UNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C.DC 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to SectionPROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (Amendment

(Amendment No.     )

 

  Filed by the Registrant  Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

 

Check the appropriate box:
Preliminary Proxy Statement
CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14a-6(e)Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14A-6(E)(2))
Definitive Proxy Statement
Definitive Additional Materials
Soliciting Material Pursuant under § 240.14a-12§240.14a-12

 

Booking Holdings Inc.

 

Priceline Group

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified Inin Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)all boxes that apply):
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS6
PROXY SUMMARY7
Our 2023 Performance8
Corporate Governance Highlights8
Our Board9
Executive Compensation Highlights10
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE13
PROPOSAL 1  14
Election of Directors
Nomination and Election Process16
Board Evaluations18
Nominees for Election as Directors19
Management27
Governance Framework29
Board’s Role in Company Strategy32
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight32
Board Committees34
Director Independence37
Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions37
Board Practices and Procedures38
Sustainability39
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management43
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION45
A Letter from the Talent and Compensation Committee to our Stockholders46
Compensation Discussion and Analysis48
Executive Summary48
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives52
Compensation Best Practices53
Pay Elements54
How We Measure Performance55
How We Make Compensation Decisions55
Other Components of Executive Compensation69
Compensation Governance Matters71
Talent and Compensation Committee Report72
Summary Compensation Table73
Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table75
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End Table76
Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table78
Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment, and Change in Control Arrangements78
Potential Payments Upon a Change in Control and/or Termination87
2023 CEO Pay Ratio89
Pay Versus Performance90
Equity Compensation Plan Information94
Non-Employee Director Compensation and Benefits95
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports97
Talent and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation97
Compensation Risk Assessment97
PROPOSAL 2  98
Advisory Vote to Approve 2023 Executive Compensation
AUDIT MATTERS99
Report of the Audit Committee99
Auditor Independence101
PROPOSAL 3  102
Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS103
PROPOSAL 4  104
Stockholder Proposal — Improve Clawback Policy for Unearned Executive Pay
PROPOSAL 5  107
Stockholder Proposal — Reproductive Rights and Data Privacy
2025 Stockholder Proposals110
OTHER MATTERS111
Other Matters111
Annual Meeting Information112
APPENDICES115
APPENDIX A116
Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Information116
Non-GAAP Financial Measures119
APPENDIX B120
Form of Proxy Card120

 


2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.1

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APRIL 23, 2024

Dear Stockholders,

 

Dear Stockholders,

The Priceline Group delivered another yearAs I write these words in April 2024, I have never been more energized about the future of strong business performancetravel and the potential for our company, while recognizing that we operate in 2015 despite continued volatilityone of the most competitive industries in the macro conditionsworld marked by rapid technological acceleration and regulatory changes, both of which bring new challenges and opportunities. 

Our company’s mission is: To Make It Easier For Everyone to Experience The World. From our very beginning, we confrontbelieved that we could use technology to dramatically improve the way people discovered, searched, booked and experienced travel. Now, more than 25 years later, we are one of the world’s largest travel companies and achieved a major milestone in 2023: we booked more than one billion room nights through our platforms.

We are a global company doing business in more than 220 countries and territories with more than 23,000 employees around the globe. world. Last year, through our Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda and KAYAK brands we enabled our travel customers to execute billions of searches across our websites and apps, provided access to properties with over 29 million individual listings, facilitated 36 million flight tickets and 74 million rental car days booked on our platforms, and helped to seat more than 1.5 billion diners through OpenTable. 

In my judgment, the Group's consistent performance is a testament2023, we achieved record-setting financial results, with more than $21 billion in revenue, which was up 25% compared to the strength of our independent brands, the execution by our outstanding brand leaders and our strong culture of entrepreneurship, which enable teamwork and innovation to flourish and allow us to attract the best people to join us in our collective mission to help people experience the world.

The Group reported $55.5 billion in gross travel bookings in 2015, an increase of 25% on a constant currency basis. We are justifiably proud to achieve such a high level of growth given the size of our business, especially since it represents organic growth driven by innovation and expanding brand strength. Despite continued currency headwinds, the Group delivered the industry's highest profit margins and $2.6year prior, more than $4 billion in net income, which was up 40% from the prior year, more than $7 billion in adjusted EBITDA, which was up 34% compared to the prior year, and generated $7 billion in net cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow. With this solid financial performance and our strong balance sheet, we were able to return over $10 billion to shareholders over the course of the year through stock repurchases, and we recently paid our first cash dividend. (See Appendix A for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures.) 

Not all of 2023 was perfect though. At Booking.com, we had a back-end systems upgrade that resulted in delayed payments to some of our supplier partners. Separately, some of our accommodation supplier partners experienced cyber breaches that resulted in losses for some of our traveler customers; while our systems were never breached, we know our traveler customers depend on us and we are spending more time and resources to help our supplier partners improve their security. Additionally, we faced new challenges as novel regulations have required time, energy, and investments plus educational outreach to our customers and partners. 

Also, we were disappointed that the year.

Booking.com,EU Commission blocked our largest brand, had an outstanding year, characterized by relentless innovation which allowed the businessacquisition of Etraveli, a European-based online distributor of flight tickets we have been working with for many years to build the Booking.com flight vertical. We are appealing to the EU courts as we believe the Commission’s decision was incorrect in both its interpretation of competition law and its understanding of the factual competitive situation. Consumers benefit from more competition and the acquisition would have enabled us to more rapidly improve flight services for all customers. While the appeal process proceeds, we continue to work closely with Etraveli and are pleased we extended our contractual agreement with them.

Two Universal Truths 

Booking is a world-class, device-agnosticcompany that has continued to innovate and has been a travel technology leader from our early deployment of mobile apps, to sophisticated machine learning analysis, to some of the first uses of Generative AI. Our mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world because we believe this is a world worth experiencing. We know travel expands horizons and brings cultures closer together. There has never been a greater opportunity for customersus, sitting at the intersection of travel and reservation growthtechnology, to partners,shape the future of travel and positively impact people’s lives.

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.2

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The world, technologies, societies, cultures, and consumer behaviors will continue to change, but there are two things we know will remain true. First, there will always be an intrinsic human desire to travel, and second, technology will continue to advance and improve travel distribution.

Throughout history, humans have wanted to explore and connect with others. While events like war, global recessions, pandemics and natural disasters can temporarily disrupt travel, time and time again we see the human desire to explore the world reemerge. 

Technology hastens the pace of innovation. While advancements in mobile technology, global connectivity and infrastructure, AI, digital payments and banking, search algorithms, translation technologies and more have gotten us to where we are today, there is so much more that technology can and will do to make every aspect of planning and booking travel easier.

Accelerate Value on Both Sides of the Marketplace

Our brands sit at the center of the travel ecosystem - connecting travelers to the providers of travel services, all while achieving profitable growth at scale. Continued growth inof whom are our customers. We must continuously innovate to create incremental value for both sides of this travel marketplace.  

For our travelers, we provide a vast array of travel options and we will continue to expand the breadth of accommodationproducts and services we offer across multiple verticals. This includes increasing the supply of homes and other alternative accommodations, adding more global airlines and flight destination and origination points, adding new ground transportation and attractions options, and offering new services like cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance. We will also continue investing in Genius, our loyalty program, to make sure we can surface great deals for travelers across our brands, across the world, and bring even more customers to our supply partners. 

We will continue to invest in what we call our Connected Trip vision, which centers on removing the frustration so many people experience in planning, booking and experiencing their travel because we know that a seamless travel experience is a good experience. We want it to be easy to plan and book all the elements of a trip – the flights, the accommodations, the ground transportation and the things to do – in a unified way based on customer preferences, and deliver even more value throughout. Our vision means that in the future our systems could have capabilities such that if there is a problem like a flight delay, we could automatically adjust your airport taxi’s pickup time, reset your dinner reservation, and/or modify your hotel reservation so it is not canceled because you did not check in by the originally booked time. And when you are at your destination, we want there to be an easy way for our attractions partners to provide you with personalized offers that give you more value while enabling our supplier partners to obtain incremental demand in a low-cost way. These are just a few examples of what we believe the Connected Trip may be able to do sometime in the future.  

Technology can do so much more than it does today to create meaningfully better travel experiences. To build this requires a deep understanding of travel technology, an ability to synthesize information, match and analyze data sets, as well as marketingan implicit and product innovations,explicit understanding of traveler preferences to create richer, contextually relevant and personalized offers. 

We believe these investments will not only positively impact our travelers, but also benefit our supplier partners. By deploying our capabilities, our deep understanding of data science, our global reach, and our investments in AI, we believe we will create many more ways for our partners to generate even more business. Ultimately, the success of our business model relies just as much on remaining a trusted and value-driving partner to our supplier customers as it does to our traveler customers. 

Relentless Innovation 

Our organization is characterized by innovation and we know we cannot rest on what we have been key drivers in this impressive performance. Booking.com remained committedachieved to growing its supplydate. Our thousands of vacation rentals, including homes, apartmentstalented developers, engineers and villas, which now constitute almost 50%data scientists celebrate self-disruption and thrive on a culture of total properties. In addition, advances in scaling a booking experience for these properties that meetsconstant experimentation.  

While the high standards our customers have come to expect, have contributed to growth in reservations. Booking.com has also made solid progress in building Booking for Business, its Genius loyalty program and the BookingSuite marketing services business for hotels, which also provide a foundation for future growth. Gillian Tans has recently been named CEO of Booking.com. Gillian previously served as President and COO and,travel industry as a 14-year veteranwhole is only beginning to scratch the surface of the business, she has played an instrumentalopportunities that Generative AI will unearth, we already have more than a decade of experience deploying AI technology across our platforms – from personalization to machine translations, content analysis and optimization, fraud detection, and more. We have always envisioned AI technology playing a central role in building the business into a global leader. I am looking forward to working with Gilliandelivering an easier and more personalized experience. With Generative AI we will build on our rich history of experience and leverage our proprietary data in her new role.

The Group's other brands, priceline.com, KAYAK, agoda.com, Rentalcars.com and OpenTable, all share the same commitment to continuous innovation around product and marketing, allowing usorder to continue to takedo what we have done throughout our history – bring the newest technologies to the forefront of the travel booking experience.

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.3

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In 2023, we launched a number of Generative AI initiatives across our brands. By letting each brand experiment, build and analyze this opportunity themselves, we continue to drive diversified learnings across our company. KAYAK and OpenTable have been some of the first adopters on many fronts, testing Generative AI plug-ins last year, and KAYAK recently released technology allowing users to search for better prices using screenshots in the KAYAK PriceCheck tool. Booking.com’s AI Trip Planner helps people discover, plan and book their travel using an interactive GenAI chatbot. At Priceline, we recently made several major enhancements to Penny, Priceline’s AI travel assistant, following six months of real-world interaction with users. It is still early days, but we will continue to test and learn quickly. 

Our payments and fintech operations will be another area of continued focus in 2024. Managing currency conversion, regulation and compliance, different payment infrastructures, bank and payment provider relationships, fraud and risk detection and a lack of global standards can be very challenging for our supplier partners. That’s why we’re investing in the technology and infrastructure needed to support both travelers and supplier partners to further remove friction from the travel booking experience. In 2023, Booking.com processed about half of its gross bookings through its payments platform. 

The mobile app will also remain a focal point of our strategy as more and more travelers are digital natives and expect smartphones to power all of their travel needs. With almost half of our bookings coming through our mobile apps, we will continue investments to optimize this experience. 

Closing out 2023 and looking forward, I again express my optimism for the future of travel and dining-out for customers all over the world, and be a world leader when it comes to helping our partners grow their businesses. In 2015, priceline.com implemented improvements to the technology platform underlying its full service travel offering and is positioned to push product enhancements and more rapid experimentation in support of an iconic brand in the U.S. market. KAYAK delivered a strong year of profit growth through product enhancements, an effective re-orientation of brand and performance-based marketing in online channels and international expansion. Agoda.com made great progress in 2015, building customer loyalty through value-based offerings and refining its performance-based marketing strategy in online channels. Rentalcars.com continued building its international brand through organic growth and a focus on improving the customer experience from end-to-end. At OpenTable, with Christa Quarles promoted to CEO, the team has made progress developing the platform for scaled international expansion, adding more restaurants to its cloud-based solution and delivering diner and revenue growth with the leading U.S. brand in online dining reservations.company. 

 


AllWe are a leader in our space. We sit on the cusp of the Group's brands share a passionopportunity. These facts remind us daily that we need to move quickly. Think harder. Innovate faster. We will do this, but never by compromising our values or our integrity. I want to thank all of our employees for creating the most compelling online experienceliving our values everyday, and for working relentlessly for our customerstraveler and the most advanced and effective online marketing programs, which present our brands to millions of customers all over the world. This requires a mastery of the multi-screen world, with mobile becoming the most important medium for messaging and transacting, and new platforms emerging and rapidly scaling to become major sources of traffic and demand. We are fortunate to have six talented teams driving investment, innovation and experimentation in this multi-screen world, all while sharing best practices to make the whole Group stronger.supply partner customers. 

Finally, as has been reported in the press and detailed in the attached proxy statement, I have returned to the Group as interim Group CEO and our Board has commenced a search for a long-term successor. While unplanned, I consider it a great privilege to lead this organization and the talented team of people who advance our cause every day. I believe the business is well positioned to build on its long record of solid financial performance.

I would likealso want to thank our customers, employees, partnersBoard of Directors who remain committed to our mission, vision and stockholderslong-term outlook for their support.success.

On behalf of our entire organization, I reiterate our commitment to being an industry leader, growing faster than the market, and continuing to deliver market-leading returns. 

Sincerely,

Jeffery H. Boyd

Interim

Glenn D. Fogel
President and
Chief Executive Officer and President, and Chairman of the Board


April 28, 201623, 2024

 


2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.4

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APRIL 23, 2024

Dear Stockholder:Stockholder,

You are cordially invited to attend the 20162024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc. to be held at 10:11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday,Tuesday, June 2, 20164, 2024.

The Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual format. You may attend the virtual Annual Meeting by visiting the website www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BKNG2024. To ask questions and vote at The NASDAQ Market Site, 4 Times Square, New York, New York 10036.the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number that appears on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, on the proxy card, or on the instructions that accompanied the proxy materials.

This booklet includes the Notice of Annual Meeting and proxy statement. The proxy statement provides information about The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc. in addition to describing the business we will conduct at the meeting.

We hope you will be able to attend the Annual Meeting.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please mark, sign, date, and return your proxy card in the enclosed envelope as soon as possible or vote online or by calling the toll-free telephone number or by using the Internet as described in the instructions included in your proxy card. Your stock will be voted in accordance with the instructions you have givengive in your proxy card. You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person,through the virtual meeting platform, even if you have previously returned your proxy card or voted by telephone or by Internet,online, by following the instructions included in the proxy statement.Allstockholderswhoattendthemeetingwillberequiredtopresentvalidpictureidentification,suchasadriver’slicenseorapassport. We hope you are able to join us on June 2.4.

Sincerely,

Jeffery H. Boyd

Interim Chief Executive Officer and President, and Chairman

Robert J. Mylod, Jr.
Chair
of the Board
April 23, 2024

April 28, 2016

IMPORTANT2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.5

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

A proxy cardThe Board of Directors of Booking Holdings Inc. is enclosed. We urge you to complete and mail the card promptly in the enclosed envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. Alternatively, you may vote by calling the toll-free telephone number or by using the Internet as described in the instructions included withsoliciting your proxy card. Any stockholder attendingfor the Annual Meeting may personally vote on all matters that are considered, in which case the signed and mailed proxy or prior vote by telephone or Internet will be revoked. Pleasenote,however,thatifyoursharesareheldofrecordbyabroker,bankorothernomineeandyouwishtovoteatthemeeting,youmustobtainfromtherecordholderaproxyissuedinyourname.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU VOTE YOUR STOCK



ThePriceline Group Inc.
800 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06854

Notice of2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Thursday, June 2, 2016

10:00 a.m. Local Time

To the stockholders of The Priceline Group Inc. (the “Company”):

The Company hereby notifies you that its 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. local time at The NASDAQ Market Site, 4 Times Square, New York, New York 10036 for the following purposes:Stockholders.

 

To elect ten directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified;

To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP

DATE AND TIME

Tuesday, June 4, 2024
11:00 a.m. Eastern Time

LOCATION

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BKNG2024

For more information about attending the meeting see How to Attend the Annual Meeting on page 113

RECORD DATE

The Board of Directors fixed the close of business on April 9, 2024 as the record date for identifying those stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS AND BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS:

1  2  3 4 and 5 
 Election of twelve directors    Advisory vote to approve 2023 named executive officer compensation   Ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm   Non-binding stockholder proposals, if properly presented 
               
 FOR
Page 14 
   FOR
Page 98 
   FOR
Page 102 
   AGAINST
Pages 104, 107      
 
                   

As well as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016;

To approve on an advisory basis the compensation paid by the Company to its named executive officers; and

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

These business items are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 7, 2016 as the record date for identifying those stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of this meeting.

April 28, 2016

By Order of the Board of Directors

Peter J. Millones

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary

Norwalk, Connecticut

 

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible to ensure your representation at the meeting. A return envelope (which is postage prepaid if mailed in the United States) is enclosed for that purpose. Alternatively, you may vote by calling the toll-free telephone number or by using the Internet as described in the instructions included with your proxy card. Even if you have given your proxy, you may still vote in personon the virtual meeting platform if you attend the meeting. Annual Meeting. Pleasenote,however,thatifyoursharesareheldofrecordbyabroker,bank,orothernomineeandyouwishtovoteatthemeeting,youmustobtainfromtherecordholderaproxyissuedinyourname. name to obtain a 16-digit control number.


AT THE MEETINGONLINETELEPHONEMAIL
To attend the Annual Meeting, visit www.
virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BKNG2024.
To vote or ask questions during the Annual Meeting, you must have the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.
You may vote online at www.proxyvote.com or by scanning the QR code on your proxy card.You may vote by calling 1-800-690-6903, a toll-free telephone number.Complete, date, and sign the enclosed proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope (if mailed in the United States).

April 23, 2024

By order of the Board of Directors

Vijay S. Iyer
Corporate Secretary
Norwalk, Connecticut

This proxy statement and our 2023 Annual
Report are also available on our website at
https://ir.bookingholdings.com/financials/
annual-reports/default.aspx.

 

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.Company Highlights6

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PROXY SUMMARY

This summary highlights our mission, selected business results, corporate governance, and Proxy Statement Summary

To assist you in reviewing our 2015 performance, we would like to call your attention to the following information, including key elements of our proxy statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following description is only a summary. Before voting and forexecutive compensation information. For more complete information about these topics, please review the full proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and2023. 

OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR EVERYONE TO EXPERIENCE THE WORLD

Booking Holdings Inc. (the “Company,” “Booking Holdings,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is the complete proxy statement.

Company Highlights - Performance

From an operating and financial perspective, 2015 was another very good year for The Priceline Group. We continue to operate the largest, most profitable globalworld’s leading provider of online travel business inand related services. We connect consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services around the world through our online platforms through five primary consumer-facing brands:

AccommodationsGround TransportationFlightsActivitiesRestaurantsMeta Search
Booking.com
Priceline
agoda
KAYAK
OpenTable

World’s Best Employers 

America’s Best Midsize Employers

World’s Most Admired Companies

Fortune 500 List

World’s Best Companies
FORBESFORTUNETIME

220+

Countries and Territories

40+

Languages

~3.4M 

Properties

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.7

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Our 2023 Performance

In 2023, we reached a significant milestone with a market capitalizationan all-time high of $64over 1 billion (as of March 31, 2016) and a 2015 operating margin of 38% as a percentage of gross profit. During 2015, Booking.com, our largest business, added over 210,000 accommodations to its reservation services, including over 125,000 vacation rental properties, and, as of March 31, 2016, had approximately 880,000 directly bookable hotels and other places to stay available through its websites and mobile offerings representing more than 22.8 million rooms. Based on room nights booked which grew 24.9% in 2015 to more than 432 million,on our platforms, and we continue to be the largest online accommodation reservation service in the world.

We are particularly proud of our ability to achieve both strong growth and industry-leading profitability over many years. Due to the highly international nature of our business, our financial performance as reported in U.S. Dollars, including our adjusted EBITDA, was significantly and negatively impacted by the strong U.S. Dollar when compared to most other currencies, in particular the Euro, during 2015. However, we still achieved year-over-year gross bookings (a common operating and statistical metric used in the travel industry representing the total U.S. Dollar value, generally inclusive of all taxes and fees, of all travel services purchased by consumers through our online travel reservation businesses, net of cancellations) growth of 10.4%, gross profit growth of 13.3% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 7.5%. Constant currency (i.e., using 2014 exchange rates) gross bookings growth of 25% and gross profit growth of 27% in 2015 are even more impressive and demonstrate our fundamental operating strength. From a multi-year perspective, we have achieved significant growth, with a 127% increaseset new records in gross bookings, a 141% increase in gross profitrevenues, and a 125% increase in adjusted EBITDA overAdjusted EBITDA. We had the 2013-2015 three-year period as compared to the 2010-2012 three-year period. See Appendix A to this proxy statement for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to U.S. GAAP net income.


THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement8



Company Highlights - Stockholder Return

Our stronghighest operating and financial performance has resulted in significant returns to stockholders. Our 2015 earnings per share (diluted) grew 8.3% to $49.45.income among travel companies. In addition, we returned approximately $3.1 billionprioritized returning capital to stockholders by repurchasing approximately 2.5 million$10.2B in shares, of our common stock during 2015. Over the 2013-2015 three-year period, we returned approximately $4.7 billion to stockholders through the repurchase of shares of our common stock, representing 57%140% of the cash generated by operating activities duringin 2023. We are proud that, three-year period. Our stock price increased by 11.8% during 2015despite challenges to our global community such as the wars in Ukraine and by 106% during the 2013-2015 three-year period.Middle East and the impact of inflation, we continued our efforts to make our brands the most trusted and convenient platforms for consumers and partners.

Company Highlights -

GROSS BOOKINGSROOM NIGHTS

$150.6B

24% increase compared to 2022

1,049M

17% increase compared to 2022

REVENUESNET INCOME

$21.4B

25% increase compared to 2022

$4.3B

40% increase compared to 2022

adjusted ebitda*YEAR END STOCK PRICE

$7.1B

34% increase compared to 2022

$3,547

76% increase compared to year end 2022

*See Appendix A to this proxy statement for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures and rationale for use of non-GAAP financial measures.

Corporate Governance and Board CompositionHighlights

We strive to maintain strong corporate governance practices that are both stockholder friendly and designed to protect and grow long-term stockholder value. Management regularly engages with our largest stockholders and encourages all stockholders to contact us about any concerns they have. Our corporate governance practices include:

Current Board Chair is independentStockholders can call special meetings
Lead Independent DirectorAnnual “say-on-pay” vote
Stock ownership guidelines for directors and executive officersLongstanding prohibition on hedging or pledging of stock by directors and executive officers
11 of 12 directors are independentStockholder-approved proxy access
Annual director elections (i.e., no classified board)Majority voting in director elections
Annual board and committee self-evaluationNo supermajority voting provisions
Stockholders can act by written consent in lieu of a meeting 

No poison pill/rights plan

Lead Independent Director;

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.8

Our Board

Majority voting in director elections;

Current DirectorsAge
(as of
3-31-24)
Director
Since
IndependentCommittee and Subcommittee MembershipsOther Public
Directorships
AuditCorporate
Governance
Talent and
Compensation
Cybersecurity
Glenn D. Fogel622017     0
Mirian M. Graddick-Weir692018M C 1
Kelly Grier542023M   2
Wei Hopeman542019 M  0
Robert J. Mylod, Jr. (Chair)572017  M 1
Charles H. Noski
(Lead Independent Director)
712015MC  1
Larry Quinlan612022   C2
Nicholas J. Read592018M  M0
Thomas E. Rothman692013 M  0
Sumit Singh442022  M 1
Lynn Vojvodich Radakovich562016 MM 2
Vanessa A. Wittman562019C  M2
Number of Meetings in 2023  9563 
 
M Member    C Chair

Stockholder-approved proxy access;

Annual director elections (i.e., no classified Board);

No super-majority voting provisions;

Stock ownership guidelines for directors and executive officers;

Stockholders can call special meetings;

No poison pill/rights plan;

Annual “say-on-pay” vote;

No hedging or pledging of stock by directors or executive officers;

Disclosure of director and executive officer 10b5-1 Plans; and

10 of 11 directors are independent.

In addition, ourOur Board exhibits a strong mix of desired attributes, including business experience, tenure, age, genderdiversity of perspectives, and independence. We have added four independent directors since January 2013. Three membersThe following is a snapshot of some key characteristics of our Audit Committee have been designated as “audit committee financial experts.”Board, assuming all twelve nominees are elected at the Annual Meeting.

FINANCIAL EXPERTSTENUREAGE
DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
8Leadership9Finance12Global Business
         
1Human Resources7Technology3Sales and Marketing
         
2Travel      

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.Company Highlights - Executive Compensation9

We believe strongly in pay for performance.Our Board is committed to a refreshment process to ensure continued representation of a diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds, experience, knowledge, and perspectives. As a result, we designof March 31, 2024, our compensation programs soBoard has twelve members, including five women directors, four racially or ethnically diverse directors, and two Board leadership positions that we must achieve outstanding performance for our executive officers to achieve above-market compensation, including through the combination of below-market salaries and the potential for a high level of variable, performance-driven compensation. We believe that we have developed a highly effective compensation program that has resulted in strong performance for many years.are held by women. The program is substantially performance based, combines short-term and long-term elements anddemographic information presented below is based on a metric that promotes bothvoluntary self-identification by each director.

Board Diversity Matrix (as of March 31, 2024)
Total Number of Directors 12 
 FemaleMaleDid Not Disclose
Part I: Gender Identity
Directors561
Part II: Demographic Background
Asian110
Black or African American110
White340
Did Not Disclose001
     

Executive Compensation Highlights

The Talent & Compensation Committee (the “T&C Committee”) relies upon certain fundamental principles in designing the executive compensation program including an emphasis on performance-based pay, aligning executive interests with those of stockholders, and attracting and retaining key talent. In addition, the T&C Committee engages with stockholders and seeks to reflect their feedback in the executive compensation program. The Company received strong stockholder value creation and short-term andsupport for say-on-pay in 2023, which we believe reflected the long-term executive accountability. We use adjusted EBITDA as the primary measure for evaluating our performance and stockholder value-aligned changes implemented after extensive stockholder outreach following the 2022 Say-on-Pay vote outcome. Such changes include a return to performance share units (“PSUs”) with three-year targets and the inclusion of an absolute total stockholder return (“TSR”) governor on top of the relative total stockholder return (“rTSR”) modifier included in 2022 for determining performance-basedthe long-term incentive program. For 2024, the T&C Committee has incorporated further changes representative of the Company’s compensation philosophy including changes to the equity pay mix and cash compensation mix, and individual bonus caps for executive officers. We invite you to read A Letter from the Talent and Compensation Committee to our senior executives because, among other reasons, we believe that adjusted EBITDA represents the performance of our core business and our ability to create value for stockholders. See CompensationDiscussionandAnalysis beginningStockholders on page  3446 for more information about our compensation programs and philosophy.information.

2023 COMPENSATION MIX(1)

(1)Mix is shown at target. Percentages are approximate due to rounding.

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement910


We do:

We do not:

WE DO:WE DO NOT:
Tie pay to performance.

Provide change in control severance tax gross-ups

Pay dividend equivalents unless the vesting and do have a policy against future such arrangements.

performance conditions for the underlying equity award are met.

Use “double triggers” in our severance agreements and equity awards.

Cap the bonus pool from which senior executives’ individual cash bonuses are paid.Permit stock option repricing without stockholder approval.

Have significant stock ownership guidelines.

Cap individual bonus at two times target for executive officers beginning with the 2024 annual bonus plan.Provide significant executive-only perquisites.

Have a clawback policy.

 

Grant stock options.

Conduct an annual risk assessment of our executive compensation program.

Limit PSU payouts at target if TSR is not positive over the PSU measurement period. 

Permit hedging or pledging of our stock by our directors orand executive officers.

Annual Meeting Information Summary

Time and Date:

Location:

Record Date:

 

10:00 a.m., local (Eastern) time, on Thursday, June 2, 2016.

 

The NASDAQ Market Site, 4 Times Square, New York, New York 10036. For more information about entry into the meeting, see HowtoAttendtheAnnualMeeting on page 15.

 

April 7, 2016.

Voting Procedures:

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible to ensure your representation at the meeting. A return envelope (which is postage prepaid if mailed in the United States) is enclosed for that purpose. Alternatively, you may vote by calling the toll-free telephone number or by using the Internet as described in the instructions included with your proxy card. Even if you have submitted your proxy card, you may still vote in person if you attend the meeting. Pleasenote,however,thatifyoursharesareheldofrecordbyabroker,bankorothernomineeandyouwishtovoteatthemeeting,youmustobtainfromtherecordholderaproxyissuedinyourname.

Voting Matters:

The following proposals will be voted upon at the Annual Meeting and are described in more detail in this proxy statement. Our Board recommends that you vote as follows on each such proposal:

Proposals

Board Voting Recommendation

More Information

Election of Directors (Proposal 1)

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each of the Board of Directors’ nominees.

Page 16

Use “double triggers” in our severance agreements and equity awards.
Provide change in control severance tax gross-ups.
 

Ratification of Independent Auditors (Proposal 2)

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.

Page 66

Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation (Proposal 3)

The Board

Have both an incentive-based compensation clawback policy and a Financial Restatement Recovery Policy aligned with the SEC requirements.Enter into new arrangements with executive officers that would pay cash severance in excess of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the approval on2.99 times salary and target bonus, without stockholder ratification.
Conduct an advisory basisannual risk assessment of our executive compensation.

compensation program.

Page 69

Conduct a robust stockholder engagement process.
Conduct formal executive succession planning.
Have meaningful stock ownership guidelines.

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement10


Table of Contents

 

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.11

PROXY STATEMENT

13

Voting Rights and Outstanding Shares; ApprovalBack to Contents

13

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Revocability of ProxiesBack to Contents

14

13

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCEBack to Contents

33

Proposal 1

Election of Directors

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

34

Summary Information

34

Executive Compensation Program Philosophy and Objectives

36

2015 Say-on-Pay Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation Results and Consideration

38

The RoleBoard of Management

38

The RoleDirectors recommends a voteFOReach of the Compensation Consultant

Board’s nominees.

39

Benchmarking

39

Components of Executive Compensation in 2015

40

Key Governance Matters

46

Compensation Committee Report

48

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COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

49

Summary Compensation Table

49

Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

51

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2015 Fiscal Year-End Table

52

Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

53

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS

54

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL AND/OR TERMINATION

58

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

61

2015 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

62

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

65

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

65

Review and Approval or Ratification of Related Person Transactions

65

66

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

67

AUDITOR INDEPENDENCE

68

69

2017 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

70

OTHER MATTERS

70

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

71

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

72

FORM OF PROXY CARD

73

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PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of The Priceline Group Inc. (the “Company,” “The Priceline Group,” “we,” “our” or “us”) for use at our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Thursday, June 2, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. local (Eastern) time (the “Annual Meeting”), or at any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting, for the purposes set forth in this proxy statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Annual Meeting will be held at The NASDAQ Market Site, 4 Times Square, New York, New York 10036. We intend to mail this proxy statement and the proxy card on or about April 28, 2016 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Voting Rights and Outstanding Shares; Approval

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 7, 2016 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on April 7, 2016, 49,637,715 shares of common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. Each holder of record of common stock on April 7, 2016 will be entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

The inspector of election appointed for the meeting will tabulate all votes and will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and broker non-votes. A majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, present either in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders who are present at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy and who abstain, and proxies relating to shares held by a broker on your behalf (that is, in “street name”), that are not voted (referred to as “broker non-votes”) will be treated as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.

For purposes of approving the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting:

With respect to Proposal 1, the nominees for election to the Board who receive a majority of votes cast for the election of directors will be elected directors. With respect to the election of directors, a majority of votes cast means that the number of shares cast “for” a nominee’s election exceeds the number of “withhold” votes for that nominee. With respect to Proposal 1, votes cast does not include abstentions or broker non-votes, and therefore, abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the vote.

With respect to Proposal 2, the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to act as our independent registered public accounting firm requires approval by a majority of the total number of shares present and entitled to vote on the matter. With respect to Proposal 2, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the matter. Because brokers are entitled to vote on Proposal 2 without specific instructions from beneficial owners, there will be no broker non-votes on this matter.

With respect to Proposal 3, the non-binding advisory vote to approve executive compensation will be considered approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of shares present and entitled to vote on the matter. With respect to Proposal 3, abstentions are considered present and entitled to vote on the matter and therefore have the same effect as votes against the matter, and broker non-votes are not considered entitled to vote on the matter and therefore have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

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If your shares are held in “street name,” and you do not instruct the broker as to how to vote your shares on Proposals 1 or 3, the broker may not exercise discretion to vote for or against those proposals. This would be a “broker non-vote” and these shares will not be counted as having been voted on the applicable proposal. With respect to Proposal 2, the broker may exercise its discretion to vote for or against that proposal in the absence of your instruction. Pleaseinstructyourbrokersoyourvotecanbecounted.

