XML 25 R9.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.25.1
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) The Company and Basis of Presentation
Travelzoo (including its subsidiaries and affiliates, the “Company” or “we”), the club for travel enthusiasts, is a global Internet media company. We reach 30 million travelers. Club Members receive Club Offers personally reviewed by our deal experts around the globe. We work in partnership with thousands of top travel suppliers—our long-standing relationships give us access to irresistible offers.
Our most important products and services are the Travelzoo website (travelzoo.com), the Travelzoo iOS and Android apps, the Top 20® email newsletter, Standalone email newsletters, the Travelzoo Network, and Jack's Flight Club®. Our Travelzoo website and newsletters include Local Deals and Getaways listings that allow our members to purchase vouchers for offers from local businesses such as spas, hotels and restaurants. Jack's Flight Club is a subscription service that provides members with information about exceptional airfares.
Travelzoo membership has historically been free, however, beginning in 2024, new members in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Germany are charged an annual fee of $40 (or local equivalent), with the 2024 annual fee waived for existing members as of December 31, 2023. For any subscription revenue derived from paid memberships, we recognize revenue monthly pro rata over the subscription periods.
We also license Travelzoo products, services and intellectual property to licensees in (a) Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore and (b) Japan and South Korea, in each case, where the Company is entitled to quarterly royalty payments based on a percentage of net revenue. The Company recognized $71,000 and $71,000 in royalties in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Under the licensing agreements, Travelzoo's existing members in the applicable territories continue to be owned by the Company.
In March 2022, we announced the development of, and in May 2023 we launched Travelzoo META to extend the range of experiences we offer consumers to the emerging metaverse. On December 30, 2022, we acquired Metaverse Travel Experiences, Inc., now Metaverse Travel Experiences, LLC (“MTE”), to support Travelzoo META in sourcing prospective travel experiences. See Note 3–Acquisitions to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the acquisition of MTE.
Jack’s Flight Club
In January 2020, Travelzoo acquired a 60% interest in JFC Travel Group Co. (“Jack’s Flight Club”), which operates Jack’s Flight Club, a subscription service that provides members with information about exceptional airfares. Jack’s Flight Club’s revenues are generated by subscription fees paid by members.
APAC Exit and Pivot to Licensing Model
In March 2020, Travelzoo exited its loss-making Asia Pacific business and pivoted to a licensing model. The Company’s Asia Pacific business was classified as discontinued operations at March 31, 2020.
Travelzoo currently has license agreements covering Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, as well as Japan and South Korea. The license agreement for Australia, New Zealand and Singapore provides the licensee exclusive rights to use Travelzoo products, services and intellectual property in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore in exchange for quarterly royalty payments based upon net revenue over a 5 year term, with an option to renew. The Company recognized royalties of $41,000 and $35,000 from the licensee for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The license agreement for Japan and South Korea provides the licensee exclusive rights to use Travelzoo products, services, and intellectual property in exchange for quarterly royalty payments based on net revenue over a 5 year term, with an option to renew. The Company recognized royalties of $30,000 and $36,000 and from the licensee for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Going Concern
In accordance with the requirements of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements Going Concern (ASU 2014-15)”, and ASC 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements”, the Company is responsible to evaluate at each reporting period, including interim periods, whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about its ability to meet its future financial obligations. In its evaluation for this report, management considered the Company’s current financial condition and liquidity sources, including current funds available, forecasted future cash flows and conditional and unconditional obligations due within one year following the date of issuance of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company believes it has the ability to meet its obligations for at least one year from the date of issuance of this Form 10-K. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming it will continue as a going concern and contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.
Ownership
Ralph Bartel, who founded Travelzoo, is the sole beneficiary of the Ralph Bartel 2005 Trust, which is the controlling shareholder of Azzurro. Azzurro is the Company’s largest shareholder, and as of December 31, 2024, holds approximately 37.5% of the Company's outstanding shares. Holger Bartel, the Company's Global CEO, is Ralph Bartel's brother and separately holds less than 1% of the Company's outstanding shares as of December 31, 2024.
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).
Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Significant estimates included in the consolidated financial statements and related notes include income taxes, stock-based compensation, loss contingencies, purchase price allocation for business combinations, and projections and assumptions used in related impairment assessments. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
(b) 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. At December 31, 2024, deferred revenue was $6.5 million of which $2 million was for Jack's Flight Club, and $4.5 million was for Travelzoo North America and Travelzoo Europe. At December 31, 2023, deferred revenue was $2 million, of which $1.5 million was for Jack's Flight Club, and $569,000 was for Travelzoo North America and Travelzoo Europe.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(f) Goodwill
Goodwill 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). The Company performed its annual impairment testing as of October 31, 2024 and 2023 and no impairment charges were identified in connection with the annual impairment tests.
(g) 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.
(h) Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Online advertising is expensed as incurred over the period the advertising is displayed. Advertising costs for Travelzoo North America and Travelzoo Europe amounted to $2.9 million and $8.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Advertising costs for Jack's Flight Club were $1 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Advertising costs for New Initiatives were $25,000 and $238,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(i) 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.
(j) 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.
(k) Foreign Currency
All 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. Total foreign currency transaction net gains of $129,000 and $65,000 for 2024 and 2023, respectively, are included in Other income (loss), net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
(l) 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.
(m) 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.
(n) 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.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had merchant payables of $16.3 million related to the sale of vouchers. In the Company’s financial statements presented in this 10-K report, following GAAP accounting principles, we classified all merchant payables as current. As such, the consolidated balance sheet reflects negative net working capital (defined as current assets minus current liabilities) of $4.7 million at December 31, 2024. Payables to merchants are generally due upon the redemption of vouchers by members who purchased them from the Company. As of December 31, 2024, unredeemed vouchers have maturities through December 2025; however, expiration dates may be extended on a case-by-case basis and final payment to merchants upon expiration may not be due for up to a year after. Based on current projections of future redemption activity, management expects that cash on hand as of December 31, 2024 will be sufficient to provide for working capital needs for at least the next twelve months.

(o) 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.
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets to the total amounts shown in the statements of cash flows (in thousands):
 December 31,December 31,
20242023
Cash and cash equivalents$17,064 $15,713 
Restricted cash675 675 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash–discontinued operations
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the consolidated statements of cash flows$17,740 $16,389 

(p) 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.
(q) Impairment of Property and Equipment
The 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. No impairment loss was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
(r) 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.