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ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE RESERVES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts Receivable Reserves Disclosure [Abstract]  
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE RESERVES
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE RESERVES
 
The Company records a provision for uncollectible agency commissions, principally receivables from hotels related to agency reservations.  The Company also accrues for costs associated with purchases made on its websites by individuals using fraudulent credit cards and for other amounts "charged back" as a result of payment disputes.  Changes in accounts receivable reserves consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Balance, beginning of year
$
6,353

 
$
5,023

 
$
8,429

Provision charged to expense
9,331

 
7,102

 
3,227

Charge-offs and adjustments
(9,449
)
 
(5,554
)
 
(6,873
)
Currency translation adjustments
(132
)
 
(218
)
 
240

Balance, end of year
$
6,103

 
$
6,353

 
$
5,023


 
The increase in the bad debt provision in 2011 as compared to 2010 was primarily due to higher accounts receivable as a result of increased sales.