Note 2: Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

These consolidated financial statements present the consolidated financial position and results of operations of Hilton as of and for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 giving effect to the spin-offs, with the combined historical financial results of Park and HGV reflected as discontinued operations. Unless otherwise indicated, the information in the notes to the consolidated financial statements refer only to Hilton’s continuing operations and do not include discussion of balances or activity of Park and HGV. Refer to Hilton’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 15, 2017 for the presentation of Hilton for the same periods without giving effect to the spin-offs.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hilton, our wholly owned subsidiaries and entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, including variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where we are the primary beneficiary. Entities in which we have a controlling financial interest generally comprise majority owned real estate ownership and management enterprises.

The determination of a controlling financial interest is based upon the terms of the governing agreements of the respective entities, including the evaluation of rights held by other ownership interests. If the entity is considered to be a VIE, we determine whether we are the primary beneficiary, and then consolidate those VIEs for which we have determined we are the primary beneficiary. If the entity in which we hold an interest does not meet the definition of a VIE, we evaluate whether we have a controlling financial interest through our voting interests in the entity. We consolidate entities when we own more than 50 percent of the voting shares of a company or otherwise have a controlling financial interest.

All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. References in these financial statements to net income (loss) attributable to Hilton stockholders and Hilton stockholders’ equity (deficit) do not include noncontrolling interests, which represent the outside ownership interests of our consolidated, non-wholly owned entities and are reported separately.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the presentation following the spin-offs, which includes the reclassification of the combined financial position and results of operations of Park and HGV as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Additionally, certain line items in the consolidated statements of operations have been revised to reflect the operating structure of Hilton subsequent to the spin-offs. The primary change to the consolidated statements of operations is the disaggregation of management and franchise fee revenues.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States of America (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and, accordingly, ultimate results could differ from those estimates.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are primarily derived from the following sources and are generally recognized as services are rendered and when collectibility is reasonably assured. Amounts received in advance of revenue recognition are deferred as liabilities.

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Franchise fees represent fees earned in connection with the licensing of one of our brands, usually under long-term contracts with a hotel owner. We charge a monthly franchise royalty fee, generally based on a percentage of hotel room revenue, as well as application and initiation fees for new hotels entering the system. Royalty fees for our full service brands may also include a percentage of gross food and beverage revenues and other revenues, where applicable. We also earn fees when certain franchise agreements are terminated early or there is a change in ownership. We recognize franchise fee revenue as the fees are earned, which is when all material services or conditions have been performed or satisfied.

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Base and other management fees and incentive management fees represent fees earned from hotels that we manage, usually under long-term contracts with the property owner. Management fees usually include a base fee, which is generally a percentage of hotel revenues, and an incentive fee, which is typically based on a fixed or variable percentage of hotel profits and in some cases may be subject to a stated return threshold to the owner, normally over a one-calendar year period. Additionally, we receive one-time upfront fees upon execution of certain management contracts. We recognize base fees as revenue when earned in accordance with the terms of the management agreement. For incentive fees, we recognize those amounts that would be due if the contract was terminated at the financial statement date. One-time, upfront fees are recognized when all conditions have been substantially performed or satisfied by us.

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Owned and leased hotel revenues primarily consist of room rentals, food and beverage sales and other ancillary goods and services from owned, leased and consolidated non-wholly owned hotel properties. Revenues are recorded when rooms are occupied or goods and services have been delivered or rendered.

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Other revenues include revenues generated by the incidental support of hotel operations for owned, leased, managed and franchised hotels, including purchasing operations, and other operating income. Purchasing revenues include any amounts received for vendor rebate arrangements that we participate in as a manager of hotel properties.

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Other revenues from managed and franchised properties represent payroll and related costs, certain other operating costs of the managed and franchised properties’ operations, marketing expenses and other expenses associated with our brands and shared services that are contractually reimbursed to us by the property owners or paid from fees collected in advance from these properties when the costs are incurred. The corresponding expenses are presented as other expenses from managed and franchised properties in our consolidated statements of operations, resulting in no effect on operating income (loss) or net income (loss).

We are required to collect certain taxes and fees from customers on behalf of government agencies and remit these back to the applicable governmental agencies on a periodic basis. We have a legal obligation to act as a collection agent. We do not retain these taxes and fees and, therefore, they are not included in revenues. We record a liability when the amounts are collected and relieve the liability when payments are made to the applicable taxing authority or other appropriate governmental agency.