Voting Matters

Proposal

Board Vote Recommendation

Proposal 1: Election of Directors

FOR each nominee

Proposal 2: Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

FOR

Proposal 3: Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

FOR

Revocability of Proxies

Any person giving a proxy in response to this solicitation has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted. Proxies may be revoked by any of the following actions:

filing a written notice of revocation with our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive office (800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854);

filing with our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive office (800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854) a properly executed proxy showing a later date; or

attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person (attendance at the meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy). Pleasenotethatifyoursharesareheldofrecordbyabroker,bankorothernomineeandyouwishtovoteatthemeeting,youmustobtainfromtherecordholderaproxyissuedinyournameinordertovoteatthemeeting.

Solicitation

We will pay for the entire cost of proxy solicitations, including preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of proxy solicitation materials. We will provide copies of solicitation materials to banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians holding in their names shares of our common stock beneficially owned by others to forward these materials to the beneficial owners of common stock. We may reimburse persons representing beneficial owners of common stock for their costs of forwarding solicitation materials. Our directors, officers or other regular employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, in-person or otherwise. We will not additionally compensate directors, officers or other regular employees for these services. We have engaged Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist in the solicitation of proxies, and we currently expect to pay Innisfree approximately $12,000 for its services, though the fees could be significantly more if we decide to use its services more extensively.

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How to Attend the Annual Meeting

If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, in accordance with our security procedures, you will be asked to sign in and present picture identification (e.g., a driver’s license or passport) to enter the meeting. You should plan on arriving early as the meeting will start promptly at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at The NASDAQ Market Site, 4 Times Square, New York, New York 10036. Please enter through the NASDAQ entrance on the corner of 43rd Street and Broadway Avenue (shown in the photo below).

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement15


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PROPOSAL 1  

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board currently consists of eleventwelve directors, with no vacancies, and the term of all of the directors expires at the Annual Meeting. After years of dedicated service on the Board and exceptional leadership as chairman of the Audit Committee, Howard W. Barker, Jr., a current member of the Board, is retiring from the Board effective as of the Annual Meeting and is therefore not standing for re-election. As a result, in accordance with our By-Laws and effective as of the Annual Meeting, the Board has fixed the number ofAssuming all nominated directors constituting the entire Board at ten such that afterare elected, following the Annual Meeting the Board will be comprisedconsist of tentwelve directors with no vacancies. The Board has proposed that the following ten nominees, each of whom is a current director, beIf elected to the Board at the Annual Meeting, toeach of the twelve director nominees will hold office for a one-year term until the next2025 annual meeting of stockholders and until his or hertheir successor has been duly elected and qualified: TimothyM.Armstrong,JefferyH.Boyd,JanL.Docter,JeffreyE.Epstein,JamesM.Guyette,CharlesH.Noski,NancyB.Peretsman,ThomasE.Rothman,CraigW.RydinandLynnM.Vojvodich.qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation, or removal. Unless otherwise instructed, it is the intention of the persons named as proxies on the accompanying proxy card towill vote shares represented by properly executed proxies for such nominees.the twelve nominees listed below. The proxies solicited by this proxy statement may not be voted for more than tentwelve nominees.

The nominees for election to the Board who receive a majority of votes cast for the election of directors by the shares of common stock present and entitled to vote, in person or by proxy, shall be elected directors. In accordance with our By-Laws and Corporate Governance Principles, if an incumbent director who is nominated for election to the Board in an uncontested election does not receive a majority of the votes cast for the election of directors, the director is required to tender his or her resignation promptly following the Annual Meeting; in which case, within 90 days following certification of the stockholder vote, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will determine whether to recommend that the Board accept the director’s resignation, and the Board will decide and act on the matter in its discretion. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board may consider any factors they deem relevant in deciding whether to recommend or accept a director’s resignation. In general, any director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to our Corporate Governance Principles will not participate in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommendation or Board action regarding whether to accept the resignation offer. We will disclose promptly the Board’s decision regarding whether to accept or reject the director’s resignation offer and its rationale for such decision in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Nominees receiving a majority of votes cast by the shares of common stock present at the Annual Meeting shall be elected to the Board. With respect to the election of directors, a majority of votes cast means that the number of shares cast “for” a nominee’s election exceeds the number of “withhold” votes for that nominee. With respect to Proposal 1, votes cast does not include abstentions or broker non-votes, and therefore, abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the vote. Holders of common stock may not cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

Although the Board anticipates that the tentwelve nominees will be available to serve as directors on our Board and each person nominated has agreed to serve if elected, if any of them should be unwilling or unable to serve, it is intended that the proxies will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee or nominees as may be designated by the Board. If elected at the Annual Meeting, each of the nominees would serve a one-year term until the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected. We have no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.14

Director Qualifications

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the Board’s nominees.

We believe that our directors should possess high personal and professional ethics and integrity, and be committed to representing the long-term interests of our stockholders. We endeavor to have a Board representing a range of experiences at policy-making levels in business and in areas that are relevant to the global nature of our global activities. Theoperations and our long-term strategy. As a result, the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (“CG Committee”) believe that, in light of our businessesbusiness, strategy, and structure, the following are key areas of experience, qualifications, and skills that should be represented on the Board:

Leadership. Directors with experience in significant leadership positions over an extended period, especially chief executive officer (“CEO”) positions, provide us and the Board with special insights. These individuals generally possess exceptional leadership qualities and the ability to identify and develop those qualities in others. They demonstrate a practical understanding of organizations, processes, strategy, risk management, and methods to drive change and growth.
Finance. It is important for our directors to understand finance, financial statements, and financial reporting processes. We generally measure our operating and strategic performance by reference to financial targets. In addition, accurate financial reporting and effective auditing are critical to our success.
Global Business. We operate a global business and believe it is important the Board includes directors with a mix of global business perspectives representing a variety of markets.
Human Resources. As our business continues to grow and the number and diversity of our employees increases, the Board believes that directors with human resources (including people and culture) experience are important to our success.
Technology. The Board believes that having directors with technology oversight experience, including of internet or e-commerce businesses, is important for the Board’s ability to oversee management and provide insight regarding innovations and the evolving risk landscape in our industry.
Sales and Marketing. As our business is highly dependent on effective marketing, the Board seeks to have directors with significant sales and marketing experience to provide additional insight and advice to management in these areas.
Travel Industry. The Board believes that having directors with insight into the travel industry and related industries helps it evaluate our strategy and oversee management.

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.15

Leadershipexperience. The Board believes that directors with experience in significant leadership positions over an extended period, especially chief executive officer positions, provide us and the Board with special insights. These individuals generally possess extraordinary leadership qualities and the ability to identify and develop those qualities in others. They demonstrate a practical understanding of organizations, processes, strategy, risk management and the methods to drive change and growth.

Financeexperience. The Board believes that an understanding of finance, financial statements and financial reporting processes is important for our directors. We measure our operating and strategic performance by reference to financial targets. In addition, accurate financial reporting and effective auditing are critical to our success.

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Industryexperience. The Board seeks to have directors with experience in Internet or technology businesses or in the travel industry, because it believes that having directors experienced in the industries in which we operate is important for our success and the Board’s ability to oversee management.

Globalexperience. Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to continue to grow our businesses outside the United States. For example, in 2015, approximately 94% of our consolidated operating income was generated by our international businesses. As a result, the Board believes it is important that it include directors with a global business perspective and significant international business experience.

SalesandMarketingexperience. The Board seeks to have directors with significant sales and marketing experience to provide additional insight and advice to management as our business is highly dependent on effective marketing, both online and offline and around the world.

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The foregoingfollowing 2024 board skills matrix shows areas of experience, qualifications, and skills that were particularly identified withfor each nominee by the Nominating and Corporate GovernanceCG Committee and the Board when considering the re-nomination ofcurrent nominees. We continue to evaluate the current directors are summarized inmatrix against our strategy so that it can serve as an effective tool for identifying director nominees who collectively have the following chartcomplementary skills, experience, and described more fully in each nominee’s biography set forth below.qualifications to guide our Company.

Director Qualifications

Leadership

Finance

Industry

Global Business

Sales and Marketing

Timothy M. Armstrong


Leadership

Finance
Global
Business
Human
Resources
TechnologySales and
Marketing
Travel

Jeffery H. Boyd

Glenn D. Fogel

Jan L. Docter

Mirian M. Graddick-Weir

Jeffrey E. Epstein

Kelly Grier

James M. Guyette

Wei Hopeman

Robert J. Mylod, Jr.

Charles H. Noski

Nancy B. Peretsman

Larry Quinlan

Nicholas J. Read

Thomas E. Rothman

Craig W. Rydin

Sumit Singh

Lynn M. Vojvodich

Radakovich

Vanessa A. Wittman

Director Tenure

The evaluation of director nominees, including each nominee’s independence from management, by the Nominating and Corporate GovernanceCG Committee and the Board also takes into accountconsider director tenure. Although re-nominationtenure in connection with the evaluation of incumbent directors is not automatic, the Nominating and Corporate Governancenominee independence. The CG Committee believes that Board continuity facilitates effective and efficient leadership, risk management, and oversight, and that the knowledge and understanding of our business gained over years of service are important attributes to consider when determining nominees for election to the Board. The NominatingCG Committee and Corporate Governancethe Board also believe that deliberate and planned Board refreshment is beneficial to the Board and our Company, and we have a robust and continuous refreshment process in place. The CG Committee and the Board believe that the current mix of directors reflects an appropriate mix of short-, medium-, and long-tenured directors, with the Board’sdirectors. Eight of our independent directors having anwill have joined the Board in the past eight years and the average tenure of 8.3 years, including the addition of four newour independent directors since January 1, 2013.will be 5.6 years as of the Annual Meeting.

Nomination and Election Process

Identifying Director Candidates

As set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Principles, the CG Committee primarily uses the following criteria to identify and recommend nominees for election or appointment to the Board:

the highest personal and professional ethics and integrity;
relevant business, professional, or managerial skills and experience;
demonstrated leadership skills through involvement in business, professional, charitable, or civic affairs;
current knowledge of the industry, markets, and communities in which we do business;
the characteristics to contribute to the Board’s diversity of viewpoints, background, experience, knowledge, and perspectives;
ability and willingness to commit adequate time to fulfilling Board and committee duties and responsibilities, and to exercise independent judgment, ask probing questions, and express tough opinions; and
expertise, skills, knowledge, experience, and personality that fit well with those of other directors in building a Board that is effective, collegial, and responsive to the Company’s needs and stockholder interests.

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The CG Committee believes that each nominee should be evaluated based on their individual merits, taking into account the Company’s needs and the overall composition of the Board. The CG Committee’s policy is to consider diversity of viewpoints, background, experience, knowledge, and perspectives as factors in nominating persons for election or appointment to the Board.

Who Can Recommend Candidates?

Outside consultants may be employed to help identify candidates;
Other Board members and members of management; and
Stockholders.

Our CG Committee gives appropriate consideration to potential candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner as other potential candidates identified by the CG Committee. Stockholders who wish to submit potential candidates for consideration by the CG Committee for election at our 2025 annual meeting of stockholders or for election to our Board at our 2025 annual meeting of stockholders may do so in accordance with the procedures described in 2025 Stockholder Proposals on page 110, in accordance with our By-Laws, or in accordance with our Stockholder Communications Policy (available at www.bookingholdings.com), as applicable.

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Evaluating Director Candidates

Members of the CG Committee evaluate possible candidates and suggest individuals to Contentsexplore in more depth. Once a candidate is identified whom the CG Committee wants to seriously consider and move toward nomination, the chair of the CG Committee or their designee enters into a discussion with that nominee.

When considering current directors for nomination for re-election to the Board, the CG Committee takes into account the performance of each director. Underperforming directors may be asked to leave the Board or may not be re-nominated for election. The CG Committee also reviews the composition of the Board in light of its and our current challenges and needs, and determines whether it may be appropriate to add or remove individuals after considering the need for specific expertise and independence, judgment, skills, background, tenure, diversity of perspectives, and experience.

Board Evaluations

We conduct an annual evaluation process to assess the performance of our Board and its committees, which includes:

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Nominees for DirectorElection as Directors

Set forth below is biographical information as of March 31, 20162024 for each person nominated for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting, all of whom are current directors.

Name

Age

Director Since

Independent

Committee Memberships

Timothy M. Armstrong

45

2013

 

 

Compensation

Jeffery H. Boyd
(Chairman; Interim CEO)(1)

59

2001

 

 

 

Jan L. Docter

66

2007

 

 

 

Jeffrey E. Epstein

59

2003

 

 

Audit

Compensation

James M. Guyette (Lead Independent Director)

70

2003

 

 

Compensation

Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair)

Charles H. Noski

63

2015

 

 

Audit (Chair-elect)(2)

Nancy B. Peretsman

62

1999

 

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance

Thomas E. Rothman

61

2013

 

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance

Craig W. Rydin

64

2005

 

 

Audit

Compensation (Chair)

Lynn M. Vojvodich

48

2016

 

 

(1)

Mr. Boyd has served as our Interim Chief Executive Officer and President since April 2016.

(2)

Mr. Barker, who is retiring at the Annual Meeting, is the current Chairman of the Audit Committee, but Mr. Noski will become Chairman of the Audit Committee as of the Annual Meeting on June 2, 2016.

Timothy M. Armstrong

DirectorSince: 2013
Age: 45

TimArmstrong has served on our Board since January 2013 and is currently a member of the Compensation Committee.
Mr. Armstrong has served as Chief Executive Officer of AOL Inc. since April 2009. He also served as Chairman of the Board of AOL Inc. from April 2009 until Verizon acquired the company in June 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Armstrong served as President, Americas Operations and Senior Vice President of Google Inc. Mr. Armstrong joined Google in 2000 as Vice President, Advertising Sales, in 2004 was promoted to Vice President, Advertising and Commerce and in 2007 was named President, Americas Operations and Senior Vice President. Before joining Google, Mr. Armstrong served as Vice President of Sales and Strategic Partnerships for Snowball.com and as Director of Integrated Sales and Marketing at Starwave’s and Disney’s ABC/ESPN Internet Ventures. Mr. Armstrong started his career by co-founding and running a newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Armstrong is a trustee of the Paley Center for Media, the New York Regional Board of Teach For America, the Waterside School and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation. He is a Chair Emeritus of the Ad Council and Chairman of the IAB Education Foundation, both of which are non-profit organizations.

Director Qualifications:

Leadership,IndustryandGlobalexperience - extensive experience, expertise and background in global Internet businesses and the interactive media industry gained from his position as Chief Executive Officer of AOL and his former positions at Google; and his corporate leadership experience gained from his position as Chief Executive Officer of AOL.

SalesandMarketingexperience - extensive experience and background in Internet marketing and sales from his position as Chief Executive Officer of AOL and his former positions at Google and ABC/ESPN Internet Ventures.

Jeffery H. Boyd, Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer and President

DirectorSince: 2001
Age: 59

JefferyH.Boyd has served on our Board since October 2001 and as the Chairman of our Board since January 2013. Since April 2016, Mr. Boyd has served as our Interim Chief Executive Officer and President. Mr. Boyd served as our President and Chief Executive Officer from November 2002 until December 2013. Mr. Boyd was our President and Co-Chief Executive Officer from August 2002 to November 2002 and Chief Operating Officer from November 2000 to August 2002. He previously served as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from January 2000 to October 2000. Prior to joining us, Mr. Boyd was Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Oxford Health Plans, Inc. Mr. Boyd was a member of the Board of Directors of Bankrate, Inc. and BEN Holdings, Inc. (the holding company for Bankrate, Inc.) prior to its initial public offering in 2011.

Director Qualifications:

Leadership,Industry,Global,andSalesandMarketingexperience - Mr. Boyd’s long and successful tenure as our President and Chief Executive Officer.

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Jan L. Docter

DirectorSince: 2007
Age: 66

JanL.Docterhas served on our Board since November 2007. Mr. Docter has been a self-employed business consultant since 2006. He is also an investor and actively involved in a number of early-stage companies. From 2003 until its acquisition by us in 2005, Mr. Docter was the Chief Financial Officer of Booking.com. From 2005 to 2006, Mr. Docter served as the Chief Financial Officer of Corio NV, an international real estate investment company that was listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange until it merged with Klépierre in 2014. From 1987 to 2003, he was Chief Financial Officer, and later Deputy CEO of, Getronics NV, a Dutch-based global information and communications technology services company that was listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange until it merged with Royal Dutch Telecom in 2007. From 1985 to 1988, he was Chief Financial Officer of Centrafarm Group NV, a European producer of generic drugs, which was listed on NASDAQ until 1987. Prior to that, Mr. Docter held various management positions at Polygram NV, currently known as Universal Music Group. He has also worked with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, and served on the Advisory Board of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange until it merged with Euronext in 2000. Mr. Docter is also a non-executive director of some private Dutch companies. Mr. Docter holds a Masters degree in economics from the Erasmus University of Rotterdam.

Director Qualifications:

Financeexperience - former chief financial officer of European-based public companies and Booking.com.

IndustryandGlobalexperience - former chief financial officer of and human resource consultant to Booking.com; former chief financial officer and deputy CEO of a global technology services company.

Jeffrey E. Epstein

DirectorSince: 2003
Age: 59

JeffreyE.Epstein has served on our Board since April 2003, and is currently a member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. Mr. Epstein is an Operating Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, a venture capital firm, which he joined in November 2011. From August 2011 to May 2014 he also served as a Senior Advisor at Oak Hill Capital Partners, a private equity firm. Mr. Epstein was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Oracle Corporation from September 2008 to April 2011. Mr. Epstein has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Shutterstock, Inc., a global provider of licensed imagery, since April 2012 and serves as Chairman of its Audit Committee and a member of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Since January 2013, Mr. Epstein has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., a provider of in-flight video, Internet and other content to airlines and their passengers, and serves as chairman of its Audit Committee and Nominating Committee. Mr. Epstein serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Kaiser Permanente, a leading U.S. not-for-profit health care provider and health plan.Meeting.

 

Director Qualifications:

GLENN D. FOGEL

Chief Executive Officer and President

Age: 62
Director since: 2017

Skills & Expertise

Career Highlights

Mr. Fogel has served as our Chief Executive Officer and President since January 2017 and the Chief Executive Officer of Booking.com since June 2019. Previously, he served as our Head of Worldwide Strategy and Planning from November 2010 to December 2016 and as our Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, from March 2009 to December 2016. Mr. Fogel joined us in February 2000. Prior to that, he was a trader at a global asset management firm and prior to that was an investment banker specializing in the air transportation industry. Mr. Fogel is a member of the New York State Bar (retired).

Director Qualifications

Mr. Fogel brings to the board significant experience running our Company as our President and Chief Executive Officer and in his previous role as Head of Worldwide Strategy and Planning. His expertise helped lead us during a long period of sustained global growth and through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other Current Public Directorships:

  None

Committees or Subcommittees:

  None


MIRIAN M. GRADDICK-WEIR

Age: 69
Director since: 2018

Independent

Skills & Expertise

Career Highlights

Dr. Graddick-Weir, Ph.D., was the Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Merck & Co., Inc. from 2008 until November 2018, where she led human resources for one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the world. Dr. Graddick-Weir served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources of Merck from September 2006 to January 2008. Prior to joining Merck, she served as Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Employee Communications of AT&T from 2004 to 2006 and served as its Executive Vice President of Human Resources from 1999 to 2004. Dr. Graddick-Weir was responsible for the design, planning, and administration of all Human Resources functions, including compensation, benefits, recruiting, and training, for AT&T’s 47,000 employees. She joined AT&T in 1981. She currently serves as chair of Yum! Brands’ nominating and governance committee and as a member of its management planning and development committee.

Director Qualifications

Dr. Graddick-Weir brings to the board global business experience having served as a senior executive of two large global businesses and on the board of directors of another; and extensive experience in the human resources field.

Other Current Public Directorships:

  Yum! Brands, Inc. (since 2012)

Committees or Subcommittees:

  Talent and Compensation (Chair)

  Audit


FinanceandGlobalexperience - former chief financial officer of Oracle, the world’s largest enterprise software company.

Industryexperience - former senior executive at Internet advertising company; board member of Internet companies; board member of supplier to the airline industry; former chief financial officer of Oracle.

James M. Guyette

DirectorSince: 2003
Age: 70

JamesM.Guyette has served on our Board since November 2003, and is currently a member of the Compensation Committee, Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board’s Lead Independent Director. Mr. Guyette served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce North America Inc., a world-leading supplier of power systems to the global aerospace, defense, marine and energy markets, from 1997 through May 2015. Prior to joining Rolls-Royce, Mr. Guyette was Executive Vice President - Marketing and Planning for United Airlines, where he also held a number of other senior roles over nearly 30 years. Mr. Guyette served as a member of the Board of Directors of Rolls-Royce plc from 1997 until May 2015, and is Chairman of the Board of Directors of PrivateBancorp, Inc., where he has served on the Board of Directors since 1989. He is a member of the St. Mary’s College - Moraga CA - Board of Regents.

Director Qualifications:

LeadershipandGlobalexperience-served as chief executive officer of a leading multinational supplier to global aerospace, defense, marine and energy markets; director of two other public companies, including a multinational public company.

IndustryandGlobalexperience- approximately thirty years at one of the world’s largest airlines; former director of a global distribution system.

SalesandMarketingexperience - extensive experience in sales and marketing from his positions at Rolls-Royce and United Airlines.

Charles H. Noski

DirectorSince: 2015
Age: 63

CharlesH.Noski has served on our Board since March 2015. In 2012, Mr. Noski retired from the role of Vice Chairman of Bank of America Corporation, to which he was named after previously serving as the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to this, Mr. Noski served as Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Vice President and as a member of the Board of Directors of Northrop Grumman Corporation. Prior to Northrop Grumman, he was Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Financial Officer of AT&T Corporation. Before that, Mr. Noski led Hughes Electronics Corporation in various senior executive roles, including as Vice Chairman and as President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Noski began his career at Deloitte & Touche LLP where he was named Partner. Mr. Noski has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Microsoft Corporation since 2003 and is the Chair of Microsoft’s Audit Committee and a member of its Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Noski

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has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Avon Products, Inc. since 2012 and is the Chair of Avon’s Audit Committee and a member of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Noski is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Financial Accounting Foundation and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Corporate Directors. In addition, Mr. Noski served as a member of the Board of Directors of Avery Dennison Corp., a global labeling and packaging company, from 2011 to 2014; and Merrill Lynch & Co. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation) from 2010 to 2011.

Director Qualifications:

Leadership,FinanceandGlobalexperience - senior leadership roles at large public, global companies, including as Chief Financial Officer of Bank of America; service as a partner at one of the world’s largest public accounting firms.

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KELLY GRIER

Age: 54
Director since: 2023

Independent

Skills & Expertise

Career Highlights

Ms. Grier served as the Chair and CEO of EY-US and Managing Partner for the Americas region from 2018 until her retirement in 2022. She also served as the Chair of EY’s U.S. Board and as a member of the EY Global Executive and Global Practice Group during that time. Prior to this, Ms. Grier served as the Vice Chair of Talent and in various other roles throughout the Americas and the Central Region since she started at EY in 1991, including as an SEC Audit Partner. Ms. Grier has served on the board of Illinois Tool Works Inc., a global industrial company, since 2022, where she is a member of its Audit and Finance Committees, and CDW Corporation, a provider of integrated IT solutions, since 2023, where she is a member of its Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. She is also a senior advisor to the private equity firm Permira Advisors and serves as a director of a number of private and not-for-profit organizations including Zendesk, Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, and Global Forestation Generation. Ms. Grier is a Certified Public Accountant.

Director Qualifications

Ms. Grier brings to the board extensive leadership experience and expertise in finance and global business through her career at a global professional services firm.

Other Current Public Directorships:

  Illinois Tool Works, Inc. (since 2022)

  CDW Corporation (since 2023)

Committees or Subcommittees:

  Audit


WEI HOPEMAN

Age: 54
Director since: 2019

Independent

Skills & Expertise

Career Highlights

Ms. Hopeman is a Managing Partner of Arbor Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on investing in fintech companies around the world, which she co-founded in 2014. From 2010 to 2014, Ms. Hopeman served as Managing Director and Head of Asia for Citi Ventures. Prior to Citi Ventures, Ms. Hopeman spent time in various other banking and private equity roles, including as the Chief China Representative for Jefferies & Co. and as a technology banker at The Goldman Sachs Group.

Director Qualifications

Ms. Hopeman brings extensive experience and expertise in global business and finance and particularly has demonstrated significant success in the fintech industry.

Other Current Public Directorships:

  None

Committees or Subcommittees:

  Corporate Governance


Industryexperience - service as President and Chief Operating Officer of a large, public technology company; service as Chief Financial Officer of public technology companies and as a director of Microsoft.

Nancy B. Peretsman

DirectorSince: 1999
Age: 62

NancyB.Peretsman has served on our Board since February 1999 and is currently a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. She is a Managing Director at Allen & Company LLC, an investment bank, with which she has been associated since 1995. During her tenure at Allen & Company, Ms. Peretsman has provided advice and capital to over one hundred small, high growth businesses and served as advisor to many of the world’s largest media and consumer companies. Prior to joining Allen & Co., Ms. Peretsman was at Salomon Brothers from 1983 to 1995, where she headed the worldwide media investment banking practice and was a Managing Director from 1990 to 1995. Ms. Peretsman is an Emeritus Trustee of Princeton University, serves on the Board of Trustees of The Institute for Advanced Study and is a member of the National Board of Directors of Teach for America.

Director Qualifications:

FinanceandIndustryexperience - current managing director at an investment bank; advisor to leading Internet, media and consumer companies.

Thomas E. Rothman

DirectorSince: 2013
Age: 61

ThomasE.Rothman has served on our Board since January 2013 and is currently a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Rothman has served as Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group since March 2015. From September 2013 to February 2015, Mr. Rothman was Chairman of TriStar Productions, a motion picture and television venture with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Previously, Mr. Rothman served as Chairman of Fox Entertainment Group Inc., a media company and subsidiary of News Corp. from 2000 to 2005 and as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2005 to 2012. Mr. Rothman served as President of Twentieth Century Fox Film Group from January 2000 to August 2000, and served as President of Twentieth Century Fox Production from 1995 to 2000. In 1994, Mr. Rothman founded and served as President of Fox Searchlight Pictures. Prior to that, he served as President of Worldwide Production for the Samuel Goldwyn Company from 1989 to 1994. Mr. Rothman also served as an associate and then partner with Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein & Selz, a law firm, from 1982 to 1987. Mr. Rothman serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Sundance Institute and the American Film Institute, emeritus. He is also a member of the Boards of California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Brown University (emeritus), and has been appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a member of the National Counsel of the Arts, the governing body for the National Endowment for the Arts.

Director Qualifications:

LeadershipandGlobalexperience - extensive executive leadership of global media companies.

SalesandMarketingexperience - a long and successful career marketing motion pictures, television programs and other media.

Craig W. Rydin

DirectorSince: 2005
Age: 64

CraigW.Rydin has served on our Board since January 2005, and is currently a member of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Compensation Committee. From October 2011 to October 2013, Mr. Rydin served as the Non-Executive Chairman of The Yankee Candle Company, a maker of scented candles. Prior to being named Non-Executive Chairman, Mr. Rydin was the Executive Chairman of The Yankee Candle Company. Prior to being named Executive Chairman in October 2009, Mr. Rydin served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yankee Candle Inc. from April 2001 to October 2009 and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Yankee Candle Company from February 2003 to October 2013. Prior to joining Yankee Candle, Mr. Rydin was the President of the Away From Home food services division of Campbell Soup Company, a position he held from 1998 to 2001. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Rydin served as the President of the Godiva Chocolatiers division of Campbell. Prior to his position with Godiva, Mr. Rydin held a number of senior management positions at Pepperidge Farm, Inc., also a part of Campbell. Mr. Rydin has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Philips-Van Heusen since 2006 and is currently a member of its Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee, and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Au Bon Pain since 2009 and the Board of Directors of Fitness Connection since 2013.

Director Qualifications:

SalesandMarketingexperience - extensive experience in global sales and marketing from senior roles at consumer products and food services companies.

LeadershipandGlobalexperience - former chief executive officer and chairman of leading consumer products company; director of another public company; senior leadership experience at global food services companies.

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Lynn M. Vojvodich

DirectorSince: 2016
Age: 48

LynnM.Vojvodich has served on our Board since January 2016. Ms. Vojvodich has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of salesforce.com since 2013, and is responsible for leading salesforce.com’s global marketing organization and driving market leadership, global awareness, demand generation, strategic events and communications. Prior to her role at salesforce.com, Ms. Vojvodich served from 2012 to 2013 as a partner at Andreesen Horowitz, a leading venture capital firm, where she helped companies build their go-to-market strategies. Prior to that, she was the Chief Marketing Officer at Terracotta Inc., a leader in in-memory and cloud enabling technology. Ms. Vojvodich has also served in various roles at organizations including Bain & Company and Microsoft.

Director Qualifications:

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Industry,Global,andSalesandMarketingexperience - extensive experience, expertise and background in Internet marketing and sales, including from her position as Chief Marketing Officer of salesforce.com as well as prior senior marketing roles; responsible for global marketing at salesforce.com and prior experience in marketing positions at large, global organizations.

Retiring Director

Howard W. (“Skip”) Barker, Jr.

DirectorSince: 2003
Age: 69

HowardW.(“Skip”)Barker,Jr. was employed by KPMG LLP from July 1972 and served as a partner of KPMG LLP from 1982 until his retirement in September 2002. Mr. Barker has served on our Board since January 2003, and serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Barker is retiring from our Board effective as of the expiration of his term at the Annual Meeting, and therefore is not standing for re-election to the Board. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. from 2007 until its acquisition in January 2015, and chaired the Audit Committee and was a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Strategic Transaction Committee. Mr. Barker also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Medco Health Solutions, Inc. from 2003 until its acquisition in April 2012, and chaired Medco’s Audit Committee and was a member of Medco’s Compensation Committee and Mergers and Acquisitions Committee. In addition, Mr. Barker is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

 

ROBERT J. MYLOD, JR.

Chair

Age: 57
Director since: 2017

Independent

Skills & Expertise

Career Highlights

Mr. Mylod is the Managing Partner of Annox Capital Management, a private investment firm that he founded in 2013. From 1999 to 2011, Mr. Mylod held several roles with us, including Vice Chair, Head of Worldwide Strategy and Planning, and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining us, he was a Principal at Stonington Partners, a private equity investment firm. Mr. Mylod has served as executive chair of the board of directors of Vroom, Inc., a tech-enabled automobile retailer, since May 2022. He has been a member of Vroom’s board of directors and also chair of Vroom’s audit committee and a member of its compensation committee since 2015. Mr. Mylod was a member of the board of Freightos, LTD, an international freight booking and payment platform from 2014 to 2023. He was the chair of the Board of Redfin, a tech-enabled real estate brokerage, from 2016 to 2020 and also a member of Redfin’s audit committee from 2013 to 2018. From 2014 to 2021, Mr. Mylod served as a member of the board of directors of Dropbox, Inc., a company that specializes in data file sharing and storage, and served as a member of Dropbox’s audit and compensation committees. He also serves on the board of directors of several privately held companies.

Director Qualifications

Mr. Mylod brings to the board significant experience and expertise as a leader in finance and global technology businesses, including ours for over 12 years, helping lead us during a long period of sustained global growth.

Other Current Public Directorships:

  Vroom, Inc. (since IPO in 2020)

Committees or Subcommittees:

  Talent and Compensation


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CHARLES H. NOSKI

Lead Independent Director

Age: 71
Director since: 2015

Independent

Skills & Expertise

Career Highlights

In 2012, Mr. Noski retired as a Vice Chairman of Bank of America Corporation, to which he was named after previously serving as that company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to this, Mr. Noski served as Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Vice President and as a member of the board of directors of Northrop Grumman Corporation. Prior to Northrop Grumman, he was Vice Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Financial Officer of AT&T Corporation. Before that, Mr. Noski led Hughes Electronics Corporation in various senior executive roles, including as Vice Chairman and President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Noski worked at Deloitte & Touche LLP for 17 years from 1973 to 1990 and he was named Partner in 1983. Mr. Noski was elected to the board of directors of Wells Fargo & Company in 2019, served as chairman of the Wells Fargo board from March 2020 to August 2021, also chaired its governance and nominating committee and its audit committee, and retired from the board in 2021. In 2020, Mr. Noski was elected to the Hewlett Packard Enterprise board and is chair of its finance and investment committee and a member of its nominating, governance and social responsibility committee. In 2022, Mr. Noski was appointed to the board of directors of MIO Partners, Inc. and serves on the risk committee and the audit committee. From 2003 to 2019, Mr. Noski served as a member of the board of directors of Microsoft Corporation and was the chairman of Microsoft’s audit committee and a member of its governance and nominating committee. Mr. Noski was also chairman of the board of trustees of the Financial Accounting Foundation from 2016 to 2019 and a former member of the board of directors of the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Director Qualifications

Mr. Noski brings to the board significant experience and expertise as a leader in finance and global businesses, and has demonstrated a long and successful career at large public companies as a senior officer and as a director, and in the accounting profession.

