What is Hopper and How Does it Work for Vacation Rentals?

Scoring the best travel deals isn't easy — especially when there are so many platforms competing for your attention. But what if there was a way to stand out in the crowded vacation rental market while also making sure your property gets noticed by the right guests at the right time?

Hopper has become a go-to for savvy vacationers seeking affordable flights, but its growing impact on the vacation rental market is just as impressive. With its smart pricing, deal tracking and price prediction technology, Hopper empowers hosts to effortlessly optimize their property’s visibility and booking potential.

In this blog, we’ll explore what Hopper is, how it works for vacation rental hosts and why it could be the key to boosting your booking success.

What is Hopper App, Exactly?

Hopper is a travel app designed to help users secure the best deals on flights, hotels, car rentals and vacation rentals. With features like deal tracking, flight price monitoring and price freeze options, it’s especially useful for figuring out the best time to book.

Founded in 2007 and based in Montreal, Hopper stands out for its price prediction technology, which analyzes billions of data points — including historical data — to forecast when prices will go up or down. It uses advanced data science and machine learning to predict price shifts with impressive accuracy, helping users book at the right time and save money.

Originally focused on flights, Hopper has grown into the #1 downloaded travel app in over 70 countries, with more than 120 million downloads worldwide. Backed by major investors like Goldman Sachs, Capital One and Westcap, Hopper has cemented its place as a major player in the travel industry.

With $5.9 billion in bookings in 2023, Hopper has solidified its status as a favorite among Gen Z and Millennials, who make up for 70% of its user base. These younger travelers are drawn to Hopper’s affordability, user-friendly interface and flexible booking options — making it a perfect fit for vacation rental hosts looking to reach tech-savvy, budget-conscious travelers.

Plus, the Hopper app is free to download and available on both iOS and Android devices, making it accessible to users around the world.

Why Should Hosts List Their Vacation Rentals on Hopper?

Listing your vacation rental on Hopper Homes brings several benefits for hosts looking to maximize their property’s potential:

Global reach

With over 120 million users worldwide, Hopper offers massive exposure to hosts, helping them reach a vast audience actively seeking unique and affordable rentals. The app is optimized for vacationers from around the world searching for the cheapest prices and most convenient booking experience.

Supported currencies

Hopper supports multiple currencies, including USD, EUR, CAD, AUD and GBP, making it convenient for international hosts and appealing to global bookers looking for a smooth reservation experience.

Transparent guest information

Unlike some platforms that withhold guest details, Hopper provides guest information to hosts, allowing for direct communication and a more personalized guest experience. This transparency supports stronger connections with potential guests.

Comprehensive search filters

Guests can filter search results by location, number of bedrooms, price and more, helping your property stand out to the right travelers. These filters help users find the ideal destination that matches their travel dates, budget and amenity preferences.

24/7 Customer support

With round-the-clock customer support, Hopper ensures that both hosts and guests have assistance whenever needed, keeping things smooth and worry-free.

Insights and resources

Hopper provides hosts with valuable insights on booking trends, occupancy and pricing, helping you make data-driven adjustments to keep your listing competitive and optimize its performance.

Listing Prerequisites for Hopper Homes

To maintain a consistent experience for guests, Hopper has specific listing requirements for hosts:

• Entire homes only: Hopper only accepts entire home listings — shared spaces or hotel-style accommodations are not supported.

• Essential amenities: Listings must feature a kitchen or kitchenette and a private bathroom to meet guest expectations.

• Multi-unit and single-unit properties: Both single-unit and multi-unit properties are welcome, offering flexibility for different property types.

How Does Hopper Work for Vacation Rentals?

Here's how Hopper app works and why it could benefit your vacation rental business:

1. Simple property listing

Listing your property on Hopper is straightforward. You simply create an account, add your property details — photos, descriptions and amenities — and set your prices. Once your listing is live, Hopper's smart algorithm helps your property get noticed by the right people.

For confirmed bookings, Hopper charges hosts a fee depending on the integration method:

• For hosts using a Property Management System (PMS) or Channel Manager for Vacation Rentals (CM): A 14% fee is charged, calculated based on the booking subtotal (nightly rate plus any additional fees, excluding taxes). This host fee is automatically deducted from your payout, keeping everything straightforward and hassle-free.

• For hosts not using a PMS or CM integration: The fee is split between the host and the guest. Hosts pay a 3% fee, while guests cover up to 12% of the booking fee.

