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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include TripAdvisor, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and entities we control, or in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary of expected cash profits or losses. We have eliminated significant intercompany transactions and accounts. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”).

We have an operating subsidiary in China that has variable interests in an affiliated entity in China in order to comply with Chinese laws and regulations, which restrict foreign investment in Internet content provision businesses. Although we do not own the capital stock of this Chinese affiliate, we consolidate its results as we are the primary beneficiary of the cash losses or profits of this variable interest affiliate and have the power to direct the activities of this affiliate. Our variable interest entity is not material for all periods presented.

Accounting Estimates

We use estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Our estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of our consolidated financial statements. These estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amount of net income or loss during any period. Our actual financial results could differ significantly from these estimates. The significant estimates underlying our consolidated financial statements include: (i) recoverability of intangible assets, goodwill and other long-lived assets; (ii) accounting for income taxes; (iii) purchase accounting for business combinations; and (iv) stock-based compensation.

Reclassifications

Refer to our discussion in “Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements” below for required prior period reclassifications resulting from the early adoption of new accounting guidance. All other reclassifications, made to conform the prior period to the current presentation, were not material and had no net effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue from our services rendered when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Deferred revenue, which primarily relates to our subscription-based and commission based arrangements, is recorded when payments are received in advance of our performance as required by the underlying agreements.

Click-based Advertising. Revenue is derived primarily from click-through fees charged to our travel partners for traveler leads sent to the travel partners’ website. We record revenue from click-through fees after the traveler makes the click-through to the travel partners’ websites.

Instant booking commission revenue is also included in click-based advertising revenue and is recorded at the time a traveler books a hotel transaction on our site where we do not assume cancellation risk, or the transaction model. In transactions in which we assume cancellation risk, we record revenue in the month in which the traveler’s stay at a hotel occurs, or the consumption model. We have no post-booking service obligations for instant booking transactions.

Display-based Advertising. We recognize display-based advertising revenue ratably over the advertising period or upon delivery of advertising impressions, depending on the terms of the advertising contract. Subscription-based revenue is recognized ratably over the related contractual period over which service is delivered.

Attractions. We receive cash from the consumer at the time of booking of the destination activity and record these amounts, net of commissions, as deferred merchant payables on our consolidated balance sheet. Commission revenue is recorded as deferred revenue at the time of booking and later recognized when the consumer has completed the destination activity. We pay the destination activity operators after the travelers’ use.

Restaurants. We recognize reservation revenues (or per seated diner fees) on a transaction-by-transaction basis as diners are seated by our restaurant customers. Subscription-based revenue is recognized ratably over the related contractual period over which the service is delivered.

Vacation Rentals. We generate revenue from customers for online advertising services related to the listing of their properties for rent primarily on either a subscription basis over a fixed-term, or on a commission basis for transactions that are booked on our platform. Payments for term-based subscriptions received in advance of services being rendered are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized ratably to revenue on a straight-line basis over the listing period. Our commission revenue is primarily generated on our free-to-list option, in lieu of a pre-paid subscription fee. When a commissionable transaction is booked on our platform, we receive cash from the traveler that includes both our commission, which is recorded as deferred revenue, and the amount due to the property owner, which is recorded to deferred merchant payables on our consolidated balance sheet. We pay the amount due to the property owner and recognize our commission revenue at the time of the traveler’s stay. Additional revenues are derived on a pay-per-lead basis, as we provide leads for rental properties to property managers. Pay-per-lead revenue is billed and recognized in the period when the leads are delivered to the property managers.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue consists of expenses that are directly related or closely correlated to revenue generation, including direct costs, such as ad serving fees, flight search fees, transaction fees and data center costs. In addition, cost of revenue includes personnel and overhead expenses, including salaries, benefits, stock-based compensation and bonuses for certain customer support personnel who are directly involved in revenue generation.

Selling and Marketing

Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of direct costs, including SEM and other online traffic acquisition costs, syndication costs and affiliate program commissions, brand advertising, television and other offline advertising, and public relations. In addition, our indirect sales and marketing expense consists of personnel and overhead expenses, including salaries, commissions, benefits, stock-based compensation and bonuses for sales, sales support, customer support and marketing employees.

