ACQUISITION ACQUISITION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

In November 2012, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire KAYAK Software Corporation ("KAYAK"), a leading travel meta-search website, in a stock and cash transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, the transaction values KAYAK at $1.8 billion ($1.65 billion net of cash acquired) or $40.00 per share of KAYAK common stock, with $500 million to be paid in cash, which is expected to be made from cash on hand in the United States, and $1.3 billion to be paid in shares of common stock and assumed stock options (subject to a volume-weighted average trading price calculation and a collar on the value of our common stock). The closing of the transaction is expected to occur on or about May 21, 2013.

The final purchase price will be based on the volume-weighted average trading price calculation and the collar on the value of the Company's common stock, and the closing price of priceline.com common stock at merger close. If the merger is approved, the Company's Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements will include the accounts of KAYAK starting at the closing of the merger.