Discontinued Operations

In determining whether a group of assets that is disposed (or to be disposed) should be presented as a discontinued operation, we analyze whether the group of assets being disposed represents a component of the Company; that is, whether it had historic operations and cash flows that were clearly distinguished, both operationally and for financial reporting purposes. In addition, we consider whether the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on our operations and financial results. The results of discontinued operations, as well as any gain or loss on the disposal, if applicable, are aggregated and separately presented in our consolidated statements of operations, net of income taxes. The historical financial position of discontinued operations are aggregated and separately presented in our consolidated balance sheets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with original maturities, when purchased, of three months or less.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Restricted cash and cash equivalents include cash balances established as security for certain guarantees, ground rent and property tax escrows, insurance and deposits for assets we plan to acquire.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

An allowance for doubtful accounts is provided on accounts receivable when losses are probable based on historical collection activity and current business conditions.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. We do not amortize goodwill, but rather evaluate goodwill for potential impairment on an annual basis or at other times during the year if events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below the carrying amount.

In connection with the October 24, 2007 transaction whereby we became a wholly owned subsidiary of an affiliate of Blackstone (the “Merger”), we recorded goodwill representing the excess purchase price over the fair value of the other identified assets and liabilities. We evaluate goodwill for potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of our reporting units to their fair value. Our reporting units are the same as our operating segments as described in Note 20: “Business Segments.” We perform this evaluation annually or at an interim date if indicators of impairment exist. In any year we may elect to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is in excess of its carrying value. If we cannot determine qualitatively that the fair value is in excess of the carrying value, or we decide to bypass the qualitative assessment, we proceed to the quantitative process. This process is used to identify both the existence of impairment and the amount of the impairment loss by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. The estimated fair value is based on internal projections of expected future cash flows and operating plans, as well as market conditions relative to the operations of our reporting units. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired; otherwise, an impairment loss is recognized within our consolidated statement of operations in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

Brands

We own, lease, operate and franchise hotels under our portfolio of brands. There are no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that limit the useful lives of these brands and, accordingly, the useful lives of these brands are considered to be indefinite. As of December 31, 2016, our brand portfolio included Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and our timeshare brand, Hilton Grand Vacations.

At the time of the Merger, our brands were assigned a fair value based on a common valuation technique known as the relief from royalty approach. Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, Tru by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton were launched post-Merger and, as such, they were not assigned fair values. We evaluate our brands for impairment on an annual basis or at other times during the year if events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the brand is below the carrying value. If we cannot determine qualitatively that the fair value is in excess of the carrying value, or we decide to bypass the qualitative assessment, we proceed to the quantitative process. If a brand’s estimated current fair value is less than its respective carrying value, the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value is recognized in our consolidated statements of operations within impairment loss.

Intangible Assets with Finite Useful Lives

We have certain finite lived intangible assets that were initially recorded at their fair value at the time of the Merger. These intangible assets consist of management agreements, franchise contracts, leases, certain proprietary technologies and our guest loyalty program, Hilton Honors. Additionally, we capitalize direct and incremental management and franchise contract acquisition costs as finite lived intangible assets. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their respective estimated useful lives.

We capitalize costs incurred to develop internal-use computer software and costs to acquire software licenses. Internal and external costs incurred in connection with development of upgrades or enhancements that result in additional functionality are also capitalized. These capitalized costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software. These capitalized costs are recorded in other intangible assets in our consolidated balance sheets.

We review all finite lived intangible assets for impairment when circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of an asset group is not recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss for the excess carrying value over the fair value in our consolidated statements of operations.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Costs of improvements that extend the economic life or improve service potential are also capitalized. Capitalized costs are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Costs for normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives, which are generally as follows: buildings and improvements (8 to 40 years), furniture and equipment (3 to 8 years) and computer equipment (3 to 5 years). Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life, based on the estimates above, or the lease term.

We evaluate the carrying value of our property and equipment if there are indicators of potential impairment. We perform an analysis to determine the recoverability of the asset’s carrying value by comparing the expected undiscounted future cash flows to the net book value of the asset. If it is determined that the expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the net book value of the asset, the excess of the net book value over the estimated fair value is recorded in our consolidated statements of operations within impairment loss. Fair value is generally estimated using valuation techniques that consider the discounted cash flows of the asset using discount and capitalization rates deemed reasonable for the type of asset, as well as prevailing market conditions, appraisals, recent similar transactions in the market and, if appropriate and available, current estimated net sales proceeds from pending offers.