Technology and Content

Technology and content expenses consist of personnel and overhead expenses, including salaries and benefits, stock-based compensation and bonuses for salaried employees and contractors engaged in the design, development, testing, content support, and maintenance of our websites and mobile apps. Other costs include licensing, maintenance expense, computer supplies, and technology hardware.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel and related overhead costs, for personnel engaged in executive leadership, finance, legal, and human resources, including stock-based compensation. General and administrative costs also include professional service fees and other fees including audit, legal, tax and accounting, and other costs, including bad debt expense and charitable contributions.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

Our cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with maturities of 90 days or less at the date of purchase. Our marketable debt and equity securities have been classified and accounted for as available-for-sale. We determine the appropriate classification of our investments at the time of purchase and reevaluate the designations at each balance sheet date. We invest in highly-rated securities, and our investment policy limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer, industry group and currency. The policy requires investments to be investment grade, with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss and providing liquidity of investments sufficient to meet our operating and capital spending requirements and debt repayments.

We classify our marketable debt securities as either short-term or long-term based on each instrument’s underlying contractual maturity date and as to whether and when we intend to sell a particular security prior to its maturity date. Marketable debt securities with maturities greater than 90 days at the date of purchase and 12 months or less remaining at the balance sheet date will be classified as short-term and marketable debt securities with maturities greater than 12 months from the balance sheet date will generally be classified as long-term. We classify our marketable equity securities, limited to money market funds and mutual funds, as either short-term or long-term based on the nature of each security and its availability for use in current operations. Our marketable debt and equity securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a component of stockholders’ equity. Fair values are determined for each individual security in the investment portfolio.

Realized gains and losses on the sale of securities are determined by specific identification of each security’s cost basis. We may sell certain of our marketable securities prior to their stated maturities for strategic reasons including, but not limited to, anticipation of credit deterioration and liquidity and duration management. The weighted average maturity of our total invested cash shall not exceed 18 months, and no security shall have a final maturity date greater than three years, according to our investment policy.

We continually review our available for sale securities to determine whether a decline in fair value below the carrying value is other than temporary. When evaluating an investment for other-than-temporary impairment, we review factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below its cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer and any changes thereto, and our intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the investment before recovery of the investment’s cost basis. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis in the investment is established. If we do not intend to sell the debt security, but it is probable that we will not collect all amounts due, then only the impairment due to the credit risk would be recognized in earnings and the remaining amount of the impairment would be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity.

Cash consists of cash deposits held in global financial institutions.

Fair Value Measurements

We apply fair value accounting for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. We measure assets and liabilities at fair value based on the expected exit price, which is the amount that would be received on the sale of an asset or amount paid to transfer a liability, as the case may be, in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal or most advantageous market in which we would transact. As such, fair value may be based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability at the measurement date. The authoritative guidance on fair value measurements establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis whereby inputs, used in valuation techniques, are assigned a hierarchical level. The following are the hierarchical levels of inputs to measure fair value:

Level 1—Valuations are based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—Valuations are based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3—Valuations are based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Our goal in managing our foreign exchange risk is to reduce, to the extent practicable, our potential exposure to the changes that exchange rates might have on our earnings, cash flows and financial position. We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. We account for our derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities and carry them at fair value.

In certain circumstances, we enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts (“forward contracts”) to reduce the effects of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates on our cash flows denominated in foreign currencies. Our derivative instruments or forward contracts entered into which are not designated as hedges as of December 31, 2015 are disclosed below in “Note 5— Financial Instruments” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting must be adjusted to fair value through current income. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of a given subsidiary are remeasured at spot rates in effect on the balance sheet date with the effects of changes in spot rates reported in other, net on our consolidated statements of operations. Accordingly, fair value changes in the forward contracts help mitigate the changes in the value of the remeasured assets and liabilities attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, except to the extent of the spot-forward differences. These differences are not expected to be significant due to the short-term nature of the contracts, which to date, have generally had maturities at inception of 90 days or less. The net cash received or paid related to our derivative instruments are classified as an operating activity in our consolidated statements of cash flow, which is based on the objective of the derivative instruments. These net cash flows have not been material in any reporting period to date.

