2.	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Accounting Principles

The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Avis Budget and all entities in which the Company has a direct or indirect controlling financial interest and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The use of estimates and assumptions as determined by management is required in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP. These estimates are based on management’s evaluation of historical trends and other information available when the Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared and may affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Changes in estimates are recognized prospectively. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives revenue primarily through the operation and licensing of the Avis and Budget rental systems and by providing vehicle rentals and other services to business and leisure travelers and others. Other revenue includes rentals of GPS navigation units, sales of loss damage waivers and insurance products, fuel and fuel service charges, and other items. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the services have been rendered to customers, the pricing is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured.

Vehicle rental and rental-related revenue is recognized over the period the vehicle is rented. Licensing revenue principally consists of royalties paid by the Company’s licensees and is recorded as the licensees’ revenue is earned (generally over the rental period of a vehicle). Revenue and expenses associated with gasoline, vehicle licensing and airport concessions are recorded on a gross basis within revenue and operating expenses.

Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date; income and expenses are translated at the prevailing monthly average rate of exchange. The related translation adjustments are reflected in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets and in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The accumulated currency translation adjustment as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $193 million and $159 million, respectively. Currency gains and losses resulting from transactions are included in earnings.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment (including leasehold improvements) are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation (non-vehicle related) is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated benefit period of the related assets, which may not exceed 20 years, or the lease term, if shorter. Useful lives are as follows:


Buildings		30 years
Furniture, fixtures & equipment		3 to 10 years
Capitalized software		3 to 7 years
Buses and support vehicles		4 to 15 years

The Company capitalizes the costs of software developed for internal use when the preliminary project stage is completed and management (i) commits to funding the project and (ii) believes it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. The software developed or obtained for internal use is amortized on a straight-line basis commencing when such software is ready for its intended use. The net carrying value of software developed or obtained for internal use was $71 million and $74 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess, if any, of the fair value of the consideration transferred by the acquirer and the fair value of any non-controlling interest remaining in the acquiree, if any, over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. The Company does not amortize goodwill, but assesses it for impairment at least annually for recoverability. Other intangible assets, primarily trademarks, with indefinite lives are not amortized but are evaluated annually for impairment. Other intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are evaluated each reporting period to determine if circumstances warrant a revision to these lives.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company is required to assess goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment in the fourth quarter of each year at the reporting unit level. If the carrying value of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

The Company assesses goodwill for such impairment by comparing the carrying value of each reporting unit to its fair value using the present value of expected future cash flows. When available and as appropriate, comparative market multiples and other factors are used to corroborate the discounted cash flow results.

The Company also evaluates the recoverability of its other long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. This analysis is performed by comparing the respective carrying values of the assets to the expected future cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, to be generated from such assets. Property and equipment is evaluated separately within each segment. If such analysis indicates that the carrying value of these assets is not recoverable, the carrying value of such assets is reduced to fair value.

Program Cash

Program cash primarily represents amounts specifically designated to purchase assets under vehicle programs and/or to repay the related debt.

Vehicles

Vehicles are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. The initial cost of the vehicles is recorded net of incentives and allowances from manufacturers. The Company acquires many of its rental vehicles pursuant to repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs established by automobile manufacturers. Under these programs, the manufacturers agree to repurchase vehicles at a specified price and date, or guarantee the depreciation rate for a specified period of time, subject to certain eligibility criteria (such as car condition and mileage requirements). The Company depreciates vehicles such that the net book value on the date of return to the manufacturers is intended to equal the contractual guaranteed residual values, thereby minimizing any gain or loss.

Rental vehicles acquired outside of manufacturer repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs are depreciated based upon their estimated residual values at their expected dates of disposition, after giving effect to anticipated conditions in the used car market, which are reviewed on a continuous basis. Any adjustments to depreciation are made prospectively.

For 2012, 2011 and 2010, rental vehicles were depreciated at rates ranging from 1% to 43% per annum. Upon disposal of the vehicles, depreciation expense is adjusted for any difference between the net sales proceeds and the remaining book value. Vehicle-related interest expense amounts are net of vehicle-related interest income of $8 million, $8 million and $11 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Advertising Expenses

Advertising costs are generally expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expenses, recorded within selling, general and administrative expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, include radio, television, “yellow pages” and other advertising, travel partner rewards programs, internet advertising and other promotions and were approximately $127 million, $107 million and $66 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent it believes that it is more likely than not that these assets will be realized. In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent results of operations. In the event the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize the deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, the Company would adjust the valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

The Company reports revenues net of any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company measures its assets and liabilities at fair value at the time of acquisition and revalues its derivative assets and liabilities on a recurring basis. Financial assets and liabilities are classified as follows: Level 1, which refers to assets and liabilities valued using quoted prices from active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, which refers to assets and liabilities for which significant other observable market inputs are readily available; and Level 3, which are valued based on significant unobservable inputs.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative instruments are used as part of the Company’s overall strategy to manage exposure to market risks associated with fluctuations in currency exchange rates, interest rates and gasoline costs. As a matter of policy, derivatives are not used for trading or speculative purposes.