If sufficient information exists to reasonably estimate the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation, including environmental remediation liabilities, we recognize the fair value of the obligation when the obligation is incurred, which is generally upon acquisition, construction or development and/or through the normal operation of the asset.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is a guest loyalty and marketing program provided to hotels and resort properties. Nearly all of our owned, leased, managed and franchised hotels and resort properties participate in the Hilton Honors program. Hilton Honors members earn points based on their spending at our participating properties and through participation in affiliated partner programs. When points are earned by Hilton Honors members, the property or affiliated partner pays Hilton Honors based on an estimated cost per point for the costs of operating the program, which include marketing, promotion, communication, administration and the estimated cost of award redemptions. Hilton Honors member points are accumulated and may be redeemed for the right to stay at participating properties, as well as for other goods and services from third parties, including, but not limited to, airlines, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages, shopping and dining.

Hilton Honors records a liability related to revenue received from participating hotels and program partners in an amount equal to the estimated cost per point of the future redemption obligation. We engage outside actuaries to assist in determining the fair value of the future award redemption obligation using statistical formulas that project future point redemptions based on factors that include historical experience, an estimate of “breakage” (points that will never be redeemed), an estimate of the points that will eventually be redeemed and the cost of reimbursing hotels and other third parties in respect to other redemption opportunities available to members. Revenue is recognized by participating hotels and resorts only when points that have been redeemed for hotel stay certificates are used by members or their designees at the respective properties. Additionally, when members of the Hilton Honors loyalty program redeem award certificates at our owned and leased hotels, we recognize room revenue, included in owned and leased hotels revenues in our consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value Measurements - Valuation Hierarchy

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date (an exit price). We use the three-level valuation hierarchy for classification of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our own assumptions about the data market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

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Level 1 - Valuation is based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

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Level 2 - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or other inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the instrument.

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Level 3 - Valuation is based upon other unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement.

The classification of assets and liabilities within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Proper classification of fair value measurements within the valuation hierarchy is considered each reporting period. The use of different market assumptions or estimation methods may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments as part of our overall strategy to manage our exposure to market risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We regularly monitor the financial stability and credit standing of the counterparties to our derivative instruments. Under the terms of certain loan agreements, we are required to maintain derivative financial instruments to manage interest rates. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

We record all derivatives at fair value. On the date the derivative contract is entered into, we may designate the derivative as one of the following: a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be paid (“cash flow hedge”), a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability (“fair value hedge”) or a hedge of our foreign currency exposure (“net investment hedge”). Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is qualified, designated and highly effective as a cash flow hedge or net investment hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) until they are reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is qualified, designated and highly effective as a fair value hedge, along with the gain or loss on the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in current period earnings. If we do not specifically designate a derivative as one of the above, changes in the fair value of undesignated derivative instruments are reported in current period earnings. Likewise, the ineffective portion of designated derivative instruments is reported in current period earnings. Cash flows from designated derivative financial instruments are classified within the same category as the item being hedged in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Cash flows from undesignated derivative financial instruments are included as an investing activity in our consolidated statements of cash flows.

If we determine that we qualify for and will designate a derivative as a hedging instrument, at the designation date we formally document all relationships between hedging activities, including the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes matching all derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges to specific forecasted transactions, linking all derivatives designated as fair value hedges to specific assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets and determining the foreign currency exposure of the net investment of the foreign operation for a net investment hedge.

On a quarterly basis, we assess the effectiveness of our designated hedges in offsetting the variability in the cash flows or fair values of the hedged assets or obligations using the Hypothetical Derivative Method. This method compares the cumulative change in fair value of each hedging instrument to the cumulative change in fair value of a hypothetical hedging instrument, which has terms that identically match the critical terms of the respective hedged transactions. Thus, the hypothetical hedging instrument is presumed to perfectly offset the hedged cash flows. Ineffectiveness results when the cumulative change in the fair value of the hedging instrument exceeds the cumulative change in the fair value of the hypothetical hedging instrument. We discontinue hedge accounting prospectively, when the derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, the underlying hedged transaction is no longer probable, or the hedging instrument expires, is sold, terminated or exercised.