We have not entered into any cash flow, fair value or net investment hedges to date as of December 31, 2015.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are generally due within 30 days and are recorded net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. We record accounts receivable at the invoiced amount. Collateral is not required for accounts receivable. We consider accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms as past due. We determine our allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, previous loss history, a specific customer’s ability to pay its obligations to us, and the condition of the general economy and industry as a whole.

The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the periods presented:

	December 31,
	2015			2014		2013
	(in millions)
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Balance, beginning of period	$	7		$	3	$	3
Charges (recoveries) to earnings		3			3		1
Write-offs, net of recoveries and other adjustments		(4	)		1		(1	)
Balance, end of period	$	6		$	7	$	3

Property and Equipment, Including Website and Software Development Costs

We record property and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. We capitalize certain costs incurred during the application development stage related to the development of websites and internal use software when it is probable the project will be completed and the software will be used as intended. Capitalized costs include internal and external costs, if direct and incremental, and deemed by management to be significant. We expense costs related to the planning and post-implementation phases of software and website development as these costs are incurred. Maintenance and enhancement costs (including those costs in the post-implementation stages) are typically expensed as incurred, unless such costs relate to substantial upgrades and enhancements to the website or software resulting in added functionality, in which case the costs are capitalized.

We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is three to five years for computer equipment, capitalized software and website development, office furniture and other equipment. We depreciate leasehold improvements using the straight-line method, over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. We depreciate our corporate headquarter building, which is considered an asset for accounting purposes as the building lease is considered a financing obligation under GAAP, over its estimated useful life of 40 years.

Leases

We lease office space in several countries around the world under non-cancelable lease agreements. We generally lease our office facilities under operating lease agreements. Office facilities subject to an operating lease and the related lease payments are not recorded on our balance sheet. The terms of certain lease agreements provide for rental payments on a graduated basis, however, we recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease period in accordance with GAAP. Any lease incentives are recognized as reductions of rental expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The lease term begins on the date we become legally obligated for the rent payments or when we take possession of the office space, whichever is earlier.

We establish assets and liabilities for the estimated construction costs incurred under lease arrangements where we are considered the owner for accounting purposes only, or build-to-suit leases, to the extent we are involved in the construction of structural improvements or take construction risk prior to commencement of a lease. Upon occupancy of facilities under build-to-suit leases, we assess whether these arrangements qualify for sales recognition under the sale-leaseback accounting guidance under GAAP. If we continue to be the deemed owner, for accounting purposes, the facilities are accounted for as financing obligations.

We establish assets and liabilities for the present value of estimated future costs to return certain of our leased facilities to their original condition for asset retirement obligations. Such assets are depreciated over the lease period into operating expense, and the recorded liabilities are accreted to the future value of the estimated restoration costs and are included in other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet.

Business Combination Valuations and Recoverability of Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill

We account for acquired businesses using the purchase method of accounting which requires that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. We assess goodwill, which is not amortized, for impairment annually on October 1, or more frequently, if events and circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment). Each of our operating segments with goodwill represents a reporting unit for the purpose of assessing impairment. Goodwill is allocated to our reporting units at the date the goodwill is initially recorded. Once goodwill has been allocated to the reporting units, it no longer retains its identification with a particular acquisition and becomes identified with the reporting unit in its entirety. Accordingly, the fair value of the reporting unit as a whole is available to support the recoverability of its goodwill.

In the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, we generally first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50%) that the implied fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. If we determine that it is not more likely than not that the implied fair value of the goodwill is less than its carrying amount, no further testing is necessary. If, however, we determine that it is more likely than not that the implied fair value of the goodwill is less than its carrying amount, we then perform a quantitative assessment and compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, the goodwill of that reporting unit is potentially impaired and we proceed to step two of the impairment analysis. In step two of the analysis, we will record an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill over its implied fair value should such a circumstance arise.