Other Current Public Directorships:

  Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (since 2020)

Committees or Subcommittees:

  Audit

  Corporate Governance (Chair)


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LARRY QUINLAN

Age: 61
Director since: 2022

Independent

Skills & Expertise

Career Highlights

Mr. Quinlan served as Global Chief Information Officer for Deloitte from 2010 through 2021, responsible for all facets of technology strategy and operations and leading over 10,000 IT professionals in 175 countries, and in various other roles since he started at Deloitte in 1988. During his time at Deloitte, Mr. Quinlan oversaw major client relationships and advised company boards and CEOs on a wide range of IT, cybersecurity, and digital strategic priorities. He has over 35 years of experience as a technology leader. Mr. Quinlan currently serves on the boards of Jones Lang LaSalle, a global commercial real estate services company, and ServiceNow, a software company that develops a digital transformation platform. He also serves on the board of directors of several privately held companies and non-profit organizations.

Director Qualifications

Mr. Quinlan brings to the board extensive experience and expertise in global business and technology. His technology expertise is particularly valuable in guiding our Cybersecurity Subcommittee in its oversight responsibilities.

Other Current Public Directorships:

  ServiceNow, Inc. (since 2021)

  Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (since 2022)

Committees or Subcommittees:

  Cybersecurity (Chair)


NICHOLAS J. READ

Age: 59
Director since: 2018

Independent

Skills & Expertise

Career Highlights

Mr. Read has served as the executive chairman of EXA Infrastructure, a digital infrastructure company, since 2023, and has served as a senior advisor to Global Infrastructure Partners, an infrastructure investor, since 2023. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Group Plc, a multinational communications company, from October 2018 to December 2022, was a member of its board of directors from 2014 to 2022, and an advisor from December 2022 to March 2023. Prior to becoming its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Read served as Group Chief Financial Officer of Vodafone Group Plc from April 2014 to July 2018. Since joining Vodafone in 2001, Mr. Read held a variety of senior roles, including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Limited, the U.K. operating company. Prior to becoming Group Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Read served as Regional Chief Executive Officer for Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific for five years and was a board member of the Vodafone publicly-traded subsidiaries Vodacom, Safaricom, and Vodafone Qatar and Vodafone’s joint ventures VHA in Australia and Indus Towers in India. Prior to joining Vodafone, he held senior global finance positions with United Business Media Plc and Federal Express Worldwide. Mr. Read is a member of the board of directors of Radius Global Infrastructure and a supervisory board member of Manchester Met University. Mr. Read is a Fellow Chartered Management Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.

Director Qualifications

Mr. Read brings to the board extensive experience and expertise as a leader in finance and global business through his career at a large public company based in Europe with significant international operations.

Other Current Public Directorships:

  None

Committees or Subcommittees:

  Audit

  Cybersecurity


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THOMAS E. ROTHMAN

Age: 69
Director since: 2013

Independent

Skills & Expertise

Career Highlights

Mr. Rothman has served as Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group since March 2015, where he oversees Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Imageworks and Sony Pictures Animation, along with other entities. In June 2021, he was promoted to Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group. From September 2013 to February 2015, Mr. Rothman was Chairman of TriStar Productions. Previously, Mr. Rothman served as Chairman of Fox Entertainment Group Inc., a media company and subsidiary of News Corp. from 2000 to 2005 and as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2005 to 2012. Mr. Rothman served as President of Twentieth Century Fox Film Group from January 2000 to August 2000, and served as President of Twentieth Century Fox Production from 1995 to 2000. In 1994, Mr. Rothman founded and served as President of Fox Searchlight Pictures. Prior to that, he served as President of Worldwide Production for the Samuel Goldwyn Company from 1989 to 1994. Mr. Rothman was also an associate and then partner with Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein & Selz, a law firm, from 1982 to 1987. Mr. Rothman is a member of the boards of the California Institute of the Arts and Brown University (emeritus). He served as a member of the National Council of the Arts, the governing body for the National Endowment for the Arts since 2015, and has been appointed by President Biden to the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Director Qualifications

Mr. Rothman brings to the board extensive executive leadership of global media companies; and has demonstrated a long and successful career marketing and financing motion pictures, television programs, and other media.

Other Current Public Directorships:

  None

Committees or Subcommittees:

  Corporate Governance


SUMIT SINGH

Age: 44
Director since: 2022

Independent

Skills & Expertise

Career Highlights

Mr. Singh has served as Chief Executive Officer of Chewy, Inc. since March 2018, following seven months serving as Chief Operating Officer of Chewy, and has served as a director of Chewy since April 2019. In 2019, he led the company through its initial public offering. Prior to joining Chewy, Mr. Singh held senior leadership positions at Amazon, where from 2015 to 2017, he served as Worldwide Director of Amazon’s Consumables businesses (fresh and pantry) and, from 2013 to 2015, as General Manager for Amazon’s North American merchant fulfillment and third-party businesses. Prior to Amazon, Mr. Singh served in senior management positions at Dell Technologies Inc.

Director Qualifications

Mr. Singh brings to the board extensive leadership experience through his career at large global businesses spanning e-commerce, technology, retail, and logistics.

Other Current Public Directorships:

  Chewy, Inc. (since IPO in 2019)

Committees or Subcommittees:

  Talent and Compensation 


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LYNN VOJVODICH RADAKOVICH

Age: 56
Director since: 2016

Independent

Skills & Expertise

Career Highlights

Ms. Vojvodich Radakovich is an advisor to start-up and growth-stage technology companies. She served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Salesforce, a cloud-based software company, from 2013 to 2017. Before joining Salesforce, Ms. Vojvodich Radakovich was a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, a leading venture capital firm, where she helped companies build their go-to-market strategies. Previously, she was the Chief Marketing Officer at Terracotta Inc., a leader in in-memory and cloud-enabling technology. Ms. Vojvodich Radakovich has also served in various roles at organizations including Bain & Company and Microsoft. Ms. Vojvodich Radakovich has served as a member of the board of directors of Dell Technologies since April 2019 and is the chair of the compensation committee and member of the audit committee. She has served as a member of the board of directors of Ford Motor Company since 2017 and is chair of the compensation, talent and culture committee and member of the nominating & governance and sustainability, innovation & policy committees. She has served as a director of Figma, a privately held cloud-based design software company, since December 2019. Ms. Vojvodich Radakovich began her career as a mechanical engineer in a hard hat working on the design and construction of Gulfstream jets and offshore oil structures.

Director Qualifications

Ms. Vojvodich Radakovich brings to the board extensive experience and expertise in global businesses with focuses on internet marketing and sales, including from her experiences working with global technology businesses, as well as start-up, and growth-stage technology companies.

Other Current Public Directorships:

  Ford Motor Company (since 2017)

  Dell Technologies Inc. (since 2019)

Committees or Subcommittees:

  Corporate Governance

  Talent and Compensation 


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VANESSA A. WITTMAN

Age: 56
Director since: 2019

Independent

Skills & Expertise

Career Highlights

Ms. Wittman was the Chief Financial Officer of Glossier, an online beauty product company, until May 2022 and served as an advisor to Glossier until December 2022. She previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Oath, a subsidiary of Verizon, during 2018. Ms. Wittman served as Chief Financial Officer of Dropbox from 2015 to 2016 and as Chief Financial Officer of Motorola Mobility, a subsidiary of Google, from 2012 to 2014. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Wittman served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Marsh & McLennan Companies, a global professional services firm. Prior to Marsh & McLennan, Ms. Wittman held a number of other senior finance roles. Ms. Wittman has served as a member of the board of directors for American International Group, Inc. since 2023. Ms. Wittman serves on the board of directors of Impossible Foods Inc., a privately held sustainable foods company, and is the audit committee chair. Since 2021, Ms. Wittman has also served as a member of the board of directors of Oscar Health and as its audit committee chair. From 2014 to 2019, Ms. Wittman was a member of the board of directors of Ulta Beauty, a cosmetics and beauty supply retailer, and served on its audit committee.

Director Qualifications

Ms. Wittman brings to the board extensive global business, finance, executive, and technology experience through her roles at various global technology and retail companies.

Other Current Public Directorships:

  Oscar Health, Inc. (since IPO in 2021)

  American International Group, Inc. (since 2023)

Committees or Subcommittees:

  Audit (Chair)

  Cybersecurity


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Management

Set forth below is biographical information as of March 31, 20162024 for our executive officers, other than Jeffery H. Boyd, who becameGlenn D. Fogel, our Interim Chief Executive Officer, and President, in April 2016 and who is nominated for election as a director as hisnominee, whose biographical information is included under Nominees for Election as Directors. Also set forth above.

Name

Title

Age

Executive Officer Since

Daniel J. Finnegan

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

53

2005

Gillian Tans

President and Chief Executive Officer, Booking.com

45

2015

Glenn D. Fogel

Head of Worldwide Strategy and Planning, and Executive Vice President, Corporate Development

54

2010

Maelle Gavet

Executive Vice President, Global Operations

37

2015

Peter J. Millones

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

46

2001

Daniel J. Finnegan

ChiefFinancialOfficerandChiefAccountingOfficer
Age: 53

DanielJ.Finneganbelow is biographical information of Mr. David Goulden, our Chief Financial Officer from 2018 to March 2024.

Executive Officer Name       Title Age(2)       Executive Officer Since
Glenn D. Fogel Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer, Booking.com 62 2011
Peter J. Millones Executive Vice President and General Counsel 54 2001
Paulo Pisano Chief Human Resources Officer 50 2021
Ewout Steenbergen(1) Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 54 2024
(1)Mr. David Goulden, our Chief Financial Officer from 2018 to 2024, transitioned to a new role at the Company following the hiring of his successor Ewout Steenbergen as Chief Financial Officer in March 2024.
(2)Age as of March 31, 2024.

PETER J. MILLONES
Mr. Millones has been our General Counsel since January 2001 and our Executive Vice President since April 2003. He previously served as our Vice President and Associate General Counsel from March 2000 to January 2001 and as our Corporate Secretary from March 2021 to January 2022 and January 2001 to April 2018. Prior to that, Mr. Millones was with the law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP.

PAULO PISANO
Mr. Pisano has served as our Chief Human Resources Officer since August 2021 and as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer of Booking.com since March 2020. Prior to joining Booking.com, Mr. Pisano was the Chief People Officer at Galp, a globally integrated energy company, from December 2015. Previously, he served as the SVP and Chief Talent Officer at Pearson, an education publishing and learning assessment company, following his post as Head of Organizational Effectiveness at Barclays.

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EWOUT STEENBERGEN
Mr. Steenbergen is our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2024. Previously he served as EVP, Chief Financial Officer at S&P Global Inc. (“S&P”), a financial information and analytics company, since 2016. Mr. Steenbergen was also appointed as President, Engineering Solutions in 2022 when S&P merged with IHS Markit, and led Kensho Technologies, an artificial intelligence company, since 2018. Prior to his role with S&P, Mr. Steenbergen served as Executive Vice President and CFO of Voya Financial, Inc., a financial services company. He also serves as chair of the board of directors of UNICEF USA and as a member of the board of directors of the International Peace Institute.

Retired Executive Officer

DAVID GOULDEN
Mr. Goulden was our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from March 1, 2018 until he retired from the CFO position in March 2024. Mr. Goulden is now serving as Executive Vice President of Finance. Mr. Goulden has over 35 years of experience in the technology industry across a number of additional functions including Operations, Marketing, Strategy, Product Development, and Corporate Development. Mr. Goulden previously served as the President, Infrastructure Solutions Group, at Dell Technologies and, before that, as Chief Executive Officer of EMC Corporation’s information infrastructure business and in other roles at EMC Corporation since 2002. Mr. Goulden served on the board of directors of VMWare, a cloud infrastructure and business mobility company, from 2007 to 2014.

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Our Governance Framework

We and Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Finneganour Board operate under corporate governance principles that are designed to maximize long-term stockholder value, align the interests of the Board and management with those of our stockholders, and promote ethical conduct among our directors and employees.

A copy of our Corporate Governance Principles is available at www.bookingholdings.com. Our Corporate Governance Principles include:

A majority of the Board must consist of independent directors. See Director Independence beginning on page 37.
The CG Committee reviews and concurs annually on a CEO succession plan. See Corporate Governance Committee on page 35.
The Board and each committee can hire its own outside advisors.
The independent directors have at least two regularly scheduled executive sessions without management present each year.
The T&C Committee, meeting without our CEO present, evaluates our performance and the performance of our CEO and recommends to the Board the compensation of our CEO.
We maintain stock ownership guidelines for directors and executive officers. See Stock Ownership Guidelines on page 71 and Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Guidelines on page 96.
The Board appoints a Lead Independent Director if the Chair is not independent or as the Board deems appropriate. See Leadership Structure on page 30.

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Leadership Structure

The Board does not have a policy regarding the separation of the roles of CEO and Chair of the Board because the Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders to make that determination from time to time. The Board has determined that separation of the roles of CEO and Chair is currently in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.

Robert J. Mylod, Jr. has been Chief Financial Officer since January 2009. Mr. Finnegan was Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer from October 2005 to January 2009. Mr. Finnegan joined us in April 2004 as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer. Prior to that, Mr. Finnegan served as Chief Financial Officer for CS Technology, Inc., a consulting company, from October 2000 to April 2004.

Gillian Tans

PresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficer,Booking.com
Age: 45

GillianTanshas servedserving as the PresidentChair of the Board since June 2020. In light of Mr. Mylod’s previous experience as an executive of our Booking.com business since January 2015Company and the resulting familiarity with our operations, he provides an important connection between the Board’s non-executive directors and management and provides valuable advice to and oversight of the Company’s CEO. Although Mr. Mylod is an independent director, the Board has determined that it is in the Company’s best interest to maintain the position of Lead Independent Director. Mr. Noski has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Booking.comCompany’s Lead Independent Director since April 2016. Ms. Tans is responsible for overseeing all of Booking.com’s functional departments and operations. Prior to her appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Tans served as Booking.com’s Chief Operating Officer from September 2011 to April 2016 and as Booking.com’s Director Hotels & Content from 2002 to September 2011. Before joining Booking.com in 2002, Ms. Tans spent four years with the international Golden Tulip Worldwide hotel group, where she served as Product Manager, Marketing Manager and Director of Sales. Ms. Tans also worked for the Intercontinental Hotel Group and with a number of independent hotels. Ms. Tans began her career at Hershey Entertainment and Resorts.June 2020.

Glenn D. Fogel

HeadofWorldwideStrategyandPlanning,andExecutiveVicePresident,CorporateDevelopment
Age: 54

GlennD.Fogel is our Head of Worldwide Strategy and Planning, an office he has held since November 2010. He is also Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, a position he has held since March 1, 2009, and is responsible for worldwide mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances. Mr. Fogel joined us in February 2000. Prior to that, he was a trader at a global asset management firm and prior to that was an investment banker specializing in the air transportation industry. Mr. Fogel is a member

Role of the New York State Bar (retired).Board Chair

ROBERT J. MYLOD, JR.CHAIR OF THE BOARD
preside at and lead meetings of the Board and stockholders;
together with the Lead Independent Director, set and approve the Board’s agenda in consultation with the CEO; 
lead and manage the business of the Board, providing clear direction and focus for the activities of the Board;
provide input to the T&C Committee regarding the performance of the CEO and to the CG Committee regarding the performance of directors and new candidates to join the Board;
develop a close and effective working relationship with the CEO; and
on a case-by-case basis and where appropriate, if requested by major stockholders, be available for consultation and direct communication with such stockholders.

Role of the Lead Independent Director

CHARLES H. NOSKILEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
call, set the agenda for, and lead meetings and executive sessions of the independent directors;
together with the Board Chair, set and approve the Board’s agenda in consultation with the CEO; 
from time to time as he deems necessary or appropriate, consult with the Board Chair and the CEO as to the quality, quantity, and timeliness of the flow of information from management that is necessary for the independent directors to perform their duties effectively;
provide input to the T&C Committee regarding the performance of the CEO and to the CG Committee regarding the performance of directors and new candidates to join the Board;
on a case-by-case basis and where appropriate, if requested by major stockholders, be available for consultation and direct communication with such stockholders; and
authorize the retention of outside advisors and consultants that report directly to the Board.

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Other Select Policies and Practices

WE DO:
Code of Ethics. We have adopted a code of ethics that we refer to as our “Code of Conduct” and we require all directors, executive officers, and employees to adhere to it in discharging their work-related responsibilities. A copy of our Code of Conduct is available at www.bookingholdings.com.
Annual Meetings. At each annual meeting of stockholders, stockholders have the ability to vote on matters presented at the meeting, including the annual election of all of our directors.
Special Meetings. If important matters arise between annual meetings of stockholders, our certificate of incorporation provides that the Chair of the Board, the Vice Chair of the Board (if any), the CEO, the Board, or stockholders holding at least 25% of our shares may call a special meeting of stockholders. If properly called, a special meeting of stockholders would provide all stockholders an opportunity to debate and vote on matters outside the annual meeting cycle.
Written Consent. If important matters arise between annual meetings of stockholders, our certificate of incorporation provides that the Chair of the Board, the Vice Chair of the Board (if any), the CEO, the Board, or stockholders may act by written consent in lieu of a meeting, provided that the holders of no less than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock first request that the Board establish a record date for stockholders for such action by written consent.
Majority Vote Standard. We have a majority vote standard in uncontested elections of directors, which means that directors are required to tender their resignation unless they receive the support of a majority of votes cast.

Proxy Access and Stockholder Nominees. Stockholders have the opportunity to nominate individuals for election to the Board pursuant to our By-Laws and Delaware law and, in accordance with our By-Laws, to include nominees in our proxy statement. Our stockholder-approved proxy access By-Law provides that:

  any stockholder or group of stockholders holding at least 3% of our outstanding common stock,

  continuously for at least 3 years,

  can include in our proxy statement nominees for up to 25% of our Board for election at an annual stockholders’ meeting.

Annual Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation. The Board has implemented and our stockholders have approved an annual stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation to give stockholders the opportunity to provide feedback on our executive compensation practices annually.
Lead Independent Director. We have a Lead Independent Director with a set of defined responsibilities. See Leadership Structure and Communications with the Board of Directors on pages 30 and 38, respectively.
Stock Ownership Guidelines. The Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines for executive officers and non-employee directors. See Stock Ownership Guidelines on page 71 and Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Guidelines on page 96.
WE DO NOT:
Rights Plan. We do not have a stockholder rights plan, sometimes referred to as a “poison pill.”
Supermajority Voting Provisions. We do not have any supermajority voting provisions in our certificate of incorporation or our By-Laws.
Classified Board. We do not have a classified board of directors. All directors are elected by the stockholders each year.

ExecutiveVicePresident,GlobalOperations
Age: 37

MaelleGavet is our Executive Vice President, Global Operations, an office she has held since July 2015. She is responsible for driving global operational strategy and connections across The Priceline Group and our six major brands. Prior to joining us, she served from 2011 to 2015 as the Chief Executive Officer of OZON, a leading Russian e-commerce business. Prior to her appointment as Chief Executive Officer, she served as Sales and Marketing Director at OZON from 2010 to 2011. Before joining OZON in 2010, she was a Principal at The Boston Consulting Group, working in France, the United Kingdom, South Africa and India.

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Our Board’s Role in Company Strategy

ExecutiveVicePresident,GeneralCounselandCorporateSecretary
Age: 46

PeterJ.Millones is our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Mr. Millones has been our General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since January 2001, and Executive Vice President since April 2003. He previously served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel from March 2000 to January 2001. Prior to that, Mr. Millones was with the law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

The Board of Directors

The Board is elected by and accountable to the stockholders and is responsible for our strategic direction and oversight and control. Regular meetings of the Board are generally held six times per year and special meetings are scheduled when necessary. The Board held eight meetings in 2015. For 2015, all directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the Board committees of which they were members held while they were serving on the Board and any such committees. The Board has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and has adopted written charters for each of these committees.management.

Strategic Framework and The Board’s Role in Company

Our Strategy

As discussed in our Annual Report, we aim to achieve our mission to help people experience the world through global leadership in online travel and restaurant reservation and related services. We focus on relentless innovation and execution and a commitment to serve both consumers and travel service provider and restaurant partners with unmatched service and best-in-class digital technology. As the onlineWe believe that global travel and dining categoriesbookings will generally continue to grow as consumer purchasing shiftswhile shifting from traditional off-line channelsoffline to interactive online channels including mobile channels, our strategy islike ours. We aim to continue to participate broadly in thiscapture online growth by expanding our service offerings and markets. In particular, we aim to be the world leader in online travel and restaurant reservation and related services by (a) providing consumers with the best experience, (b) partnering with travel service providers and restaurants to our mutual benefit, (c) operating entrepreneurial, independent brands that share best practices, and (d) investing in profitable and sustainable growth.through a strategy of:

The Board is a key partner with management in formulating our strategyoversees the formulation and oversees management’s implementation of our strategy. The Board and management including our executive officers and the chief executive officers of our primary brands, meet annually in a day-long session to among other things, review the state of theour operating markets, in which we operate, analyze our competitive position, measure our performance against our strategy, and evaluate and adjust our strategy as deemed necessary or appropriate.strategy. While management takes the lead in preparing background materials and proposes the going-forward strategic direction for The Priceline Group,Booking Holdings, the Board plays an active role in evaluating, adjusting and approvingoverseeing our strategy. In particular, our ChairmanChair and Lead Independent Director work closely with management in advance of the meeting to prepare and approve the agenda for the meeting and to consult on the strategy to be proposed by management. Between these annual strategy meetings, management reports to the Board regularly typically in connection with each regular meeting of the Board, on our implementation of the strategy and our progress toward reaching our strategic goals, and the Board discusses with management whether adjustments should be made in light of any changed circumstances, whether with respect to us,changes in our Company, markets, our competitors, or otherwise. In addition, the Board meets regularly in executive session without management to discuss our performance and strategy.

Corporate Governance

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board and Audit Committee review our key risks at least annually. Our internal audit function, with primary oversight by the Audit Committee, facilitates the identification and assessment of the key risks facing the organization across functions and regions. The Board and committees are responsible for risk oversight and regularly review risk mitigation initiatives, while management is responsible for executing our risk management policies. Division of oversight responsibility relating to specific risks among the committees and the role of management is described below.

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WeBOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board is responsible for providing advice and our Board operate under corporate governance principles that are designedoversight of Booking Holdings’s strategic and operational direction and overseeing its executive management to maximizesupport the long-term stockholder value, align the interests of the Company and its stockholders.

AUDIT
COMMITTEE

Oversees

  risk assessment and processes generally;

  internal control over financial reporting;

  risk management related to hedging activities, investments, and use of derivative instruments;

  general operational, business continuity, legal, regulatory, and compliance risks; and

  delegation to the Cybersecurity Subcommittee, which periodically reports to the Audit Committee, oversight responsibilities for risk management processes related to cybersecurity, data protection and security, privacy, and major financial systems transformation projects.

CYBERSECURITY
SUBCOMMITTEE

Oversees

  cybersecurity program, including security policies, internal security controls, and preparedness;

  privacy and data protection risk exposures; and

  risks and benefits of major financial systems transformation projects.

See Cybersecurity & Privacy on page 42 for more information.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
COMMITTEE

Oversees

  risks related to the composition of our Board, including ensuring that we have Board members with the appropriate mix of qualities and availability to effectively oversee our business and fulfill the duties of the Board and each committee;

  our corporate governance practices, including certain regulatory and sustainability matters; 

  the development, improvement, and review of our Code of Conduct; and

  our CEO succession plan, including policies and principles to be used to select a successor.

TALENT AND COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE

Oversees

  risks related to compensation programs;

  risks related to human capital management;

  our compensation policies and practices, including those applicable to our NEOs; and

  succession plans for senior management personnel (other than the CEO).

See Compensation Risk Assessment on page 97

MANAGEMENT

The Company has a management-level risk committee tasked with ensuring risks are properly managed or mitigated and aligning strategic objectives with an appropriate level of risk tolerance.
 

Our internal audit and compliance functions also meet with the Audit Committee regularly, including in executive sessions without other members of management present, to report on their areas of responsibility.

On a quarterly basis, members of management with thoseresponsibility for cybersecurity and related risk areas meet with the Cybersecurity Subcommittee on risk management activities and efforts. As part of our stockholdersrisk mitigation strategy, we require that all employees across Booking Holdings complete certain annual training including information security awareness training.

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Board Committees

Our Board has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Talent and promote high ethical conduct among our directorsCompensation Committee, and employees. A copy of oura Corporate Governance Principles isCommittee. Each committee has a written charter available on our corporate website (www.pricelinegroup.com) underat www.bookingholdings.com. In addition, the tab “For Investors.” Our Corporate Governance Principles includeAudit Committee has delegated certain of its responsibilities to the following:

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement23


Back to ContentsCybersecurity Subcommittee.

Audit Committee

Chair: Vanessa A. Wittman

Members

  Mirian M. Graddick-Weir

  Kelly Grier

  Charles H. Noski

  Nicholas J. Read

The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include:

  overseeing and reviewing our consolidated financial statements, accounting practices, and related internal controls;

  overseeing and making all decisions relating to our relationship with our independent registered public accounting firm;

  overseeing our internal audit function;

  establishing procedures for the submission, receipt, and treatment of complaints or concerns regarding accounting or auditing matters;

  reviewing and approving all related party transactions (defined as transactions required to be disclosed by Item 404 of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) Regulation S-K); and

  acting as our primary risk oversight committee, including by overseeing our compliance program and risk management efforts generally, as well as our major financial risk exposures.

The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director based on The Nasdaq Stock Market’s (“Nasdaq”) listing rules and also satisfies the SEC’s additional independence requirements for members of audit committees.

 

Nine meetings in 2023
Report on page 99

A majority“Audit Committee
Financial Experts”:

  Kelly Grier

  Charles H. Noski

  Nicholas J. Read

  Vanessa A. Wittman

Cybersecurity Subcommittee of the Audit Committee

Chair: Larry Quinlan

Members

  Nicholas J. Read

  Vanessa A. Wittman

The Cybersecurity Subcommittee’s responsibilities include:

  oversight of the Board must consistCompany’s cybersecurity program, including security policies, internal security controls and risk management, the results of any third-party assessments of the Company’s cybersecurity program, crisis preparedness, and recovery capabilities;

  oversight of privacy and data protection risk exposures, including the steps management has taken to monitor and mitigate such exposures;

  monitoring significant regulatory requirements, policy developments, best practices, and proxy advisory firm policies relating to cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection; and

  reviewing the risks and benefits of major financial technology systems transformation projects and the progress of such projects.

The Cybersecurity Subcommittee, which was established in 2023, is composed entirely of independent directors.directors and reports to the Audit Committee.

Three meetings in 2023

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Corporate Governance Committee

Chair: Charles H. Noski

Members

  Wei Hopeman

  Thomas E. Rothman

  Lynn Vojvodich Radakovich

The Nominating andCG Committee’s responsibilities include:

  identifying individuals believed to be qualified to become Board members, consistent with criteria approved by the Board (which are set forth in our Corporate Governance Committee will annually concur on a CEO succession plan.

The Board and each committee of the Board can hire their own outside advisors.

The independent directors will have at least two regularly scheduled meetings each year.

The Compensation Committee, meeting without our CEO present, will evaluate our performancePrinciples and the performance of our CEOCG Committee’s charter and will recommenddescribed above in Identifying Director Candidates on page 16, and selecting, or recommending to the Board, the nominees to stand for election as directors at the annual meeting of stockholders;

  identifying and recommending that the Board appoint directors to fill vacancies on any Board committee (including the CG Committee);

  assessing whether candidates to join the Board would be “independent” under Nasdaq’s listing rules;

  establishing procedures to receive prompt notification of changes in a director’s circumstances that may affect their qualifications or independence as a director and reviewing such information and making recommendations as deemed appropriate;

  regularly evaluating and, as appropriate, recommending to the Board any modifications or enhancements to the Corporate Governance Principles;

  reviewing and concurring on a succession plan for the Chief Executive Officer, both in emergency situations and in the ordinary course of business;

  at least annually, reviewing our Code of Conduct and Stockholder Communications Policy and their effectiveness;

  periodically reviewing our policies and practices relating to certain regulatory compliance and sustainability matters, and approving our annual sustainability report; and 

  designing a process for the Board to conduct a self-evaluation at least annually.

The Board has determined that each member of the CG Committee is an independent director based on Nasdaq’s listing rules. The CG Committee approved and recommended to our Board the twelve director nominees standing for election at the Annual Meeting.

Five meetings in 2023

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Talent and Compensation Committee

Chair: Mirian M. Graddick-Weir

Members

  Robert J. Mylod, Jr.

  Sumit Singh

  Lynn Vojvodich Radakovich

This committee changed its name to the Talent and Compensation Committee in 2023 to reflect its evolving oversight responsibilities. The T&C Committee’s responsibilities include:

  setting, or recommending to the Board for determination, the compensation of our CEO.CEO;

  reviewing and approving the compensation of our other NEOs;

  engaging with the Company’s stockholders regarding the compensation paid to our executives, compensation program design, and related matters, and incorporating appropriate feedback;

  reviewing policies, programs, and initiatives related to human capital management, including with respect to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, company culture, employee engagement and talent recruitment, development, and retention;

  administering employee benefit plans, including incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans;

  recommending to the Board for approval compensation plans for non-employee directors;

  making recommendations to the Board with respect to the adoption of incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans;

  reviewing and approving succession plans for senior management personnel (other than the CEO, which is the responsibility of the CG Committee); and

  overseeing risks related to compensation programs. See Compensation Risk Assessment on page 97 for additional details.

The Board has determined that each member of the T&C Committee is an independent director based on Nasdaq’s listing rules and additional requirements for members of compensation committees. The T&C Committee has the authority to appoint and dismiss its advisors and compensation consultants and approve their compensation. These advisors report directly to the T&C Committee. The T&C Committee has retained Semler Brossy (“Semler”) as its outside compensation consultant. While Semler reports to the T&C Committee, the T&C Committee authorized Semler to communicate and work with management with respect to the compensation planning process.

Stock ownership guidelines for directors and executive officers.

Six meetings in 2023
Report on page 72

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DirectorIndependence. For 2015,

Our independence guidelines outlined in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommendedPrinciples conform to the Board,Nasdaq’s listing rules for independence requirements and the Board determined, thatrules of the SEC. For each of 2024 and 2023, the directors elected at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders, other than Mr. Boyd (our former President and Chief Executive Officer and current Interim Chief Executive Officer and President) and Mr. Darren Huston (our former President and Chief Executive Officer), was “independent” based on The NASDAQ Stock Market’s listing rules and our Corporate Governance Principles. For 2016, the Nominating and Corporate GovernanceCG Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board determined, that each of the nominees for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting is independent, other than Mr. Boyd. In connection withFogel is an “independent director” based on Nasdaq’s listing rules, the NominatingSEC rules, and our Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation regardingPrinciples.

In making its independence anddetermination, the Board’s subsequent determination thereof, both theCG Committee and the Board take into account anyconsidered ordinary course transactions or relationships between usthe Company and certain entities affiliated with directors, which the Board determined are not material to our Company, the directors, or the companies with which the directors may be affiliated, as well as the specific requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market and the SEC. The independent directors conduct at least two regularly scheduled executive sessions each year.

are associated. In connection with the independence determination of Mr. Armstrong,particular, the Board and the NominatingCG Committee took into account the following transactions or relationships:

Ms. Grier serves as a director at CDW Corporation, from which we purchased computer equipment and software; and Zendesk, from which we purchased certain computer software and subscription services.
Mr. Mylod serves as a director at Evolve Vacation Rentals, Inc., which paid us commissions on accommodation reservations.
Mr. Noski serves as director at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, from which we purchased and leased computer products and data center services and received certain rebates for product recycling.
Mr. Quinlan serves as director at ServiceNow, from which we purchased a license subscription; Jones Lang LaSalle, to which we paid fees for small real estate-related projects; and Sonatype, from which we purchased software licenses. Also, Mr. Quinlan was previously employed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, including as a Principal and Global Chief Information Officer. He retired and disassociated from Deloitte in 2021.
Mr. Read served during 2023 as an advisor to Vodafone Group, from which we purchased mobile phone subscriptions and other communication services; and serves as executive chair at EXA Infrastructure, from which we purchased certain telecommunication services.
Ms. Vojvodich Radakovich serves as director at Dell Technologies, from which we purchased computer hardware and software, and Figma, from which we purchased software licenses.
Ms. Wittman serves as director of American International Group, Inc., from which we purchase corporate insurance policies through a broker.

