What it does
Roame is a search engine designed for travelers who use points and miles. The app helps users find award availability for flights and hotels across various loyalty programs. It centralizes the search process and provides actionable steps on how to transfer points from credit cards to book the desired travel.
Where it shines
Roame's strength lies in making the complex world of award travel accessible. The flight details screen at 02:02 is a perfect example. It doesn't just show a flight; it lists multiple credit card programs like Amex and Marriott, detailing the exact point transfers needed to book it on Delta. The app also features a comprehensive Wallet (06:41) that aggregates a user's points from different loyalty programs and even calculates their estimated monetary value, turning abstract points into a tangible asset.
UX highlights
- Smart Search Interface: The main search screen (00:58) is clean and presents all necessary fields (airports, dates, travelers, class) without clutter. It intelligently defaults to a one-way search, simplifying the initial interaction.
- Actionable Results: Flight results aren't just informational. The detailed breakdown of booking options (02:02) and a 'How to book this flight' guide (02:27) provide clear, next steps for the user, bridging the gap between discovery and booking.
- Contextual Tooltips: The app uses small, non-intrusive tooltips to explain features like 'Live Search' (01:01) and 'Estimated Value' (08:04). This provides help at the moment of need without disrupting the user's flow.
- Dual List/Map Views: When searching for hotels, the user can easily toggle between a list view and a map view (05:39). The map view is interactive, allowing users to zoom and tap on locations to see hotel details.
- Comprehensive Filtering: The filter options for flights (03:01) are extensive, catering to power users. It allows filtering by specific credit card programs, airline alliances, stops, and even aircraft type.
Monetization & growth
Roame employs a contextual, feature-gated monetization model. While basic search is free, premium features are locked behind a soft paywall. For instance, attempting to save an alert (01:46) or search flexible dates (01:23) triggers an upgrade prompt. The paywall presents yearly and monthly options, highlighting a 'Save 40%' discount for the annual plan (00:48). This strategy encourages upgrades by tying them directly to a user's immediate goal. The app also features a referral program (08:35) offering a free month for successful invites.
Who it’s for
This app is clearly designed for two main audiences. The primary group is seasoned 'points hackers' who are familiar with transferring points between credit cards and airlines. Features like the 5/24 status tracker (06:45) and detailed filtering options cater directly to them. The secondary audience is aspirational travelers who have accumulated points but find the redemption process confusing. Roame serves as their guide, simplifying the steps and showing them what's possible.
Notes & opportunities
The app's immediate sign-up requirement (00:03) creates initial friction. Allowing a 'guest mode' for one or two searches could demonstrate the app's powerful capabilities first, potentially increasing sign-up conversion. Additionally, the process of re-entering an email to log in immediately after creating an account (00:29) is a small but unnecessary hurdle that could be streamlined.