This Startup Lets You Bail Out of Booked Hotel Reservations

Booking a hotel room is now easier and faster than ever thanks to online booking services. But, what happens if you change your mind or have to cancel only to find the deal is non-refundable? In comes Roomer Travel Inc., a startup that set out to cover at least some of your loses.

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Founded in 2013, Roomer develops an online marketplace where people offer their already booked rooms at discount. A room can be added to the platform up to 24 hours before check-in at a price set by the seller. Roomer has raised $18 million to date.

Changing the name on a reservation requires the hotel’s approval, which is not always easy to get, says Gal Zuta, Roomer’s director of operations. Thanks to the company’s ties with hotels, Zuta said, Roomer facilitates the process and increases approval rates. In the future, the company is planning to offer a similar service for vacation packages and an insurance policy for when re-selling your reservations doesn’t work out, Zuta said.

Calcalist interviewed Zuta at the company’s office at co-working space Labs, in the Azrieli Sarona tower in central Tel Aviv.