Hopper Expands Partnership With Sabre

Travel software and technology company Sabre Corporation and online travel agency Hopper on Monday (Feb. 14) renewed and expanded their strategic technology partnership that dates back to 2012, according to a joint announcement.

Under the three-year extension of the collaboration, Hopper will make Sabre its primary global distribution and technology partner. The companies will work together to “further evolve the online travel marketplace and customer experience,” the announcement said.

“Sabre believed in our vision when Hopper was in its infancy and has continued to support us as our strategic retailing and distribution partner since our beginning,” said Fred Lalonde, CEO and co-founder of Hopper, in the joint announcement.

“Sabre’s global distribution network along, with its advanced shopping APIs and ability to find the lowest fare, was the foundation that we built upon — adding our own proprietary AI-based solutions,” he said. “Together our innovations have made Hopper the standout brand it is today. We look forward to our continued partnership with Sabre as we work together to achieve Hopper’s next-generation services and solutions.”

Hopper uses Sabre’s low-fare shopping APIs, post-booking automation and shopping data to find the lowest fares for customers. Sabre’s post-booking automation technology allowed Hopper to help customers during 2020 when travel across the world was scuttled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are thrilled to be a part of Hopper’s success over the years as its trusted technology partner,” said Roshan Mendis, chief commercial officer of Sabre Travel Solutions, in the joint announcement.

“Even more important, we look forward to continuing to invest in the online segment and our work with Hopper to redefine the future of travel retailing through modern, intelligent solutions,” he said.

As part of their partnership extension, Sabre and Hopper are exploring new ways to integrate Hopper Cloud into travel booking.

Related: Zip, Sabre Team to Offer Travel Payment Solution

In December, Sabre began working with buy now, pay later (BNPL) company Zip to help with worldwide integration of BNPL capabilities. Zip has integrated into Sabre’s Global Distribution System, allowing any global travel partner to accept Zip in any countries where it’s available.