All derivatives are recorded at fair value either as assets or liabilities. Changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recognized currently in earnings within the same line item as the hedged item (principally vehicle interest, net). The effective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. The ineffective portion is recognized currently in earnings within the same line item as the hedged item, including vehicle interest, net or interest related to corporate debt, net. Amounts included in other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged item affects earnings. Generally, all amounts related to our derivative instruments are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consistent with the nature of the hedged item (principally operating activities).

Valuation Techniques. Derivatives entered into by the Company are typically executed over-the-counter and are valued using internal valuation techniques, as no quoted market prices exist for such instruments. The valuation technique and inputs depend on the type of derivative and the nature of the underlying exposure. The Company principally uses discounted cash flows to value these instruments. These models take into account a variety of factors including, where applicable, maturity, commodity prices, interest rate yield curves of the Company and counterparties, credit curves, counterparty creditworthiness and currency exchange rates. These factors are applied on a consistent basis and are based upon observable inputs where available.

Investments

The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in debt and equity securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such determination at each balance sheet date. Common stock investments in affiliates over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence but not a controlling interest are carried on the equity method of accounting. Available-for-sale securities are carried at current fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported net of taxes as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Trading securities are recorded at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses reported currently in earnings. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has investments in available-for-sale securities with a fair value of $7 million.

Joint venture investments are typically accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the Company records its proportional share of the joint venture’s net income or loss within operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had investments in several joint ventures with a carrying value of $34 million, recorded within non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Aggregate realized gains and losses on investments and dividend income are recorded within operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During 2012 and 2011, the Company realized a gain of $2 million and $1 million, respectively, from the sale of certain equity investments. There were no net realized gains or losses in 2010.

Self-Insurance Reserves

The Consolidated Balance Sheets include $407 million and $409 million of liabilities associated with retained risks of liability to third parties as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Such liabilities relate primarily to public liability and third-party property damage claims, as well as claims arising from the sale of ancillary insurance products including but not limited to supplemental liability, personal effects protection and personal accident insurance. These obligations represent an estimate for both reported claims not yet paid and claims incurred but not yet reported. The estimated reserve requirements for such claims are recorded on an undiscounted basis utilizing actuarial methodologies and various assumptions which include, but are not limited to, the Company’s historical loss experience and projected loss development factors. The required liability is also subject to adjustment in the future based upon the changes in claims experience, including changes in the number of incidents and changes in the ultimate cost per incident. These amounts are included within accounts payable and other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities.

The Consolidated Balance Sheets also include liabilities of approximately $61 million and $50 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to workers’ compensation, health and welfare and other employee benefit programs. The liabilities represent an estimate for both reported claims not yet paid and claims incurred but not yet reported, utilizing actuarial methodologies similar to those mentioned above. These amounts are included within accounts payable and other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities.

Business Combinations

The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, which requires that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are recognized if fair value can be reasonably estimated at the acquisition date. The excess, if any, of (i) the fair value of the consideration transferred by the acquirer and the fair value of any non-controlling interest remaining in the acquiree, over (ii) the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Gains and losses on the re-acquisition of unfavorable license agreements are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations upon completion of the respective acquisition. Transaction-related costs incurred to effect a business combination are expensed as incurred, except for the cost to issue debt related to the acquisition. The operating results of the acquired business are reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of the acquisition.

Transaction-related Costs

Transaction-related costs are classified separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These costs comprise expenses related to the integration of the operations of acquisitions with the Company’s, including duplicate headcount costs for functions or positions being integrated, costs associated with the implementation of incremental compliance-related programs and expenses for the implementation of best practices and process improvements, and expenses related to acquisition-related activity such as due-diligence and other advisory costs. Transaction-related costs in 2011 also include a non-cash charge related to the reacquired unfavorable license rights and losses on currency transactions related to the Avis Europe acquisition.

Currency Transactions

The Company records the net gain or loss of currency transactions on certain intercompany loans and the unrealized gain or loss on intercompany loan hedges within interest expense related to corporate debt, net. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded a loss of $17 million on such items. There were no such items in the years ended December 31, 2011 or 2010.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards During 2012

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”)”, to “improve the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRS”. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2012, as required, and it had no impact on its financial statements.

In June and December of 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05 and 2011-12, respectively, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income”, which requires companies to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2012, as required, and it resulted in the Company presenting the required information in two separate but consecutive statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment”, which provides companies the option to bypass the annual quantitative goodwill impairment assessment and assess qualitative factors to determine whether there are events or circumstances which would lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2012, as required, and it had no impact on its financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2013, as a result of the issuance of a new accounting pronouncement, the Company adopted ASU No. 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment”, which provides companies the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether there are events or circumstances which would lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, and it did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.