Apple App Store and 3.8/5 stars on the Google Play Store. However, there are some negative reviews, with users citing issues such as slow load times, frequent crashes, and poor customer service. Overall, Hopper is a popular and highly-rated travel app that helps users find and book travel deals, but there are some areas where the user experience could be improved.

One of the main features of Hopper is its price prediction technology, which uses data analytics, machine learning, and computing algorithms to track and predict when flights or hotels might go on sale or have discounted rates. The app also offers a colour-coded calendar, which gives users a quick overview of the cheapest and most expensive days to fly. In addition, Hopper allows users to "watch" a trip, and it will send a notification when it thinks prices are about to drop. This feature is particularly useful for users who are flexible with their travel dates and are willing to wait for a better deal.

Another feature that Hopper offers is the ability to "freeze" a price. For a small fee, users can hold the price of a flight or hotel for a limited time, giving them the opportunity to finalise their plans or wait for their next paycheck. This feature ensures that users don't miss out on a good deal, and they have the option to pay the frozen price or the lower price if the rate decreases.

The app also offers "Cancel and Change for Any Reason" plans, which allow users to make their trips flexible. With this feature, users can get instantly rebooked without extra costs if their flight is delayed or they miss a connection. Hopper also offers 24/7 customer support to help users with any issues or queries.

While Hopper has many positive features, there are some areas where the user experience could be improved. Some users have reported issues with the app's performance, including slow load times and frequent crashes. In addition, the app's interface has been described as cluttered and confusing, making it difficult to navigate and compare options. There have also been reports of poor communication and transparency, leaving users unsure about the app's recommendations, policies, and fees.

Overall, Hopper is a popular and highly-rated travel app that offers users a convenient way to find and book travel deals. However, there are some areas where the user experience could be improved, particularly in terms of the app's performance and interface design. By addressing these issues, Hopper could provide a more satisfying and user-friendly experience for its customers.

Trustworthiness and customer service

On the positive side, Hopper is an accredited travel agency, which means that the app contains privacy, trust, and security measures to ensure your data and personal information is safe. The app also offers a "Price Freeze" feature, which allows users to put down a deposit to hold a price and come back to finish the booking later. This can be useful if you need more time to finalize your plans or are waiting for your next paycheck. Additionally, Hopper has a customer support team that can be reached toll-free by phone from the US or Canada, or at an international number for users outside of North America.

However, there have been some concerns about the trustworthiness of the app. Some users have reported issues with the price freeze feature, where they were charged more than expected after returning to pay the remainder of the fare. Others have noted that Hopper does not always offer the lowest fares available and does not price match if a cheaper fare is found elsewhere. There have also been complaints about hidden fees, making the final fare more expensive than initially thought.

In terms of customer service, Hopper has received some negative reviews. Users must make any requests or complaints directly through their booking on the app, which means that you essentially have to make a purchase to speak with anyone. The app does not provide a direct customer service phone line, and re-booking is often done through email, which can be inconvenient. There have also been reports of poor customer service, especially in regards to canceled flights, with some users stating that Hopper maintains strict third-party cancellation policies and is unable to help in these situations.

Overall, while Hopper does offer some features that can be useful for travelers, it is important to be aware of the potential issues with trustworthiness and customer service that have been reported by some users.

Price freezing and refunds

Hopper offers a price freezing feature, allowing users to take their time to finalise their travel plans. This feature comes with a small fee, but it ensures that users can secure a desired price for their travel bookings. If the price goes up, users will only pay the frozen price. However, if the price decreases, users will benefit from the lower price. This feature provides flexibility and peace of mind for travellers who need more time to make their travel arrangements.

In terms of refunds, Hopper offers a "Cancel and Change for Any Reason" plan. This plan allows users to make changes or cancellations to their bookings without incurring additional fees. Hopper's Flight Disruption Guarantee ensures that travellers can be rebooked without extra costs in case of flight delays or missed connections. This feature provides added confidence and convenience for users, especially when dealing with unexpected travel disruptions.

