5 New Travel Startups Making Payments Easier, Cheaper

Each of these startups attempts to simplify an aspect of the travel experience from restaurants payments to pre-trip planning and collaboration.

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>> KnowRoaming produces a SIM sticker that connects to unlocked iOS, Android and Windows mobile phones and tablets providing access to reduced costs for phone calls, text messages, and data downloads across 200 countries. The sticker stays in the phone at all times but is activated only once abroad. Users can track usage via a mobile app.

SkiftTake: As mobile device’s utility has increased alongside the frustration and costs associated with overseas travel. KnowRoaming has built a tool that can be used for many devices and networks providing it a broad customer base to tap into.

>> Reserve is a restaurant booking, review and payment platform. Users can reserve a table, review the food and service, and their check will automatically billed to their card including a tip and Reserve’s concierge fee.

SkiftTake: Reserve has a shot at success given its ability to cleanly integrate the best of Yelp, OpenTable and its additional attractive feature: automatic payments.

>> Round.io is a map with context that allows users to explore their surroundings with more information. It adds points of interests and integrates social media so users can discover last-minute events, deals, and things that have happened in the area in the past.

SkiftTake: Maps are a ubiquitous part of the travel experience today so it is unlikely that a new app will take users away from Google Maps, which is doing an increasingly better job at adding context to locations.

>> Let’s Ride is an app that makes it easy for bikers to organize a ride. Users add ride details or find a friends’ planned ride and invite friends to join the event.

SkiftTake: Although its function is very niche, Let’s Ride has a shot at becoming the go-to app for the biking community and a useful coordination tool either at home or long trips.

>> TripHobo is an India-based startup that looks to improve the travel planning process with a visual itinerary builder. Users can drag and drop their activities into a timeline that automatically tells the users how long it will take to get between stops. The startup recently received an unannounced amount of series A funding from VC fund Kalaari Capital.

SkiftTake: The visual trip planner is easy to use and calculates transportation time between attractions surprisingly quick. As its inventory of live events, restaurants and hotels grows, it will become even more useful to its growing user base.