In determining the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations and for determining implied fair values of reporting units in a quantitative goodwill impairment test, we use one, or a blend, of the following recognized valuation methods: the income approach (including discounted cash flows), the market approach or the cost approach. Our significant estimates in those fair value measurements include identifying business factors such as size, growth, profitability, risk and return on investment and assessing comparable revenue and/or operating income multiples. Further, when measuring fair value based on discounted cash flows, we make assumptions about risk-adjusted discount rates, future price levels, rates of increase in revenue, cost of revenue, and operating expenses, weighted average cost of capital, rates of long-term growth, and income tax rates. Valuations are performed by management or third party valuation specialists under management's supervision, where appropriate. We believe that the fair values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations and impairment tests are based on reasonable assumptions that marketplace participants would use. However, such assumptions are inherently uncertain and actual results could differ from those estimates.

As part of our qualitative assessment for our 2015 goodwill impairment analysis, the factors that we considered included, but were not limited to: (a) changes in macroeconomic conditions in the overall economy and the specific markets in which we operate, (b) our ability to access capital, (c) changes in the online travel industry, (d) changes in the level of competition, (e) comparison of our current financial performance to historical and budgeted results, and (f) changes in excess market capitalization over book value based on our common stock price and other market specific information. After considering these factors and the impact that changes in such factors would have on the inputs used in our previous quantitative assessment, we determined that it was more likely than not that goodwill was not impaired for any of our reporting units.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Intangible assets that have indefinite lives are not amortized and are tested for impairment annually on October 1, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Similar to the qualitative assessment for goodwill, we may assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the implied fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If we determine that it is not more likely than not that the implied fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, no further testing is necessary. If, however, we determine that it is more likely than not that the implied fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, we compare the implied fair value of the indefinite-lived asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying value of an individual indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its implied fair value, the individual asset is written down by an amount equal to such excess. The assessment of qualitative factors is optional and at our discretion. We may bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period.

As part of our qualitative assessment for our 2015 impairment analysis, the factors that we considered for our indefinite-lived intangible assets included, but were not limited to: (a) changes in macroeconomic conditions in the overall economy and the specific markets in which we operate, (b) our ability to access capital, (c) changes in the online travel industry, (d) changes in the level of competition, (e) comparison of our current financial performance to historical and budgeted results, (f) changes in excess market capitalization over book value based on our common stock price, and (g) the amount of excess of the fair value of our trade names and trademarks to the carrying value of those same assets, using the results of our most recent quantitative assessment. After considering these factors and the impact that changes in such factors would have on the inputs used in our previous quantitative assessment, we determined that it was more likely than not that these assets were not impaired.

Recoverability of Intangible Assets with Definite Lives and Other Long-Lived Assets

Intangible assets with definite lives and other long-lived assets are carried at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of one to twelve years. The straight-line method of amortization is currently used for our definite-lived intangible assets as it approximates, or is our best estimate, of the distribution of the economic use of our identifiable intangible assets. We review the carrying value of long-lived assets or asset groups, including property and equipment, to be used in operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable.

Factors that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, a significant adverse change in legal factors or the business climate that could affect the value of the asset, or a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, among others. If such facts indicate a potential impairment, we assess the recoverability of the asset group by determining if the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets over the remaining economic life of the primary asset of the group. If the recoverability test indicates that the carrying value of the asset group is not recoverable, we will estimate the fair value of the asset group using appropriate valuation methodologies which would typically include an estimate of discounted cash flows. Any impairment would be measured by the amount that the carrying value of such asset groups exceed their fair value and would be included in operating income on the consolidated statement of operations. We have not identified any circumstances that would warrant an impairment charge for any recorded definite lived or other long term assets on our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015.

Income Taxes

We record income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect our estimation of the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for book and tax purposes. We determine deferred income taxes based on the differences in accounting methods and timing between financial statement and income tax reporting. Accordingly, we determine the deferred tax asset or liability for each temporary difference based on the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when we realize the underlying items of income and expense. We consider all relevant factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of our deferred tax assets, including our recent earnings experience by jurisdiction, expectations of future taxable income, and the carryforward periods available to us for tax reporting purposes, as well as assessing available tax planning strategies. We may establish a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount we believe is more likely than not to be realized. Due to inherent complexities arising from the nature of our businesses, future changes in income tax law, tax sharing agreements or variances between our actual and anticipated operating results, we make certain judgments and estimates. Therefore, actual income taxes could materially vary from these estimates.

