COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2026
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Competition and Consumer Protection Reviews The Company is and has been the subject of investigations or inquiries by national competition authorities and other authorities regarding competition law matters, consumer protection issues, and other areas, such as with respect to the scope of its contractual parity provisions with partners, pricing tools or programs offered to partners, or the ranking criteria used in displaying results to consumers, and from time to time has made commitments regarding future business practices or activities. For example, the Company has previously made voluntary commitments related to showing prices inclusive of all mandatory taxes and charges, providing information about the effect of money earned on search result rankings, and adjusting how discounts and statements concerning popularity or availability are shown. Some investigations have resulted in fines and the Company could incur additional fines and/or be restricted in certain of its business practices in the future. To the extent that investigations or inquiries result in commitments, fines, damages, or other remedies or changes to its business, the Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations could be harmed. In July 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") staff informed Priceline that they intend to recommend that the FTC files a complaint against Priceline and a business-to-business affiliate partner of Priceline asserting unfair or deceptive business practices related to disclosures, fees, customer support, and billing practices. Priceline does not agree with the FTC's position and remains in discussions to resolve the matter. As a result of this investigation and possible litigation, Priceline could agree to commitments to change its business practices and the Company may be subject to damages or penalties, any of which could harm the Company's business, results of operations, and reputation. In 2024, the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia in Spain (the "CNMC") imposed a fine and restricted certain of Booking.com's business practices such as those relating to contractual parity provisions and the ranking criteria that Booking.com can use to determine how to rank hotels in its display to consumers. Booking.com does not agree with the rationale stated in the decision and the restrictions imposed, and has filed an appeal. In February 2025, the Spanish National Court ruled that the CNMC decision, including payment of the fine, is suspended pending the outcome of the appeal. The CNMC and certain third parties have sought to clarify the scope of the court's ruling, including its suspensory effect. Although the Company disagrees with the rationale stated in the CNMC decision, it recorded a liability for this matter with $472 million and $485 million included in "Other long-term liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. In 2017, the Swiss Price Surveillance Office (the "Swiss PSO") opened an investigation into the level of commissions of Booking.com in Switzerland. In 2025, Booking.com received a negative decision ordering a reduction of its average commission level for hotels located in Switzerland, which Booking.com disagrees with and has appealed. The Swiss PSO order is suspended pending the outcome of the appeal, and the ordered reduction in commissions would only be effective for a three-year period after a negative final judgment. The French Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control ("DGCCRF") issued a final order to Agoda to change certain of its business practices by October 2026 and additional discussions with the DGCCRF regarding its implementation are ongoing. In June 2025, the Hellenic Competition Commission (in Greece) opened a formal investigation into whether certain practices by Booking.com may produce adverse effects for hotels and other online travel agencies and discussions with that Commission are ongoing. In August 2025, the Hungarian Competition Authority opened an investigation into whether certain practices by Booking.com may mislead consumers and discussions with that Authority are ongoing. If any of the investigations were to find that the Company's practices violated the respective laws, or as part of a negotiated resolution, the Company may face significant fines, restrictions on its business practices, follow-on investigations or litigation, and/or be required to make other commitments. The Company is unable to predict how any current or future investigations or litigation may be resolved or the long-term impact of any such resolution on its business. For example, competition and consumer-law-related investigations, legislation, judgments, or issues have in the past resulted in and could in the future result in private litigation. The Company is currently involved in such litigation and/or aware of such potential litigation. For example, German hotels filed parity-related claims against Booking.com and that litigation is ongoing. Additionally, the Company is aware that hotel associations, consumer associations, and law firms in various jurisdictions, including in Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, may potentially bring class actions on behalf of European hotels and consumers against Booking.com relating to the historical use of contractual parity provisions. In the Netherlands, two Dutch foundations filed such claims on behalf of European hotels and consumers, respectively, with the consumer claim further alleging that Booking.com and Agoda employed misleading practices. The Company has defended against and intends to continue to defend itself against such claims. However, class action and mass claim litigation, whether related to competition, consumer, privacy, or other claims, can be time-consuming, costly, and unpredictable, regardless of merit. There may be evolving jurisprudence and less experience with such matters in certain of the markets where the Company is or may be involved in such litigation, making outcomes less certain and harder to forecast. If the Company were to be found liable, it could result in, among other things, payment of damages, commitments to change certain business practices, or reputational damage, any of which could harm the Company's business, results of operations, brands, or competitive position. Tax Matters The Company is involved in various tax-related audits, investigations, and litigation relating to income taxes, value-added taxes, travel transaction taxes (e.g., hotel occupancy taxes), withholding taxes, and other taxes. During 2026, an audit commenced of the Company's refund claim relating to its 2018 federal one-time deemed repatriation liability, resulting from the 2024 U.S. Tax Court decision in Varian Medical Systems, Inc. vs. Commissioner. Any taxes or assessments in excess of the Company's tax provisions, including the resolution of any tax proceedings or litigation, could have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition. In some cases, assessments may be significantly in excess of the Company's tax provisions, particularly in instances where the Company does not agree with the tax authority's assessment of how the tax laws may apply to the Company's business. Other Matters Beginning in 2014, Booking.com B.V. received several letters from the Netherlands Pension Fund for the Travel Industry (Reiswerk) ("BPF") claiming that it was required to participate in the mandatory pension scheme of the BPF with retroactive effect to 1999, which has a higher contribution rate than the pension scheme it historically participated in. BPF instituted legal proceedings against Booking.com B.V. (which were continued by BPF's legal successor, Pension Fund PGB ("PGB")) and, in January 2024, a Dutch Court of Appeal ruled that Booking.com B.V. is required to participate in the mandatory pension scheme of the PGB with retroactive effect to 1999. Booking.com B.V. appealed the decision but, after a final ruling by the Dutch Supreme Court in March 2025, changed its pension scheme going forward and with retroactive effect to 1999, in line with the outcome of the litigation and arrangement with PGB. In the first quarter of 2025, the Company reduced the pension liability to reflect the arrangement with PGB which became effective during the period. The impact of the reduction in the pension liability of $167 million is recorded in "Personnel" expenses in the Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2025. There may be additional claims with respect to the eligibility of certain employees in scope of the scheme, which may result in certain additional costs. From time to time, the Company notifies the competent authority, such as the Dutch data protection authority in accordance with its obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation, of certain data security incidents. For example, in April 2026 Booking.com notified certain data protection authorities when it detected that unauthorized third parties were able to access certain guests' booking information. Booking.com remediated the issue and is cooperating with relevant authorities. The Company is likely to face follow-on investigations or litigation, and may receive a fine or be required to make commitments to data protection authorities, consumers, or partners following notification of a data security incident. The Company has been, is currently, and expects to continue to be, subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, including claims of alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property rights. Such claims could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, divert management's attention, and adversely affect the Company's business, reputation, results of operations, and cash flows. In the first quarter of 2026, the Company entered into favorable settlement agreements to resolve litigation matters in which it was a plaintiff, for which it received a benefit of $89 million. The benefit is recorded in "General and administrative" expenses in the Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2026. The Company accrues for certain other legal contingencies where it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Such accrued amounts are not material to the Company's balance sheets and provisions recorded have not been material to the Company's results of operations or cash flows. Other Contractual Obligations and Contingencies The Company had $1.3 billion and $874 million of standby letters of credit and bank guarantees issued on its behalf as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively, including those issued under the revolving credit facility (see Note 9). These were obtained primarily for regulatory purposes and in connection with certain of the litigation matters disclosed above. Booking.com facilitates the provision of partner liability insurance underwritten by third-party insurance providers, to protect certain alternative accommodation partners against liability claims and lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that occur during a stay. While this partner liability insurance program, if applicable to the claim, provides coverage up to $1 million per occurrence (subject to limitations and exclusions), the Company retains certain potential financial risks and could be required to pay amounts in excess of policy limit.

