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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the United States ("U.S.").
Consolidation
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the United States ("U.S."). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For our consolidated financial statements as of and for the period ended December 31, 2024, we evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date that we filed this Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition
The Company follows Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606), under which revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.
The Company's revenues consist of (1) advertising revenues and commissions, derived from and generated in connection with purchases made by Travelzoo members, (2) membership fees and (3) other.

Advertising Revenues and Commissions

Advertising revenues are generated from the publishing of travel and entertainment deals on the Travelzoo website, in Top 20 email newsletters, in Standalone email newsletters and through the Travelzoo Network. The Company also generates transaction-based commission revenues from the sale of vouchers (our Local Deals and Getaways offerings), operation of our hotel booking platform and limited offerings of vacation packages.

Specifically, for fixed-fee website advertising, the Company recognizes revenues ratably over the contracted placement period. For Top 20 email newsletters and other email products, the Company recognizes revenues when the emails are delivered to its members. For cost-per-click advertising, whereby an advertiser pays the Company when a user clicks on an ad (typically served on Travelzoo properties or Travelzoo Network partner properties), the Company recognizes revenues each time a user clicks on the ad.
For transaction-based advertising revenues, including from products such as Local Deals and Getaways prepaid voucher sales, hotel platform bookings and vacation package sales, the Company evaluates whether it is acting as principal (thereby reporting revenue on a gross basis) versus agent (thereby reporting revenue on a net basis). Accordingly, the Company reports transaction-based advertising revenues on a net basis, as third-party suppliers are primarily responsible for fulfilling the underlying good or service, which the Company does not control prior to its transfer to the customer.

For Local Deals and Getaways prepaid voucher sales, the Company earns a fee for acting as an agent on the sale, while vouchers can subsequently be redeemed for goods or services with third-party merchants. Commission revenues are, accordingly, presented net of amounts due to third-party merchants for fulfilling the underlying goods and services, and net of estimated future refunds to consumers, as the terms of the vouchers permit. Certain merchant contracts allow the Company to retain the proceeds from unredeemed vouchers. With these contracts, the Company estimates the value of vouchers that will ultimately not be redeemed and records the estimate as revenues in the same period.

Commission revenues generated from bookings on our hotel platform are recognized ratably over the periods of guest stays, net of an allowance for estimated cancellations, based upon historical patterns. For bookings of non-cancelable reservations, where the Company’s performance obligation is deemed to be completed upon the successful booking, the Company records commission revenue at such time.

In certain instances, the Company’s contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations, whereby the Company allocates revenues to each performance obligation based on its standalone selling price. The Company determines standalone selling prices based on overall pricing objectives, taking into consideration the type of goods or services, geographical region of the customers, rate card pricing and customary discounts. Standalone selling prices are generally determined based on the prices charged to customers when the good or service is sold separately.

The Company relies upon certain practical expedients and exemptions provided for in Topic 606. The Company expenses sales commissions when incurred, as the amortization period would be one year or less, which are recorded in sales and marketing expenses. In addition, the Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, and contracts for which it recognizes revenues at the amount to which it has the right to invoice for services performed.


Membership Fee Revenues

Membership fee revenues are generated from subscription fees paid by Travelzoo, Jack's Flight Club and Travelzoo META members. We recognize subscription revenues ratably over the subscription periods.
Travelzoo membership has historically been free, however, on January 1, 2024, Travelzoo introduced an annual membership fee of $40 (or local equivalent) for new members in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Germany, with the 2024 annual fee waived for existing members as of December 31, 2023.

Other Revenues

Other revenues include licensing fees, fees generated from the existing retail business acquired by the Company when it acquired MTE.