We record liabilities to address uncertain tax positions we have taken in previously filed tax returns or that we expect to take in a future tax return. The determination for required liabilities is based upon an analysis of each individual tax position, taking into consideration whether it is more likely than not that our tax position, based on technical merits, will be sustained upon examination.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transaction Gains and Losses

Our consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars. Certain of our subsidiaries outside of the United States use the related local currency as their functional currency and not the U.S. dollar. Therefore assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated at the spot rate in effect at the applicable reporting date, and the consolidated statements of operations are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the applicable period. The resulting unrealized cumulative translation adjustment is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income(loss) in stockholders’ equity on our consolidated balance sheet.

We also have subsidiaries that have transactions in foreign currencies other than their functional currency. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in transaction gains and losses which are reflected in our consolidated statements of operations as unrealized (based on the applicable period-end exchange rate) or realized upon settlement of the transactions, in interest income and other, net.

Accordingly, we have recorded foreign exchange losses of $4 million, $10 million and $0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, in interest income and other, net on our consolidated statement of operations. These amounts also include gains and losses, realized and unrealized, on foreign currency forward contracts.

Advertising Expense

We incur advertising expense, which includes traffic generation costs from search engines and Internet portals, other online and offline (including television) advertising expense, promotions and public relations to promote our business. We expense the costs associated with communicating the advertisements in the period in which the advertisement takes place. We initially capitalize and then expense the production costs associated with television advertisements in the period in which the advertisement first takes place. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, our advertising expense was $507 million, $341 million, and $237 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had $2 million and $5 million of prepaid marketing expenses included in prepaid expenses and other current assets. We expect to fully expense our prepaid marketing asset of $2 million as of December 31, 2015 to the consolidated statement of operations during 2016.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock Options. The exercise price for all stock options granted by us to date has been equal to the market price of the underlying shares of common stock at the date of grant. In this regard, when making stock option awards, our practice is to determine the applicable grant date and to specify that the exercise price shall be the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant.

The estimated grant-date fair value of stock options is calculated using a Black-Scholes Merton option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”). The Black-Scholes model incorporates assumptions to value stock-based awards, which includes the risk-free rate of return, expected volatility, expected term and expected dividend yield.

Our risk-free interest rate is based on the rates currently available on zero-coupon U.S. Treasury issues, in effect at the time of the grant, whose remaining maturity period most closely approximates the stock option’s expected term assumption. Our expected volatility is calculated by equally weighting the historical volatility and implied volatility on our own stock. Historical volatility is determined using actual daily price observations of our stock price over a period equivalent to or approximate to the expected term of our stock option grants to date. Implied volatility represents the volatility of our actively traded options on our stock, with remaining maturities in excess of twelve months and market prices approximate to the exercise prices of the stock option grant. We estimate our expected term using historical exercise behavior and expected post-vest termination data. Our expected dividend yield is zero, as we have not paid any dividends on our common stock to date and do not expect to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future.

Our stock options generally have a term of ten years from the date of grant and generally vest equitably over a four-year requisite service period. We amortize the grant-date fair value of our stock option grants, net of estimated forfeitures, as stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term on a straight-line basis, with the amount of compensation expense recognized at any date at least equaling the portion of the grant-date fair value of the award that is vested at that date.

Restricted Stock Units. RSUs are stock awards that are granted to employees entitling the holder to shares of our common stock as the award vests. RSUs are measured at fair value based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock at the date of grant. We amortize the fair value of RSUs, net of estimated forfeitures, as stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term of generally four years on a straight-line basis, with the amount of compensation expense recognized at any date at least equaling the portion of the grant-date fair value of the award that is vested at that date.

