This Glamping Startup Just Raised $115 Million and Is Coming to a Campsite Near You
Glamping startup AutoCamp wants to make sure your next camping trip is filled with luxury — and just raised a boatload of cash to do it.
The 5-year-old company is based in San Francisco, and known for its selection of modernized RV campers and luxe tent accommodations in popular camping areas in California, including Yosemite, Santa Barbara and the Russian River. AutoCamp says its campsites blend "the traditional outdoor experience with the service and design of a boutique hotel."
In its latest round of fundraising, AutoCamp raised $115 million in investments to expand its locations outside of its current California sites and beef up its 50-person workforce, Skift reported. Leading the round of funding was private equity firm Whitman Peterson.
The company's RV-like campers are custom built by Airstream, and part of the new funding will go toward deepening AutoCamp's partnership with Airstream. According to the company's website, the RVs are all outfitted with "luxury linens, bedding and bathrobes" and situated near "clubhouses" that offer "mid-century modern inspired reception and meeting space."
Yes, they've got quite a lot of buzz words sure to resonate with millennial travelers, as will the Instagram-worthy tents, vehicles and campsites. And that will certainly be good for business, as millennials make up 40% of all campers, according to Forbes.
Bookings for an Airstream camping vehicle "classic suite," which features a queen-size bed, "spa-inspired" bathroom and foldout couch during peak season in Yosemite started at $365 per night. The same location and timeframe for a luxury tent, which also comes with a queen-size bed, fireplace, mini-fridge and private fire pit, started at $265 per night.
In addition to its new funding, AutoCamp brought on two industry titans to join its advisory board in January: Chip Conley, founder and former CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, and Mike Depatie, former president and CEO of Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, according to Skift.
It's not clear where AutoCamp wants to place its new campsites, but with its new funding and advisors, we wouldn't be surprised if it's a brand US travelers hear more about in 2019.
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Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
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Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month