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ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE RESERVES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
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,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Balance, beginning of year
$
6,103

 
$
6,353

 
$
5,023

Provision charged to expense
16,094

 
9,331

 
7,102

Charge-offs and adjustments
(11,977
)
 
(9,449
)
 
(5,554
)
Currency translation adjustments
102

 
(132
)
 
(218
)
Balance, end of year
$
10,322

 
$
6,103

 
$
6,353


 
The increase in the bad debt provision in 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily due to higher accounts receivable as a result of increased sales.