2. Smart pricing for more bookings

Hopper's price prediction tool is its signature feature. Using data science, the app predicts price fluctuations with 95% accuracy, letting travelers know when the best time is to book. This means your property remains competitively priced, especially during peak travel seasons, without requiring constant manual adjustments.

Hopper's smart pricing can save guests up to 40% on bookings, which makes your property more appealing compared to others on platforms that don't offer this level of pricing accuracy. By highlighting the best times to book, Hopper helps your property stand out in a crowded market.

3. Expansive user reach

Hopper's reach is impressive. The app had 19.8 million downloads in 2023, making it the most downloaded online travel agency app in North America.

When you list your property on Hopper, you're immediately connected to a large, engaged audience actively searching for unique, affordable vacation rentals.

Half of Hopper's users book exclusively through the app, creating a loyal customer base that returns to Hopper for their travel planning. This makes your listing more likely to be seen and booked by repeat users.

Hopper’s Strategic Partnerships

Hopper’s success is further supported by partnerships with companies like Capital One, Nubank, SMCC, Lottecard and CommBank, extending their reach to an additional 200 million cardholders.

These partnerships are expected to drive increased demand for vacation rentals listed on Hopper, providing hosts with unique opportunities for more visibility and bookings.

Hopper's App Guest-Attracting Features

Hopper offers a range of perks that make it appealing to travelers, giving your listing an edge:

• Price freeze: Allows guests to lock in a price without committing right away, increasing the likelihood of future bookings. Price freezes can give travelers peace of mind, especially when flight prices or hotel costs are fluctuating.

• Cancel for any reason: Offers guests flexibility and peace of mind, making them more confident in booking your property. No matter what changes in their plans, they know they have options.

• Carrot cash: A rewards program that gives guests credits for future bookings, encouraging repeat business and attracting deal-hunters to your property. Travelers can earn Carrot Cash and use it to pay for parts of their next trip.

• VIP support: Guests get priority service and instant access to expert agents anytime by adding VIP support to their booking. Hopper offers this added benefit as part of its commitment to guest satisfaction.

Hopper and Hostaway – Your Perfect Hosting Partners

While Hopper's guest perks help boost your property's visibility, integrating with Hostaway can make managing your vacation rental easier for you. Hostaway's platform automates tasks like managing bookings, adjusting prices and handling guest communication, letting you manage your Hopper listings effortlessly.

For instance, Hostaway can sync your bookings across multiple platforms, so you don't have to worry about double bookings and it can automatically adjust prices during high-demand times to maximize your revenue. This integration allows you to focus more on providing a great guest experience while Hostaway takes care of the logistics.

Is Hopper Right for You?

If you're aiming to take your vacation rental business to the next step, Hopper is a fantastic option to consider. With access to millions of travelers — especially the younger crowd who love vacation rentals over traditional hotel rooms — you'll be perfectly positioned to attract new guests.

By listing your property on Hopper, you'll decide how much visibility you want while benefiting from the app’s smart pricing and user-friendly features. Plus, when you integrate with Hostaway, managing your rental becomes effortless, saving you valuable time.

By harnessing Hopper's innovative features, you can set your property up for success and dedicate your energy to creating an unforgettable experience for your guests. From Hopper flights to homes, the Hopper app delivers value across every part of the travel journey.

Ready to see how far your vacation rental can go with Hopper?

FAQs

1. What is Hopper and how does it work for vacation rentals?

Hopper is a travel app that uses predictive algorithms to help users find the best deals on flights, hotels, car rentals and vacation rentals. Its smart pricing tool helps hosts attract more bookings by keeping rates competitive and automatic.

2. Why should I list my vacation rental on Hopper?

With a large, engaged user base, Hopper offers a cost-effective platform for hosts to reach millions of potential guests. Its seamless booking process and smart pricing make it easy to manage your property.

3. How does Hopper help optimize pricing for hosts?

Hopper’s price prediction tool uses real-time data to automatically adjust prices based on market trends, ensuring your property remains competitively priced and attractive to guests.

4. What guest-friendly features does Hopper offer?

Hopper offers features like Price Freeze, Cancel for Any Reason, Carrot Cash and VIP support, giving guests more flexibility and encouraging repeat bookings, which benefits hosts in the long run.

5. How does Hostaway enhance the hosting experience on Hopper?

Hostaway automates much of the hosting process, from bookings to communication, making it easier to manage your Hopper listings. It helps you save time and increase efficiency while maximizing your rental revenue.