Rove, founded by a 22-year-old, is helping Gen Z earn airline miles without credit cards

Tech Crunch - May 7th, 2025

Max Morganroth, a recent graduate inspired by his study abroad experience, co-founded Rove to revolutionize the airline miles industry. His venture aims to make travel more accessible to Gen Z by introducing a universal mile loyalty program that allows users to earn airline miles through shopping and hotel bookings, bypassing traditional credit card-based rewards systems. Rove, which has already partnered with 11 airlines and raised $2 million from investors like Y Combinator, leverages affiliate marketing to offer miles from over 7,000 merchants via a Chrome shopping extension.

The significance of Rove lies in its potential to democratize travel benefits for young travelers who typically lack the credit history needed for premium airline reward cards. By offering a new way to earn miles, Rove challenges existing loyalty programs similar to those offered by American Express and Expedia, but with a broader appeal and reach. This innovation not only expands airlines' consumer base but also reflects a shift in how travel incentives are structured, catering specifically to the tech-savvy, budget-conscious Gen Z demographic.

Y Combinator Loyalty Programs Max Morganroth Rove Airline Miles Gen Z Travelers

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides an intriguing look into Rove, a startup aiming to revolutionize how consumers earn airline miles. It effectively communicates the potential benefits for Gen Z and highlights the innovation in loyalty programs. However, the story could benefit from a more balanced perspective, including insights from industry experts or competitors. The accuracy is generally strong but requires further verification of certain claims, such as the number of countries traveled by the founder. While the article is timely and engaging, it lacks depth in exploring the broader implications and potential criticisms of Rove's business model. Overall, it serves as a compelling introduction to Rove but leaves several questions unanswered.

Accuracy

The story is generally accurate but has some claims that require further verification. For instance, the claim about Max Morganroth traveling to 30 countries during his junior year is not directly supported by the available data. The article accurately describes the founding of Rove and its partnerships with 11 airlines, which is corroborated by other sources. However, some details, like the exact mechanics of mile conversion and the profitability of Rove's business model, are not fully explored, leaving room for potential inaccuracies.

Balance

The article presents a single-sided narrative focusing on Rove's benefits and innovations without exploring potential drawbacks or criticisms. It heavily emphasizes the advantages for Gen Z without considering other demographics or potential pitfalls of the program. The perspective of airlines or traditional credit card companies on this new model is notably absent, which could provide a more balanced view of the industry's reaction to Rove's approach.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and easy to follow, with a logical flow that guides the reader through Rove's concept and its market positioning. The language is clear and accessible, making complex topics like airline miles and loyalty programs understandable to a general audience. However, the article could benefit from more detailed explanations of specific terms and processes for readers unfamiliar with the subject.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on statements from Max Morganroth, which may introduce bias, given his vested interest in promoting Rove. There is a lack of independent expert opinions or third-party validation of the claims made, particularly regarding the operational aspects and competitive positioning of Rove. The absence of diverse sources limits the overall credibility and depth of the reporting.

Transparency

The article provides a clear narrative of Rove's business model and its potential impact on the travel industry. However, it lacks transparency in explaining the methodology behind Rove's mile conversion and the financial implications for users. There is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or detailed information about the article's sources, which affects the transparency of the reporting.