For each transaction described above, the amount of payments made and Corporate Governance Committee consideredreceived by each entity represented an immaterial percentage of the ordinary-course transactions between us and AOL, of which Mr. Armstrong is the Chief Executive Officer, primarily involving marketing affiliate relationships whereby we provide accommodation booking and restaurant reservation content to consumers through MapQuest (an AOL company) and under which we and AOL share in related commissions. In addition, the BoardCompany’s and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered the ordinary-course transactions between us and Verizon, of which AOL is a subsidiary, primarily involving (a) data center services, webservices, voice services for call centers, CDN services, and caching and phone services.other entity’s revenues. The Board and the Nominating and Corporate GovernanceCG Committee concluded that theseall such transactions didhave been conducted on an ordinary course, arm’s-length basis and do not impair Mr. Armstrong’s independence because, among other reasons, the amounts in question were small in comparison to our revenues and those of Verizon and AOL and well below the thresholds set forth in The NASDAQ Stock Market’s independence standards and the fact that Mr. Armstrong was not involved in the transactions or in our decision to enter into these relationships with either Verizon or AOL.

In connectioninterfere with the independence determinationexercise of Mr. Epstein,independent judgment by the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered that Paul Hennessy, the current Chief Executive Officer of our priceline.com business, serves on the Board of Directors of Shutterstock, Inc. with Mr. Epstein.relevant directors. The Board and the NominatingCG Committee also considered Mr. Quinlan’s prior employment with Deloitte and Corporate Governance Committee concluded that the fact that Messrs. Epstein and Hennessy serve together on another company’s Board of Directors didthis prior relationship would not impairinterfere with Mr. Epstein’s independence because, among other reasons, Mr. Hennessy has no control over Mr. Epstein’s continued service on that Board of Directors or any benefits Mr. Epstein may receiveQuinlan’s exercising independent judgment as a result thereof. In addition, the Boarddirector on our Board.

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions 

Review and Approval or Ratification of Related Person Transactions 

The Audit Committee, pursuant to a written policy, reviews all relationships and transactions in which we participate and in which any related person has a direct or indirect material interest and the Nominatingtransaction involves or is expected to involve payments of $120,000 or more in the aggregate per fiscal year. Our legal staff is primarily responsible for gathering relevant information from our directors and Corporate Governance Committee considered thatexecutive officers. Related person transactions are generally identified in:

questionnaires annually distributed to our directors and executive officers;
certifications submitted annually by our executive officers and directors related to their compliance with our Code of Conduct;
communications made directly by the related person to management; and
periodic internal reviews by management.

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As required under SEC rules, transactions in which we do business with Shutterstockparticipate and five private companies on whose Board of Directors Mr. Epstein serves. The Boardin which any related person has a direct or indirect material interest and the Nominatingamount involved exceeds $120,000 are disclosed in our proxy statement. The Audit Committee reviews and Corporate Governanceapproves or ratifies any such related person transaction. In the course of its review and approval or ratification of a disclosable related party transaction, the Audit Committee concluded that our ordinary course business relationships with these companies did not impair Mr. Epstein’s independence because, among other reasons, the amounts in question were small relative to both our business and thatconsiders:

the nature of the related person’s interest in the transaction;
the material terms of the transaction, including the amount and type of transaction;
the importance of the transaction to the related person;
the importance of the transaction to us;
whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a director or executive officer to act in our best interests; and
any other matters the Audit Committee deems appropriate.

Any member of the applicable companies. Finally, the Board and the Nominating and Corporate GovernanceAudit Committee considered that OpenTable offers its California-based employees healthcare plan services through Kaiser Permanente, a not-for-profit health care services provider, and that Mr. Epsteinwho is a member of Kaiser Permanente’s Board of Directors. The Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered that this ordinary course relationship with Kaiser Permanente did not impair Mr. Epstein’s independence because, among other reasons, the amounts in question were not material when compared with Kaiser Permanente’s revenues and our revenues, the relationship was in place prior to our acquisition of OpenTable and there was no connection between OpenTable’s offering of Kaiser Permanente’s healthcare services and Mr. Epstein’s service on Kaiser Permanente’s Board of Directors.

In connection with the independence determination of Ms. Peretsman, the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered that Ms. Peretsman’s husband serves on the Board of Directors of one of our insurance providers. The Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee concluded that the relationship of Ms. Peretsman’s husband with the insurance provider did not impair her independence because, among other reasons, there was no connection between Ms. Peretsman or her husband and usrelated person with respect to purchasing the insurance, the insurance premiums were relatively small and we purchased the insurance through a broker (who identified and recommended the insurance provider).

In connection with the independence determination of Mr. Noski, the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered that Mr. Noski serves on the Board of Directors of Microsoft Corporation, a company from which we purchase various software products and services and which we also pay for online search marketing services, in each casetransaction under review may not participate in the ordinary coursedeliberations or vote respecting approval or ratification of business. In addition, our KAYAK business had an ordinary-course of business revenue-sharing arrangement with

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Microsoft related to co-branded websites. The Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee concluded that our ordinary course business relationships with Microsoft did not impair Mr. Noski’s independence because, among other reasons, the decision to purchase Microsoft products and services and KAYAK’s decision to enter into its arrangement were done in the ordinary course of business and without Mr. Noski’s participation, Mr. Noskitransaction. This process is not an executive officer of Microsoft and does not have a material interest in our relationships with Microsoft, and the amounts in question are well below the thresholds set forth in The NASDAQ Stock Market’s independence standards. In addition, with respect to the purchase of software products and services and online search marketing services, these relationships began long before Mr. Noski joined our Board.

In connection with the independence determination of Ms. Vojvodich, the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered that Ms. Vojvodich is an executive officer of salesforce.com, a company with which we, primarily our OpenTable business, purchase software licenses and other services in the ordinary course of business. The Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee concluded that our ordinary course of business relationships with salesforce.com did not impair Ms. Vojvodich’s independence because, among other reasons, the decision to enter into these arrangements was made prior to Ms. Vojvodich joining the Board, Ms. Vojvodich does not have a material interest in these arrangements and the amounts in question are well below the thresholds set forth in The NASDAQ Stock Market’s independence standards.

DirectorNominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies, evaluates and recommends director candidates to the Board. In identifying and recommending nominees for election or appointment to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee places primary emphasis on the criteria set forth under “Selection of Directors - Nominations and Appointments”included in our Corporate Governance Principles, namely that the nominee has:which is available at www.bookingholdings.com.

the highest personal

Board Practices and professional ethics and integrity;Procedures

relevant business, professional or managerial skills and experience (including team-building and communication skills) useful to the oversight of our business;

demonstrated leadership skills through involvement in business, professional, charitable or civic affairs;

current knowledge and contacts in the communities in which we do business and in our industry or other industries relevant to our business;

ability and willingness to commit adequate time to fulfilling Board and committee duties and responsibilities;

ability and willingness to exercise independent judgment, ask probing questions and express tough opinions; and

expertise, skills, knowledge, experience and personality that fit well

Communications with those of other directors and potential directors in building a Board that is effective, collegial and responsive to our needs and stockholder interests and that represents a diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds, experiences and other demographics.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not set specific, minimum qualifications that nominees must meet in order for the committee to recommend them to the Board but rather believes that each nominee should be evaluated based on his or her individual merits, taking into account our needs and the overall composition of the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s policy is to consider diversity, which it views broadly in terms of viewpoints, backgrounds, experience, gender, race and ethnic or national origin, as a factor in nominating persons for election or appointment to the Board. The Committee is committed to actively seeking out highly qualified women and individuals from minority groups to include in the pool from which Board nominees are chosen. Members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee discuss and evaluate possible candidates in detail, and suggest individuals to explore in more depth. Outside consultants may be employed to help in identifying candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also expects that other Board members and members of management may also make recommendations to the committee regarding potential Board candidates. Once a candidate is identified whom the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee wants to seriously consider and move toward nomination, the chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, or his or her designee, enters into a discussion with that nominee.Directors

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by stockholders. Our Corporate Governance Principles require that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee give appropriate consideration to potential candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner as other potential candidates identified by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Stockholders who wish to submit potential candidates for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for election at our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders may do so by submitting in writing such candidates’ names to the Corporate Secretary, c/o Office of the General Counsel, The Priceline Group Inc., 800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854. Any such submission must set forth as to each proposed candidate who is not an incumbent director:

all information relating to the individual recommended that is required to be disclosed in a proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), (including such person’s written consent to be named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected);

the name(s) and address(es) of the stockholder(s) making the recommendation and the amount of our securities which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder(s);

appropriate biographical information (including a business address and a telephone number) and a statement as to the individual’s qualifications, with a focus on the criteria publicly stated to be considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in evaluating prospective Board candidates, including those specified in this proxy statement;

a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of our stock entitled to vote on the date of submission of such written materials;

any material interest of the stockholder in the recommendation; and

any additional information, documents or certifications that would be required pursuant to Article II Section 5 of our

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By-Laws if the stockholder(s) making the recommendation was instead nominating a candidate for election to the Board.

When considering current directors for nomination for re-election to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account the performance of each director. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also reviews the composition of the Board in light of our current challenges and needs and those of the Board, and determines whether it may be appropriate to add or remove individuals after considering, among other things, the need for specific expertise and issues of independence, judgment, age, skills, background, tenure and experience.

CommunicationswiththeBoardofDirectors. Stockholders may contact any of our directors, a committee of the Board, non-employee or independent directors as a group, or the Board as a whole by writing to them c/o Office of the General Counsel, The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc., 800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854. Stockholders should indicatestate in such communication how many shares of our common stock they own as of the date of their communication. Communications received in this manner will be handled in accordance with procedures developed and approved by the Board, including a majority of our independent directors. The procedures provide that in general, communications to the Board will be initially reviewed and logged by our General CounselCorporate Secretary and then periodically, and at least quarterly, forwarded to the Chair of the Board and the Lead Independent Director, if there is one, and/or the chairpersonChair of the NominatingCG Committee.

Board of Director Attendance

Regular meetings of the Board are generally held six times per year and Corporate Governance Committee.special meetings are scheduled when necessary. The Board held seven meetings in 2023. For 2023, all directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees of which they were members held while they were serving on the Board and any such committees.

AttendanceatAnnualMeetings.

We expect directors to attend our annual meetings of stockholders. Ten of theAll eleven members of the Board who were directorsdirector nominees at the time attended our 2015 annual meeting of stockholders. One director was unable to attend due to an unexpected work-related conflict that arose shortly before the meeting.

CodeofEthics. We have adopted a code of ethics that we refer to as our “Code of Conduct” and we require all directors and employees (including officers) to adhere to it in discharging their work-related responsibilities. A copy of our Code of Conduct is available on our corporate website (www.pricelinegroup.com) under the tab “For Investors.”

RightsPlan. We do not have a stockholder rights plan, sometimes referred to as a “poison pill.”

AnnualMeetings. At each2023 annual meeting of stockholders stockholders haveattended the ability to vote2023 meeting.

Compensation-related Corporate Governance

See Compensation Governance Matters on important matters that are presented at the meeting,page 71 for our various compensation-related corporate governance policies and practices, including the annual electionpolicies regarding compensation clawbacks, 10b5-1 plans, and hedging and pledging of all of our directors.securities.

SpecialMeetings. If important matters arise between annual meetings of stockholders, our certificate of incorporation provides that the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Board or stockholders holding at least twenty-five percent (25%) of our shares may call a special meeting of stockholders. If properly called, a special meeting of stockholders would provide all stockholders an opportunity to debate

Director Orientation and vote on matters outside the annual meeting cycle.Continuing Education

NoSupermajorityVotingProvisions. Neither our certificate of incorporation nor our By-Laws contain any supermajority voting provisions.

NoClassifiedBoard. We do not have a classified board of directors. AllNew directors are elected by the stockholders each year.

MajorityVoteStandard. We have a majority vote standard in uncontested elections of directors, which means that directors are required to tender their resignation unless they receive the support of a majority of shares cast.

ProxyAccessandStockholderNominees. Stockholders have the opportunity to nominate individuals for election to the Board pursuant to our By-Laws and Delaware law and, in accordance with our By-Laws, to include nomineesparticipate in our proxy statement. As approved bydirector orientation program, which includes in-depth sessions devoted to director fiduciary obligations, our stockholders at our 2015 annual meeting, our Proxy Access By-Law provides that:

any stockholder or groupCompany’s strategy and operations, and introductions to key members of stockholders holding at least 3% of our outstanding common stock,

holding the shares continuously for at least 3 years,

can include in our proxy statement nominees for up to 25% of our Board for election at an annual stockholders’ meeting.

AnnualAdvisoryVoteonExecutiveCompensation. The Board has implemented, and our stockholders have approved, an annual stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation, which means that stockholders have the opportunity to provide feedback on our executive compensation practices on an annual basis.

LeadIndependentDirector. Since January 2013, we have had a Lead Independent Director with a set of defined responsibilities, including,management, among other things, if requestedtopics. Topics are tailored based on the director’s committee membership(s) and when appropriate, ensuring availability for consultation and direct communication with major stockholders. See CorporateGovernanceandBoardMatters-LeadershipStructure and - CommunicationswiththeBoardofDirectors for more details.background.

StockOwnershipGuidelines. The Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines for executive officers and non-employee directors. See KeyGovernanceMatters on page 46 and 2015Non-EmployeeDirectorCompensationandBenefits on page 62.

ContinuingDirectorEducation. We encourage our directors to attend seminarscorporate governance and other corporate governance or director workshops to further develop their expertise or otherwiseand stay abreast of issues relevant to their service on the Board. Our policy is to reimburse directors for the costs of attending such programs. In addition, our Board and Board committees regularly invite outside experts to present to them on a variety of topics, which have included developments in corporate governance trends and best practices andkey areas of risk management such as cybersecurity and privacy issues.

See also KeyGovernanceMatters

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Sustainability

Our approach to sustainability is a natural extension of our mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. 

 World’s Most
Trustworthy
Companies 

America’s Most
Responsible
Companies 

America’s Greenest
Companies

World’s Top
Companies for
Women


America’s Best
Employers for
Diversity

America’s Climate
Leaders
NewsweekForbesUSA Today

Sustainable Travel 

Our approach to sustainability is grounded in our mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, which requires the preservation of a world worth experiencing. The CG Committee is tasked with oversight of our sustainability practices and policies, including environmental, social, and governance matters and receives reports from management on page 46these topics. In addition, management has a Sustainability Steering Committee dedicated to monitoring and driving progress toward our sustainability objectives. Our sustainability strategy is anchored by three pillars: 

Operating our business more sustainably and building a culture of sustainability 

In 2022, we became the first global online travel company to launch a Climate Action Plan, which outlines our scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions reductions targets and timelines. Over the past two years, we reported on our progress toward meeting these goals in our annual Sustainability Report. In addition, to continue to build a culture of sustainability, we made our in-depth Climate Awareness and Education Virtual Learning Program available across all of our brands.

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Making it easier for travelers to make more sustainable travel choices 

Together with our travel provider partners we are on a journey to make more sustainable choices increasingly accessible for travelers.

In 2023, more than 1.4 million accommodations shared information about their sustainability-related practices and over 16,000 accommodation partners have been recognized with a third-party certification related to sustainability practices. Consumers using Booking.com can find and book lower-impact taxis in 274 cities and filter for electric and hybrid car rentals. Priceline continues to experience a significant increase in electric vehicle rentals through expansion of its electric fleet of car rental providers. Additionally, public transportation ticketing options are now automatically available after booking accommodation via Booking.com.In 2023, Booking.com launched a new tagging system for air travel, which indicates the availability of lower-emission routes or carriers and offers comparisons across options.

Catalyze sustainable travel growth through external collaboration 

We advocate for a more sustainable industry through thought leadership and partnerships across our brands.

Our goal is to identify and co-create innovative solutions for more sustainable travel through advocacy, investments, and partnerships. For example, in 2023, Booking.com deepened its longstanding relationship with United Nations Tourism to launch an online training series for travel providers seeking to enhance the sustainability of their accommodations. The program focuses on community engagement, energy and greenhouse gas management, food and waste management, and water management.
We advocate for industry developments and address sustainability challenges by participating in various trade associations and partnering with other travel and technology organizations on a range of initiatives.
You can find more information on our sustainability efforts in our 2023 Sustainability Report, as well as our Climate Action Plan, at www.bookingholdings.com/sustainability, which are not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.

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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion means honoring all experiences, valuing all voices, and leading with empathy on our journey to become a more inclusive company. We strive for our various compensation related corporate governance policiesleadership and practices, including, among other things, policies regarding compensation clawbacks, 10b5-1 plans and hedging and pledgingworkforce to reflect the broad spectrum of securities.

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Committees ofpeople we work with throughout the Board of Directors

Our Board has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each committee has a written charter, a copy of which is available on our corporate website (www.pricelinegroup.com) under the tab “For Investors.” The table below provides current membership for each Board committee.

Committee Membership

Name

Audit

 

 

Compensation

Nominating and

Corporate Governance

Timothy M. Armstrong

 

 

 

 

Howard W. Barker. Jr.

 

 

 

 

Jeffery H. Boyd

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan L. Docter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey E. Epstein

 

 

 

James M. Guyette

 

 

 

 

Charles H. Noski

✔  *

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy B. Peretsman

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas E. Rothman

 

 

 

 

 

Craig W. Rydin

 

 

 

 

 

Lynn M. Vojvodich

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Meetings in 2015

8

 

 

8

 

5

  - Chair

- Member

*

- Mr. Noski will become Chair of the Audit Committee upon the retirement of Mr. Barker on June 2, 2016.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committeeworld because we believe this is the primary committee ofbest way for us to connect with the Board overseeing our compliance programviewpoints, backgrounds, and risk management efforts generally, as well as our major financial risk exposures. For additional details, see CorporateGovernanceandBoardMatters-Board’sOversightofRisk on page 30. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, among other things:

reviewing our financial statements and accounting practices;

overseeing our relationship with our independent registered public accounting firm, including making all decisions relating to appointing, compensating, evaluating and retaining the independent registered public accounting firm;

overseeing our internal audit function;

establishing procedures for the submission, receipt and treatment of complaints or concerns regarding accounting or auditing matters; and

reviewing and approving all related party transactions (defined as transactions required to be disclosed by Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K).

The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director based on The NASDAQ Stock Market’s listing rules and that each member of the Audit Committee also satisfies the additional independence requirements of the SEC for members of audit committees. In addition, the Board has determined that each of Mr. Barker, Mr. Epstein and Mr. Noski is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by SEC rules.

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Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include, among other things, setting, or recommending to the Board for determination, the compensationexperiences of our Chief Executive Officer, reviewingcustomers and approving the compensationpartners. We believe that our Company, our stockholders, our customers, and our employees all benefit from our commitment to inclusive leadership in all aspects of our other executive officers, administering employee benefit plans including incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the adoption of incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans. The Compensation Committee also oversees risks related to compensation programs. See CorporateGovernanceandBoardMatters-Board’sOversightofRisk on page 30 for additional details.Company.

The Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is an independent director based on The NASDAQ Stock Market’s listing rules and also meets The NASDAQ Stock Market’s additional requirements for membership on the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the authority to appoint and dismiss its advisors and compensation consultants and approve their compensation. These advisors report directly to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has retained Mercer Inc. (“Mercer”) as its outside compensation consultant. While Mercer reports to the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee authorized Mercer to communicate and work with management with respect to the compensation planning process.

Leadership at the Top

  The Board and the T&C Committee is tasked with oversight of human capital management, including diversity, equity, and inclusion, company culture, employee engagement and talent recruitment, development, and retention.

  The CG Committee considers a diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds, experience, knowledge, and perspectives as factors in recommending persons for election or appointment to the Board.

  Management has a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee that includes diversity and inclusion experts as well as business and functional leaders, and oversees efforts by brands and their management teams to cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment across the company.

42%4 of 122/3
OF THE BOARD 
ARE WOMEN*
DIRECTORS RACIALLY OR 
ETHNICALLY DIVERSE*
BOARD COMMITTEE 
CHAIRS ARE WOMEN*

Our Employee Community

  The Company’s Consolidated EEO-1 Report for employees in the United States (which represents approximately 13% of our workforce as of December 31, 2023) can be found at www.bookingholdings.com/about/eeo/. Certain jurisdictions, particularly outside the United States, present challenges to tracking employee racial or ethnic demographics for legal or privacy reasons. 

  As part of our ongoing inclusivity efforts, we continue to explore options that might allow the collection of data voluntarily on a global scale. For example, our brands include questions in annual employee engagement surveys that aim to gauge our progress in creating an inclusive workplace.

  We have a multitude of employee resource groups that are open to all employees including: LGBTQ+; gender equality; differing physical abilities and neurodiversity needs; veterans; and Black and persons of color, among others. We believe these groups are an important lever for empowering our people.

  We have invested in a robust inclusive leadership training program and unconscious bias training.

  We are committed to pay equity, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity. With the help of an independent compensation consultant, we conduct pay equity studies every other year and in the off years, we work on remediation plans to address outliers.
 

47%26%32%
OF EMPLOYEES 
ARE WOMEN
TECH POSITIONS ARE 
FILLED BY WOMEN**
EXTENDED LEADERSHIP 
TEAM ARE WOMEN***

Supporting a Diverse Industry

  In 2023, Booking Holdings implemented a formalized Vendor Diversity Program aimed at institutionalizing a process to foster partnerships with diverse vendors to aid in sourcing and procurement opportunities.

  We partner with external organizations, such as Catalyst, Workplace Pride, Everywoman, and Headspace to further advance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and provide training and resources.

*Assuming all director nominees are elected.
**Corrected from the figure reported in the Company’s 2023 10-K, which under-counted certain technology workers.
***The Extended Leadership team includes vice presidents and above for all brands except Booking.com, which includes senior directors and above due to a greater number of employees.

The Compensation Committee has delegated limited authority to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel to determine whether and to what extent certain restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units held by non-executive officers may be settled, vested, canceled, forfeited, or surrendered pursuant to their terms (for instance, the Chief Executive Officer has the authority to determine whether an employee’s termination was, pursuant to the terms of a relevant agreement, “with cause” or “without cause”).

The Chair of our Compensation Committee works with our Chief Executive Officer and our General Counsel to establish agendas for each meeting of the committee. The Compensation Committee typically meets with our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and outside advisors. The Compensation Committee also regularly meets in executive session without management. The Compensation Committee receives and reviews materials in advance of each meeting. These materials include information that management believes will be helpful to the Compensation Committee as well as materials that the Compensation Committee has specifically requested.

Management plays a significant role in the compensation planning process. The most significant aspects of management’s role are (see CompensationDiscussionandAnalysis-TheRoleofManagement on page 38 for additional details):

evaluating employee performance (other than the Chief Executive Officer’s);

helping to establish business performance targets and objectives (other than the Chief Executive Officer’s);

recommending salary levels, bonus targets/amounts and equity awards (other than the Chief Executive Officer’s); and

helping to design the structure, terms and conditions of bonus plans and equity awards.

With respect to the specific 2015 compensation initiatives detailed in the CompensationDiscussionandAnalysis section of this proxy statement (i.e., 2015 base salaries, bonus targets (and subsequent payouts) and equity grants), the bulk of the work related to the 2015 compensation process occurred between October 2014 and late February 2015. During that time, the Compensation Committee met formally on six occasions to review and discuss executive compensation matters.

In October 2014, the Compensation Committee met to discuss and plan the steps to be taken during the compensation planning process over the following months and to review the peer group that would be used in the compensation process. The Compensation Committee settled on, among other things, Mercer’s and management’s role in the planning process and agreed that management would act as the primary liaison with Mercer to provide necessary information for Mercer’s review and discuss and review compensation proposals before formal presentation to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee met once in December 2014 and two times in January 2015 to evaluate and discuss, among other things, the general structure and underlying philosophy of the 2015 bonus plan and equity awards and to receive Mercer’s analysis and recommendations with respect to the bonus plan and equity awards, Mercer’s approach to and calculations of “market” compensation, global compensation trends, our 2014 performance and the Chief Executive Officer performance evaluation process. The Compensation Committee met again in early February 2015 to discuss and approve more detailed aspects of the plans, from individual bonus targets and equity awards to specific funding and vesting provisions. In early February 2015, the Compensation Committee approved the target compensation of our executive officers for 2015 (other than that of the Chief Executive Officer), reviewed senior executive compensation with the Board and formally reviewed, and recommended that the Board approve, the target compensation of the Chief Executive Officer (which the Board subsequently approved without the presence or participation of the Chief Executive Officer). At its meeting in late February 2015, the Committee also determined whether the performance criteria of the 2012 performance share units (“PSUs”) granted to our executive officers had been met and whether such PSUs should therefore vest, and approved the 2015 form of executive officer performance share unit award agreements and 2015 executive officer equity awards.

During the compensation planning process, the General Counsel and other employees interacted often with Mercer outside the context of Compensation Committee meetings to discuss a range of issues, including specific compensation proposals for executives, the structure of equity awards (i.e., the structure of the performance share units described in the CompensationDiscussionandAnalysis section of this proxy statement) and proposed funding mechanisms and structure of the 2015 bonus plan.

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In connection with the specific recommendations on the design of the 2015 bonus plan and 2015 equity awards (e.g., number of units to be granted and specific performance thresholds), the Chief Executive Officer developed recommendations based on guidance given by the Compensation Committee. Those recommendations were reviewed with Mercer and, if appropriate, further refined, and were then presented to and reviewed in detail by the Compensation Committee. The final elements of the 2015 bonus plan and equity awards were the result of an iterative process and aspects of each were refined and changed during the process as a result of the Compensation Committee’s direction.

In early 2016, as described more fully in the CompensationDiscussionandAnalysis section of this proxy statement, the Compensation Committee determined funds to be allocated to the 2015 senior executive bonus pool and amounts to be paid to individual executive officers under the 2015 bonus plan.

Additional information on the Compensation Committee’s consideration of executive compensation is addressed in the CompensationDiscussionandAnalysis section of this proxy statement.

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Cybersecurity & Privacy

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is instrumental in our efforts to ensure

We believe that the Board is comprised of directors with the necessary skills and experience to effectively oversee our business. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee actively and regularly evaluates the composition of the Board, including the skills and experience of directors, in light of our changing business needs and challenges and takes the lead in identifying needed changes, whether with respect to adding directors with certain skills, experience or other desirable traits, planning for director retirements, ensuring an appropriate mix of short-, medium- and long-tenured directors or for any other reason. When the need for a new director arises, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the primary responsibility of seeking, identifying and qualifying director candidates. See CorporateGovernance-CorporateGovernancePrinciples-DirectorNominees for more information about the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s responsibilities with respect to director nominees.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also oversees the establishment and implementation of our corporate governance standards, practices and policies. The written charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee provides that it shall:

from time to time as deemed necessary or desirable in light of our needs and those of the Board, identify individuals believed to be qualified to become members of the Board, consistent with criteria approved by the Board and set forth in our Corporate Governance Principles, and to nominate or recommend to the Board for nomination candidates to stand for election as directors at the annual meeting of stockholders;

identify members of the Board qualified to serve on and fill vacancies on any committee of the Board (including the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee) and to recommend that the Board appoint the identified member or members to the respective committee;

assess whether candidates to join the Board would be “independent” under the listing rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market;

establish procedures to receive prompt notification of changes in a director’s circumstances that may affect his or her qualifications or independence as a director and review such information and make recommendations as deemed appropriate;

at least annually, review our Code of Conduct and review and consider the effectiveness of our Corporate Governance Principles and, if appropriate, recommend to the Board any suggested modifications or changes thereto; and

design a process for the Board to conduct a self-evaluation at least annually.

The Board has determined that each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is an independent director based on The NASDAQ Stock Market’s listing rules.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee approved and recommended to our Board the eleven director nominees standing for election at the Annual Meeting.

Leadership Structure

Mr. Boyd, who served as our Chief Executive Officer from 2002 until 2013, currently serves as our Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer and President. The Board does not have a policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board as the Board believes that it is in our best interests and those of our stockholders to make that determination from time to time based on our needs and those of the Board. The Board believes that combining the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman is currently in our and our stockholders’ best interests.

In light of Mr. Boyd’s recent service as our Chief Executive Officer and current service as our Interim Chief Executive Officer and President, the Board maintains the position of Lead Independent Director. Mr. Guyette, the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, serves as the Lead Independent Director. The responsibilities of the Lead Independent Director can be found on our corporate website (www.pricelinegroup.com) under the tab “For Investors” and include, among other things, the following:

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to call, set the agenda for and lead meetings and executive sessions of the independent directors;

consult with the Board Chairperson and, if different, the Chief Executive Officer regarding Board meeting agendas;

from time to time as the Lead Independent Director deems necessary or appropriate, consult with the Board Chairperson and, if different, the Chief Executive Officer as to the quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information from management that is necessary for the independent directors to perform their duties effectively;

on a case-by-case basis and where appropriate, if requested by major stockholders, ensure availability for consultation and direct communication with such stockholders; and

authorize the retention of outside advisors and consultants who report directly to the Board.

Board’s Oversight of Risk

Our risk management activities include the identification and assessment of the key risks facing us among the universe of business risks (e.g., strategic, operational, financial,managing cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection and security and technology, and legal, regulatory and compliance risks). These key risks are identified across the organization from multiple regions and functions, inrisk is a process undertaken generally byvital part of our internal audit function and overseen primarily by our Audit Committee. The Board and Audit Committee review these risks at least on an annual basis after they have been identified and assessed by management. The Board, or a committee of the Board, regularly reviews the initiatives put in place to mitigate the effects of these risks. These reviews include updates throughout the year from the businesses, regions and functions from which the key risks arise. Depending on the risk, the update may be presented to the full Board or, if appropriate, to a committee of the Board, which will report to the full Board as appropriate. The Board’s and each committee’s role is one of oversight, recognizing that management is responsible for executing our risk management policies. The oversight of risk within the organization is an evolving process requiring us to continually look for opportunities to further embed systematic enterprise risk management into ongoing business processes across the organization. The Board actively encourages management to continue to develop this process.

In addition to the Board’s role in enterprise risk management, various committees of the Board are also responsible for the oversight of certain risks.

The Audit Committee oversees:

our risk assessment and processes generally;

our internal control over financial reporting;

our risk management relatedresponsibilities to our hedging activities, investmentscustomers, partners, and useemployees, and have built a comprehensive governance structure for these matters. 

Oversight Structure

The Board and Audit Committee maintain responsibility for enterprise risk oversight related to cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection and security.
The Audit Committee formed a Cybersecurity Subcommittee to oversee management’s efforts and processes to identify, assess, manage, and monitor significant cybersecurity and privacy risks.
The Cybersecurity Subcommittee meets at least four times a year and reports periodically on these matters to the Audit Committee and the Board. 
Our Chief Security Officer and Chief Privacy Officer have enterprise-wide responsibility for assessing and managing cybersecurity, data protection and security, and privacy risks, respectively. 
Our internal audit function collaborates with the security teams to participate in an integrated cybersecurity assurance program. The internal audit function also performs its own cybersecurity audits and reviews certain cybersecurity-related practices. 

Framework

We leverage the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Frameworks for cybersecurity and privacy. 
We annually measure our security and privacy program maturity against these frameworks, and engage a third party every other year to assess the current state against these frameworks. The conclusions of such assessments are discussed with our Cybersecurity Subcommittee and our Board.

Privacy

Our privacy program is built upon the Privacy Principles set out in our Code of Conduct, which include: transparency, purpose, control, security, embedded privacy, and accountability. We reinforce these principles and expectations in employee responsibilities through our Protecting Personal Data Policy.
We are committed to protecting personal data through privacy programs that endeavor to meet the standards set and monitored by our Global Privacy Team. The Chief Privacy Officer, together with brand-level privacy leaders, form the Global Privacy Advisory Council and jointly monitor internal and external risks and align strategies to mitigate and/or remediate risks.

Continuous Employee Education

We require that all employees complete regular privacy and data protection training, including an annual information security awareness training. 
We have a Security Ambassadors Program to foster a security-focused culture for a safe, secure, compliant, and trustworthy business environment. Security Ambassadors are employees who act as an extension of the Security and Fraud Department for security advocacy.
We also conduct phishing tests and conduct specialized training such as secure coding training for our developers.

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.42

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Security Ownership of derivative instruments;

our risk assessmentCertain Beneficial Owners and processes related to privacy, data protection, security and technology; andManagement

our general operational, business continuity, legal, regulatory and compliance risks.

The Audit Committee is committed to effective, involved oversight of management’s risk assessment and management efforts. The Audit Committee has established a regular practice of meeting with those members of management with responsibility for privacy, data protection, security and technology risks to discuss these risks, risk management activities and efforts, best practices, lessons learned from incidents at other companies as well as at our company, the effectiveness of our security measures and other related matters, as well as periodically meeting with outside experts in these areas. Members of management responsible for our internal audit and compliance functions also meet with the Audit Committee regularly, including in executive sessions without other members of management present, to report on their areas of responsibility.