Performance-based stock options and RSUs vest upon achievement of certain company-based performance conditions and a requisite service period. On the date of grant, the fair value of a performance-based award is calculated using the same method as our service based stock options and RSUs described above. We then assess whether it is probable that the individual performance targets would be achieved. If assessed as probable, compensation expense will be recorded for these awards over the estimated performance period. At each reporting period, we will reassess the probability of achieving the performance targets and the performance period required to meet those targets. The estimation of whether the performance targets will be achieved and of the performance period required to achieve the targets requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, the cumulative effect on current and prior periods of those changes will be recorded in the period estimates are revised, or the change in estimate will be applied prospectively depending on whether the change affects the estimate of total compensation cost to be recognized or merely affects the period over which compensation cost is to be recognized. The ultimate number of shares issued and the related compensation expense recognized will be based on a comparison of the final performance metrics to the specified targets.

Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by employees who receive these awards, and subsequent events are not indicative of the reasonableness of our original estimates of fair value. We use historical data to estimate pre-vesting stock option and RSU forfeitures and record share-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest. Changes in estimated forfeitures are recognized through a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period of change which also impacts the amount of stock compensation expense to be recognized in future periods.

Treasury Stock

Shares of our common stock repurchased are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in the reduction of stockholders' equity in our consolidated balance sheet. We may reissue these treasury shares. When treasury shares are reissued, we use the average cost method for determining the cost of reissued shares. If the issuance price is higher than the cost, the excess of the issuance price over the cost is credited to additional paid-in-capital. If the issuance price is lower than the cost, the difference is first charged against any credit balance in additional paid-in-capital from the previous issuances of treasury stock and the remaining balance is charged to retained earnings.

Deferred Merchant Payables

We receive cash from travelers at the time of booking related to our vacation rental, attractions and transaction-based businesses and we record these amounts, net of commissions, on our consolidated balance sheets as deferred merchant payables. We pay the hotel, attraction provider or vacation rental owner after the travelers’ use and subsequent billing from the hotel, attraction provider or vacation rental owner. Therefore, we receive cash from the traveler prior to paying the hotel, attraction provider or vacation rental owner, and this operating cycle represents a working capital source or use of cash to us. As long as these businesses grow, we expect that changes in working capital related to these transactions, depending on timing of payments and seasonality, will continue to impact operating cash flows. Our deferred merchant payables balance was $105 million and $93 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Credit Risk and Concentrations

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, corporate debt securities, foreign exchange contracts, accounts receivable and customer concentrations. We maintain some cash and cash equivalents balances with financial institutions that are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. Our cash and cash equivalents are primarily composed of prime institutional money market funds as well as bank account balances primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, Euros, British pound sterling, Chinese renminbi, Australian dollars and Singapore dollars. We invest in highly-rated corporate debt securities, and our investment policy limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer, industry group and currency. Our credit risk related to corporate debt securities is also mitigated by the relatively short maturity period required by our investment policy. Foreign exchange contracts are transacted with various international financial institutions with high credit standing.

Our business is also subject to certain risks due to concentrations related to dependence on our relationships with our customers. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 our two most significant advertising partners, Expedia and Priceline, each accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenue and combined accounted for 46%, 46% and 47% of our consolidated revenue, respectively. This concentration of revenue is recorded in our Hotel segment for these reporting periods. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, Expedia accounted for 11% and 15%, respectively, of our total accounts receivable. Our overall credit risk related to accounts receivable is also mitigated by the relatively short collection period.

Contingent Liabilities

Periodically, we review the status of all significant outstanding matters to assess any potential financial exposure. When (i) it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and (ii) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record the estimated loss in our consolidated statements of operations. We provide disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for loss contingencies that do not meet both these conditions if there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred that would be material to the financial statements. Significant judgment may be required to determine the probability that a liability has been incurred and whether such liability is reasonably estimable. We base accruals made on the best information available at the time which can be highly subjective. The final outcome of these matters could vary significantly from the amounts included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) currently consists of net income, cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments, and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax.

Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)

Basic Earnings Per Share

We compute basic earnings per share (“Basic EPS”) by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. We compute the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period using the total of common stock and Class B common stock outstanding as of the last day of the previous year end reporting period plus the weighted average of any additional shares issued and outstanding less the weighted average of any treasury shares repurchased during the reporting period.

