Unlock Amazing Deals: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Cheap Flights with Hopper

Dreaming of your next vacation but dreading the cost of flights? In today’s world of fluctuating prices and complicated booking processes, finding affordable airfare can feel like a daunting task. Luckily, there are tools available to help you navigate the travel landscape and snag the best deals. One of the most popular and effective of these tools is Hopper. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to use Hopper to find cheap flights, from understanding its features to mastering advanced strategies.

What is Hopper and How Does it Work?

Hopper is a mobile-first travel app (available on iOS and Android) that uses sophisticated algorithms to predict future flight and hotel prices with remarkable accuracy. It analyzes billions of data points, including historical pricing trends, current demand, and even external factors like seasonality, to determine whether you should book a flight now or wait for prices to drop. Hopper’s core functionality revolves around:

• Price Prediction: Hopper’s algorithms forecast whether flight or hotel prices are likely to increase or decrease in the future. It provides specific recommendations, such as “Buy Now” or “Wait.”
• Price Monitoring: You can track specific flights or destinations and receive notifications when prices change. This eliminates the need to constantly check for updates manually.
• Color-Coded Calendar: Hopper’s calendar displays flight prices for different dates, allowing you to quickly identify the cheapest days to fly. Colors range from green (lowest prices) to red (highest prices).
• Deals and Discounts: Hopper often offers exclusive deals and discounts on flights and hotels, helping you save even more money.
• Transparent Pricing: Hopper displays all taxes and fees upfront, so you know exactly what you’re paying.

Getting Started with Hopper: A Step-by-Step Guide

Using Hopper to find cheap flights is relatively straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Download and Install the Hopper App

The first step is to download and install the Hopper app on your iOS or Android device. You can find the app in the App Store (for iOS) or the Google Play Store (for Android). Search for “Hopper” and tap the “Install” button. Once the app is downloaded, open it to begin.

2. Create an Account or Continue as a Guest

Upon opening the app, you’ll be prompted to create an account or continue as a guest. Creating an account allows you to save your preferences, track your trips, and receive personalized recommendations. If you prefer to browse without creating an account, you can choose to continue as a guest. To create an account, you can use your email address, Google account, or Facebook account. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the registration process.

3. Search for Flights

Once you’re logged in or continuing as a guest, you’ll see the main search screen. Here, you can enter your travel details:

• Departure City: Enter the city you’re flying from. You can type the city name or airport code.
• Destination City: Enter the city you’re flying to. Again, you can use the city name or airport code.
• Departure Date: Tap the departure date field to open the calendar. Select the date you want to depart.
• Return Date: Tap the return date field to open the calendar. Select the date you want to return.
• Travelers: Specify the number of adults, children, and infants traveling.
• Cabin Class: Choose your preferred cabin class (e.g., Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First).

After entering your travel details, tap the “Search Flights” button.

4. Analyze the Search Results

Hopper will display a list of available flights that match your search criteria. Pay close attention to the following information:

• Price: The total price of the flight, including taxes and fees.
• Airline: The airline operating the flight.
• Flight Duration: The total flight time, including layovers.
• Number of Stops: The number of layovers involved in the flight.
• Departure and Arrival Times: The scheduled departure and arrival times.
• Hopper’s Recommendation: Hopper will provide a recommendation, such as “Buy Now” or “Wait for a potential $X price drop.”

5. Use the Color-Coded Calendar

One of Hopper’s most useful features is its color-coded calendar. This calendar displays flight prices for different dates, allowing you to quickly identify the cheapest days to fly. Dates are color-coded as follows:

• Green: The lowest prices.
• Yellow: Good prices.
• Orange: Average prices.
• Red: The highest prices.

Tap different dates on the calendar to see how the price changes. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can often save a significant amount of money by flying on less popular days.

6. Watch a Trip

If you’re not ready to book a flight yet, you can “watch” a trip. This allows Hopper to track the price of the flight and notify you when the price changes. To watch a trip, tap the “Watch Trip” button on the flight details screen. Hopper will then send you notifications via push notifications or email whenever the price increases or decreases. This feature is invaluable for timing your booking to get the best possible deal.

7. Book Your Flight

Once you’ve found a flight you’re happy with and Hopper recommends buying, it’s time to book. Tap the “Book” button on the flight details screen. You’ll be taken to a secure checkout page where you can enter your personal information and payment details. Double-check all the information you’ve entered to ensure it’s accurate before submitting your booking. After submitting your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Hopper with your flight details.

Advanced Strategies for Using Hopper

While Hopper is easy to use, there are several advanced strategies you can employ to maximize your savings:

1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates

As mentioned earlier, flexibility with your travel dates can significantly impact the price of your flight. Use Hopper’s color-coded calendar to identify the cheapest days to fly. Consider flying on weekdays instead of weekends, as weekday flights are often cheaper due to lower demand. Also, look at flying during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) rather than peak seasons (summer and winter), as prices are generally lower during these times.

2. Consider Alternative Airports

If you live near multiple airports, consider checking flights from all of them. Sometimes, flying from a smaller or less popular airport can save you money. Hopper allows you to search for flights from multiple airports simultaneously. Simply enter all the nearby airports in the departure city field.

