FTC settlement: Hopper to pay $35M over fees—what to check before booking

Household travel budgets can get squeezed by “extras” that don’t feel optional—especially when a travel app presents a “total price” early in checkout. On July 2, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission announced that Hopper agreed to pay $35 million to resolve FTC allegations about add-on fees and how pricing/consent were presented.

The practical takeaway for families: treat any “total price” you see as a starting point, not the final word. Before you confirm payment, slow down at the fee/add-on step—because small default add-ons can change what you actually pay for a flight or hotel.

What the FTC alleges about “Tip” and “VIP Support”

In its announcement, the FTC said the settlement resolves allegations that Hopper users were charged add-on fees—including “Tip” and “VIP Support”—without express informed consent. The FTC also alleged that Hopper’s “total price” presentation did not reflect certain charges in the way consumers would reasonably expect when deciding whether to book.

Importantly, these are allegations described in the FTC’s complaint and settlement announcement; the proposed order framework is designed to address the consumer-protection concerns the FTC identified.

What the proposed order is designed to change

Under the proposed stipulated order tied to the FTC’s settlement, Hopper would be required to make changes intended to reduce surprise charges. In budget-reader terms, that means clearer, more consumer-focused steps around:

• How fees and charges are disclosed (so you can see them before you confirm),
• How “total price” is presented relative to the fees that may apply, and
• Consent/choice for add-on fees so default options don’t function like automatic charges.

The FTC announcement describes the settlement and proposed order framework; whether and when the order becomes final depends on court processing.

A quick checkout checklist for household budgets

If you’re budgeting for family travel, use this short checklist—focused on the issues the FTC raised:

• Compare the “total” shown early to the “final amount” at confirmation. Don’t assume the first number includes everything.
• Check for default add-ons (especially “Tip” or “VIP Support”). If you didn’t intend to pay an add-on, turn it off or decline it before you confirm.
• Review the fee/add-on screens right before paying. Make sure the selections match what you think you’re buying.
• Save the receipt/confirmation breakdown. If the final number changes, you’ll be able to verify exactly what was charged.

These steps help protect your planned spend—particularly when you’re booking multiple rooms, dates, or travelers at once.

What to watch next

Next, watch for the court’s handling of the proposed stipulated order tied to the FTC’s July 2 announcement. You can also watch for broader FTC attention to “total price” displays and default add-on fees, since that’s the consumer-cost problem the Hopper case is aimed at fixing.

Sources

• FTC press release (July 2, 2026) on Hopper’s $35M settlement