Diluted Earnings Per Share

We compute diluted earnings per share (“Diluted EPS”) by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. We computed the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period using the sum of (i) the number of shares of common stock and Class B common stock used in the basic earnings per share calculation as indicated above, and (ii) if dilutive, the incremental weighted average common stock that we would issue upon the assumed exercise of outstanding common equivalent shares related to stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units using the treasury stock method, and (iii) if dilutive, performance based awards based on the number of shares that would be issuable as of the end of the reporting period assuming the end of the reporting period was also the end of the contingency period.

Under the treasury stock method, the assumed proceeds calculation includes the actual proceeds to be received from the employee upon exercise, the average unrecognized compensation cost during the period and any tax benefits credited upon exercise to additional paid-in-capital. The treasury stock method assumes that a company uses the proceeds from the exercise of an award to repurchase common stock at the average market price for the period. Windfall tax benefits created upon the exercise of an award would be added to assumed proceeds, while shortfalls charged to additional paid-in-capital would be deducted from assumed proceeds. Any shortfalls not covered by the windfall tax pool would be charged to the income statement and would be excluded from the calculation of assumed proceeds, if any.

Below is a reconciliation of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding in calculating Diluted EPS (shares in thousands and dollars in millions, except per share amounts) for the periods presented:

	Year ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
Numerator:
Net income	$	198	$	226	$	205
Denominator:
Weighted average shares used to compute Basic EPS		143,836		142,721		142,854
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		1,839		2,734		2,131
RSUs		292		345		278
Weighted average shares used to compute Diluted EPS		145,967		145,800		145,263
Basic EPS	$	1.38	$	1.58	$	1.44
Diluted EPS	$	1.36	$	1.55	$	1.41

The following potential common shares related to stock options and RSUs were excluded from the calculation of Diluted EPS because their effect would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented:

	Year ended December 31,
	2015(1)		2014(2)		2013(3)
Stock options		2,142		1,450		2,244
RSUs		562		191		27
Total		2,704		1,641		2,271

(1)

These totals do not include 66,666 performance based options and 12,799 performance based RSUs representing the right to acquire 79,465 shares of common stock for which all targets required to trigger vesting had not been achieved; therefore, such awards were excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares used to compute Diluted EPS for those reporting periods.

(2)

These totals do not include 66,666 performance based options and 44,000 performance based RSUs representing the right to acquire 110,666 shares of common stock for which all targets required to trigger vesting had not been achieved; therefore, such awards were excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares used to compute Diluted EPS for those reporting periods.

(3)

These totals do not include 155,000 performance based options and 44,000 performance based RSUs representing the right to acquire 199,000 shares of common stock, respectively, for which all targets required to trigger vesting had not been achieved; therefore, such awards were excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares used to compute Diluted EPS for those reporting periods.

The earnings per share amounts are the same for common stock and Class B common stock because the holders of each class are legally entitled to equal per share distributions whether through dividends or in liquidation.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, acquirers must recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts that would have been recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The planned adoption of this guidance in 2016 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The new guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach, which requires the initial cumulative effect to be recognized at the date of initial application. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We have not yet selected a transition method and we are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which requires an entity to present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as noncurrent on the consolidated balance sheet. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company has early adopted this guidance and has applied the requirements retrospectively to all periods presented. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the reclassification of $10 million from current deferred income tax assets to noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014.

In April 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of being presented as an asset. Debt disclosures will include the face amount of the debt liability and the effective interest rate. In August 2015, additional accounting guidance was issued on this topic that clarifies the April 2015 guidance for debt issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements, which states the FASB would not object to the continued deferral and presentation of debt issuance costs as an asset, which would be subsequently amortized over the term of the arrangement. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and the interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early application permitted. The Company has early adopted this guidance. The retrospective application of this guidance decreased “Other long-term assets” and “Long-term debt” by $1 million on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014. Refer to “Note 8— Debt” below for the current year presentation.