The Compensation Committee oversees risks related to compensation programs and regularly reviews and assesses our compensation policies and practices, including those applicable to our named executive officers, to determine whether they incentivize undesired risk-taking. The Compensation Committee believes that our compensation programs do not create or encourage excessive or inappropriate risk-taking that is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us or our business.

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement30


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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information known to us with respect to beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 31, 20162024 by (1) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock; (2) each member of the Board; (3) our former Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial OfficerBoard and each of our other named executive officersdirector nominees; (3) each of our NEOs in the SummaryCompensationTable in on page 73 of this proxy statement; and (4) all directors and executive officers as a group. The percentage of shares owned is based on 49,637,68734,066,419 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2016.2024.

 

Shares beneficially owned(a)

Name of beneficial owner

Number

 

Percent

Jeffery H. Boyd(b)

100,188

 

*

Darren Huston(c)

18,011

 

*

Tim Armstrong(d)

 

*

Howard W. Barker, Jr.(e)

209

 

*

Jan L. Docter(f)

6,267

 

*

Jeffrey E. Epstein(g)

5,436

 

*

James M. Guyette

2,187

 

*

Charles H. Noski(h)

 

*

Nancy B. Peretsman(i)

3,300

 

*

Thomas E. Rothman(j)

 

*

Craig W. Rydin(k)

396

 

*

Lynn M. Vojvodich

 

*

Daniel J. Finnegan

15,251

 

*

Gillian Tans

2,766

 

*

Glenn D. Fogel

23,142

 

*

Peter J. Millones

3,803

 

*

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(l)

5,438,488

 

11.0%

The Vanguard Group(m)

2,871,975

 

5.8%

BlackRock, Inc.(n)

2,711,080

 

5.5%

All directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons)(o)

208,584

 

*

*

Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent.

(a)

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes sole voting and investment power with respect to securities, except as discussed in the footnotes below. Shares of common stock issuable (i) upon the exercise of stock options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 2016 and (ii) upon vesting of restricted stock units or performance share units that vest by their terms within 60 days after March 31, 2016, are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding such stock options, restricted stock units and/or performance share unites for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Certain directors have elected to defer receipt of shares of common stock pursuant to vested restricted stock unit awards for tax planning purposes. However, depending on the terms of the deferral program in place at the time of the deferral, if the director does not have the right to receive the shares until 90 days after termination of board service, those shares are not included in the above table even though the director has vested in the shares and bears the economic risk of ownership.

(b)

Does not include 166 shares held by an immediate family member, of which Mr. Boyd disclaims beneficial ownership; and does not include 567 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Boyd for tax planning purposes (such shares will be issued to Mr. Boyd 90 days after termination of his Board service).

(c)

Mr. Huston ceased to be an executive officer and a director in April 2016.

(d)

Does not include 755 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Armstrong for tax planning purposes (such shares will be issued to Mr. Armstrong 90 days after termination of his Board service).

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Name of beneficial ownerShares beneficially owned(a)
Number Percent
Robert J. Mylod, Jr.(b)3,725 *
Kelly Grier(c)60 *
Glenn D. Fogel17,822 *
Mirian M. Graddick-Weir777 *
Wei Hopeman(d)578 *
Charles H. Noski(e)1,174 *
Larry Quinlan188 *
Nicholas J. Read292 *
Thomas E. Rothman(f)1,175 *
Sumit Singh(g)435 *
Lynn Vojvodich Radakovich(h)335 *
Vanessa A. Wittman643 *
David Goulden7,595 *
Peter J. Millones12,445 *
Paulo Pisano(i)1,141 *
The Vanguard Group(j)2,941,917 8.6%
BlackRock, Inc.(k)2,573,532 7.6%
Capital World Investors(l)1,751,072 5.1%
All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)(m)40,790 *
(e)

Does*

Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent.
(a)Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes sole or shared voting and investment power with respect to securities, except as discussed in the footnotes below. Shares of common stock issuable (i) upon the exercise of stock options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 2024 and (ii) upon vesting of restricted stock units or performance share units that vest by their terms within 60 days after March 31, 2024, are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding such stock options, restricted stock units and/or performance share units for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such person, but are not include 3,834 vested sharestreated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Certain directors have elected to defer receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Barkershares of common stock pursuant to vested restricted stock unit awards for tax planning purposes (suchpurposes. However, depending on the terms of the deferral program in place at the time of the deferral, if the director does not have the right to receive the shares will be issued to Mr. Barker 90until more than 60 days after termination of his Board service).

(f)

Doesboard service, those shares are not include 3,000included in the above table even though the director has vested in the shares and bears the economic risk of ownership.

(b)Includes 1,000 shares held by immediate family membersAnnox Capital, LLC. Mr. Mylod is the managing member of Annox Capital, LLC and as a result may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held of record by Annox Capital, LLC. Mr. Docter not sharingMylod disclaims such beneficial ownership except to the same household, of which Mr. Docter disclaims beneficial ownership.

(g)

Does not include 4,043 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Epstein for tax planning purposes (such shares will be issued to Mr. Epstein 90 days after terminationextent of his pecuniary interest therein, if any.

(c)Ms. Grier joined the Board service).

(h)

on November 6, 2023.

(d)Includes 202 shares held by a family trust.
(e)Does not include 209 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Noski for tax planning purposes (such shares will be issued to Mr. Noski 90 days after termination of his Board service).

(i)

Includes 52150 shares held by a limited liability company of which Ms. Peretsman is a Manager. Does not include 1,072 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Ms. Peretsman for tax planning purposes (such shares will be issued to Ms. Peretsman 90 days after termination of her Board service); and does not include 22,130 shares held by a foundation for which Ms. Peretsman serves as a trustee, of which Ms. Peretsman disclaims beneficial ownership. Allen & Company LLC disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in this note (h).

(j)

family trust.

(f)Does not include 755 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Rothman for tax planning purposes (such shares will be issued to Mr. Rothman 90 days after termination of his Board service). Includes 1 share held by a family trust.

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Does not include 863
(g)Includes 220 shares held by family trusts.
(h)Includes 233 shares held by a family trust.
(i)Includes 227 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Rydin for tax planning purposes (such shares will be issued to Mr. Rydin 90 days after termination of his Board service).

(l)

Based solely on information provided in a Schedule 13G/A filed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“Price Associates”) with the SEC on February 16, 2016. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities. Price Associates lists its address as 100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

(m)

stock options.

(j)Based solely on information provided in a Schedule 13G/A filed by The Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”) with the SEC on February 10, 2016.13, 2024. These securities are owned by Vanguard directly or through wholly-owned subsidiaries of Vanguard. Vanguard reported that it had sole voting power over 0 shares, shared voting power over 47,074 shares, sole dispositive power over 2,790,034 shares and shared dispositive power over 151,883 shares. Vanguard lists its address as 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.

(n)

(k)Based solely on information provided in a Schedule 13G/A filed by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) with the SEC on January 22, 2016.26, 2024. These securities are owned by various institutional investors affiliated with BlackRock. BlackRock reported that it had sole voting power over 2,288,672 shares, shared voting power over 0 shares, sole dispositive power over 2,573,532 shares and shared dispositive power over 0 shares. BlackRock lists its address as 55 East 52nd Street,50 Hudson Yards, New York, New York 10055.

(o)

10001.

(l)Based solely on information provided in a Schedule 13G/A filed by Capital World Investors (“CWI”) with the SEC on February 9, 2024. These securities are owned by various institutional investors affiliated with CWI. CWI reported that it had sole voting power over 1,746,781 shares, shared voting power over 0 shares, sole dispositive power over 1,751,072 shares and shared dispositive power over 0 shares. CWI lists its address as 333 South Hope Street, 55th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071.
(m)Consists of shares beneficially owned by all of our directors and executive officers, including the namedcurrent executive officers as a group (including Mr. Huston).group. Does not include 12,098964 vested shares of non-employee directors, the receipt of which has been deferred for tax planning purposes (each(because such director’s shares will be issued 90 days after termination of such director’sdirectors’ Board service).

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THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement32


45

A Letter from the Talent and Compensation Committee to Contentsour Stockholders 

Section 16(a)

We would like to thank you for your ongoing support of Booking Holdings. We value the perspectives of our stockholders, and we strive to structure a compensation program that aligns executive incentives with stockholder interests. Our pay philosophy emphasizes connecting executive compensation with long-term value creation for our stockholders, mainly through equity awards based on the Company’s financial results and stock price performance.

2023 Response to Say-on-Pay and Ongoing Stockholder Outreach

We received strong stockholder support of 88% for our Say-On-Pay vote in 2023 after extensive engagement with stockholders following the 2022 Say-On-Pay vote outcome and making a number of significant changes to our compensation program. Those changes included a return to our historical practice of long-term PSUs with three-year targets and the introduction of an absolute TSR governor on top of the Exchange Act requiresrelative TSR modifier included in 2022 for the long-term incentive plan. In addition, we made the uncommon decision to use structured negative discretion for the Named Executive Officers’ (“NEOs”) 2022 bonuses after the Company significantly outperformed the goals that were set for the 2022 bonus plan during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we set our directors, executive officers2023 incentive goals, we considered the learnings from 2022 and persons who own more than ten percent ofset goals to stretch well beyond 2023 performance. 

2024 Compensation Actions

Following the meaningful changes that we made to our program last year, we once again engaged with our stockholders and reviewed market practices to inform our 2024 compensation program design. We found the meetings and conversations to be productive and insightful. In addition, we invited a registered classsignificant actively managed stockholder, which owns over 1% of our equity securitiesoutstanding shares to filespeak with our full Board. In connection with these discussions and our ongoing review of market practices, we made additional changes for 2024 to bring our executive pay mix more in line with the SEC initial reportsmarket. The importance of ownership and reports ofthese changes in ownershipwas also informed by the recruitment process of our common stock or any other equity securitiesnew CFO.

Our competitive studies found that peers utilize a different balance of ours. Executive officers, directorscash and greaterequity. To bring our pay mix closer to market practice, for 2024 the Committee approved adjustments that we believe will better position pay to attract and retain key executive talent while continuing to reinforce the importance of growth and stockholder value creation:

We learned that NEO salaries were low relative to the market while bonus targets were comparatively high. To align with market practices, we increased salary and reduced bonus targets.
We capped the individual maximum bonus opportunity for our NEOs at 200% of target beginning in 2024.
We adjusted our equity mix from 75% PSUs and 25% RSUs to 60% PSUs and 40% RSUs. While most peers have a 50/50 mix of PSUs and RSUs, the Committee continues to believe the majority of equity grants should be linked to performance. This shift further lessens the risk of a significant macroeconomic event having an outsized impact on the long term compensation.
The Committee maintained a three-year performance period in our 2024 PSUs with the rTSR modifier and absolute TSR governor.

Finally, we continue to prioritize the judicious use of stock-based compensation. In 2023, our stock-based compensation resulted in less than ten percent0.7% of stockholder dilution again, positioning us in the bottom quartile of our peers.

Recap of 2023 and Looking Ahead to 2024

The Company’s compensation plans have helped motivate executives to deliver record-setting performance in the last couple of years. Booking Holdings’ share price increased 76% from January 2023 through the end of 2023, while the S&P 500 increased 24% during the same period. See Company Achievements below for more on 2023 performance.

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Following our record 2023 financial performance, we continue to focus on returning value to stockholders are required by SEC regulationswith share repurchases of approximately $10.2B in 2023 and a quarterly dividend plan announced for 2024.

We look forward to furnish usbuilding on our prior dialogue with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

To our knowledge, based solely on a reviewstockholders in the balance of the copies of such reports furnished to usyear. Thank you again for your continued support and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, each ofinvestment in our executive officers, directorsCompany.

Mirian M. Graddick-Weir, Chair 
Robert J. Mylod, Jr. 
Sumit Singh
Lynn Vojvodich Radakovich

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.47

Compensation Discussion and greater than ten percent beneficial owners complied with the Section 16(a) filing requirements, except that Mr. Epstein’s Form 5 with respect to the charitable donation of 32 shares of our common stock during 2015 was not timely filed. This disposition was reported on a Form 5 filed by Mr. Epstein on April 17, 2015.Analysis

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This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) describes the goals, rationale, and key elements of our 2023 executive officer compensation program, provides information about the goals and the key elementsprogram. Our NEOs, who were our only executive officers for purposes of the program and explains the reasons behind the Compensation Committee’s executive officer compensation decisions. The CD&A focuses on the 2015 compensation program applicable to the following “named executive officers” (titles are as of December 31, 2015):Exchange Act Rule 3b-7 during 2023, were:

Name

Title

Darren R. Huston(1)

President and Chief Executive Officer; Chief Executive Officer, Booking.com

Daniel J. Finnegan

Chief Financial Officer

Gillian Tans(2)

President and Chief Operating Officer, Booking.com

Glenn D. Fogel

Director, President, and
Chief Executive Officer 
Chief Executive Officer,
Booking.com

David Goulden

Executive Vice President Corporate Development,

and Head of Worldwide Strategy and PlanningChief Financial Officer

Peter J. Millones

Executive Vice President 

and General Counsel

Paulo Pisano

Chief Human Resources
Officer

Executive Summary

2023 was an outstanding year at Booking Holdings. The Company set records in various financial metrics and returned significant value to stockholders. In 2023 and 2024, the Talent & Compensation Committee (the “T&C Committee”) made significant updates to our compensation program following extensive engagement with our stockholders. The T&C Committee believes that these changes, which include enhanced goal rigor in the short-term and long-term incentive programs, the addition of absolute and relative total stockholder return metrics applied to the long-term incentive program, returning to three-year performance targets for PSUs, the implementation of an individual bonus cap, and revising the PSU/RSU mix, further our compensation objectives to pay executives based on performance and to align executive pay with stockholder interests. 

2023 Company Achievements

In 2023, in addition to record Company performance, management focused on continuing to return value to stockholders and executing on key strategic priorities, with accomplishments including:

Returned $10.2 billion to stockholders and Corporate Secretary

reduced our total outstanding share count by 9% versus the end of 2022;
(1)

Mr. Huston ceased

Continued to beexecute on our Presidentlong-term Connected Trip vision, including by growing verticals such as the flight offering, with 58% year-over-year flight ticket growth across the Company, and Chief Executive Officeroffering a robust loyalty program that provides value to consumers and partners across all trips;
Increased mix of alternative accommodation room nights, which were 33% of Booking.com’s room nights;
Continued to grow our Booking.com brand awareness in the United States through a successful partnership with Major League Baseball and the Chief Executive Officermost viewed in-game Super Bowl ad on game day on YouTube;
Innovated with generative AI offerings including Booking.com’s AI Trip Planner, Priceline’s generative AI travel assistant named “Penny,” as well as other brands’ ChatGPT plugins, and continued to develop ways to integrate AI into our operations to drive productivity;
Continued working to meet objectives set out in our Climate Action Plan including progress in reducing our Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and making more sustainable travel choices more accessible for our consumers and partners;
Increased adoption of Booking.comour payments platform and capabilities;
Continued our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, including continued investment in April 2016.inclusive leadership and our employee resource groups; and
Continued efforts to make our brands the most trusted and convenient platforms for consumers and partners.

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Financial and Operating Performance 

(2)

Since April 2016, Ms. Tans has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Booking.com.

Gross bookings1Net INCOME
room nightsADJUSTED EBITDA*
revenuesYEAR END STOCK PRICE

Summary Information

From an operating* See Appendix A to this proxy statement for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures and rationale for use of non-GAAP financial perspective, 2015 was another very good year for The Priceline Group. We continue to operate the largest, most profitable global online travel business in the world, withmeasures.

(1) Gross bookings is a market capitalization of $64 billion (as of March 31, 2016) and a 2015 operating margin of 38% as a percentage of gross profit. During 2015, Booking.com, our largest business, added over 210,000 accommodations to its reservation services, including over 125,000 vacation rental properties, and, as of March 31, 2016, had approximately 880,000 directly bookable hotels and other places to stay available through its websites and mobile offerings representing more than 22.8 million rooms. Based on room nights booked, which grew 24.9% in 2015 to more than 432 million, we continue to be the largest online accommodation reservation service in the world.

We are particularly proud of our ability to achieve both strong growth and industry-leading profitability over many years. Due to the highly international nature of our business, our financial performance as reported in U.S. Dollars, including our adjusted EBITDA, was significantly and negatively impacted by the strong U.S. Dollar when compared to most other currencies, in particular the Euro, during 2015. However, we still achieved year-over-year gross bookings (a common operating and statistical metric used in the travel industry representing the total U.S. Dollar value, generally inclusive of all taxes and fees, of all travel services purchased by consumers through our online travel reservation businesses, net of cancellations) growth of 10.4%, gross profit growth of 13.3% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 7.5%. Constant currency (i.e., using 2014 exchange rates) gross bookings growth of 25% and gross profit growth of 27% in 2015 are even more impressive, and demonstrate our fundamental operating strength. From a multi-year perspective, we have achieved significant growth, with a 127% increase in gross bookings, a 141% increase in gross profit and a 125% increase in adjusted EBITDA over the 2013-2015 three-year period as compared to the 2010-2012 three-year period.

Over the three-year period from 2013 to 2015, we earned $9.9 billion of adjusted EBITDA and generated $8.3 billion of cash from operating activities (see Appendix A to this proxy statement for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to U.S. GAAP net income). We had gross travel bookings of $145 billion over the same three-year period, representing approximately 127% growth over the prior three-year period. Measured in terms of stockholder return, our stock price increased from $620.39 on December 31, 2012 to $1,274.95 on December 31, 2015, representing a 106% increase over that three-year period. Through the repurchase of our shares, we returned approximately $3.1 billion to stockholders in 2015 and approximately $4.7 billion over the 2013-2015 three-year period, representing 57% of the cash generated by operating activities during that three-year period.cancellations.

 

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This outstanding performance is a result of many factors, most importantly actions taken by our corporate leadership team and the leadership teams at our primary brands: Booking.com, priceline.com, KAYAK, agoda.com, rentalcars.com and OpenTable. During 2015, we continued our geographic expansion and increased the number and types of accommodations offered through our services, invested in and grew KAYAK’s meta-search business, executed on various growth initiatives, completed a number of complementary acquisitions, grew our rental car reservation business and increasingly benefited from collaboration among our different brands, all while maintaining our industry-leading profitability.

Notwithstanding our over-achievement of the 2015 adjusted EBITDA targets set forth in our 2015 bonus plan, Mr. Huston, our former Chief Executive Officer, did not receive a bonus for 2015 (see page 42 for additional information in this regard). In March 2015, Mr. Huston received a grant of performance share units having a grant date fair value of approximately $14 million, which is subject to the vesting terms described below. Total 2015 compensation for our other named executive officers reflected our strong performance as well as their individual accomplishments and contributions as discussed further below. See CompensationofNamedExecutiveOfficers-SummaryCompensationTable on page 49 for more details.

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Name and Principal Position(1)

2015 Salary

2015 Stock

Award

2015 Incentive

Payment

All Other 2015

Compensation

Total 2015

Compensation

Darren R. Huston
President and Chief Executive
Officer; Chief Executive
Officer, Booking.com

 

$865,000

 

$14,000,162

 

$0

 

$141,096

 

$15,006,258

Daniel J. Finnegan
Chief Financial Officer

 

$315,000

 

$4,200,545

 

$1,200,000

 

$8,488

 

$5,724,033

Gillian Tans
President and Chief Operating Officer,
Booking.com

 

$360,335

 

$4,799,700

 

$1,108,723

 

$1,000

 

$6,269,758

Glenn D. Fogel
Executive Vice President,
Corporate Development,
and Head of Worldwide Strategy
and Planning

 

$315,000

 

$4,200,545

 

$1,200,000

 

$11,952

 

$5,727,497

Peter J. Millones
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary

 

$330,000

 

$4,200,545

 

$1,200,000

 

$12,133

 

$5,742,678

(1)

As of December 31, 2015.

Key Compensation Policies

The Compensation Committee continually reviews our executive officer compensation program and seeks the advice of Mercer, its independent compensation consultant, to ensure that it maintains compensation practices that are in the best interests of our stockholders.

We do:

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Returning Value to Stockholders 

We do not:

RETURN OF STOCKHOLDER VALUE

Tie pay to performance.

 

Provide change in control severance tax gross-ups and do have a policy against future such arrangements.

Use “double triggers” in our severance agreements and equity awards.

Permit stock option repricing without stockholder approval.

Have significant stock ownership guidelines.

Provide significant executive-only perquisites.

Have a clawback policy.

Grant stock options.

Conduct an annual risk assessmentIn 2023, we repurchased $10.2 billion of our executive officer compensation program.

Permit hedging or pledging of
shares,
reducing our stockyear-end share count by our directors
9% versus 2022and executive officers.by34% versus 2013.

Executive Compensation Program Philosophy and Objectives

We help people experience the world by providing consumers, travel service providers and restaurants with leading travel and restaurant reservation and related services. To accomplish this mission, we must attract, motivate and retain highly talented individuals at all levels of the global organization. Our global compensation and benefits programs are designed to accomplish these objectives and, in turn, enhance long-term stockholder value. We believe that our compensation programs have been highly effective and instrumental in our recent and long-term success by providing our executives with significant compensation opportunities tied to our financial performance and the creation of stockholder value.

Our executive compensation program is substantially performance based and is intended to focus executives on both short-term and long-term earnings growth and individual performance. We believe our compensation program provides management with clear goals, a high degree of accountability and a real performance-driven opportunity to earn above-market compensation while doing so in a manner expected to result in significant stockholder value creation and that minimizes excessive or inappropriate risk taking.

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The program is designed to:

 

Require meaningful growth in order to achieve market compensation and superior performance to achieve above-market compensation;

Focus management on operating our business inIn February 2024, we announcedway expected to create long-term stockholder value;
quarterly dividend policy.

Reward management for their performance and not for external factors;

Measure performance in a simple and consistent way in order to effectively focus management decision making and performance;

Combine short-term and long-term compensation horizons to incentivize balanced decision-making towards achieving fundamentally strong and consistent growth over time;

Provide “below-market” fixed compensation and appropriately reward superior performance with “above-market” compensation; and

Align the interests of management with those of stockholders.

 

The program seeks to achieve these goals by:

Setting target short-term and long-term incentives at levels that require meaningful organic adjusted EBITDA growth;

Using adjusted EBITDA as the performance metric for both our short-term and long-term performance-based compensation plans because:

- earnings growth can be expected to lead to stockholder value;

- adjusted EBITDA combines gross profit growth with operating margin discipline to grow earnings;

- using a single metric creates clear incentives and focus for our executives; and

- using the same metric for both short-term and long-term incentive compensation encourages management to appropriately manage the business over both the short term and long term and mitigates compensation program related risks that are
related to excessive or inappropriate risk taking;

Calculating adjusted EBITDA in a manner designed to focus on operational performance, for example by using fixed foreign exchange rates during the performance period and excluding the performance of business acquisitions and including the performance of business dispositions (so management cannot buy adjusted EBITDA or sell losses to meet compensation targets);

Funding annual bonuses from earnings so that, as a general matter, it is unlikely there would be significant bonus funding for executive officers unless we meet our budgeted earnings targets; and

Using long-term, performance-based equity compensation that vests in full after three years (no interim vesting except in connection with a termination of employment as described below) as the largest component of management’s potential compensation so that management’s compensation is directly tied to both operating performance and our stock price, which effectively aligns management’s interests with those of our stockholders.

 

We still expect to complete repurchases under our $20 billion stock repurchase authorization announced in February 2023 by the end of 2026, assuming no major downturn in the travel market.

Our stock price increased 76% since January 3, 2023, and closed the year at $3,547. On February 22, 2024, Booking Holdings’ stock price achieved an all time high of $3,902. From January 3, 2023 through March 28, Booking Holdings’ stock price has been up 80%, compared with the S&P 500, which has been up 37% during the same period.

Executive Compensation Highlights

After the 2022 say-on-pay proposal did not receive majority support, the Company and the T&C Committee engaged in a robust stockholder engagement process and reflected feedback from this process in the 2023 and 2024 compensation program design. 
Recent changes to our compensation program design return certain elements long favored by our stockholders while incorporating the Company’s learnings through the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes were supported by our research on peer practices and positioned our program better to attract and retain external hires, like our new CFO.

Return to PSUs with three year targets.
Rigorous goal setting for long- and short-term incentive programs.
PSUs include rTSR modifier and absolute TSR governor, ensuring executives will not receive meaningful equity upside unless stockholders benefit from stock price appreciation.
Addressed cash compensation mix by raising base salaries, which were previously below the 25th percentile, and reducing cash bonus targets in 2024.
Implemented an individual bonus cap of 2x for the short-term incentive program (the “Bonus Plan”) for executive officers in 2024.
New 60%/40% PSU/RSU pay mix for executive officers in 2024.

New Compensation Policies

Adopted a termination pay policy that prohibits entry into new arrangements with executive officers that would pay cash severance in excess of 2.99 times salary and target bonus, without stockholder ratification.
Adopted a Financial Restatement Recovery Policy in accordance with the latest SEC and Nasdaq regulations.

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2023 Stockholder Engagement

We believe it is important to our success to have a robust dialogue with our stockholders throughout the year regarding a range of topics, including executive compensation, board governance, sustainability, human capital management, and company strategy. In setting the performance targets for both2023, our short-term annual bonus planT&C Committee Chair and our long-term equity awards for our executive officers, the Compensation Committee takes into account our expectations regarding the growth rateBoard Chair participated in several engagements and we invited one of our primary, direct global competitor. As a general rule, this means that if we achieve superior earnings growth comparedtop stockholders to speak with the growth rate we expect of our primary, direct global competitor, total compensation for our senior executives will likely fall at the higher end of competitive benchmarks. On the other hand, if our earnings growth is inferior to what we expect of our primary, direct global competitor, total compensation for our senior executives is likely to be significantly below competitive benchmarks.full Board.

Different elements of our compensation program, as described below, are designed to serve different objectives and drive different behaviors, and thereby combine to achieve the objectives described above:

Base salary and benefits are designed to provide a level of economic security and stability so that executives can focus on meeting our objectives.

Award opportunities under our annual performance-based cash bonus plan are designed to provide a meaningful bonus opportunity for executives tied to our annual earnings growth and individual objectives in connection with each executive’s annual individual performance goals.

Long-term incentives - performance share units (“PSUs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) - are generally designed to attract, retain and incentivize executives by providing a significant compensation opportunity tied to long-term growth in our earnings and increases to our stock price over a period of several years (typically three years). In addition, the Compensation Committee feels that the combination of annual incentives based on annual adjusted EBITDA under the annual

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cash bonus plan and long-term incentives based on cumulative adjusted EBITDA over the three-year performance period applicable to PSUs properly incentivizes executives to consider and balance both shorter-term and longer-term performance in managing our business, and therefore incentivizes management to manage the business in a manner that favors fundamentally strong and consistent growth and the creation of long-term stockholder value without excessive or inappropriate risk taking.

Severance agreements and change in control provisions in our equity instruments are designed to facilitate our ability to attract, retain and incentivize executives as we compete for talented employees in the very competitive marketplace for experienced Internet executives, where these protections are often offered. The severance benefits described below are designed to ease the consequences of an unexpected employment termination due to on-going changes in our employment needs. The change in control benefits described below encourage employees to remain focused on our business in the event of rumored or actual fundamental corporate change and, if required, to provide assistance during any transition. In addition, we believe the change in control benefits provided to our executives are a key element in managing compensation related risks by incentivizing executives to manage the business and evaluate potential change in control transactions from the perspective of a stockholder, thereby aligning interests of executives with those of stockholders.

2015 Say-on-Pay Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation Results and Consideration

We provide our stockholders with the opportunity to cast an annual advisory vote on executive compensation (a “say-on-pay” proposal). AtWhile our annual meeting of stockholders held in June 2015, 97.6% of shares present and entitled to vote (which includes abstentions but not broker non-votes) were voted in favor of approving the executive compensation described in our 2015 proxy statement. The Compensation Committee regards the results of the stockholder vote as an indication thathave historically supported our executive compensation practices effectively alignprogram with approximately 91%, 95%, and 90% support in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, in 2022 the say-on-pay proposal received approximately 32% support. The Board and the T&C Committee responded with a robust stockholder engagement campaign and, in 2023, made several changes to the compensation program. The 2023 say-on-pay result reflected positive support for these changes with 88% stockholder support.

WHO WE REACHED OUT TO 

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WHAT WE HEARDWHAT WE ARE DOING
Disfavored use of PSU awards with shorter than three-year vesting periods and annual targets.In 2023, our long-term incentive program returned to three-year PSUs with three-year targets.
General support for an element of time-based awards as part of the overall compensation package to prevent complete forfeiture in the event of another significant macroeconomic event.The compensation program incorporates learnings from COVID by maintaining a time-based element with equity awards. In 2024, we revised the pay mix to consist of 60% PSUs and 40% RSUs.
Concern regarding the use of discretion by the T&C Committee, including as a result of the use of negative discretion following the overperformance of the 2022 annual incentive plan relative to the targets set at the beginning of 2022.

For 2023, the T&C Committee established a goal setting framework with rigorous performance goals (including relative to consensus). The T&C Committee does not intend to exercise discretion on an ongoing basis and has relied upon a structured framework to guide its use in the past.

Requests to consider the inclusion of non-financial metrics in the Bonus Plan, for instance relating to ESG matters, and concern that there were no individual bonus caps.

In 2024, the T&C Committee adopted an individual bonus cap of two times target applicable to executive officers, as part of a broader change to compensation mix, which reduced target bonus opportunity and increased base salaries. 

The Committee considers individual contributions to the execution of business priorities and other non-financial goals as part of determining payouts under the Bonus Plan. 

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives 

The Company’s executive compensation with stockholder interests and therefore did not implement changes as a direct result ofprogram has consistently adhered to fundamental principles that guide the vote. The T&C Committee’s decision making, including:

Performance-based: executive officers should be compensated primarily based on performance.
Alignment with interests of stockholders: the programs should incentivize management through performance metrics that are likely to increase long-term stockholder returns and value.
Retention: the programs should help us attract and retain key management talent.
Consistency: the programs should be consistent over time to enable executive officers to implement a long-term strategy and reward them if they achieve long-term results.
Business-focused: the programs aim to compensate executive officers primarily for their management of the business and endeavor to mitigate the impact of external factors, such as currency fluctuations.
Risk management: the programs should incentivize appropriate risk taking.
Balance of short- and long-term performance: unexpected macro events should not have an outsized impact on the programs.

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Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of our say-on-pay votes when structuring and implementing compensation programs for executive officers.

Best Practices 

The Role of Management

Our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President and General Counsel provide significant input to the Compensation Committee when developing the structure of, and setting performance metrics for, our annual performance based bonus plan and annual equity grants. Our Chief Executive Officer provides detailed recommendations to the Compensation Committee of base salary, annual performance-based bonus plan opportunities and awards and long-term equity incentive award values for our executive officers other than himself. For our executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee receives a performance assessment and compensation recommendation from our Chief Executive Officer in executive session without the presence of other executive officers. The Compensation Committee gives significant weight to our Chief Executive Officer��s judgment when assessing the performance of each of the other executive officers and determining appropriate compensation levels and incentive awards because he is particularly able to assess the other executive officers’ performance and contributions to our business. See CorporateGovernanceandBoardMatters-CommitteesoftheBoardofDirectors on page 27 for more details on the 2015 compensation planning process.

The Board meets annually at the beginning of the year with our Chief Executive Officer to agree upon his performance objectives (which generally are stated in terms of Company objectives) for the year. Generally and as deemed necessary or appropriate, our Chief Executive OfficerT&C Committee continually reviews our annual objectives with the Board and discusses our year-to-date performance against those objectives from time to time during the year. At the beginning of the following year, our Chief Executive Officer presents to the Compensation Committee a summary of his and our performance over the past year. The Compensation Committee then meets in executive session without the presence of management (including our Chief Executive Officer) to review the performance of, and develop compensation recommendations for, the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee chairperson also discusses with each member of the Board our Chief Executive Officer’s performance. The Board then meets in executive session (without the presence of our Chief Executive Officer) to discuss our Chief Executive Officer’s performance and the Committee’s compensation recommendations. The Board then deliberates, discusses the review to be given to our Chief Executive Officer and determines the actual payout amount of our Chief Executive Officer’s bonus for the prior fiscal year and establishes target total compensation for our Chief Executive Officer for the current year.