The Company is and has been the subject of investigations or inquiries by national competition authorities and other authorities regarding competition law matters, consumer protection issues, and other areas, such as with respect to the scope of its contractual parity provisions with partners, pricing tools or programs offered to partners, or the ranking criteria used in displaying results to consumers, and from time to time has made commitments regarding future business practices or activities. For example, the Company has previously made voluntary commitments related to showing prices inclusive of all mandatory taxes and charges, providing information about the effect of money earned on search result rankings, and adjusting how discounts and statements concerning popularity or availability are shown. Some investigations have resulted in fines and the Company could incur additional fines and/or be restricted in certain of its business practices in the future. To the extent that investigations or inquiries result in commitments, fines, damages, or other remedies or changes to its business, the Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations could be harmed.

In July 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") staff informed Priceline that they intend to recommend that the FTC files a complaint against Priceline and a business-to-business affiliate partner of Priceline asserting unfair or deceptive business practices related to disclosures, fees, customer support, and billing practices. Priceline does not agree with the FTC's position and remains in discussions to resolve the matter. As a result of this investigation and possible litigation, Priceline could agree to commitments to change its business practices and the Company may be subject to damages or penalties, any of which could harm the Company's business, results of operations, and reputation.

In 2024, the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia in Spain (the "CNMC") imposed a fine and restricted certain of Booking.com's business practices such as those relating to contractual parity provisions and the ranking criteria that Booking.com can use to determine how to rank hotels in its display to consumers. Booking.com does not agree with the rationale stated in the decision and the restrictions imposed, and has filed an appeal. In February 2025, the Spanish National Court ruled that the CNMC decision, including payment of the fine, is suspended pending the outcome of the appeal. The CNMC and certain third parties have sought to clarify the scope of the court's ruling, including its suspensory effect. Although the Company disagrees with the rationale stated in the CNMC decision, it recorded a liability for this matter with $472 million and $485 million included in "Other long-term liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.

