Airlines have long been making money by partnering with credit card companies. But what about those who can't qualify for these cards? A new startup, Rove, is changing the game. It's making it possible for young people to earn airline miles without needing a credit card.

The idea came from Max Morganroth, who traveled to 30 countries during his junior year. He funded his trips using airline points he collected through smart credit card use. He noticed that many of his friends, including those at Wharton, struggled to get the best rewards credit cards or didn't have the time to maximize their mile conversions. So, he saw an opportunity to create a program that would allow anyone to earn miles, not just those with good credit.

Morganroth discovered that in Hong Kong, people earn miles on Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program without opening credit cards. They earn miles by shopping, banking, and even selling property. He wanted to bring this concept to the U. S. , targeting Gen Z, a generation eager to travel but often lacking credit history.

After graduating, Morganroth teamed up with Arhan Chhabra, a Harvard dropout, and they launched Rove. This startup aims to be the first universal mile loyalty program. Rove partners with airlines to offer miles through shopping and hotel bookings, not just credit cards. This way, airlines can reach a larger audience, especially young adults.

Rove has secured partnerships with 11 airlines, including Air France-KLM and Qatar Airways. They've also raised $2 million from investors. The startup's business model is similar to Honey and Rakuten, where users earn points through affiliate marketing. These points can be converted into airline miles, which are often more valuable than cash.

Rove's platform is simple to use. Users can earn miles by booking hotels on Rove's platform or shopping using the Rove Chrome extension. When it's time to book flights, Rove's travel portal helps users find the best deals. Plus, users can combine miles from different sources, making it easier to earn enough for a flight.

While Rove is open to anyone, it's particularly appealing to young adults. Gen Z wants to travel more than any other group, but they often lack the credit history or funds for traditional rewards cards. With Rove, they can start earning miles right away, just by shopping or booking hotels. It's a smart way to make travel more accessible to a new generation.

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