Hopper

Hopper isn’t actually an AI tool, but it leverages data science to help you find the best deals on travel. It’s a travel booking app and online marketplace where you can search for and book flights, hotels, rental cars, and even short-term rentals, all with the aim of saving you money.

Here’s a breakdown of Hopper to quench your travel-booking curiosity:

What is Hopper?

• Travel booking platform: Hopper is essentially a one-stop shop for booking various travel components, allowing you to compare prices and book flights, hotels, rental cars, and short-term rentals through their app or website.
• Price prediction tool: What sets Hopper apart is its unique price prediction feature. They use historical data and analysis to predict future price trends for flights and hotels, helping you decide when to buy to get the best deal.

How to use Hopper?

1. Download the app or visit the website: Hopper is available on both iOS and Android devices, or you can access it through their website.
2. Search for your desired travel: Specify your destination, travel dates, and the number of travelers.
3. Explore price predictions: Hopper will display the current price and its predicted price trend for the coming weeks. They use a color-coded system (green for buy, yellow for watch, and red for hold) to give you a quick sense of whether the current price is a good deal or if you might expect it to drop soon.
4. Book your travel: Once you find a price and date that suits you, you can proceed with booking your flights, hotels, or other travel needs directly through the platform.

Key features of Hopper:

• Price prediction: As mentioned earlier, this is Hopper’s core functionality, helping you make informed decisions about when to book your travel for the best price.
• Watchlist: You can add flights and hotels to your watchlist to track their price trends and receive notifications when prices change.
• Flash Deals: Hopper occasionally offers exclusive discounts on flights and hotels through their app, so keeping an eye out for these deals can help you score significant savings.
• Multiple travel options: Search and compare prices for flights, hotels, rental cars, and short-term rentals, all within the same platform.

Use cases for Hopper:

• Travelers on a budget: Hopper is ideal for budget-conscious travelers who want to find the best deals on flights and hotels.
• Flexible travel plans: If you have some flexibility with your travel dates, Hopper can help you identify periods when prices are predicted to be lower.
• Frequent travelers: If you travel often, Hopper can be a valuable tool for comparing prices and finding deals across various destinations.

Pricing:

Hopper itself is free to use, both for searching and booking travel. They earn their revenue through commissions paid by airlines, hotels, and other travel partners when users book through their platform. There are no hidden fees or extra charges for using Hopper.

Remember: While Hopper’s price predictions are helpful, they are not guaranteed. It’s always wise to consider other factors like your travel preferences and comfort level with potential price fluctuations before making a booking decision.