Deferred Revenues
Deferred revenue primarily consists of deferred membership fees, customer prepayments and undelivered Company performance obligations related to contracts comprising multiple performance obligations.
Reserve for Refunds to Members; Merchant Payables Reserve for Refunds to Members; Merchant Payables
The Company estimates and records a reserve for future refunds on member purchases of Local Deals and Getaways vouchers, at the time revenue is recorded. We consider various factors such as historical refund timeframes from dates of sale, reasons for refunds, time periods remaining until expiration, changes in refund procedures and estimates of redemptions and
breakage. Should any of these factors change, the estimates made by management will also change, which could impact the level of our future reserve for refunds to members. Specifically, if the financial condition of our merchant partners, on behalf of whom vouchers are sold, were to deteriorate, affecting their ability to provide the goods or services to our members, additional reserves for refunds to members may be required and may adversely affect future revenues as the liability is recorded against revenue.
As of December 31, 2024, the expiration dates of unexpired vouchers are through December 2025; provided, that expiration dates may sometimes be extended on a case-by-case basis and final payments to merchants upon expiration may not be due for up to a year later.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had approximately $4.1 million of unredeemed vouchers that had been sold, representing the Company’s commission earned. The Company estimated and recorded a refund reserve of $144,000 for these unredeemed vouchers as of December 31, 2024, which is recorded as a reduction of revenues on the consolidated statements of operations and accrued expenses and other on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $5.2 million of unredeemed vouchers that had been sold, representing the Company’s commission earned, and estimated and recorded a refund reserve of $268,000 for these unredeemed vouchers as of December 31, 2023, as a reduction of revenues on the consolidated statements of operations and accrued expenses and other on the consolidated balance sheet.
If our judgments regarding estimated member refunds are inaccurate, reported results of operations could differ from amounts previously accrued. Merchant payables of $16.3 million as of December 31, 2024 is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet, representing amounts payable to merchants by the Company for vouchers sold but not redeemed.
Business Combinations Business Combinations
The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. To the extent the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, such excess is allocated to goodwill. The Company determines the estimated fair values after review and consideration of relevant information, including discounted cash flows, quoted market prices and estimates made by management. The Company records the net assets and results of operations of an acquired entity from the acquisition date and adjusts the preliminary purchase price allocation, as necessary, during the measurement period of up to one year after the acquisition closing date, as it obtains more information as to facts and circumstances existing at the acquisition date impacting asset valuations and liabilities assumed. Acquisition-related costs are recognized separately from the acquisition and are expensed as incurred.
Identifiable intangible assets Identifiable intangible assets
Upon acquisition, identifiable intangible assets are recorded at fair value and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The carrying values of all intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
Goodwill GoodwillGoodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the fair value of the underlying net tangible and intangible assets. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company performs an impairment test by comparing the book value of the reporting unit to the fair value of the reporting unit utilizing a combination of valuation techniques, including an income approach (discounted cash flows) and market approach (guideline company method).
Allowance for Expected Losses Allowance for Expected Losses
The Company records a provision for credit losses based on its historical experience with uncollectible amounts due and a detailed assessment of accounts receivable and allowance for expected credit losses. In estimating the provision for credit losses, management considers the age of the accounts receivable, historical provisioning and write-offs, creditworthiness of the debtor, the economic conditions of the debtor’s industry and general economic conditions, among other factors. Should any of these factors change, estimates made by management may also change, which could impact the level of future provisioning for credit losses. Specifically, if the financial condition of our clients were to deteriorate, affecting their ability to make payments, additional provisioning for credit losses may be required.
Advertising Costs Advertising CostsAdvertising costs are expensed as incurred. Online advertising is expensed as incurred over the period the advertising is displayed.
Operating Leases Operating Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of future minimum lease payments due over the lease term, at commencement date. The lease payments used to determine the operating lease assets may include lease incentives and stated rent increases. The Company does not include options to extend or terminate until it is reasonably certain that an option will be exercised. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining lease liabilities, as the Company’s leases generally do not provide an implicit rate. The Company elected not to recognize leases with an initial term of 12 months or less on its consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s leases are reflected in operating lease ROU assets, operating lease liabilities and long-term operating lease liabilities on our accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company also has a lease agreement for real estate which it subleases to a third party. The Company recognizes sublease income in Other income (expense), net on a straight-line basis over the sublease term in its consolidated statements of operations.
Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for employee stock option grants under the fair value method, which requires stock-based compensation to be estimated using the fair value on the date of grant, employing an option pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is expected to vest is recognized as expense over the related employees’ requisite service periods in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of stock-based compensation.
Foreign Currency Foreign CurrencyAll foreign subsidiaries use the local currency of their respective countries as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates for the period. Gains and losses resulting from translation are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recognized as gain or loss on foreign currency in the consolidated statements of operations.
Income Taxes Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, along with net operating loss carryforwards and credit carryforwards, if it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized. To the extent a deferred tax asset cannot be recognized under the preceding criteria, valuation allowances are established. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company's uncertain tax positions and determining the Company's provision for income taxes. Although the Company believes it has adequately reserved for its uncertain tax positions, no assurance can be given that the final outcomes of these matters will not be different. The Company adjusts its reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress or closing of a tax audit or the refinement of an estimate. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate, as well as the related net interest.
Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of two components, net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to certain changes in equity that are excluded from net income. For the Company, other comprehensive income (loss) includes foreign currency translation adjustments. Total comprehensive income (loss) for all periods presented has been disclosed in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Certain Risks and Uncertainties Certain Risks and Uncertainties
The Company’s business is subject to risks associated with its ability to attract and retain advertisers and offer goods or services on compelling terms to our members.
The Company’s cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable are potentially subject to concentration of credit risk. Cash and cash equivalents are placed with financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. Accounts receivable are derived from revenues earned from customers located in the U.S. and internationally. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have any customers that accounted for 10% or more its accounts receivable.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. Restricted cash includes cash and cash equivalents that is restricted through legal contracts, regulations or our intention to use the cash for a specific purpose. Our restricted cash primarily relates to refundable security deposits for real estate leases and funds held in escrow.
Property and Equipment Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Additions and improvements are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The Company also includes in fixed assets the capitalized cost of internal-use software and website development, including software used to upgrade and enhance its website and processes supporting the Company’s business, in accordance with the framework established and guidance provided by the FASB relating to accounting for the cost of computer software developed or obtained for internal use, and website development costs. Costs incurred in the planning stage and operating stage are expensed as incurred, while costs incurred in the application development stage and infrastructure development stage are capitalized, assuming such costs are deemed to be recoverable.
Depreciation is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives are 3 to 5 years for computer hardware and software, capitalized internal-use software and website development costs, and office equipment and furniture. The Company depreciates leasehold improvements over the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset, whichever is shorter.
Impairment of Property and Equipment Impairment of Property and EquipmentThe Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with the accounting standard relating to impairment of long-lived assets, which requires an impairment loss to be recognized on assets to be held and used if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset group is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows. The amount of impairment loss is measured as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset group. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the Financial Standards Accounting Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-07 "Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures", which expands annual and interim disclosure requirements for reportable segments, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2023-07 was adopted for the year ended December 31, 2024 retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. See Note 11–Segment Reporting and Significant Customer Information.
(s) Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 "Income Taxes (Topics 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures", to expand the disclosure requirements for income taxes, primarily requiring more detailed disclosure for income taxes paid and the effective tax rate reconciliation. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retroactive basis. We are currently evaluating the ASU to determine its impact on our income tax disclosures.
On November 4, 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. The guidance requires more detailed disclosure for expenses. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the ASU to determine its impact on our disclosures.