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The Role of the Compensation Consultant

The Compensation Committee engaged Mercer Inc., an outside global human resources consulting firm, to advise and counsel the Committee on our compensation program for the named executive officers. Mercer has been working with the Compensation Committee for approximately fourteen years in connection with the Committee’s review of senior executive compensation. In addition to providing compensation program advice to us, Mercer has at times provided services to certain of our subsidiaries, including employee benefit plan consulting services, healthcare insurance services and software implementation services. An affiliate of Mercer provides insurance brokerage services to us, and another affiliate of Mercer provides commercial consulting services to one of our subsidiaries. The aggregate fees paid by us to Mercer for advice on the amount or form of executive compensation in 2015 were approximately $275,000. The aggregate fees paid to Mercer by our subsidiaries for other services were approximately $400,000 and the aggregate amount paid to Mercer’s affiliate for insurance brokerage services in 2015 was approximately $350,000. The decision to engage Mercer’s affiliate for these insurance brokerage services was made by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, after evaluating the relationship of Mercer’s affiliate with us and the Compensation Committee’s engagement of Mercer; and Mercer’s affiliate was retained directly by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The aggregate fees to be paid by our subsidiary to Mercer’s affiliate for consulting services performed in 2015 is approximately $1.25 million. The decision to engage Mercer’s other affiliate for commercial consulting services was made independently by management of our subsidiary without instruction or recommendation from The Priceline Group. After reviewing information provided by Mercer regarding its independence and considering the independence factors required by SEC rules, the Compensation Committee determined that Mercer was independent and did not find that any conflicts of interest existed in connection with the services Mercer performed for the Compensation Committee in 2015 or otherwise with respect to our 2015 compensation program.

At the direction of the Compensation Committee, management generally provides Committee materials to Mercer and discusses materials and recommendations with Mercer in advance of each Committee meeting. Mercer considers the information presented to the Compensation Committee and discusses the information with the Committee. Mercer generally attends Compensation Committee meetings and, at the end of most meetings, meets in executive session with the Committee without management present.

With the support of the Compensation Committee, management (generally our Executive Vice President and General Counsel and our Vice President, Human Resources) regularly asks Mercer to provide calculations and market data to be used by the Committee in its decision-making process. The Compensation Committee periodically requests our Executive Vice President and General Counsel and his staff to seek Mercer’s input, analysis or recommendation with respect to a specific compensation practice, program or arrangement being considered by the Committee. The chairperson of the Compensation Committee and/or management may also independently seek Mercer’s advice on various matters to assist the Committee in its decision-making process.

During 2015, among other things, Mercer assisted the Compensation Committee on the following matters:

advised the Committee on the composition of the Compensation Peer Group (as defined below);

prepared analyses of executive officer compensation levels as comparedprogram, solicits feedback from stockholders, and seeks the advice of Semler Brossy, its independent compensation consultant, to ensure the Compensation Peer Group and madeCompany’s compensation recommendations;

evaluatedpractices are in the design and provided advice on the appropriatenessbest interests of our 2015stockholders. Our key compensation practices, which are also reflective of our compensation philosophy and objectives, include:

WE DO:WE DO NOT:
Tie pay to performance.Pay dividend equivalents unless the vesting and performance conditions for the underlying equity award are met.
Cap the bonus pool from which senior executives’ individual cash bonuses are paid.Permit stock option repricing without stockholder approval.
Cap individual bonus at two times target for executive officers beginning with the 2024 annual bonus plan.Provide significant executive-only perquisites.
Limit PSU payouts at target if TSR is not positive over the PSU measurement period.Permit hedging or pledging of our stock by our directors and executive officers.
Use “double triggers” in our severance agreements and equity awards.Provide change in control severance tax gross-ups.
Have both an incentive-based compensation clawback policy and a Financial Restatement Recovery Policy aligned with the SEC requirements.Enter into new arrangements with executive officers that would pay cash severance in excess of 2.99 times salary and target bonus, without stockholder ratification.
Conduct an annual risk assessment of our executive compensation program.
Conduct a robust stockholder engagement process.
Conduct formal executive succession planning.
Have meaningful stock ownership guidelines.

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Pay Elements 

We use different elements in our executive compensation program to drive different behaviors. The elements work together to achieve our compensation philosophy and objectives described above.

ElementFormKey CharacteristicsLink to Stockholder Value

Base Salary

Cash

Determined by:

Information from the Compensation Peer Group described below;

Individual performance of the executive, including level of responsibility and breadth of knowledge; and

Review of the executive’s total compensation, both individually and relative to other senior executives.

Provide a level of economic security and stability so executives can focus on meeting our objectives, and encourage attraction and retention of top talent.

Short-term 
Incentive 
Program

Cash

Capped bonus pool determined by Company financial performance; and

Capped individual bonuses determined by a combination of Company financial performance and individual performance. 

Promote the achievement of the Company’s annual goals.

Long-term 
Incentive 
Program

PSU

75% of LTI(1)

 

Tied to our financial performance, our relative TSR compared to a group of travel and tourism peers, and capped at target if absolute TSR is not positive;

Number of shares ranges from zero to 2x the target grant amount, depending on our financial performance over a three-year period; and

Vest, subject to continued employment, on the three-year anniversary of the grant date.(2)

Incentivize strong long-term financial and TSR performance, as well as increases in our stock price over a three-year period.

RSU 

25% of LTI(1)

Tied to value of stock to align executives’ interests with those of stockholders; and

Also used in connection with new hires or promotions to provide an initial stake in the Company and an additional retention incentive until the individual’s PSUs begin to vest.

Alignment of interests with stockholders and to provide a retention element that balances the at-risk pay in the long-term incentive program.

(1)In 2024, the T&C Committee revised the future equity mix to 60% PSUs and 40% RSUs.
(2)Except for Mr. Goulden’s 2023 PSU award, which vests as described under Mr. Goulden’s 2023 Long-Term Equity Incentive Award.

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How We Measure Performance 

We measure performance based bonuson:

Revenue is the Company’s revenue, taking into account any Compensation EBITDA adjustments that impact revenue.
Compensation EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure based on our adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, as publicly reported in our earnings press releases (“Adjusted EBITDA”), further adjusted to align measurement of performance on a basis consistent with how the performance targets were set and to reduce the risk that our compensation plan could incentivize inappropriate decision-making by management to achieve Compensation EBITDA targets. In particular, Compensation EBITDA:
Is impacted by stock-based compensation expenses;
Excludes results of acquisitions that were not incorporated into the targets set at the outset of awards to prevent “buying results;”
Excludes the impact of foreign exchange rate changes between the time targets are set and the end of the relevant period; and
Treats all capital expenditures as expenses, which reduces Compensation EBITDA relative to our Adjusted EBITDA.
Relative Total Stockholder Return (rTSR)is a measurement of the Company’s total stockholder return versus the total stockholder return of a group of the Company’s travel and tourism peers. 
Absolute Total Stockholder Return (TSR)is a measurement of the Company’s absolute total stockholder return over the course of three years, to ensure executive compensation is aligned with stockholder value creation. 
Individual Contributionssuch as individual execution against the Company’s strategic priorities, including non-financial goals.

How We Make Compensation Decisions 

2022SummerFall

Compensation planning began for 2023 compensation

Assessment of Compensation Peer Group

Analysis of market compensation

Conducted stockholder engagement outreach

Consolidated feedback and communicated to all T&C Committee members

Review competitiveness of plan design

2023WinterSummer

2023 Bonus Plan and long-term incentive plan performance targets

Set Company and individual goals for 2023

Granted three-year 2023 PSUs and RSUs

Consolidated feedback from annual meeting voting outcomes and spring stockholder engagement for T&C Committee and Board

SpringFall

Conducted stockholder engagement in connection with annual meeting solicitation

Stockholder engagement outreach discussions

T&C Committee assessed compensation trends and considered potential changes to the compensation program for 2024

Conducted search for new CFO

2024Winter

Communicated stockholder feedback to all T&C Committee members

Finalized 2023 Bonus Plan performance and payout

Adopted individual bonus cap for future bonus payments to executive officers

Revised PSU/RSU pay mix

Revised cash compensation mix to reduce target bonus opportunity and increase base salaries

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THE ROLE OF THE BOARD

The Board meets at the beginning of each year with our Chief Executive Officer to agree upon his and the Company’s performance objectives for the year. Our Chief Executive Officer and the Board review these objectives and the Company’s performance against them during the year.

At the beginning of the following year, our Chief Executive Officer presents to the T&C Committee a summary of his and the Company’s performance over the past year.

The T&C Committee then meets in executive session without any members of management to review our Chief Executive Officer’s performance and develop recommendations for his compensation.

The T&C Committee Chair also discusses our Chief Executive Officer’s performance with each member of the Board.

The Board then meets in executive session (without our Chief Executive Officer) to discuss our Chief Executive Officer’s performance and the T&C Committee’s compensation recommendations.

The Board determines the review to be given to our Chief Executive Officer, the actual payout amount of his bonus for the prior fiscal year, and the target total compensation he will receive for the current year.

THE ROLE OF MANAGEMENT

Our executive management team provides input to help the T&C Committee develop the structure of, and set performance metrics for, our annual performance-based Bonus Plan and annual equity grants.

Our Chief Executive Officer provides performance assessments and detailed compensation recommendations regarding our executive officers other than himself.

The T&C Committee gives significant weight to our Chief Executive Officer’s judgment in these matters because he is in a unique position to assess the other executive officers’ performance and contributions to our business.

THE ROLE OF THE COMPENSATION CONSULTANT

The T&C Committee engaged Semler Brossy, an outside global executive compensation consulting firm, to advise the T&C Committee on our compensation program for the NEOs. After considering the independence factors prescribed by SEC rules, the T&C Committee determined that Semler Brossy is independent and that there are no conflicts of interest with Semler Brossy in 2023.

At the T&C Committee’s direction, management generally collaborates with Semler Brossy regarding certain T&C Committee materials in advance of T&C Committee meetings. Semler Brossy participates in T&C Committee meetings and, at the end of most meetings, meets in executive session with the T&C Committee without management present. 

With the support of the T&C Committee, management regularly asks Semler Brossy to provide calculations and market data to inform the T&C Committee’s decision-making process. The T&C Committee periodically requests management to seek Semler Brossy’s input, analysis, or recommendation with respect to a specific compensation practice, program, or arrangement.

During 2023 and 2024, Semler Brossy assisted the T&C Committee on the following matters:

Advised on the composition of the Compensation Peer Group and TSR Peer Group;

Prepared analyses of executive officer compensation levels as compared to the Compensation Peer Group, and made compensation recommendations; 

Provided analysis and recommendations for the T&C Committee’s consideration of changing the PSU/RSU mix;

Advised the T&C Committee in the implementation of the individual executive officer bonus cap;

Provided advice on the appropriateness of our 2023 Bonus Plan awards and long-term incentives;

Actively participated in discussions leading up to the 2023 say-on-pay vote;

Completed an independent compensation program risk assessment;

Reviewed our non-employee director compensation program, and made compensation recommendations for our Cybersecurity Subcommittee of the Audit Committee;

Reviewed and provided feedback on our Termination Pay Policy;

Reviewed and provided feedback on our new Financial Restatement Recovery Policy; and

Prepared tally sheets and IRC Section 280G analyses to determine “excess parachute payments.”

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Benchmarking and long term incentives; and

Target Compensation

prepared tally sheets and IRC Section 280G analyses to determine “excess parachute payments.”

Benchmarking

In making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee comparesOur benchmarking analysis includes a comparison of each element of total compensation against a peer group of publicly-traded companies. The CompensationWith the help of its independent compensation consultant, the T&C Committee reviews annually the appropriateness of the companies comprisingthat make up the peer group. In determining the appropriate peer group of companies to be used in connection with the 2015 compensation planning process, the Compensation Committee looked closely at, among other things, companies included in the prior year’sexisting peer group, as well as the companies identifiedour peers identify as peers by those companies. their peers.

The primary characteristics used to evaluatedetermine which companies to include in the peer group were:are: industry, gross profitsrevenues, and peers identified by our peers. For comparison purposes, the Compensation Committee focused on the gross profit of the peer group, rather than revenues, as the Compensation Committee feels gross profit is a better indicator of company size. In particular, the T&C Committee sought to include Internetinternet merchandisers, online travel companies, and othersother technology companies with gross profitsrevenues between one-half and two times our gross profits.annual revenues. The T&C Committee also included Alphabet, Amazon.com, Meta, and Microsoft because, although its gross profitstheir revenues were more than two times our gross profits,revenues, there wereare relatively few comparable companies that otherwise met our criteria, we compete with them for executive talent, and it,they, like us, is aare leading Internet commerce company.e-commerce or technology companies.

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After discussion with Mercer, the CompensationThe T&C Committee determined that the sixteen2023 peer group would consist of the seventeen companies listed below which are primarily Internet services, travel services and/or e-commerce companies, would comprise the 2015 peer group (the Compensation“Compensation PeerGroup Group”):.

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

(1)

Facebook, Inc.

Netflix, Inc.

Adobe Systems Incorporated

IAC/InterActiveCorp

Orbitz Worldwide, Inc.

Amazon.com, Inc.

Intuit Inc.

salesforce.com, inc.

eBay Inc.

Liberty Interactive Corporation

TripAdvisor, Inc.

Electronic Arts Inc.

LinkedIn Corporation

Yahoo!Netflix, Inc.

Adobe Inc.

Expedia Group, Inc.

PayPal Holdings, Inc.
Airbnb, Inc.IAC/InterActiveCorpTripAdvisor, Inc.
Alphabet Inc.Marriott International, Inc.Uber Technologies, Inc.
Amazon.com, Inc.Meta Platforms, Inc.Wayfair, Inc.
eBay Inc.Microsoft Corporation

 

(1)

Activision Blizzard, Inc. was acquired by Microsoft Corporation in October 2023.

For 2015,

The T&C Committee reviewed revenue of the Compensation Committee removed HSN, Inc.peer companies from the peer group due to its low gross profit and one-year growth and added Facebook and LinkedIn due to their high one-year growth and recognitionlast twelve months as choice employers that could be considered a source of competition for talent.

June 2023. Based on the four most recent quarters ofthis data, that were available at the time that the Compensation Committee initiated its review (for most, but not all companies, the last quarter of 2013 through the first three quarters of 2014), our gross profitrevenues ranked at approximately the 83rd56th percentile of the Compensation Peer Group. In comparing our executive compensation against

The T&C Committee refers to the Compensation Peer Group to assess “market” compensation, which it considers to be between the Compensation Committee generally considered this50th and the 75th percentile of executive pay for the Compensation Peer Group to be a general proxy for “market” compensation. In arriving at “market” compensation forGroup. The T&C Committee uses the Compensation Peer Group Mercer adjusted the cash compensation information from the Compensation Peer Group to account for projected pay increases over the 2014-2015 timeframe.

The Compensation Committee used the data of the Compensation Peer Group primarily to ensure that our executive compensation program as a whole is competitive. TheWhile the Compensation Peer Group provides the CompensationT&C Committee with guidance and information, butit does not dictate the setting of the named executive officers’NEOs’ compensation and is not a substitute for the T&C Committee’s own business judgment in establishing compensation for the named executive officers.NEOs.

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Overview

The Compensation

Each year, the T&C Committee annually reviews all compensation elements, including each named executive officer’s total direct compensation, which consists of base pay, performance-basedsalary, annual cash incentive bonus plan opportunity, and long-term equity incentives. In addition to these primary compensation elements, the Compensation Committee reviews any other compensation, to the extent applicable, andincentives, as well as payments that would be required under various severance and change in control scenarios. In making compensation decisions, the CompensationThe T&C Committee also takes into consideration historicalconsiders each executive’s market compensation including the vestedlevels and unvested value of outstanding equity awards under different scenarios and at different prices.

Before giving final approval to the annual compensation initiatives, the Compensation Committee and, with respect to our Chief Executive Officer, the Board, reviews a presentation of total compensation, a “tally sheet,” prepared by Mercer. The tally sheet generally summarizes each executive officer’s total “target” compensation for the applicable year and, using a current stock price, estimates the payments to be made to the officer under certain termination of employment and change in control scenarios. For 2015, the Compensation Committee and, with respect to our Chief Executive Officer, our Board, made no adjustments as a result of the tally sheet analysis based on its assessment that the program continued to meet the objectives described above.

Base Salary

Base salary ranges for named executive officers are determined based on, among other things:

information from the Compensation Peer Group described above;

individual performance, of the executive, including level of responsibility, potential for individual contribution, and breadth of knowledge;knowledge and expertise. 

The 2023 compensation program emphasizes a high percentage of at-risk pay based on Company performance for all our NEOs. At-risk pay is forfeitable if certain performance goals, set based on revenue, compensation EBITDA, relative total stockholder return, and absolute total stockholder return, are not met. The T&C Committee believes that at-risk compensation appropriately incentivizes executives to achieve results for the benefit of our stockholders and all of our stakeholders.

2023 COMPENSATION MIX(1)

(1)Mix is shown at target. Percentages are approximate due to rounding.

The T&C Committee believes that the Company’s 2023 compensation program reflects competitive market practices that align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders. Moreover, the program has been designed to attract and retain key members of management who have delivered record results.

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2023 CEO Compensation Components

internal review of

In 2023 the executive’sBoard approved compensation to Mr. Fogel comprised of:

Cash compensation of approximately $5.8M (which amount includes base salary, cash bonus under the 2023 Bonus Plan, and certain additional “all other compensation”),
A three-year PSU award with a grant date fair value of approximately $20.6M, and 
An RSU award with a grant date value of approximately $6.2M. 

The total compensation both individuallyshown in the 2023 Summary Compensation Table also includes PSUs that were granted prior to 2023. The rules require the accounting value of sub-periods associated with 2023 from the 2021 PSUs and relative2022 PSUs to other senior executives.be included in the 2023 total compensation amount. For Mr. Fogel, this adds an additional $14.1M to his 2023 total compensation in the Summary Compensation Table.

(1)Amounts are approximate due to rounding.

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2023 Named Executive Officer Performance 

GLENN D. FOGELPRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The relative importanceBoard and the T&C Committee assessed Mr. Fogel’s performance during 2023 and considered:

His consistent and exemplary leadership during another challenging and uncertain macroenvironment;
Our financial and operating performance, including the Company’s highest-ever revenue, gross bookings, and room nights;
Returns to stockholders in the form of $10.2 billion of stock repurchases during 2023, and the Company’s stock outperforming the S&P 500 for the year;
Progress toward achieving our long-term Connected Trip vision, including by growing verticals such as the flight offering and offering a robust loyalty program that provides value to consumers and partners across all trips;
Continued to grow our Booking.com brand awareness in the United States through a successful partnership with Major League Baseball and the most viewed in-game Super Bowl ad on game day on YouTube;
Innovation with generative AI offerings including Booking.com’s AI Trip Planner, Priceline’s generative AI travel assistant named “Penny,” as well as other brands’ ChatGPT plugins, and continued development of ways to integrate AI into our operations to drive productivity; 
Continued to grow our flight offering with 58% year-over-year flight ticket growth across the Company;
Significant progress on our initiatives to operate the business sustainably, including our goals published in our Climate Action Plan;
Results of our 2023 employee engagement surveys, which demonstrated a committed and engaged workforce;
His healthy, open, and constructive relationship with key stakeholders; and
His consistent “tone at the top” of absolute integrity, as well as his outstanding commitment, people management skills, and investor and Board communication skills.

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DAVID GOULDENEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

The T&C Committee and Mr. Fogel considered the following highlights of these factors varies depending onMr. Goulden’s 2023 performance:

Exceptional leadership and performance as Chief Financial Officer along with strategic insight and advice;
Returns to stockholders of approximately $10.2 billion in stock repurchases, and the Company’s stock outperforming the S&P 500 for the year;
Leadership, management, and strengthening of our finance department through successful ongoing execution of finance optimization initiatives;
Leadership in developing our financial plans;
Exceptional management of capital during volatile macroeconomic periods of inflation, increasing interest rates, and economic uncertainty;
Effective communication with the financial and investor communities; and
Notable progress of key initiatives and improvements in procurement and talent sourcing, including the significant growth of our two centers of excellence.

PETER J. MILLONESEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL

The T&C Committee and Mr. Fogel considered the individual whose salary is being reviewed. Salary levels are typicallyfollowing highlights of Mr. Millones’ 2023 performance:

Exceptional leadership and performance as General Counsel;
Skillful management of our legal department, including the compliance and privacy teams;
Navigation of the increasingly complex regulatory environment for online digital platforms;
Contributions to improving our systems and processes, including global legal coordination and collaboration among our different brands on key issues;
Continued development of our Booking Holdings Privacy Principles;
Oversight of risk management in the development and use of generative AI tools in our products;
Key leader on our Sustainability Steering Committee and a member of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee; and
Oversight of our corporate governance practices and efforts to organize and assist with the Board’s activities.

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PAULO PISANOCHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

The T&C Committee and Mr. Fogel considered annually as partthe following highlights of our performance review process as well as upon a promotion or other change in job responsibility. Consistent with our belief that senior executive compensation should be highly performance-based,Mr. Pisano’s 2023 performance:

Global coordination of the human resources function and engagement with employees through global macroeconomic uncertainty;
Leadership and development of our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including a robust inclusive leadership training program;
Leadership of the Chief Financial Officer retirement transition and hiring of the Chief Financial Officer successor;
Management of our workforce through an incredibly competitive environment for talent attraction and retention;
Continued focus on maintaining a committed and engaged workforce across continents at various brands;
Efforts to attract talent “in key roles” to build new functions, innovations, and products;
Co-chair of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee; and
Creation of opportunities for employees to grow and build their careers through training and development programs.

2023 Base Salaries 

In 2023, the T&C Committee did not make changes to base salaries for the NEOs. 

Executive Officer 2022 Salary(2)  2023 Salary(2)
Glenn D. Fogel $750,000  $750,000
David Goulden $625,000  $630,000
Peter J. Millones $552,083  $556,500
Paulo Pisano(1) $420,225  $454,959
(1)Mr. Pisano’s 2022 salary reflects the average 2022 EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.05056161 and 2023 salary reflects the average 2023 EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.08109137.
(2)2022 and 2023 salaries listed reflect the amount received over the course of the year to align with the amount reported in the Summary Compensation Table for that year. Because there was a salary adjustment during 2022 for each of Messrs. Goulden, Millones, and Pisano, the amounts show base salary increased in 2023, though the T&C Committee did not make a change in that year.

Short-term Incentive Program 

The fundamental principle underlying our namedtypical annual senior management Bonus Plan is that the bonus pool for senior executives, including our executive officers, are generally towardswill be meaningfully funded only if we have significant year-over-year earnings and/or revenue growth on a fixed currency basis, taking into account the low end of the Compensation Peer Group.

For 2015, the Compensation Committee made no changes to the annual base salariessize of our namedbusiness, market expectations regarding our growth, and our expectations regarding the growth of our markets. 

The Bonus Plan pool applicable to our executive officers other than the increase, effective January 1, 2015, of Mr. Huston’s salaryis funded based on our Compensation EBITDA and Revenue, which were used on an equally weighted basis to measure performance in connection with the amendment of his employment agreement, which also eliminated or limited various perquisites.2023 senior management Bonus Plan. 

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Performance-Based Cash Bonus

Overview.

As described above, our 2015 financial and operational performance was very good, and the funding of the senior executive bonus pool reflected this performance. Our annual senior executive bonus plan generally provides for an aggregate “pool” based on our annual adjusted EBITDA performance. This measure is effective as it focuses employees on our core earnings so that they can be directly rewarded for business growth and productivity improvements. This measure is also an effective motivator because it is relatively easy to track and generally understood by employees.

Funding ofThe amount in the pool increases as a percentage of adjustedour Compensation EBITDA as our adjusted EBITDA increases. Senior executives’ individualand/or Revenue increase (until the cap on the pool is reached), and cash bonuses (other than Ms. Tans’ bonus, which is discussed below) are paidawarded to executive officers from this pool, and therefore out ofpool. Although Company performance is a key factor in individual bonus payments for our annual adjusted EBITDA. Target individual bonuses are based on achievement of our annual operating budget adjusted EBITDA, which is set at a level that requires meaningful year-over-year growth. Toexecutive officers, the extent we exceed our adjusted EBITDA “target” amount, the senior executive bonus pool will be greater than the target amount and both aggregate and individual bonuses would likely exceed target bonus amounts. To the extent we do not meet our adjusted EBITDA “target” amount, the senior executive bonus pool will be less than the target amount and both aggregate and individual bonuses would likely be less than “target” bonus amounts. However, in both cases, the CompensationT&C Committee maintains discretion to adjust the aggregate pool and/or individual bonuses upwards up to the max pool cap or downwards. In many years,downwards as it deems appropriate. The T&C Committee adopted an individual bonus cap of two times target applicable to executive officers beginning with the 2024 annual Bonus Plan.

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2023 Bonus Plan Outcomes

The T&C Committee applied the learnings from the recent stockholder engagement efforts when it established the Compensation EBITDA and again with respect to 2015, notwithstanding the significant over-achievement of the adjusted EBITDARevenue performance goals for the aggregate amount of bonuses awarded from the senior executive bonus pool by the Compensation2023 Bonus Plan. The T&C Committee was less thanfocused on setting rigorous growth targets after the full amount of the available pool.

The fundamental principle underlying our 2015Company’s strong financial performance based cash bonus plan (the “2015 Bonus Plan”) was that the bonus pool for senior executives, including the named executive officers, (other than Ms. Tans as discussed below) would only be meaningfully funded if we had significant year-over-year earnings growth,in 2022, taking into account consensus expectations for the effect ofCompany, and incentivizing impressive outcomes.

Bonus2023 Revenue
Performance Relative to 2022
2023 Compensation EBITDA
Performance Relative to 2022
At Target10% growth17% growth
At Maximum16% growth27% growth
Actual22% growth36% growth

The Company’s record revenue and earnings performance in 2023 resulted in the significantly stronger U.S. Dollar.Company exceeding its rigorous performance goals. The Company’s Revenue performed 5% above the maximum target and Compensation Committee believed atEBITDA performed 7% above the time of adoption of the 2015 Bonus Plan that our year-over-year growth rate would need to exceed our expectations of the 2015 growth rate of our primary global, direct competitormaximum target, resulting in order to fund the senior executive bonus pool at a level equal to that of 2014. The Compensation Committee felt that requiring us to achieve (a) significant year-over-year earnings growth, taking into account the effect of the significantly stronger U.S. Dollar,max funding for the senior executivemanagement bonus poolpool. Additionally, the bonuses for the NEOs reflect individual performance, including each NEO’s contributions to be meaningfully funded and (b) what it believed to be a higher growth rate than our primary global, direct competitor before there was a year-over-year increase in the fundingexecution of the senior executive bonus pool, constituted significant hurdlesCompany’s business priorities and meant thatother non-financial goals described further in 2023 Named Executive Officer Performance. The T&C Committee took the Company’s financial overperformance and each named executive officer’s bonus was at significant risk.

For 2015, Ms. Tans’ target performance based cash bonus was tied to the financial performance of our Booking.com business, whose day-to-day operations she oversaw as its President and Chief Operating Officer, rather than to that of The Priceline Group as a whole. Similar to the approach taken with respect to bonuses for our other named executive officers, the bonus pool from which Ms. Tans’ bonus would be paid would only be meaningfully funded if the Booking.com business over-performed against its plan. The performance metric for Ms. Tans’ bonus was Booking.com’s adjusted EBITDA as further adjusted primarily to takeNEO’s individual contributions into account inter-company transactions.when it awarded the NEOs a bonus payout of approximately 2.7 times target reflected below. 

Named Executive Officer Base Salary(2) Bonus Target as a % of
Base Salary
 Actual 2023 Bonus
Awarded
Glenn D. Fogel $750,000 250% $5,000,000
David Goulden $630,000 210% $3,532,000
Peter J. Millones $556,500 190% $2,823,000
Paulo Pisano(1) $454,959 146% $1,774,071
(1)Amounts for Mr. Pisano are converted using the EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.08109137, which was the average rate for 2023.
(2)2023 bonus is calculated based on each NEOs’ amount received over the course of the year to align with the amount reported in the Summary Compensation Table.

Long-term Incentive Program

In shaping the long-term incentive program, the T&C Committee focused on incentivizing the NEOs to deliver long-term results for the Company aligned with long-term value creation for stockholders and to execute on key strategic priorities. Accordingly, the T&C Committee structured the long-term incentive program as follows:

•  Three-year time-based award: aligned with stock price

•  2023 PSUs: vest in three years with three-year goals tied to Revenue and Compensation EBITDA

•  rTSR modifier: +/- 25% depending on TSR performance relative to peers at the end of the three-year measurement period and subject to the TSR governor and a max 2x cap

•  TSR governor: caps PSU vesting factor at target unless absolute TSR is positive over the course of the three-year award

(1)Mr. Pisano’s 2023 grant is comprised of 29% RSUs and 71% PSUs as part of his transition to the other NEOs’ compensation model.
(2)In 2024, the T&C Committee revised the future equity mix to 60% PSUs and 40% RSUs.

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PSU vesting and goal setting

In 2023 the T&C Committee returned to its pre-pandemic long-term incentive plan structure of PSUs with three-year targets and vesting periods. The Compensation Committee determined that having Ms. Tans’ cash bonus tied to the performance of the Booking.com business was appropriate to provide incentives based directly on the business for which Ms. Tans was responsible.

HowisadjustedEBITDAcalculated? For purposes of the 2015 Bonus Plan, EBITDA is operating income before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization expense and includes foreign currency transactions. Adjusted EBITDA excludes stock-based compensation expense and other items which, in the judgment of the Compensation Committee, are generally “non-cash,” “one time” or “non-recurring” in nature, whether favorable or unfavorable. These adjustments to EBITDA under the 2015 Bonus Plan are generally consistentPSUs were also structured with the adjustments we make inrTSR modifier, which is a three-year metric, along with the calculation of adjusted EBITDA as used in our quarterly and annual earnings announcements and referenced by many ofTSR governor that caps the financial analysts that follow us.

Adjusted EBITDA is then further adjusted to exclude the translation impact of changes in certain foreign currency exchange rates from the assumed foreign exchange rates used to set the performance goals and operating budget (i.e., on a “fixed-currency” basis). The Compensation Committee has made this a feature of our annual bonus plans for many years to ensure that management is focused on the operational success of the business without incentivizing excessive or inappropriate risk taking or decision making based on short-term or speculative expectations regarding foreign exchange rates. In addition, the Compensation Committee believes that taking a fixed-currency approach more accurately addresses management performance, while ensuring that the interests of management and stockholders are aligned through any impact currency factors have on our stock price since equity compensation constitutes the largest component of our named executive officers’ compensation. In addition, to ensure the integrity of the performance measure during the applicable period, adjusted EBITDA is calculated, to the extent reasonably quantifiable, without considering the effects on our earnings of any acquisition or disposition of a business, such that “purchased” EBITDAPSUs at target if absolute TSR is not included andpositive over the estimated results (including any estimated losses) of any business sold during the period are included in the calculation of adjusted EBITDA. The adjustments are intended to ensure that any payments under the 2015 Bonus Plan represent the underlying growth of our core business and are not inflated or deflated due to “non-cash,” “one time” or “non-recurring” items, the translation impact of changes in certain foreign currency exchange rates or the acquisition or disposition of assets between the time the plan was adopted and the end of the measurementthree-year period.

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How did the 2015 Bonus Plan work?

The sole determinant of the funding of the 2015 Bonus Plan was our pre-bonus adjusted EBITDA performance, except in the case of Ms. Tans as discussed above, in which case it was the pre-bonus adjusted EBITDA of the Booking.com business as further adjusted primarily to address inter-company transactions. The 2015 bonus pool funded throughout 2015 as we met and/or exceeded the pre-established adjusted EBITDA targets.

In order for the senior executive bonus pool (other than for Ms. Tans, as discussed above) to be funded at a level equal to that of the previous year, we needed to achieve 2015 year-over-year pre-bonus adjusted EBITDA (on a fixed-currency basis) growth of approximately 12%. If pre-bonus adjusted EBITDA (on a fixed-currency basis) growth was 6%, the growth rate used to establish our 2015 operating plan and therefore “target” bonuses, the bonus pool for senior executives (other than Ms. Tans) would be funded at a level that would have represented a year-over-year decrease of approximately 69%.

As the growth targets above illustrate, significant funding of the 2015 Bonus Plan for our named executive officers would only occur upon our achievement of significant year-over-year adjusted EBITDA growth, taking into account the stronger U.S. Dollar in 2015.

Individual Bonus Targets.

The 2015 base salaries of the named executive officers were significantly under “market” (i.e., compared to the 83rd percentile of the Compensation Peer Group) as determined by Mercer, which, as a general matter, has consistently been the case over prior years. Consequently, bonus targets for the named executive officers (which are set forth in the 2015 GrantsofPlan-BasedAwardsTable) were higher than the competitive market but set at levels to ensure, assuming appropriate performance, that total cash compensation was competitiveconnection with compensation provided by companies in the Compensation Peer Group. Consistent with our executive compensation policy, individuals with greater job responsibilities had a greater proportion of their total cash compensation tied to our performance through the 2015 Bonus Plan. The Compensation Committee established bonus targets for 2015 for the named executive officers ranginghis retirement from 100% to 250% of annual base salary. The Compensation Committee maintained the same target bonus percentages for the named executive officers that were in effect for 2014. The Compensation Committee reserved the right in its complete discretion to decrease or increase payouts below or above “target” amounts, notwithstanding our financial performance. The 2015 Bonus Plan did not provide for individual maximum or minimum amounts for the named executive officers.