While the price freezing feature is a useful option, some users have reported issues with price accuracy and unexpected charges. In certain cases, users have experienced discrepancies between the advertised price on the Hopper app and the actual amount charged to their credit cards. These instances have resulted in users being billed multiple times the advertised cost. Resolving these issues has sometimes involved back-and-forth communication with customer service, leading to frustration and uncertainty.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is recommended to carefully review the details of your booking, including the room or flight specifications, before finalising your purchase. Additionally, staying vigilant about monitoring your credit card statements can help identify any discrepancies or unauthorised charges.

Despite some reported challenges, Hopper has a high rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on the App Store, with numerous positive reviews highlighting the convenience and savings offered by the app.

Hopper's accuracy

Hopper is a mobile app that helps users find and book the best prices on flights, hotels, rental cars, and homes. It claims to save users up to 40% on their travel costs and offers features like price predictions, price alerts, flexible dates, and free cancellation. However, its accuracy has been questioned by some users.

The app relies on data analytics, machine learning, and computing algorithms to track and predict when flights and hotels might go on sale or have discounted rates. It claims to predict future prices with 95% accuracy. While some users have found these predictions helpful and accurate, others have experienced issues where the predicted prices did not match the actual prices. In some cases, users were charged more than the advertised price, and there have been complaints about hidden fees.

To address these concerns, Hopper offers a Price Drop Guarantee, which refunds users the difference if the price of their booking drops before the trip. Additionally, users can utilize the app's "watch" feature, which notifies them when prices are expected to drop, allowing them to make an informed decision before booking.

Despite the mixed reviews, Hopper has a significant user base, with over 20 million downloads and 1.2 million ratings on the App Store, where it holds a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. The app has helped over 100 million travelers and has planted over 31 million trees as part of its commitment to offsetting carbon emissions.

Overall, while Hopper's accuracy may vary, it remains a popular and widely-used travel app, offering convenient features and the potential for significant savings.

Booking through Hopper vs directly with airlines

Booking flights and hotels through the Hopper app can be a great way to save money. However, there are some key differences between booking through Hopper and booking directly with airlines or accommodation providers that travellers should be aware of.

Advantages of Booking through Hopper

When booking through Hopper, users can benefit from the app's price prediction technology, which claims to predict future prices of flights, hotels, and car rentals with up to 95% accuracy. This feature allows users to book when prices are at their lowest or wait for a better deal. Additionally, Hopper offers a price freeze option, where users can lock in a price for a small deposit, giving them more time to make a decision without the risk of the price increasing. The app also provides a wide range of travel options, including flights, hotels, rental cars, and homes, all in one convenient platform.

Disadvantages of Booking through Hopper

One of the main concerns when booking through Hopper is the issue of customer service. Many users have reported difficulties in contacting Hopper's customer support, especially before making a booking. Since Hopper acts as a third-party booking agent, there may be complications or delays in resolving issues related to bookings. In some cases, users have reported being directed back and forth between Hopper and the airline or hotel, with neither party taking responsibility. This can be a significant inconvenience, especially when dealing with cancellations or refunds.

Advantages of Booking Directly with Airlines

Booking directly with airlines or accommodation providers offers several benefits. Firstly, it simplifies the customer service process by providing direct communication with the service provider. In the event of any issues or changes to the booking, users can contact the airline or hotel directly, eliminating the middleman and potentially speeding up the resolution process. Additionally, booking directly may provide more flexibility in terms of changes and cancellations, as users are not bound by the policies of a third-party booking agent.

Disadvantages of Booking Directly with Airlines

The main disadvantage of booking directly with airlines is the potential limitation of travel options. Hopper, as an online travel agency, aggregates deals from various sources, including airline websites, other online travel agencies, and rental car companies. This allows users to compare prices and options across multiple providers in one place. When booking directly, users would need to search and compare prices across multiple websites, which can be time-consuming and cumbersome.

In conclusion, both booking through Hopper and booking directly with airlines have their advantages and disadvantages. Hopper offers convenient price prediction and freezing features but falls short in terms of customer service. On the other hand, booking directly with airlines provides direct communication and streamlined issue resolution but may require more effort in searching and comparing prices. Ultimately, the decision depends on the user's priorities, flexibility, and comfort level with third-party booking agents.

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