Consolidated and Combined Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 205,443	$ 194,588	$ 177,791
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment, including amortization of internal-use software and website development	29,495	19,966	18,362
Stock-based compensation	48,953	30,102	17,344
Amortization of intangible assets	5,731	6,110	7,523
Amortization of deferred financing costs	779	889	21
Amortization of discounts and premiums on marketable securities, net	4,905	527
Deferred tax (benefit) expense	5,473	(4,960)	(931)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(12,425)	(2,717)	(1,571)
Provision (recovery) for doubtful accounts	1,485	(1,050)	909
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses, net	(154)	1,644	209
Other, net	1,691	187	(131)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(16,184)	(11,810)	(15,910)
Receivable from Expedia, net	8,099	(16,921)
Taxes receivable	9,952	(24,243)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(3,655)	(3,305)	(1,821)
Accounts payable	(5,884)	15,322	4,133
Deferred merchant payable	16,767	(1,345)	1,752
Taxes payable	16,852	7,073	3,244
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	23,404	17,067	82
Deferred revenue	8,796	11,942	6,876
Net cash provided by operating activities	349,523	239,066	217,882
Investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(34,819)	(3,007)	(7,894)
Capital expenditures, including internal-use software and website development costs	(55,455)	(29,282)	(21,323)
Purchases of marketable securities	(432,373)	(218,922)
Sales of marketable securities	174,723
Maturities of marketable securities	150,780		20,090
Distribution to Expedia related to Spin-Off		7,028	(405,516)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired, from Expedia			(28,099)
Transfers to Expedia, net			(95,967)
Other, net	350		(153)
Net cash used in investing activities	(196,794)	(244,183)	(538,862)
Financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock	(145,221)
Proceeds from credit facilities	10,201	15,372	18,158
Payments on credit facilities	(14,728)	(10,000)
Principal payments on long-term debt	(40,000)	(20,000)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs			396,516
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants	23,703	230,711
Payment of minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards	(13,907)	(6,675)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	12,425	2,717	1,571
Payments on construction in process related to build to suit lease obligations	(2,148)
Payments to purchase subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest		(22,304)
Acquisitions funded by Expedia			5,135
Payments on acquisition earn-out			(9,546)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(169,675)	189,821	411,834
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	579	(721)	(455)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(16,367)	183,983	90,399
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	367,515	183,532	93,133
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	351,148	367,515	183,532
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid directly to taxing authorities, net of refunds	49,989	107,799	42,220
Income taxes paid to Expedia			49,570
Total income taxes paid, net of refunds	49,989	107,799	91,790
Cash paid during the period for interest	8,291	9,792	313
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capitalization of construction in-process related to build to suit lease obligation	7,877
Non-cash fair value increase for redeemable noncontrolling interests		14,617	571
Distribution receivable from Expedia, Inc.			$ (7,028)