Currency Translation

The United States dollar (“USD”) is our reporting currency and is the functional currency of our consolidated and unconsolidated entities operating in the U.S. The functional currency for our consolidated and unconsolidated entities operating outside of the U.S. is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the respective entity operates. Assets and liabilities measured in foreign currencies are translated into USD at the prevailing exchange rates in effect as of the financial statement date and the related gains and losses, net of applicable deferred income taxes, are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated balance sheets. Income and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Gains and losses from foreign exchange rate changes related to transactions denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency or intercompany receivables and payables denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency that are not of a long-term investment nature are recognized as gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions in our consolidated statements of operations. Where certain specific evidence indicates intercompany receivables and payables will not be settled in the foreseeable future and are of a long-term nature, gains and losses from foreign exchange rate changes are recognized as other comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

Insurance

We are self-insured for losses up to our third-party insurance deductibles for general liability, auto liability and workers’ compensation at our owned, leased and managed properties that participate in our programs. We purchase insurance coverage for claim amounts that exceed our deductible obligations. In addition, through our captive insurance subsidiary, we participate in a reinsurance arrangement that provides coverage for a certain portion of our deductibles. Our insurance reserves are accrued based on our deductibles related to the estimated ultimate cost of claims that occurred during the covered period, which includes claims incurred but not reported, for which we will be responsible. These estimates are prepared with the assistance of outside actuaries and consultants. The ultimate cost of claims for a covered period may differ from our original estimates.

Share-based Compensation

As part of our 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Stock Plan”), which was adopted on December 11, 2013, we award time-vesting restricted stock units (“RSUs”), nonqualified stock options (“options”), performance-vesting restricted stock units and restricted stock (collectively, “performance shares”) and deferred share units (“DSUs”) to eligible employees and directors.

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RSUs generally vest in annual installments over two or three years from the date of grant. Vested RSUs generally will be settled for our common stock, with the exception of certain awards that will be settled in cash. The grant date fair value is equal to the closing stock price on the date of grant.

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Options vest over three years in equal annual installments from the date of grant and will terminate 10 years from the date of grant or earlier if the individual’s service terminates. The exercise price is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair value is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton Model.

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Performance shares are settled at the end of a three-year performance period with 50 percent of the shares subject to achievement based on a measure of (i) the Company’s total shareholder return relative to the total shareholder return of members of a peer company group (“relative shareholder return”) and the other 50 percent of the shares subject to achievement based on (ii) the Company’s earnings before interest expense, income tax and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) compound annual growth rate (“EBITDA CAGR”). The total number of performance shares that vest based on each performance measure (relative shareholder return and EBITDA CAGR) is based on an achievement factor that in each case, ranges from a zero to 200 percent payout. The grant date fair value of the relative shareholder return awards is estimated using the Monte Carlo Simulation, and the grant date fair value for the EBITDA CAGR awards is equal to the closing stock price on the date of grant.

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DSUs are issued to our independent directors and are fully vested and non-forfeitable on the date of grant. DSUs are settled for shares of our common stock, which are deliverable upon the earlier of termination of the individual’s service on our board of directors or a change in control. The grant date fair value is equal to the closing stock price on the date of grant.

We recognize the cost of services received in these share-based payment transactions with employees as services are received and recognize either a corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other in our consolidated balance sheets, depending on whether the instruments granted satisfy the equity or liability classification criteria. The measurement objective for these equity awards is the estimated fair value at the grant date of the equity instruments that we are obligated to issue when employees have rendered the requisite service and satisfied any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments. The compensation expense for an award classified as an equity instrument is recognized ratably over the requisite service period. The requisite service period is the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for an award. Liability awards are measured based on the award’s fair value, and the fair value is remeasured at each reporting date until the date of settlement. Compensation expense for each period until settlement is based on the change (or a portion of the change, depending on the percentage of the requisite service that has been rendered at the reporting date) in the fair value of the instrument for each reporting period. Compensation expense for awards with performance conditions is recognized over the requisite service period if it is probable that the performance condition will be satisfied. If such performance conditions are not considered probable until they occur, no compensation expense for these awards is recognized.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and to recognize the deferred tax assets and liabilities that relate to tax consequences in future years, which result from differences between the respective tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts and tax attribute carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the respective temporary differences or operating loss or tax credit carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The realization of deferred tax assets and tax loss and tax credit carryforwards is contingent upon the generation of future taxable income and other restrictions that may exist under the tax laws of the jurisdiction in which a deferred tax asset exists. Valuation allowances are provided to reduce such deferred tax assets to amounts more likely than not to be ultimately realized.

