Skift Take

FlightCar has a cool idea that lets travelers get monetary usage out of their cars, which would otherwise remain stationary during a trip, but it probably still isn't any easier or cheaper to use the service compared to an already existing airport car rental company.

weekly_startup_fundingEach week we roundup the latest crop of travel startups that have received or announced funding that week. The total amount raised this week was $138.5 million.

Here are four companies that announced they raised funding this week, listed in order by the highest amount raised. See previous roundups here.

>>Wheels Up raised a $115 million Series A round from new investors T. Rowe Price Associates, Fidelity Management and Research Company and NEA. The New York City-based startup’s pre-money valuation was $425 million, according to CrunchBase.

Wheels Up is a membership-based private jet company and offers aircraft with guaranteed availability on its private fleet of new Beechcraft King Air 350i and Citation Excel/XLS aircraft. The startup will use its new funding to fuel its U.S. expansion, set up a base of operations in Europe and enhance its technology platform, which offers a member-to-member ride-sharing feature.

>>FlightCar raised a $20.7 million venture round from an undisclosed investor bringing the San Francisco-based startup’s total funding to $40.4 million.

FlightCar allows travelers to park at an airport to rent out their cars to other travelers. Owners get free airport parking and renters choose from a wider selection of vehicles that FlightCar claims are available at lower prices than those offered by the major car rental companies. So far it’s available at 17 U.S. airports.

>>Jetaport raised a $1.5 million seed round from new investor XO Group, bringing the New York City-based startup’s total funding to $3.7 million.

Jetaport, founded in 2012, provides discounted hotel room blocks for group travelers. A single traveler proposes a trip to the group and travel logistics are discussed on the site. After discussion, trips are then booked directly through the site. Jetaport claims it helps save group guests an average of 15% on hotel rooms at more than 213,000 hotels and has contracted about 6,500 room blocks so far this year.

>>Skurt raised a $1.3 million seed round from seven new investors, including Upfront Ventures, Adam Goldstein and Mark Suster and this is the first funding round for the Los Angeles-based startup.

Skurt is a rental car mobile app service founded earlier this year that brings on-demand cars to travelers and consumers. So far it’s available at Los Angeles International Airport and plans to launch at San Francisco International Airport soon. Skurt also offers roadside assistance.

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Tags: funding, vcroundup

Photo credit: FlightCar allows travelers to park at an airport to rent out their cars to other travelers. FlightCar

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