3. Set Price Alerts for Multiple Destinations

If you’re open to traveling to different destinations, set price alerts for multiple locations. This allows you to see which destinations are offering the best deals. Hopper will notify you when the price of a flight to one of your desired destinations drops.

4. Take Advantage of Hopper’s Deals and Discounts

Hopper often offers exclusive deals and discounts on flights and hotels. Keep an eye out for these deals, as they can save you a significant amount of money. You can find these deals on Hopper’s home screen or in the “Deals” section of the app.

5. Use Hopper’s “Explore” Feature

Hopper’s “Explore” feature allows you to discover new destinations and find the cheapest flights to various locations. Simply enter your departure city and desired travel dates, and Hopper will show you a map with prices for flights to different destinations around the world. This is a great way to find inspiration for your next trip and discover hidden gems.

6. Understand Hopper’s Price Prediction Accuracy

While Hopper’s price predictions are generally accurate, it’s important to understand that they’re not always perfect. Market conditions can change rapidly, and unforeseen events can impact flight prices. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to monitor flight prices regularly and be prepared to book when you see a good deal.

7. Check Prices on Other Platforms Too

While Hopper is a fantastic tool, it’s always a good idea to compare prices on other travel platforms and airline websites. Sometimes, you may find a better deal elsewhere. Use Hopper as a starting point for your search, but don’t rely on it exclusively.

8. Book in Advance, But Not Too Early

Generally, booking flights in advance can save you money. However, booking too early (e.g., more than six months in advance) may not always be the best strategy, as airlines often adjust their prices closer to the departure date. A good rule of thumb is to start monitoring flight prices several months in advance and book when you see a price you’re comfortable with.

9. Be Aware of Hopper’s Customer Service

While Hopper is known for its price prediction accuracy, some users have reported issues with its customer service. Before booking, familiarize yourself with Hopper’s customer service policies and procedures. In case you encounter any problems with your booking, be prepared to contact Hopper’s customer service team for assistance.

10. Consider Package Deals (Flights + Hotels)

Hopper also offers package deals that combine flights and hotels. Sometimes, booking a package deal can save you money compared to booking flights and hotels separately. Explore Hopper’s package deals to see if you can find a good deal for your desired destination.

Hopper vs. Other Flight Booking Platforms

Hopper is just one of many flight booking platforms available. Here’s a quick comparison of Hopper with some of its competitors:

• Google Flights: Google Flights is a powerful search engine that allows you to compare flight prices from multiple airlines and travel agencies. It’s known for its comprehensive search capabilities and price tracking features.
• Skyscanner: Skyscanner is another popular flight search engine that allows you to compare prices from multiple airlines and travel agencies. It also offers features like the “Everywhere” search, which allows you to find the cheapest flights to anywhere in the world.
• Kayak: Kayak is a travel search engine that searches hundreds of travel sites to find the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars. It also offers price alerts and a price prediction feature.
• Momondo: Momondo is a flight search engine that is known for its comprehensive search results and unique filtering options. It also offers a “Price Insight” feature that provides information about the factors that are influencing flight prices.

Each of these platforms has its strengths and weaknesses. Hopper is particularly strong when it comes to price prediction and mobile usability. Google Flights is excellent for comprehensive searches and price tracking. Skyscanner is great for finding cheap flights to anywhere in the world. Kayak is a good all-around travel search engine, and Momondo is known for its unique filtering options.

Tips for Saving Even More on Flights

In addition to using Hopper, here are some general tips for saving even more money on flights:

• Fly on Budget Airlines: Budget airlines like Ryanair, Spirit Airlines, and Frontier Airlines often offer significantly lower prices than traditional airlines. However, be aware that budget airlines typically charge extra fees for things like checked baggage, seat selection, and onboard meals.
• Travel During the Off-Season: Travel during the off-season or shoulder season can save you a significant amount of money on both flights and accommodations. The off-season is typically the period when demand is lowest, while the shoulder season is the period between the peak season and the off-season.
• Use Credit Card Rewards: If you have a travel credit card, use it to earn rewards points or miles on your flight purchases. You can then redeem these rewards for free flights or other travel benefits.
• Be a Loyal Customer: Sign up for airline loyalty programs and earn miles or points for every flight you take. Over time, you can accumulate enough miles or points to redeem for free flights or upgrades.
• Clear Your Browser’s Cookies and Cache: Airlines and travel websites sometimes track your browsing history and increase prices if they see that you’ve been searching for the same flight multiple times. Clearing your browser’s cookies and cache can help prevent this.
• Consider Connecting Flights: Non-stop flights are generally more expensive than connecting flights. If you’re willing to endure a layover, you can often save money by booking a connecting flight.

Conclusion

Hopper is a valuable tool for finding cheap flights and saving money on travel. By understanding its features, employing advanced strategies, and comparing prices on other platforms, you can maximize your savings and travel more affordably. Remember to be flexible with your travel dates, consider alternative airports, and take advantage of Hopper’s deals and discounts. With a little planning and effort, you can unlock amazing deals and make your travel dreams a reality. So, download the Hopper app today and start searching for your next adventure!