We use a prescribed recognition threshold for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return. For all income tax positions, we first determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. If it is determined that a position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the benefit recognized in the financial statements is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted Accounting Standards

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-04 (“ASU 2017-04”), Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. We elected, as permitted by the standard, to early adopt ASU 2017-04 on a prospective basis as of January 1, 2017. The adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09 (“ASU 2016-09”), Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This ASU is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. We adopted ASU 2016-09 as of January 1, 2017. One of the provisions of this ASU requires entities to make an accounting policy election with respect to forfeitures of share-based payment awards, and we have elected to account for forfeitures as they occur and adopted this provision of ASU 2016-09 using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of January 1, 2017 of approximately $1 million. Additionally, we have applied the provisions of this ASU on a retrospective basis in our consolidated statements of cash flows, which includes presenting: (i) excess tax benefits as an operating activity, which were previously presented as a financing activity; and (ii) cash payments to tax authorities for employee taxes when shares are withheld to meet statutory withholding requirements as a financing activity, which were previously presented as an operating activity.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15 (“ASU 2016-15”), Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18 (“ASU 2016-18”), Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash. This ASU requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The provisions of both ASUs are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and are to be applied retrospectively; early adoption is permitted. We elected, as permitted by the standards, to early adopt ASU 2016-15 and ASU 2016-18 in the fourth quarter of 2016, and we restated all prior periods presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. The effect of the adoption of ASU 2016-18 on our consolidated statements of cash flows was to include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents balances in the beginning and end of period balances of cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents. The change in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents was previously disclosed in operating activities, investing activities and financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03 (“ASU 2015-03”), Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability rather than as an asset, which is consistent with the presentation of debt discounts and premiums. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 (“ASU 2015-15”), Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) - Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements, which clarifies that, absent authoritative guidance in ASU 2015-03 for debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, the staff of the SEC would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We adopted ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15 retrospectively as of January 1, 2016. As a result, approximately $61 million of debt issuance costs that were previously presented in other non-current assets as of December 31, 2015 are now included within long-term debt. We elected to continue presenting the debt issuance costs related to our line-of-credit arrangements within other non-current assets.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02 (“ASU 2015-02”), Consolidation (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This ASU modifies existing consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. We elected, as permitted by the standard, to adopt ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2016 using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of January 1, 2016 of approximately $5 million. Additionally, certain consolidated entities that were not previously considered VIEs prior to the adoption of ASU 2015-02 were considered to be VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary and continue to be consolidated following adoption; prior period VIE disclosures do not include the balances or activity associated with these VIEs.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes existing guidance on accounting for leases in Leases (Topic 840) and generally requires all leases, including operating leases, to be recognized in the statement of financial position as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities by lessees. The provisions of ASU 2016-02 are to be applied using a modified retrospective approach and are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018; early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements, but we expect this ASU to have a material effect on our consolidated balance sheet.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and requires entities to recognize revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Subsequent to ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued several related ASUs. The provisions of ASU 2014-09 and the related ASUs will be effective beginning January 1, 2018. This ASU permits two transition approaches: retrospective or modified retrospective. We are still evaluating our transition approach and expect to reach a decision in the second quarter of 2017.

We anticipate that ASU 2014-09 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. However, we expect revenue recognition related to our accounting for ongoing royalty and management fee revenues, direct reimbursable fees from our management and franchise agreements and hotel guest transactions at our owned and leased hotels to remain substantially unchanged.

While we are continuing to assess all other potential effects of the standard, we currently believe the provisions of ASU 2014-09 will affect revenue recognition as follows: (i) application and initiation fees for new hotels entering the system will be recognized over the term of the franchise agreement; (ii) certain contract acquisition costs related to our management and franchise agreements will be recognized over the term of the agreements as a reduction to revenue; and (iii) incentive management fees will be recognized to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal will not occur as a result of future hotel profits or cash flows. We do not expect the changes in revenue recognition for certain contract acquisition costs or incentive management fees to affect the Company’s net income for any full year period. We are currently assessing the effect of the standard on indirect reimbursable fees related to our management and franchise agreements and the accounting for our guest loyalty program. We continue to update our assessment of the effect that ASU 2014-09 and related ASUs will have on our consolidated financial statements, and we will disclose further material effects, if any, when known.