Rove: Empowering Gen Z to Earn Airline Miles Hassle-Free, No Credit Card Needed!
Max Morganroth’s junior year study abroad experience transformed his perspective on travel, allowing him to visit 30 countries while primarily flying in business and first class. His remarkable journey was made possible through travel hacking, utilizing airline miles and credit card points strategically acquired through smart applications and redemptions.
Unlocking the Secrets of Travel Hacking
According to Morganroth, many of his friends were eager to learn how to score free flights using airline miles programs. However, he noticed that most people in his network, including fellow Wharton students, either lacked the eligibility for premium airline rewards credit cards or the time to maximize their mile conversions for optimal travel.
The Airline Rewards Dilemma
- Approximately 70 million Americans lack sufficient credit history to join airline rewards programs.
- Frequent flyer programs generate significant revenue for airlines by partnering with credit card companies.
Inspiration from Global Travel
During his extensive travels, Morganroth discovered that in Hong Kong, miles are treated as a second currency within Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program. He noted, “You can earn Asia Miles by shopping at 7-Eleven or even by opening a bank account.” This unique system inspired him to create a similar program for U.S. consumers.
Introducing Rove: A Universal Loyalty Program
After graduating, Morganroth partnered with Arhan Chhabra, a Harvard dropout, to launch Rove. This startup aims to become the first universal mile loyalty program, enabling consumers to earn miles across various airlines while shopping.
While programs like American Express and Expedia offer point redemption across multiple airlines, universal mile programs remain uncommon. Rove seeks to fill this gap.
Partnerships and Growth
Rove recently entered Y Combinator’s winter 2024 batch and secured partnerships with the mile programs of 11 airlines, including:
- Air France-KLM
- Aeromexico
- Finnair
- Qatar Airways
These partnerships enabled Rove to raise $2 million from prominent investors such as YC, General Catalyst, and Soma Capital.
Affiliate Marketing Model
Unlike traditional models where airlines share fees with credit cards, Rove allows airlines to earn revenue through affiliate marketing with over 7,000 merchants via its Rove shopping extension for Google Chrome. This approach is similar to platforms like Honey and Rakuten.
Users can convert points earned from shopping into airline miles, enhancing their travel experiences. Moreover, Rove offers users miles for hotel bookings, making it a valuable service for avid travelers.
Maximizing Travel Benefits
For instance, a $1,000 hotel stay could equate to a round-trip flight to Europe, with Rove sharing up to 40% of hotel commission with users in the form of miles. This model encourages users to earn and combine miles from hotel bookings, shopping extensions, and credit card rewards.
Simplifying the Process
While the concept may seem complex, Morganroth assures that earning miles through Rove is straightforward. Users simply need to book hotels through the platform or shop using the Rove shopping extension.
When users are ready to book flights, Rove’s travel portal assists them in finding the best award flight deals. Although Rove has partnered with 11 airlines, users can book travel on approximately 140 carriers due to potential mile transfers among affiliate airlines.
Aimed at the Young Traveler
Rove is designed for everyone, but Morganroth emphasizes its appeal to young adults. “Gen Z is eager to travel but often lacks access to affordable tools,” he explains. With Rove, they can bypass the traditional barriers of credit history and high fees by simply downloading a Chrome extension and booking travel through the platform.
For more insights on travel hacking and maximizing airline rewards, check out our Travel Hacking Guide.
