Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

18.    Related Party Transactions

Transactions with Entities Related to Owners

Prior to comprehensive refinancing in April 2013, Blackstone was the ultimate controlling shareholder in the Company. Subsequent to the comprehensive refinancing, Blackstone continues to be a principal shareholder of the Company. Blackstone has ownership interests in a broad range of companies and has affiliations with other companies. The Company has entered into commercial transactions on an arms-length basis in the ordinary course of business with these companies, including the sale and purchase of goods and services. For example, prior to comprehensive refinancing in 2013 and during the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded revenue of approximately $9 million and $23 million, respectively, from Hilton Hotels Corporation and $3 million and $9 million, respectively, from Wyndham Hotel Group, (both Hilton Hotels Corporation and Wyndham Hotel Group being Blackstone portfolio companies) in connection with GDS booking fees received. Other than as described herein, none of these transactions or arrangements is of great enough value to be considered material.

During 2013 and 2012, the Company paid approximately $7 million and $2 million, respectively, to an affiliate of Blackstone for advisory and consulting services incurred in relation to refinancing transactions.

In December 2007, the Company received a notice from Blackstone and Technology Crossover Ventures (“TCV”) electing to receive, in lieu of annual monitoring fee payments, a lump sum advisory fee in consideration of the termination of the appointment of Blackstone and TCV to render services pursuant to the Transaction and Monitoring Fee Agreement (“TMFA”) as of the date of such notice. The Company recorded this fee as an expense in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations in 2007.

On May 8, 2008, the Company entered into a new TMFA with an affiliate of Blackstone and an affiliate of TCV, pursuant to which Blackstone and TCV render monitoring, advisory and consulting services to the Company. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, the Company made payments of approximately $5 million, $5 million and $6 million, respectively, under the new TMFA. Pursuant to the terms of the new agreement, the payments made in 2011 were credited against the advisory fee previously accrued in 2007. Future payments for monitoring, advisory and consulting services under this agreement will also be credited against this accrued advisory fee. In March 2013, in connection with the comprehensive refinancing, Blackstone and TCV agreed to a one-third reduction in the amount of fees that would be otherwise be payable under TMFA, and the Company has no obligation to pay the advisory fee, in each case, until the Company’s outstanding indebtedness under the Second Lien Credit Agreement is repaid, refinanced or extended. As of December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, the outstanding advisory fee payable was $37 million, $32 million and $26 million, respectively.

Transactions with Orbitz Worldwide

During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company had transactions and balances with Orbitz Worldwide. These are presented in Note 4.