In 2017, the Swiss Price Surveillance Office (the "Swiss PSO") opened an investigation into the level of commissions of Booking.com in Switzerland. In 2025, Booking.com received a negative decision ordering a reduction of its average commission level for hotels located in Switzerland, which Booking.com disagrees with and has appealed. The Swiss PSO order is suspended pending the outcome of the appeal, and the ordered reduction in commissions would only be effective for a three-year period after a negative final judgment. The French Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control ("DGCCRF") issued a final order to Agoda to change certain of its business practices by October 2026 and additional discussions with the DGCCRF regarding its implementation are ongoing. In June 2025, the Hellenic Competition Commission (in Greece) opened a formal investigation into whether certain practices by Booking.com may produce adverse effects for hotels and other online travel agencies and discussions with that Commission are ongoing. In August 2025, the Hungarian Competition Authority opened an investigation into whether certain practices by Booking.com may mislead consumers and discussions with that Authority are ongoing. If any of the investigations were to find that the Company's practices violated the respective laws, or as part of a negotiated resolution, the Company may face significant fines, restrictions on its business practices, follow-on investigations or litigation, and/or be required to make other commitments.

The Company is unable to predict how any current or future investigations or litigation may be resolved or the long-term impact of any such resolution on its business. For example, competition and consumer-law-related investigations, legislation, judgments, or issues have in the past resulted in and could in the future result in private litigation. The Company is currently involved in such litigation and/or aware of such potential litigation. For example, German hotels filed parity-related claims against Booking.com and that litigation is ongoing. Additionally, the Company is aware that hotel associations, consumer associations, and law firms in various jurisdictions, including in Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, may potentially bring class actions on behalf of European hotels and consumers against Booking.com relating to the historical use of contractual parity provisions. In the Netherlands, two Dutch foundations filed such claims on behalf of European hotels and consumers, respectively, with the consumer claim further alleging that Booking.com and Agoda employed misleading practices. The Company has defended against and intends to continue to defend itself against such claims. However, class action and mass claim litigation, whether related to competition, consumer, privacy, or other claims, can be time-consuming, costly, and unpredictable, regardless of merit. There may be evolving jurisprudence and less experience with such matters in certain of the markets where the Company is or may be involved in such litigation, making outcomes less certain and harder to forecast. If the Company were to be found liable, it could result in, among other things, payment of damages, commitments to change certain business practices, or reputational damage, any of which could harm the Company's business, results of operations, brands, or competitive position.

The Company is involved in various tax-related audits, investigations, and litigation relating to income taxes, value-added taxes, travel transaction taxes (e.g., hotel occupancy taxes), withholding taxes, and other taxes. During 2026, an audit commenced of the Company's refund claim relating to its 2018 federal one-time deemed repatriation liability, resulting from the 2024 U.S. Tax Court decision in Varian Medical Systems, Inc. vs. Commissioner.

Any taxes or assessments in excess of the Company's tax provisions, including the resolution of any tax proceedings or litigation, could have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition. In some cases, assessments may be significantly in excess of the Company's tax provisions, particularly in instances where the Company does not agree with the tax authority's assessment of how the tax laws may apply to the Company's business.

Beginning in 2014, Booking.com B.V. received several letters from the Netherlands Pension Fund for the Travel Industry (Reiswerk) ("BPF") claiming that it was required to participate in the mandatory pension scheme of the BPF with retroactive effect to 1999, which has a higher contribution rate than the pension scheme it historically participated in. BPF instituted legal proceedings against Booking.com B.V. (which were continued by BPF's legal successor, Pension Fund PGB ("PGB")) and, in January 2024, a Dutch Court of Appeal ruled that Booking.com B.V. is required to participate in the mandatory pension scheme of the PGB with retroactive effect to 1999. Booking.com B.V. appealed the decision but, after a final ruling by the Dutch Supreme Court in March 2025, changed its pension scheme going forward and with retroactive effect to 1999, in line with the outcome of the litigation and arrangement with PGB. In the first quarter of 2025, the Company reduced the pension liability to reflect the arrangement with PGB which became effective during the period. The impact of the reduction in the pension liability of $167 million is recorded in "Personnel" expenses in the Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2025. There may be additional claims with respect to the eligibility of certain employees in scope of the scheme, which may result in certain additional costs.

From time to time, the Company notifies the competent authority, such as the Dutch data protection authority in accordance with its obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation, of certain data security incidents. For example, in April 2026 Booking.com notified certain data protection authorities when it detected that unauthorized third parties were able to access certain guests' booking information. Booking.com remediated the issue and is cooperating with relevant authorities. The Company is likely to face follow-on investigations or litigation, and may receive a fine or be required to make commitments to data protection authorities, consumers, or partners following notification of a data security incident.

The Company has been, is currently, and expects to continue to be, subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, including claims of alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property rights. Such claims could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, divert management's attention, and adversely affect the Company's business, reputation, results of operations, and cash flows.

Booking.com facilitates the provision of partner liability insurance underwritten by third-party insurance providers, to protect certain alternative accommodation partners against liability claims and lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that occur during a stay. While this partner liability insurance program, if applicable to the claim, provides coverage up to $1 million per occurrence (subject to limitations and exclusions), the Company retains certain potential financial risks and could be required to pay amounts in excess of policy limit.