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ARTICLE · 17 JULY 2026

Hopper Reaches $35 Million Agreement With The FTC

Ballard Spahr LLP
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The FTC has reached a $35 million settlement with Hopper over allegations that the travel app company charged consumers hidden fees without consent and misrepresented the benefits of its VIP Support and Price Freeze services. The case marks one of the first enforcement actions under the FTC's Unfair and Deceptive Fees Rule, commonly known as the "Junk Fee Rule," which took effect in May 2025.

United StatesConsumer Protection
John L. Culhane, Jr.
John L. Culhane, Jr.
Richard J. Andreano, Jr.
Richard J. Andreano, Jr.
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The FTC recently announced the settlement (subject to court approval) of an action premised in part on its Unfair and Deceptive Fees Rule (the so-called “Junk Fee Rule”

The FTC and the companies that operate the Hopper travel apps reached an agreement that would require the companies to pay $35 million. The companies would also be prohibited from unfairly charging consumers hidden fees and misrepresenting the total prices consumers would pay and the benefits of the companies’ VIP Support and Price Freeze Services. According to the FTC, Hopper allows consumers to search and book airfares, lodging and rental cars primarily through its apps.

The complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, contended that the Canadian company Hopper and its Massachusetts subsidiary “unfairly charged users without their consent for fees that the company claimed were optional yet were hidden and pre-selected for consumers,” the FTC said.

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