As mentioned above, the target bonus percentages were chosen so that if we achieved our operating budget adjusted EBITDA, as determined by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the year, the total cash compensation paid to the named executive officers would likely be more consistent with “market” (i.e., compared with the Compensation Peer Group) total cash compensation. However, if we underperformed by falling short of our operating budget adjusted EBITDA, the named executive officers’ total cash compensation would be on the lower end of the Compensation Peer Group and, if we outperformed by exceeding our operating budget adjusted EBITDA, the named executive officers’ total cash compensation would be on the higher end of the Compensation Peer Group. The Compensation Committee believes that this increases the amount of compensation which is directly tied to our performance, better aligns compensation with the interests of stockholders and puts more of the named executive officers’ cash compensation at risk than the practices of the Compensation Peer Group.

Our 2015 Performance and Funding of the 2015 Bonus.

In the Compensation Committee’s judgment, 2015 was a very good year for The Priceline Group. We produced year-over-year adjusted EBITDA (on a fixed-currency basis) growth of approximately 16%, which exceeded our 2015 operating budget adjusted EBITDA. As a result, the senior executive bonus pool under the 2015 Bonus Plan was funded in amounts well above target. With respect to Ms. Tans, her bonus was funded from the bonus pool applicable to our Booking.com business. Based on the 2015 performance of our Booking.com business, that pool was also funded in amounts well above target.

Individual Bonus Amounts.

The actual amount of each named executive officer’s bonus was determined after an assessment of such officer’s performance by, in the case of the Chief Executive Officer, the Board and the Compensation Committee and, in the case of the other named executive officers, the Compensation Committee and the Chief Executive Officer. Final bonus amounts for the named executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer were based on a subjective assessment by the Compensation Committee and the Chief Executive Officer of each named executive officer’s performance and contributions during 2015, as opposed to, in most cases, the accomplishment of specific quantitative goals. The Compensation Committee exercised its discretion, based on the advice of the Chief Executive Officer, and did not attempt to quantify, rank or assign specific weight to any single factor (other than our adjusted EBITDA performance as described above) in making its bonus decisions.

In early 2016, the Compensation Committee reviewed our 2015 financial results and worked with Mr. Huston, who served as our President and Chief Executive Officer during 2015, to develop appropriate 2015 bonus amounts for our executive officers, other than himself. The bonuses paid to such executive officers were paid in February 2016 and appear in the SummaryCompensationTable for 2015 under the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column.

Mr. Huston.

The sole factor in determining not to award Mr. Huston a 2015 bonus was conduct involving a personal relationship that Mr. Huston had with an employee of the Company who was not under his direct supervision that was contrary to the Code of Conduct.

Other Named Executive Officers

The bonuses paid to the other named executive officers reflected our strong performance during 2015, which is described in detail above. The bonus amounts also reflect the factors described below.

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Mr. Finnegan’s bonus is in recognition of, among other things, his role as Chief Financial Officer his role in developing our annual financial plan, his oversight of our treasury activities, including the successful completionCompany, the T&C Committee awarded Mr. Goulden PSUs with vesting schedules described under Mr. Goulden’s 2023 Long-Term Equity Incentive Award.

Relative TSR Modifier

The 2023 PSUs include an rTSR modifier. At the end of three debt offerings, and his oversight of our finance department.

Ms. Tans’ bonus reflects her role as the President and Chief Operating Officer of our Booking.com brand during 2015 and that brand’s outstanding 2015 operating performance.

Mr. Fogel’s bonus is in recognition of, among other things, his role in advisingthree-year measurement period, the Board andPSUs are adjusted upwards or downwards by up to 25% based on the Chief Executive Officer on our strategic direction and in developing our annual business plan and his role leading our corporate development initiatives, includingCompany’s TSR relative to the completionTSR of a numberpeer group of successful acquisitions and minority investments in 2015.

Mr. Millones’ bonus is in recognition of, among other things, his oversight of our legal department, corporate governance matters, global human resource matters and litigation and his organization and coordination of and assistancecompanies with the Board’s activities.

In determining bonus amounts for the named executive officers, other than the Chief Executive Officer, in addition to considering the factors described above, the Compensation Committee discusses and considers with the Chief Executive Officer a range of other subjective factors including each named executive officer’s ability to act and think strategically, ability to get results, ability to demonstrate a strong leadership style, integrity, ethics and ability to foster global cooperation.

Equity Incentives

Equity incentive grantshigh correlation to the named executive officers are based on job responsibilities and potential for individual contribution, with referenceCompany’s industry, subject to the “market” levels, as described above,absolute TSR governor and capped at a maximum of total “target” direct compensation (total “target” cash compensation plus the “target” value of long-term equity awards) of executives within2 times target. 

If rTSR is:Then the rTSR Modifier is:
Below the 25th Percentile0.75
Between the 25th and 39th Percentile0.875
Between the 40th and 60th Percentile1
Between the 61st and 75th Percentile1.125
Greater than the 75th Percentile1.25

The rTSR peer group is broader than the Compensation Peer Group. When it makes grants,Group because we considered only industry comparability and not size or other characteristics that are more relevant for benchmarking pay.

Relative TSR Peer Group
Accor SAAirbnb, Inc.Amadeus IT Group, S.A.
American Airlines Group Inc.Avis Budget Group, Inc.Carnival Corporation & plc
Choice Hotels International, Inc.Delta Air Lines, Inc.Deutsche Lufthansa AG
easyJet plcExpedia Group, Inc.Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.Hyatt Hotels CorporationInterContinental Hotels Group PLC
International Consolidated Airlines Group, S.A.Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott Vacations Worldwide  CorporationNorwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.Qantas Airways Limited
Royal Caribbean GroupRyanair Holdings plcSabre Corporation
Singapore Airlines LimitedSixt SESouthwest Airlines Co.
Travel + Leisure Co.Trip.com Group LimitedTripAdvisor, Inc.
trivago N.V.TUI AGUnited Airlines Holdings, Inc.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

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TOTAL STOCKHOLDER RETURN(1)

(1)The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year TSRs are based on the calculated TSRs between the last trading day of 2023 and the last trading day of the year in 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. 

TSR Governor

The T&C Committee is committed to aligning executive incentive compensation with stockholder returns and value creation. This is the Compensation Committee also considersprimary driver behind the size and current value of previous grants, in particularTSR governor, which caps the current unvested value of previous grants. As with the determination of base salaries and bonus awards, the Compensation Committee exercises judgment and discretion in view of the above criteria and its general policies.

PSUs.

In connection with the 2015 compensation planning process, the Compensation Committee authorized, and we granted, PSUs to the named executive officers. All of the 2015 PSUs granted to named executive officers, other than Ms. Tans, are tied to our consolidated adjusted EBITDA performancePSU vesting factor at target unless absolute TSR is positive over the three-year period ending December 31, 2017 andof the PSU award. As a result, executive officers realize upside only if stockholders realize positive returns.

Performance Share Units (PSUs)

The 2023 PSUs granted to our NEOs are forfeitable if certain minimum performance thresholds are not achieved.achieved and have a maximum payout of 2x the number of “target” shares. The number of “target” shares was determined by taking a fixed U.S. Dollar amount established by the T&C Committee and dividing that amount by the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, which, as provided under our equity plan, is the closing price of our common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of grant. In setting our 2023 PSU performance thresholds, the T&C Committee considered our 2023 budget, our expectations for the global travel market over the three-year performance period, internal projections over the three-year performance period for us and certain of our peers, and external consensus projections. The T&C Committee also sought to ensure that the performance thresholds, in particular those that would result in a payout above 1x, reflected performance that would be expected to reward our stockholders.

The equally-weighted Revenue and Compensation EBITDA goals for the third sub-period of the 2021 PSUs and second sub-period of the 2022 PSUs are as follows:

If Revenue for
the 2023 sub-period (ending
December 31, 2023) is:
If Compensation EBITDA for
the 2023 sub-period (ending
December 31, 2023) is:
Then the number of shares
that will be issued is:
(1)
Below $17.1 billionBelow $4.9 billionForfeiture
Between $17.1 billion and $18.9 billionBetween $4.9 billion and $5.7 billion0x to 1x the target grant
At $18.9 billionAt $5.7 billion1x the target grant
Between $18.9 billion and $20 billionBetween $5.7 billion and $6.3 billion1x to 2x the target grant
Above $20 billionAbove $6.3 billion2x the target grant
(1)Number of shares that could be issued (i) is based on relative performance against each of the Revenue and Compensation EBITDA goals, measured separately, with meaningful achievement of both performance metrics needed for a 2x outcome, and (ii) is subject to the rTSR modifier and TSR governor applied at the end of the measurement period.

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The equally-weighted Revenue and Compensation EBITDA goals for the three-year period ending December 31, 2025 for the 2023 PSUs are as follows:

If Revenue for
the three-year period ending
December 31, 2025 is:
If Compensation EBITDA for
the three-year period ending
December 31, 2025 is:
Then the number of shares
that will be issued is:
(1)
Below $51.3 billionBelow $14.6 billionForfeiture
Between $51.3 billion and $63.1 billionBetween $14.6 billion and $19.9 billion0x to 1x the target grant
At $63.1 billionAt $19.9 billion1x the target grant
Between $63.1 billion and $66.8 billionBetween $19.9 billion and $21.9 billion1x to 2x the target grant
Above $66.8 billionAbove $21.9 billion2x the target grant
(1)Number of shares that could be issued (i) is based on relative performance against each of the Revenue and Compensation EBITDA goals, measured separately, with meaningful achievement of both performance metrics needed for a 2x outcome, and (ii) is subject to the rTSR modifier and TSR governor applied at the end of the measurement period.

The Company’s strong performance in 2023 resulted in achieving 2 times target for each of the second sub-period of the 2022 PSUs and the third sub-period of the 2021 PSUs. The overall payout for the 2022 PSUs remains subject to Company performance in subsequent sub-periods and the application of the rTSR Modifier and TSR governor. Annual goals for subsequent measurement periods are set at the beginning of each performance year. The 2023 PSUs are also subject to the application of the rTSR Modifier and TSR governor at the end of the three-year performance period ranges from zero to two timesperiod. 

Regardless of Revenue or Compensation EBITDA achievement, for the “target” grant, depending on our performance over that period. Ms. Tans’ 20152022 and 2023 PSUs, are tied toif the adjusted EBITDA as further adjusted primarily to take into account inter-company transactions of our Booking.com business overCompany’s absolute TSR is not positive, the three-year period ending December 31, 2017. The number of shares that couldwill be issued to her at the end of the three-year performance period ranges from one to two times the “target” grant, depending on Booking.com’s performance over that period.

The calculation of adjusted EBITDA is intended to be substantially consistent with the calculation used by us in our quarterly and annual earnings announcements. The calculation of adjusted EBITDA is similar to the calculation of adjusted EBITDA described above under PerformanceBasedCashBonus and the reasons for adoption of adjusted EBITDA as the performance measure are substantially similar in all material respects. In addition, the Compensation Committee felt that the combination of annual incentives based on annual adjusted EBITDA under the 2015 Bonus Plan and three-year incentives based on cumulative adjusted EBITDA over the three-year performance period applicable to the PSUs would properly incentivize executives to consider and balance both shorter term and longer term Company performance in managing the business, and therefore incentivize management to manage the business in a manner that would favor fundamentally strong and consistent growth without excessive or inappropriate risk taking and thereby maximize long-term stockholder value.

The 2015 PSUs granted to each of the named executive officers will not exceed target. 

Mr. Goulden’s 2023 Long-Term Equity Incentive Award

In 2023, Mr. Goulden announced that he would transition to a new role pending the expected hiring of his successor by March 2024. In connection with that transition, Mr. Goulden’s annual long-term equity incentive award for 2023 consisted of a three-year PSU award (the “2023 Goulden PSUs”) and an RSU award (the “2023 Goulden RSUs”), each with alternate vesting schedules. One third of the 2023 Goulden PSUs became eligible to vest and be earned, subject to continued employment by us, on the three-year anniversaryone third of the grant2023 Goulden RSUs vested on March 4, 2024. The remaining portions of the 2023 Goulden PSUs and 2023 Goulden RSUs are eligible to vest on a quarterly basis pro-rated for the time Mr. Goulden remains in service to the Company until March 4, 2026. Regardless of the date ifMr. Goulden ceases service to the adjustedCompany, the receipt of any shares that vest under the 2023 Goulden PSU will generally not take place until March 2026 to ensure Mr. Goulden is engaged during a smooth transition to the new CFO. Moreover, Compensation EBITDA hurdles belowand Revenue are accomplished overmeasured against the three-year performance period (except that Ms. Tans’ grant had a 1x threshold and was based on the performance of our Booking.com business):

If adjusted EBITDA for the three-year

period ending

December 31, 2017 is:

Then, the number of shares

that will be issued is:

Adjusted EBITDA target for the three-year period

ending December 31, 2017 expressed as a multiple

of adjusted EBITDA for the three-year period ending

December 31, 2014 (reflects upper limit of each

applicable tier of adjusted EBITDA):

Less than $10.4 billion

1.3x

Between $10.4 billion and $11.1 billion

0x to 1x the “target” grant

1.4x

Between $11.1 billion and $12.2 billion

1x the “target” grant

1.5x

Between $12.2 billion and $13.5 billion

1x to 2x the “target” grant

1.7x

Over $13.5 billion

2x the “target” grant

Greater than 1.7x

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Except in the case of Ms. Tans’ PSUs (which are based on the performance of our Booking.com business and which are not subject to a minimum performance threshold), the 2015 PSUs awarded to our named executive officers will be forfeited and no shares will be issued if, over the three-year performance period, we do not increase our cumulative adjusted EBITDA by at least approximately 28% over our cumulative adjusted EBITDAsame targets used for the three-year period ending December 31, 2014 (2012 through 2014)2025 for the 2023 PSUs awarded to other NEOs, with the resulting number of PSUs subject to modification by the rTSR modifier (+ or - 25%) or capped by the TSR governor (potentially capping payout at target).

The Compensation Committee estimated at the time of adoption - based on information availabletwo-year PSUs awarded in early 2015 and our expectations regarding the growth of our primary global, direct competitor and other select companies that management, Mercer2022 to Mr. Goulden also achieved 2 times target payout and the absolute TSR governor did not apply because TSR was positive over the course of the award.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

In 2023, our long-term incentive program consisted of 75% PSUs and 25% RSUs. After discussion with our independent compensation consultant, and further market benchmarking, the T&C Committee felt were relevant - thatdetermined to reflect a mix of approximately 60% PSUs and 40% RSUs in our long-term incentive program in 2024. The T&C Committee believes this structure is more in line with market practice and provides an appropriate base level of long-term pay and stability in the three-year performance thresholds and forfeiture thresholds set forth above, represented significant growth hurdles. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee believed that if we were to achieve the adjusted EBITDA hurdles above, our stockholders would be rewarded. The Compensation Committee believed that the three-year performance period ensures that executives are focused on longer-term performance and serves as aprogram design, with significant retention device.

RSUs.

Althoughvalue tied to stock price and continuous service. While most peers have a 50/50 mix of PSUs and RSUs, the T&C Committee continues to believe the majority of equity grants should be linked to performance. Stockholders have expressed to us their continued support for a number of yearstime-based component in our long-term incentive program.

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The NEOs received the primary equity componentfollowing RSU awards in 2023:

ExecutiveGrant date value of award
Glenn D. Fogel$6,249,654
David Goulden$3,000,358
Peter J. Millones$1,876,206
Paulo Pisano$1,249,931

These awards constitute 25% of the long-term incentive grants to the NEOs (other than Mr. Pisano, whose RSU award constitutes 29% of his long-term incentive grant in 2023 as part of his transition to the other NEOs’ compensation program for senior executives has been PSUs,model) and vest over three years, provided the recipient is still employed by the Company.

RSUs are also used from time to time the Compensation Committee has also granted restricted stock units to senior executives. In some cases, RSU awards have been used together with PSUs. For example, RSUs have been used in connection with the hiring or promotion of a new senior executive or the promotion of a senior executive to provide retention incentives during the first years of employmenta position to balance the uncertainty associated with PSUs in the casetypical three-year cliff vesting and performance terms of a new hire.PSUs. 

In 2014, following our acquisition of Buuteeq, Inc., Ms. Tans received a PSU award based on the performance of the Buuteeq business in connection with the integration of that business into Booking.com. As a result of the formation of Booking.com’s BookingSuite initiative, which includes the former Buuteeq business and the integration of another acquired business, certain Buuteeq-based PSU awards were cancelled in November 2015 because the Buuteeq-based performance metrics were no longer relevant. Ms. Tans, along with certain other BookingSuite personnel, was then granted an RSU award in November 2015 and a Booking.com-based PSU award in March 2016. See GrantsofPlan-basedAwardsTable on page 51 for details of Ms. Tans’ November 2015 RSU award.

Stock Options

Stock Options.

Since our adoption of FASB ASC Topic 718 (formerly known as FAS 123(R)) on January 1, 2006, we haveWe did not issuedgrant any stock options and currently do not intend to do so going forward. In connectionour NEOs in 2023.

Stockholder Dilution

We strongly believe in the responsible use of stock-based compensation. To be sure we are being judicious with certain business acquisitions, including KAYAK in May 2013 and OpenTable in July 2014, we have assumed outstanding stock options granted bystock-based compensation, the acquired company prior toT&C Committee reviews the acquisition.

Stockholder Dilution.

Finally, in connection with administering our equity plans, including when consideringdilutive impacts of planned equity awards to executive officers,every year and unlike many other companies, we include the Committee considers the dilutivenegative impact of such awards on stockholders. For 2015, our stock-based compensation expense in the profit metrics we highlight in our quarterly earnings reports.

This year, stockholder dilution from our equity incentive programs, including our stock-based compensation expense as a percentage of year-end market capitalization, is below the 25th percentile of the Compensation Peer Group.We are proud that in 2023, our stock-based compensation resulted in less than 0.7% of stockholder dilution and during the last 5 years, resulted in approximately 3% of cumulative dilution.

BKNG Stock-Based Compensation Expense as a percentage% of year-end market capitalization was among the lowest inGAAP Net Income

20192020202120222023
6%392%32%13%12%

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE AS A % OF PRE-SBC EBITDA(1)

(1)SBC expense as a percentage of Pre-SBC EBITDA for each respective year. If a Compensation Peer Group company’s annual EBITDA (see also footnote 3, below) is negative, its results are excluded for that year. 
(2)For this chart, the Company’s publicly reported Adjusted EBITDA is further adjusted to add back stock-based compensation expense to present pre-SBC Adjusted EBITDA consistent with how it is calculated for the Compensation Peer Group. See Appendix A to this proxy statement for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures and rationale for use of non-GAAP financial measures. 
(3)Data is derived from publicly reported information of Compensation Peer Group companies. The Company’s use and calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and Pre-SBC Adjusted EBITDA may differ from the other companies’ use and calculation of such non-GAAP financial measures. For companies that do not publicly report EBITDA, reported operating income excluding depreciation & amortization expense and stock-based compensation expense is used. 

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE AS A % OF NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Data is derived from publicly reported information of Compensation Peer Group companies. ADBE, EA, and MSFT do not have December 31 fiscal year ends, so their full year data is shown as of their latest completed fiscal year (e.g., MSFT’s 2023 data is for the twelve months ended June 30, 2023).
(1)Represents the cumulative SBC expense and cumulative net cash provided by operating activities for the given period.
(2)NA given ABNB and UBER’s first full year as a public company was 2021 and 2020, respectively. 

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Other Components of Executive Compensation Peer Group and 40% of the median of the Compensation Peer Group.

Change in Control and Severance Benefits

Change in Control.

Our equity grants do not provide for “single trigger” accelerated vesting based solely uponon the occurrence of a change in control. Rather, acceleration willof equity grants can only occur with respect to those grants upon certain terminations of employment that occur coincident withat the same time as or following a change in control or upon certain terminations of employment that occur independently fromof a change in control. As a general matter, upon a termination of employment by us “without cause” or by the employee on account of his death ortheir disability (and in some circumstances, for “good reason”) that occurs coincident with or following a change in control, the vesting of outstanding equity will be accelerated to occur on the termination date on which the employee is terminated coincident with or following such change in control (on a pro-rata basis based on the portion of the performance period that has expired). Seepassed. Our awards do not provide for full acceleration of an award except in the descriptioncase of Mr. Huston’s employment agreement beginning on page 54 for more information on the acceleration provisions of his awards.employee’s death.

 

Noexcessparachutepaymenttaxgross-ups

Section 4999 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code provides that certain individuals may be subject to additional taxes if they receive certain payments of benefits in connection with a change of control (“excess parachute payments”), and Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code provides that we may forfeit a tax deduction on the amounts subject to this additional tax. However, we have not provided for tax gross-ups in respect of Section 4999 in any new or materially modified compensatory arrangements with our executive officers for many years and none of our executive officers are entitled to tax gross-ups in respect of Section 4999. Further, while it had been the Compensation Committee’s practice over many years not to provide such tax gross-ups, in October 2014 the Compensation Committee formally adopted a policy not to approve any Section 4999 tax gross-ups or similar tax reimbursement arrangements related to excess parachute payments in any new or materially modified compensatory arrangements with our directors or executive officers.

No excess parachute payment tax gross-ups
None of our executive officers are entitled to tax gross-ups in respect of taxes resulting from excess parachute payments in connection with a change of control under section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. We have not provided for tax gross-ups in respect of Section 4999 in any new or materially modified compensatory arrangements with our executive officers for many years and the T&C Committee has formally adopted a policy not to approve any Section 4999 tax gross-ups or similar tax reimbursement arrangements related to excess parachute payments with our directors or executive officers.

 

With respect to Mr. Millones, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, ifIf any payment made pursuant to hisan NEO’s employment agreement would be an excess parachute payment, we will reduce the amount of such payment to the extent

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necessary so that no portion of the payment, so reduced, would constitute an excess parachute payment if such reduction would result in an increase in the aggregate payments and benefits to be provided to Mr. Millones determinedthe executive will receive on an after taxafter-tax basis. See PotentialPaymentsUponaChangeinControland/orTermination beginning on page 5887 for additional details.

Severance Benefits.Benefits

Severance arrangements and change-in-control provisions in our equity awards are designed to:

encourage executives to remain focused on our business in the event of a rumored or actual fundamental corporate change or changes in the organization or its employment needs and provide assistance during any transition, and
manage compensation-related risks and align the interests of executives and stockholders by incentivizing executives to manage the business and evaluate potential change in control transactions from the perspective of a stockholder.

Each of the named executive officersour NEOs is entitled to receive severance benefits upon, among other things, a termination “without cause” or in some cases, “for good reason.” The arrangements with our executive officers provide severance payments in an amount that the CompensationT&C Committee believes the amount of severance compensation each NEO would receive is appropriate taking into account, among other things, the time it is expected to take a separated employee to find another jobbased on market practices and marketplace practices as well as the duration of non-competition agreements between us and our executive officers. The payments and other benefits are provided because the Compensation Committee considers a termination “without cause” or for “good reason,” as applicable, not to be employee-initiated, that under different circumstances would not have occurred and which are beyond the control of the separated individual. The severanceNEOs. Severance and other benefits are intended to ease the consequences to an executive of an unexpected termination of employment.employment that the T&C Committee considers outside of the separated employee’s control. See EmploymentContracts,TerminationofEmployment,andChangeinControlArrangements beginning on page 5478 for additional details.

Termination Pay Policy
In 2023, the T&C Committee adopted a policy that it will seek stockholder ratification of any future arrangement with an executive officer that provides for a cash severance payment exceeding 2.99 times the executive’s base salary and target bonus.

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Employee Benefits

Our health care and other insurance programs are generally the same for all eligible employees, including the named executive officers,NEOs, depending on their geographic location. For all eligible U.S.-based employees and certain eligible employees based outside the United States, we havemaintain a 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan in which our eligible named executive officersNEOs (excluding Mr. Pisano) participate allows all eligible employees to contribute up to 75% of their eligible pay (generally base salary and bonus,bonus), up to limits imposed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, on aas pre-tax basis.and/or Roth contributions. We addmake a cash matchmatching contribution to this 401(k) plan for all participants, including those named executive officers who participate inparticipating NEOs, of 50 cents on the plan, of 50% ofdollar on the first 6% of compensation deferred as contributions.eligible pay contributed to the plan. The 401(k) match made to each of the participating named executive officersNEOs is reflected in the All Other Compensation column onof the SummaryCompensationTable. Table.

All eligible Booking.com employees, including Mr. Pisano, receive a work-from-home allowance and a benefit for certain travel reservations made through Booking.com.

Perquisites

We do not maintain any material perquisites or personal benefits for any of the named executive officers,NEOs, such as company planes, cars, security, financial services, or country club memberships. Pursuant

In connection with Mr. Fogel taking on the role of CEO of Booking.com in the Netherlands in 2019 in addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Mr. Pisano taking on the role of CHRO of the Company in 2021 in addition to his role as Chief People Officer of Booking.com, the Company agreed to provide certain benefits to Messrs. Fogel and Pisano to ensure that Messrs. Fogel and Pisano do not incur additional expenses or tax liability as a result of these additional roles. These benefits include payment of costs for the preparation of Dutch and U.S. tax returns and a related tax gross-up. For Mr. Fogel, these benefits also include tax equalization, which caps Mr. Fogel’s total tax exposure to what he would be taxed on earnings from the company under U.S. tax laws and is designed to yield neither an economic benefit nor detriment to Mr. Huston’s employment agreement, which eliminated certain perquisites previously provided toFogel as a result of his role of CEO of Booking.com in the Netherlands. Mr. Huston effective asFogel also received a personal security assessment in 2023. Mr. Pisano was also reimbursed for legal services in connection with the Company’s adoption of January 1, 2015, we provided him with work-related car service and reimbursed him for certain tax preparation assistance and travel expenses incurred by him. See the SummaryCompensationTable on page 49 for more details about perquisites provided to Mr. Huston.its Financial Restatement Recovery Policy. 

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Key

Compensation Governance Matters

Stock Ownership Guidelines

Under ourOur stock ownership guidelines each namedrequire the executive officer is requiredofficers to own the number of shares of our common stock indicated below. For these purposes, shares owned outright by an executive officer are counted, but unvested stock options, vested stock options that have not been exercised, and unvested stock-based equity awards are not considered. Executive officers who do not meet the stock ownership guidelines must retain a minimum of 50% of the shares received on an after-tax basis from the exercise of stock options; the vesting of restricted shares, RSUs, and performance share units; and the settlement of any other stock-based equity award until the ownership target is reached. As of March 31, 2016,2024, each namedcurrent executive officer listed below was in compliance with the guidelines (whether due towith the numberexception of shares owned orMr. Steenbergen, who joined the value of shares owned).Company on March 15, 2024.

Name

 

Number of Shares Required to be

Owned under our Stock Ownership

Guidelines – the Lesser of:

 

Number of Shares

Owned as of March

31, 2016(1)

 

Value of Shares

Owned as of March

31, 2016(2)

Daniel J. Finnegan,
Chief Financial Officer

 

5,000 shares or shares valued at three times base salary

 

15,251

 

$19,657,929

Gillian Tans, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Booking.com

 

5,000 shares or shares valued at three times base salary

 

2,766

 

$3,565,263

Glenn D. Fogel, Executive
Vice President, Corporate
Development, and Head of
Worldwide Strategy and Planning

 

5,000 shares or shares valued at three times base salary

 

23,142

 

$29,829,112

Peter J. Millones, Executive
Vice President, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary

 

5,000 shares or shares valued at three times base salary

 

3,803

 

$4,901,915

(1)

See Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management on page 31 for certain details relating to beneficial stock ownership, calculated in accordance with SEC rules.

(2)

Based on the closing share price of $1,288.96 on March 31, 2016.

Name Number of Shares Required to be Owned under
our Stock Ownership Guidelines — the Lesser of:
 Number of
Shares
Owned as of
March 31,
2024(1) 
 Value of
Shares
Owned as of
March 31,
2024(2)
Glenn D. Fogel,
President and Chief Executive Officer
 15,000 shares or shares valued at $5 million 17,822 $64,656,077
Ewout Steenbergen,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer(3)
 5,000 shares or shares valued at three times base salary 0 $0
Peter J. Millones,
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
 5,000 shares or shares valued at three times base salary 12,445 $45,148,967
Paulo Pisano,
Chief Human Resources Officer
 5,000 shares or shares valued at three times base salary 914 $3,315,882
(1)See Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management for certain details relating to beneficial stock ownership, calculated in accordance with SEC rules.
(2)Based on the closing share price of $3,627.88 on March 28, 2024, the last trading day before March 31, 2024.
(3)Mr. Steenbergen became Chief Financial Officer on March 15, 2024 and, as a result, will be permitted to meet the Stock Ownership Guidelines over time.

Our stock ownership guidelines also establish requirements for non-employee members of the Board, which are set forth under 2015Non-EmployeeDirectorCompensationandBenefits beginning on page 62.95. Our stock ownership guidelines are detailed in our Corporate Governance Principles a copy of which is available on our corporate website (www.pricelinegroup.com) under the tab “For Investors.”(www.bookingholdings.com).

Short-Selling, Hedging and Pledging Prohibitions

We do not allow ourOur longstanding policy is to prohibit executive officers, or directors, and employees from entering into hedging transactions with respect to speculateour stock, speculating in our stock, whichor engaging in short-term trading in our stock such as “day trading.” Such prohibited activity includes but is not limited to, short selling (profiting if the market price of the securities decreases) and/or; buying or selling publicly traded options, including writing covered calls.calls; buying our stock on margin (unless arrangements are made to cover any margin calls in cash); and arbitrage trading. We also do not permit our executive officers or directors to enter into hedging transactions with respect to their ownership of our securities or to pledge any of our securities.

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Pre-arranged Trading Plans

We encourage, but do not require, our executive officers to effect any disposal of shares of our common stock pursuant to aadopt pre-arranged trading plan adopted in complianceplans that comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act (a “10b5-1 Plan”) and our internal guidelines. We have established guidelines. With the SEC’s new rules for the adoption and implementationoperation of 10b5-1 Plans, including the following:

A 10b5-1 Plan must be adopted during an open trading window.

The first proposed sale under a 10b5-1 Plan, generally cannot occur untilin 2023 we amended our internal guidelines to align with the first fiscal quarter followingSEC’s rules and also continue to impose restrictions beyond the fiscal quarter in whichSEC’s 10b5-1 rules that the plan is adopted. Specifically,Company believes are important guardrails. The Company’s internal guidelines include:

A 10b5-1 Plan must be adopted during an open trading window.
The adoption or modification of a 10b5-1 Plan must adhere to the cooling-off period outlined in the SEC’s 10b5-1 rules.
A 10b5-1 Plan must generally have a minimum term of one year. 
A 10b5-1 Plan may not be terminated earlier than the date provided for in the plan, except as approved by the chair of our T&C Committee or, if unavailable, the chair of our Audit Committee.

In addition to the first proposed sale under arequired 10b5-1 Plan generally may not be before the second trading day following the filing of our next Formdisclosure in Forms 10-Q with the SEC after the 10b5-1 Plan is adopted or, in the case of plans implemented during the fourth quarter of a calendar year, not before the second trading day following the public release of our fourth quarter and year-end financial information.

A 10b5-1 Plan must generally have a minimum of a one-year term. A 10b5-1 Plan may not be terminated earlier than the date provided for in the plan, except as approved by the chairperson of our Compensation Committee or, if such chairperson is unavailable, the chairperson of our Audit Committee.

Sales under a 10b5-1 Plan may occur during a closed trading window.

We reserve the right to modify the terms of our 10b5-1 guidelines at any time.

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The following table summarizes the 10b5-1 Plans adopted by each of the named executive officers and directors that were in existence on March 31, 2016. The number of shares that are reflected as eligible for future sale in the table below reflects share amounts as of March 31, 2016 and excludes shares that may have been previously sold. It is provided as a summary only and does not set forth all of the material terms and conditions of such 10b5-1 Plans.

Name and Principal Position

Total Shares

Subject to Plan

Date of

Adoption

End Date

Jeffery H. Boyd
Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer and President

33,000

11/30/2015

The earlier of the sale of all of the shares or March 1, 2017.

Gillian Tans, President and Chief Executive Officer, Booking.com

322

6/3/2015

The earlier of the sale of all of the shares or June 3, 2016.

1,438

12/9/2015

The earlier of the sale of all of the shares or March 15, 2017

Glenn D. Fogel, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, and Head of Worldwide Strategy and Planning

6,000

12/8/2015

The earlier of the sale of all of the shares or April 6, 2017.

Consistent10-K, consistent with our past practices, we intend to continue to update theprovide a list of 10b5-1 Plans for our NEOs and directors on a quarterly basis following the closing of our trading window and post the updated list on our corporate website (www.pricelinegroup.com) under the tab “For Investors.” We will also file a Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the adoption of any 10b5-1 Plan by our Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer.(www.bookingholdings.com). 

