Hopper, the travel app known for its smart price predictions, has agreed to a hefty $35 million settlement after being accused of hiding fees and misleading users. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleged that Hopper’s ‘VIP Support’ and ‘Price Freeze’ services came with hidden charges. Users found themselves paying extra for features they thought were free or essential.

According to the FTC, many consumers were misled by pre-selected add-ons and unclear terms of service. The app presented optional fees as standard, making it hard for users to understand the total cost before booking. Even the ‘Price Freeze’ feature came with hidden restrictions: rates could only be secured up to a certain limit.

Hopper spokespersons claim that the allegations are outdated and irrelevant. They stressed that they had improved their display practices long ago, but the FTC insisted on full disclosure of all fees in future transactions to protect users from similar tricks.

Before Hopper, other companies like StubHub faced similar lawsuits over hidden charges. This latest settlement might just be a lesson for all apps: if you can’t disclose everything upfront, don’t expect forgiveness later.

Hopper launched its app in 2014 and has since amassed over 120 million downloads worldwide. The company’s decision to settle could set a precedent for clearer disclosure practices across the industry.