Equity Award Dates

The CompensationT&C Committee selected March 4, May 12, August 12, and November 12, 2024 as the grant dates of grant for any equity awards (to the extent the Committee authorizes any awards) to executive officers and other employees in 2016.employees. The CompensationT&C Committee reserves(or the rightBoard) has the ability to adjust dates in advance or select additional grant dates in its sole discretion. All grants are or will be, as applicable, approved in advance by the CompensationT&C Committee (or the Board) or, on an exception basis, the chairpersonChair of the CompensationT&C Committee.

Clawbacks

Clawback Policies

Effective

In accordance with new Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules, as of December 1, 2023 we adopted a Financial Restatement Recovery Policy that states the Company will seek recovery of excess incentive compensation from executive officers in the event of a covered financial restatement, as such terms are defined in the policy filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We also have had an incentive-based compensation clawback policy in place since February 7, 2013, we adopted a policy with respect to the “clawback” of executive compensation pending adoption by the SEC and The NASDAQ Stock Market of final rules on the matter. In general and subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, the policywhich provides that under certain circumstances where an executive officer has engaged in misconduct that has resulted in the executive receiving excessive incentive-based compensation, the Board may seek recovery of such excessive incentive-based compensation.

Deductibility Cap on Executive Compensation

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, provides that compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to each “covered employee” (generally, the chief executive officer

Talent and the three other highest paid executive officers other than the chief financial officer) will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes unless such compensation is paid pursuant to one of the enumerated exceptions set forth in Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee’s primary objective in designing and administering our compensation policies is to support and encourage the achievement of our long-term strategic goals and to enhance stockholder value, all as described above. When consistent with this compensation philosophy, the Compensation Committee may choose to structure our compensation programs such that compensation paid thereunder will be tax deductible. The Compensation Committee believes that stockholder interests are best served by not restricting the Committee’s discretion and flexibility in crafting compensation programs, even though such programs may result in certain non-deductible compensation expenses. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee has approved, and may in the future approve, compensation arrangements for executive officers that are not fully deductible. However, each year, as part of its compensation planning process, the Compensation Committee reevaluates whether to structure our compensation programs so as to be tax deductible under Section 162(m).

Report

In particular, as discussed above under ComponentsofExecutiveCompensationin2015-Performance-BasedCashBonus, the Compensation Committee determined to retain discretion under the 2015 Bonus Plan to make adjustments to what was included or excluded from the adjusted EBITDA metric in order to ensure

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that the results measured in the 2015 Bonus Plan represent the underlying growth of our core business, as well as discretion to increase or decrease the amounts paid under the 2015 Bonus Plan. In addition, the performance criteria of the 2015 Bonus Plan were not approved by our stockholders. As a result, payments under the 2015 Bonus Plan, which were funded as the result of significant year-over-year earnings growth, are not tax deductible under Section 162(m).

Compensation Committee Report

The Talent and Compensation Committee, comprised of independent directors, reviewed and discussed the above CompensationDiscussionandAnalysis with management. Based on that review and discussion, the Talent and Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the CompensationDiscussionandAnalysis be included in this proxy statement for filing with the SEC.

TALENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE


OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Craig W. Rydin, Chairman
Tim Armstrong
Jeffrey E. Epstein
James

Mirian M. GuyetteGraddick-Weir, Chair
Robert J. Mylod, Jr.
Sumit Singh
Lynn Vojvodich Radakovich

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COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Summary Compensation Table

The following table shows compensation earned during 2015, 20142023, 2022, and 2013, except for Ms. Tans,2021 by the persons who served as noted below, by our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer and the two next three most highly-compensated executive officers serving at the end of 2015.in 2023. These individuals are referred to as the “named executive officers.” InformationThese four individuals were our only executive officers for Ms. Tans is for 2015 only, in accordance with applicable SEC rules, since she was not a named executive officer aspurposes of December 31, 2014. In April 2016, Mr. Huston ceased to be our President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Executive Officer of Booking.com, and Ms. Tans was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of Booking.com. Unless otherwise indicated, titlesExchange Act Rule 3b-7 during 2023. Titles shown in the table are titles held as of December 31, 2015.2023.

Name and Principal Position

Year

Salary

($)

Bonus

($)

Stock Awards

($)(2)

Option Awards

($)

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation

($)

 

All Other Compensation

($)

 

Total

($)

 

Darren Huston(1)
President, Chief Executive
Officer; Chief Executive
Officer, Booking.com

2015

865,000

14,000,162

0

 

141,096

(6)

15,006,258

 

2014

750,000

14,000,667

7,000,000

(4)

215,427

(7)

21,966,094

 

2013

478,487

11,999,771

5,250,000

(5)

150,210

(8)

17,878,468

 

Daniel J. Finnegan
Chief Financial Officer

2015

315,000

4,200,545

1,200,000

(3)

8,488

(6)

5,724,033

 

2014

315,000

3,999,999

1,200,000

(4)

10,722

(7)

5,525,721

 

2013

315,000

3,999,815

1,000,000

(5)

7,974

(8)

5,322,789

 

Gillian Tans(9)
President and Chief
Operating Officer,
Booking.com

2015

360,335

4,799,700

1,108,723

(3)

1,000

(6)

6,269,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenn D. Fogel
Executive Vice President,
Corporate Development, and
Head of Worldwide Strategy
and Planning

2015

315,000

4,200,545

1,200,000

(3)

11,952

(6)

5,727,497

 

2014

315,000

3,999,999

1,200,000

(4)

9,065

(7)

5,524,064

 

2013

315,000

3,999,815

1,000,000

(5)

7,974

(8)

5,322,789

 

Peter J. Millones
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary

2015

330,000

4,200,545

1,200,000

(3)

12,133

(6)

5,742,678

 

2014

330,000

3,999,999

1,200,000

(4)

10,928

(7)

5,540,927

 

2013

330,000

3,999,815

1,000,000

(5)

7,974

(8)

5,337,789

 

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Name and Principal
Position
 Year Salary
($)
 Bonus
($)
 Stock
Awards(1)
($)
 Option
Awards
($)
 Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
 All Other
Compensation
($)
 Total
($)
 

Glenn D. Fogel

President and Chief Executive Officer

 2023 750,000  40,929,691  5,000,000(2) 41,043(5)  46,720,734 
 2022 750,000  26,258,740  3,750,000(3) 760,908 31,519,648 
 2021 750,000  48,010,707  5,212,500(4) 1,104,266 55,077,473 

David Goulden

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 2023 630,000  19,548,776  3,532,000(2) 10,138(5) 23,720,914 
 2022 625,000  8,844,265  2,646,000(3) 9,388 12,124,653 
 2021 600,000  15,375,661  3,500,000(4) 8,988 19,484,649 

Peter J. Millones

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

 2023 556,500  12,165,681  2,823,000(2) 10,138(5) 15,555,319 
 2022 552,083  8,488,874  2,114,700(3) 9,388 11,165,045 
 2021 530,000  16,213,487  2,750,000(4) 8,988 19,502,475 

Paulo Pisano(6)

Chief Human Resources Officer

 2023 454,959  4,550,645  1,774,071(2) 32,331(5) 6,812,006 
 2022 420,225  2,999,640  1,050,562(3) 4,736 4,475,163 
 2021 455,764  2,349,065  946,018(4) 41,120 3,791,967 
(1)

For 2013, the compensation for Mr. Huston is translated into U.S. Dollars using an average exchange rate of 1.33 U.S. Dollars to 1 Euro. Mr. Huston was named Chief Executive Officer of Booking.com effective September 26, 2011 and, in addition, became our President and Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2014. For 2014 and 2015, the amounts comprising Mr. Huston’s “All Other Compensation” were generally translated into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the time the respective amounts were paid or reimbursed.

(2)

Represents the aggregate grant date fair value ofof: (a) PSUs granted to Messrs. Huston, Finnegan, Fogel, andGoulden, Millones, and Ms. TansPisano in 2015,2023; (b) RSUs granted to Ms. TansMessrs. Fogel, Goulden, Millones, and Pisano in 2015,2023; (c) PSUs granted to Messrs. Huston, Finnegan, Fogel, Goulden, Millones, and MillonesPisano in 2014 and 2013, and2022; (d) RSUs granted to Mr. HustonMessrs. Fogel, Goulden, and Millones in 20132022; (e) PSUs granted to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, Millones, and Pisano in connection with his promotion2021; (f) adjustment of 2018 and 2019 PSUs granted to PresidentMessrs. Fogel, Goulden, and Chief Executive Officer of The Priceline Group on January 1, 2014,Millones in 2021; and (g) RSUs granted to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, Millones, and Pisano in 2021, in each case computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. ForIn February 2023, the performance targets were set for (1) the third sub-period of the three-year PSUs grantedawarded to Messrs. Huston, Finnegan, Fogel, Goulden and Millones in 2021, (2) the second sub-period of the two-year PSUs awarded to Mr. Goulden in 2022, and Ms. Tans(3) the second sub-period of the three-year PSUs awarded to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, and Millones in 2015, the amount reflects 1 times the “target” amount, as of2022. As a result, the grant date was established for those awards. Under the terms of these awards, asthird sub-period of the 2021 three-year PSUs and the second sub-period for the 2022 two- and three-year PSUs. The grant date fair value for the 2021 three-year PSUs granted on February 17, 2023 to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, and Millones was calculated using the target number of shares associated with the third sub-period multiplied by the share price of $2,664.83, which was derived using Monte Carlo simulations (used because of the rTSR component of this award). The maximum number of shares that could be issued to Messrs. Huston, Finnegan,Fogel, Goulden, and Millones is two times the target number of shares for the third sub-period of the 2021 three-year PSUs, which would result in: $13,468,051 for Mr. Fogel, $5,857,296 for Mr. Goulden, and $4,098,509 for Mr. Millones. The grant date fair value for the 2022 two-year PSUs granted on February 17, 2023 to Mr. Goulden was calculated using the target number of shares associated with the second-sub period multiplied by $2,525.35, which was derived using Monte Carlo simulations (used because of the rTSR modifier and TSR governor components of this award). The grant date fair value for the 2022 three-year PSUs granted on February 17, 2023 to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, and Millones was calculated using the target number of shares associated with the second sub-period multiplied by the share price of $2,462.21, which was derived using Monte Carlo simulations (used because of the rTSR modifier and TSR governor components of this award). The maximum number of shares of the 2022 three-year PSUs that could be issued to Messrs. Fogel and Millones and Ms. Tans under the 2015 PSU awards is 2two times the “target” amount,target number of shares for the second sub-period, which would result in: $14,640,301 for Mr. Fogel and $4,102,042 for Mr. Millones. The maximum number of shares of each of the two- and three-year PSUs that could be issued to Mr. Goulden is two times the target number of shares for the second sub-period of each award, which would result in a value of $28,000,324, $8,401,090, $8,401,090, $8,401,090$4,505,224 and $8,999,749, respectively, based on the stock price used to determine the aggregate$2,930,030, respectively. The grant date fair value 

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.73

for the PSUs granted on March 4, 2023 to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, Millones, and Pisano was calculated using the target number of shares multiplied by the share price of $2,882.72, which was derived using Monte Carlo simulations (used because of the awards. For PSUs granted to Messrs. Huston, Finnegan, FogelrTSR modifier and Millones in 2014, the amount reflects 1 times the “target” amount, asTSR governor components of the grant date, for those awards. Under the terms of these awards, as of the grant date thethis award). The maximum number of shares that could be issued to Messrs. Huston, Finnegan, Fogel, Goulden, Millones, and Millones under the 2014 PSU awardsPisano is 2two times the “target” amount,target number of shares of the 2023 three-year PSU award, which would result in a value of $28,001,334, $7,999,999, $7,999,999in: $41,251,723, for Mr. Fogel, $19,804,286, for Mr. Goulden, $12,378,400 for Mr. Millones, and $7,999,999, respectively, based on the stock price used to determine the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards. For PSUs granted to Messrs. Huston, Finnegan, Fogel and Millones in 2013, the amount reflects 1 times the “target” amount, as of the grant date,$6,601,429 for those awards. Under the terms of these awards, as of the grant date the maximum number of shares that could be issued to Messrs. Huston, Finnegan, Fogel and Millones under the 2013 PSU awards is 2 times the “target” amount, which could result in a value of $11,999,445, $7,999,630, $7,999,630 and $7,999,630, respectively, based on the stock price used to determine the grant date fair value of the awards.Mr. Pisano. The amounts in this column reflect our estimate of the payout for these awards, as of the date of grant, and do not correspond to the actual value, if any, that will be recognized by the named executive officers.NEOs. For additional information, please refer to Notes 2 and 34 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 20152023, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

(3)

10-K.

(2)Represents 20152023 cash awards paid in 20162024 under the 20152023 Bonus Plan.

(4)

(3)Represents 20142022 cash awards paid in 20152023 under the 20142022 Bonus Plan.

(5)

(4)Represents 20132021 cash awards paid in 20142022 under the 20132021 Bonus Plan.

(6)

(5)With respect to Messrs. Huston, Finnegan, Fogel, Goulden, and Millones, the amount represents the U.S. Dollarestimated value of insurance premiums paid by us during 2015 with respect to life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance2023 for the benefit of each such named executive officer and matching contributions made by us to each individual’s 401(k) plan for fiscal year 2015. With respect to Messrs. Finnegan, Fogel and Millones, the amount also represents the U.S. Dollar value of certain perquisites available to all of our employees during 2015, consisting of the following: $250 to Mr. Finnegan, $3,714 to Mr. Fogel and a related tax gross-up of $1,464, and $3,895 to Mr. Millones and a related tax gross-up of $1,895. With respect to Mr. Huston, the amount also represents the U.S. Dollar value of certain perquisites during 2015, consisting of the following: (a) $29,348 for car service to and from the office; (b) $3,143 in legal fees incurred and paid in 2015 related to Mr. Huston’s Employment Contract; (c) $57,429 in professional fees associated with tax preparation and planning and a related tax gross-up of $37,652; and (d) $2,405 in perquisites available to all Booking.com employees and a related tax gross-up of $634. With respect to Ms. Tans, the amount represents the U.S. Dollar value of perquisites available to all Booking.com employees.

(7)

With respect to Messrs. Huston, Finnegan, Fogel and Millones, the amount represents the U.S. Dollar value of insurance premiums paid by us during 2014 with respect to life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance for the benefit of such named executive officerNEO and matching contributions made by us for each such NEO to each individual’sour 401(k) plan for fiscal year 2014. With respect to Messrs. Finnegan,2023. For Mr. Fogel, and Millones, the amount in 2023 also represents the U.S. Dollar value of certain perquisites availableincludes costs related to all Company employees during 2014, consisting of the following: $1,399 to Mr. Finnegana personal security assessment as well as tax preparation services and a relatedan estimated tax gross-up for such services to be finalized at the end of $1,199, $649 to2024. For Mr. Fogel and a related tax gross-up of $292, and $2,545 to Mr. Millones and a related tax gross-up of $259. With respect to Mr. Huston, the amount also represents the U.S. Dollar value of certain perquisites during 2014, consisting of the following: (a) $20,375 for car service to and from the office; (b) $10,287 in legal fees incurred in 2013 but paid in 2014 related to the negotiation of Mr. Huston’s Amended and Restated Employment Agreement in connection with his promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer of The Priceline Group and a related tax gross-up of $4,792; (c) $27,032 in professional fees associated with tax preparation and planning and a related tax gross-up of $17,723; (d) $10,563 tax equalization payment and a related tax gross-up of $6,925; (e) $26,478 in education expenses related to his assignment to the Netherlands; (f) $48,928 in personal airfare expenses and a related tax gross-up of $28,002; (g) $2,808 in private Dutch health care insurance premiums and a related tax gross-up of $1,606; and (h) $4,268 in perquisites available to all Booking.com employees and a related tax gross-up of $395.

(8)

With respect to Messrs. Finnegan, Fogel and Millones,Pisano, the amount represents the U.S. Dollar value of insurance premiums paid by us during 2013perquisites, including the costs of certain legal and tax preparation services and related tax gross-ups in 2023 and certain benefits available to Mr. Pisano as a Booking.com employee. For Mr. Pisano, the amount shown for 2021 has been updated to reflect an additional $31,140 for tax preparation services.

Also with respect to life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance for theMr. Fogel, amounts include any net tax equalization benefit of such named executive officer and matching contributions made by us to each individual’s 401(k) plan for fiscal year 2013. With respect to Mr. Huston, the amount represents the U.S. Dollar value of (a) certain perquisites during 2013, consisting of (i) $38,500 in legal fees related to the negotiation of Mr. Huston’s amended and restated employment agreement in connection with his promotionrole as CEO of Booking.com in the Netherlands. In 2023, payments we made under the tax equalization arrangement were exceeded by tax settlement payments made by, or hypothetical taxes deducted from, Mr. Fogel, resulting in zero net reportable tax equalization benefit. In 2022, the amount shown has been updated to President and Chief Executive Officerreflect Mr. Fogel’s net tax equalization benefit of The Priceline Group, plus $18,664 for$727,826, which includes a related tax gross-up of $132,112, as well as tax preparation services. In 2021, the amount shown has been updated to reflect Mr. Fogel’s net tax equalization benefit of $1,095,278 (predominantly related to these fees, (ii) $15,575Dutch taxes we paid for the 2020 tax year), which includes a related tax gross-up of $233,270. In 2020, the Company made hypothetical tax deductions from Mr. Fogel’s compensation in professional fees associatedthe amount of $1,339,320, which partially offset the Dutch taxes paid by us in 2021 for the 2020 tax year, and which are not reflected in the period covered by this table. 
The above tax-equalization-related payments and deductions for all years were made pursuant to the existing tax equalization arrangement with Mr. Fogel discussed in “Perquisites.” The tax preparationequalization benefit caps Mr. Fogel’s total tax exposure to what he would be taxed on earnings from the company under U.S. tax laws and planningis designed to yield neither an economic benefit nor detriment to Mr. Fogel as a result of his role of CEO of Booking.com in the Netherlands.
(6)Amounts (other than equity awards) for Mr. Huston,
(iii) $23,851 in education expenses in connection with his assignment to the Netherlands, (iv) $30,321 in personal airfare costs in accordance with Mr. Huston’s employment agreement, plus $17,354 forPisano are converted using a tax gross-up related to these costs and (v) $3,231 in perquisites available to all Booking.com employees, and (b) $2,714 in insurance premiums paid during 2013 with respect to life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance for the benefit of Mr. Huston.

(9)

For 2015, the compensation for Ms. Tans is translated into U.S. Dollars using an averageEUR/USD exchange rate of 1.1087 U.S. Dollars to 1 Euro. The amounts comprising Ms. Tans’ “All Other Compensation”1.08109137, 1.05056161, and 1.1825219, which were generally translated into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rateaverage rates for 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Mr. Pisano became an executive officer in effect at the time the respective amounts were paid or reimbursed.

August 2021.

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THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement50


Back to Contents

Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

The following table provides information about equity and non-equity awards granted to our named executive officers in 2015.2023. The column Estimated“Estimated PossiblePayoutsunderNon-EquityIncentivePlanAwards” shows the “target” cash payouts under the 20152023 Bonus Plan at the time the plan was adopted; actualadopted. Actual payouts were made in February 2016 based on the attainment by us of certain performance thresholdsMarch 2024 and can be found in the SummaryCompensationTable in the column entitled Non-Equity“Non-Equity IncentivePlanCompensation Compensation” for the 2015 fiscal year.2023.

Name

Grant Date

Date Grant Approved

Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(2)

All Other Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or Units
(#)

Grant Date Fair
Value of Stock
and Option
Awards ($)(3)

Threshold ($)

Target
($)

Maximum ($)

Threshold (#)

Target (#)

Maximum (#)

Darren Huston

3/4/2015

2/24/2015

2,162,500

N/A

11,272

22,544

14,000,162

Daniel J. Finnegan

3/4/2015

2/24/2015

661,500

N/A

3,382

6,764

4,200,545

Gillian Tans

3/4/2015

2/24/2015

360,335

N/A

3,623

3,623

7,246

4,499,875

 

11/12/2015

11/10/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

229

299,825

Glenn D. Fogel

3/4/2015

2/24/2015

598,500

N/A

3,382

6,764

4,200,545

Peter J. Millones

3/4/2015

2/24/2015

627,000

N/A

3,382

6,764

4,200,545

(1)

These columns show the target amount, at the time the 2015 Bonus Plan was adopted, of the payout for each named executive officer under the 2015 Bonus Plan. The actual payments for 2015 for each named executive officer are included in the column entitled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” of the Summary Compensation Table. The business measurements and performance goals for determining the payouts are described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 34.

(2)

These columns show the “Threshold,” “Target” and “Maximum” number of shares of our common stock that could be issued in connection with PSUs granted in 2015 under our 1999 Omnibus Plan. The performance period commenced on January 1, 2015 and ends on December 31, 2017. The target payouts for Messrs. Huston, Finnegan, Fogel and Millones are performance-driven and therefore completely at risk. The performance criteria for determining the number of shares of our common stock to be issued, if any, in connection with the PSUs are described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 34.

(3)

Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of PSUs and RSUs granted to the named executive officers, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Generally, the grant date fair value is the full amount that we would expense in our financial statements over the award’s vesting schedule. Grant Date Fair Value for the PSUs was calculated using the target number of shares multiplied by the share price of $1,242.03, which was the closing price of our common stock on March 3, 2015, the trading day prior to the March 4, 2015 grant date. Grant Date Fair Value for Ms. Tans’ RSU grant was calculated using the original grant date share price of $1,309.28, which was the closing price of our common stock on August 11, 2014, the trading day prior to the August 12, 2014 grant date. As of December 31, 2015, the estimated probable number of shares that will be issued in connection with the PSUs at the end of the performance period is 1.909 times the “target” grant amount, except in the case of Ms. Tans’ PSUs, where the number is 2.0 times the “target” grant amount. The actual number of shares to be issued, if any, has not been determined and will be determined based on the relevant performance criteria over the three-year performance period. For additional information, please refer to Notes 2 and 3 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

      
Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(1)
 

Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2)
 All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
(#)
 Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards(3)
($)
Name Grant
Date
 Date Grant
Approved
 Threshold
($)
 Target
($)
 Maximum
($)
 Threshold
(#)
 Target
(#)
 Maximum
(#)
  
Glenn D. Fogel 3/4/23 3/2/23    0 7,155 14,310  20,625,862
 3/4/23 3/2/23       2,385 6,249,654
 2/17/23 2/17/23    0 2,973 5,946  7,320,150
 2/17/23 2/17/23    0 2,527 5,054  6,734,025
      1,875,000      
David Goulden 3/4/23 3/2/23    0 3,435 6,870  9,902,143
 3/4/23 3/2/23       1,145 3,000,358
 2/17/23 2/17/23    0 595 1,190  1,465,015
 2/17/23 2/17/23    0 892 1,784  2,252,612
 2/17/23 2/17/23    0 1,099 2,198  2,928,648
      1,323,000      
Peter J. Millones 3/4/23 3/2/23    0 2,147 4,294  6,189,200
 3/4/23 3/2/23       716 1,876,206
 2/17/23 2/17/23    0 833 1,666  2,051,021
 2/17/23 2/17/23    0 769 1,538  2,049,254
      1,057,350      
Paulo Pisano 3/4/23 3/2/23    0 1,145 2,290  3,300,714
 3/4/23 3/2/23       477 1,249,931
      664,240      
(1)These columns show the target amount of the payout for each NEO under the 2023 Bonus Plan at the time it was adopted. The actual payments to NEOs for 2023 are included in the column entitled “Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation” of the Summary Compensation Table. The business measurements and performance goals for determining the payouts under the 2023 Bonus Plan are described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 48.
(2)These columns show the “Threshold,” “Target,” and “Maximum” number of shares of our common stock that could be issued in connection with the three-year 2023 PSUs (applicable to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, Millones, and Pisano) and second sub-period of the two-year 2022 PSUs (applicable to Mr. Goulden) and second sub-period of the three-year 2022 PSUs (applicable to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, and Millones) and the third sub-period of our three-year 2021 PSUs (applicable to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, and Millones), which were granted under our 1999 Omnibus Plan. The target number of shares reported is the full target number of shares for the complete three-year performance period of the 2023 PSUs. The performance targets for each of the annual performance periods under each of the 2022 PSUs and the 2021 PSUs are set at the beginning of each performance year. Therefore, the target number of shares reported is one-half of the target number of shares of the applicable two-year PSUs and one-third of the target number of shares of the applicable three-year PSUs, which is the portion of the PSUs for which performance targets were set in 2023. The performance period for the three-year PSUs granted in 2023 ends on December 31, 2025. The performance periods for the two- and three-year PSUs granted in 2022 end on December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2024, respectively. The performance period for the three-year PSUs granted in 2021 ended on December 31, 2023. The performance criteria for determining the number of shares of our common stock to be issued, if any, in connection with the PSUs is described under “Long-term Incentive Program” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 48.

 

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement5175


(3)Represents the aggregate grant date fair value, as applicable, of PSUs and RSUs granted to the named executive officers, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Generally, the grant date fair value is the full amount that we would expense in our financial statements over the award’s vesting schedule. The grant date fair value of the third sub-period of the 2021 three-year PSUs awarded to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, and Millones included in the table is equal to the target number of shares associated with the third sub-period multiplied by the share price of $2,664.83, which was derived using Monte Carlo simulations (used because of the rTSR modifier component of this award). The grant date fair value of the second sub-period of the 2022 two-year PSUs awarded to Mr. Goulden was calculated using the target number of shares associated with the second sub-period multiplied by the share price of $2,525.35, which was derived using Monte Carlo simulations (used because of the rTSR modifier and TSR governor components of this award). The grant date fair value of the second sub-period of the 2022 three-year PSUs awarded to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, and Millones was calculated using the target number of shares associated with the second sub-period multiplied by the share price of $2,462.21, which was derived using Monte Carlo simulations (used because of the rTSR modifier and TSR governor components of this award). The actual number of shares to be issued for the applicable two-year or three-year PSUs, if any, will be determined based on the relevant performance criteria over the remaining performance period and the application of the rTSR modifier and, for the 2022 two-year and three-year PSUs, the TSR governor at the end of the performance period. The grant date fair value of the PSUs granted to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, Millones, and Pisano on March 4, 2023, was calculated using the target number of shares multiplied by the share price of $2,882.72, which was derived using Monte Carlo simulations (used because of the rTSR modifier and TSR governor components of this award). The grant date fair value of the RSUs granted to Messrs. Fogel, Goulden, Millones, and Pisano on March 4, 2023, was calculated using the target number of shares multiplied by the share price of $2,620.40, which was the closing price of our common stock on March 3, 2023. For additional information, please refer to Notes 2 and 4 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Back to Contents

Outstanding Equity Awards at 20152023 Fiscal Year-End Table

The following table provides information on the holdings of stock awards by our named executive officersNEOs at fiscal year-end 2015,2023, including any unvested RSUs, and/or unvested PSUs with performance and/or service conditions that have not yet been satisfied, and unvested or unexercised stock option awards as of December 31, 2015. There are no unexercised stock option awards, either vested or unvested.2023. The market value of the stock awards is based on the closing per share market price of our common stock on December 31, 2015,29, 2023, which was $1,274.95.$3,547.22.

  Option Awards Stock Awards
Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
 Option
Exercise
Price
($)
 Option
Expiration
Date
 Number
of Shares or
Units of
Stock that
Have Not
Vested
(#)
 Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock that
Have Not
Vested 
($)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units, or
Other
Rights that
Have Not
Vested
(#)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units, or
Other
Rights that
Have Not
Vested
($)
Glenn D. Fogel      32,267(1) 114,458,148 14,310(2) 50,760,718
David Goulden      14,845(3) 52,658,481 6,870(4) 24,369,401
Peter J. Millones      9,475(5) 33,609,910 4,294(6) 15,231,763
Paulo Pisano 527(7) 0 0 1,411.00 5/12/30 4,090(8) 14,508,130 2,765(9) 9,808,063

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC. 76

Name

 

Stock Awards

Number of Shares

or Units of Stock

That Have Not

Vested (#)

 

Market Value of

Shares or Units of

Stock That Have

Not Vested

($)

Equity Incentive Plan Awards:

Number of Unearned Shares,

Units or Other Rights That

Have Not Vested

(#)

 

Equity Incentive Plan

Awards: Market or Payout

Value of Unearned Shares,

Units, or Other Rights That

Have Not Vested

($)

Darren Huston

 

5,472

(1)

6,976,526

60,718

(2)

77,412,414

Daniel J. Finnegan

 

 

24,242

(3)

30,907,338

Gillian Tans

 

229

(4)

291,964

14,548

(5)

18,547,973

Glenn D. Fogel

 

 

24,242

(3)

30,907,338

Peter J. Millones

 

 

24,242

(3)

30,907,338

(1)

Represents the number of shares of our common stock subject to RSUs granted to Mr. Huston in November 2013 with a three-year vesting schedule in connection with his appointment as our President and Chief Executive Officer effective on January 1, 2014, consisting of 5,472 shares.

(2)

Represents the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued following the end of the performance period in connection with PSUs. Includes 17,250 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2013, and ended on December 31, 2015, and which vested and were issued on March 4, 2016. Includes 20,924 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2014, and ends on December 31, 2016, and 22,544 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2015 and ends on December 31, 2017; the actual number of shares to be issued for these two grants, if any, has not been determined and will be determined based on the relevant performance criteria over the applicable three-year performance period, subject to continued employment by us.

(3)

Represents the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued following the end of the performance period in connection with PSUs. Includes 11,500 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2013, and ended on December 31, 2015, and which vested and were issued on March 4, 2016. Includes 5,978 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2014, and ends on December 31, 2016, and 6,764 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2015 and ends on December 31, 2017. The actual number of shares to be issued for these two grants, if any, has not been determined and will be determined based on the relevant performance criteria over the applicable three-year performance period.

(4)

Represents the number of shares of our common stock that will be issued pursuant to RSUs granted to Ms. Tans in November 2015, consisting of 229 shares that are scheduled to vest 20% in March 2016, 30% in March 2017, and 50% in March 2018.

(5)

Represents the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued following the end of the performance period in connection with PSUs. Includes 4,312 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2013, and ended on December 31, 2015, and which vested and were issued on March 4, 2016. Includes 2,990 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2014, and ends on December 31, 2016, and 7,246 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2015 and ends on December 31, 2017; the actual number of shares to be issued for these two grants, if any, has not been determined and will be determined based on the relevant performance criteria over the applicable three-year performance period. of shares to be issued, if any, has not been determined and will be determined based on the relevant performance criteria over the applicable three-year performance period.

(1)Represents 842 shares of our common stock subject to RSUs granted to Mr. Fogel in March 2021 that vested on March 4, 2024, 1,982 shares of our common stock subject to RSUs granted in March 2022 that are scheduled to vest ratably on March 4, 2024, and March 4, 2025, respectively, and 2,385 shares of our common stock subject to RSUs granted in March 2023 that are scheduled to vest ratably on March 4, 2024, March 4, 2025, and March 4, 2026, respectively. Also includes: in connection with the three-year 2021 PSUs, 15,164 shares for which the performance periods commenced on January 1, 2021, 2022, or 2023 and ended on December 31, 2021, 2022, or 2023, as applicable, which represents two times the target number of shares for the first-, second- and third-sub periods that were issued in March 2024 upon vesting; and in connection with the three-year 2022 PSUs, 11,894 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2022 or 2023 and ended on December 31, 2022 or 2023, as applicable, which represents two times the target number of shares for the first- and second-sub periods that could be issued following the end of the performance period, subject to continued employment with us and the rTSR modifier and the TSR governor, which are not performance criteria.
(2)Includes 14,310 shares in connection with the three-year 2023 PSUs for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2023 and will end on December 31, 2025, which represents the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued following the end of the performance period in connection with these PSUs. The actual number of shares to be issued for this grant, if any, has not been determined and will be determined based on the relevant performance criteria over the applicable three-year performance period, subject to continued employment with us and the rTSR modifier and the TSR governor, which are not performance criteria. 
(3)Represents 366 shares of our common stock subject to RSUs granted to Mr. Goulden in March 2021 that vested on March 4, 2024, 792 shares of our common stock subject to RSUs granted in March 2022 that are scheduled to vest ratably on March 4, 2024, and March 4, 2025, respectively, and 1,145 shares of our common stock subject to RSUs granted in March 2023 that are scheduled to vest one-third on March 4, 2024, and ratably each quarter from June 4, 2024 through March 4, 2026. Also includes: in connection with the three-year 2021 PSUs, 6,594 shares for which the performance periods commenced on January 1, 2021, 2022, or 2023 and ended on December 31, 2021, 2022, or 2023, as applicable, which represents two times the target number of shares for the first-, second- and third-sub periods that were issued in March 2024 upon vesting; in connection with the two-year 2022 PSUs, 3,568 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2022 or 2023 and ended on December 31, 2022 or 2023, as applicable, which represents two times the target number of shares of our common stock for the first- and second-sub periods and were issued in March 2024 upon vesting; and in connection with the three-year 2022 PSUs, 2,380 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2022 or 2023 and ended on December 31, 2022, or 2023, as applicable, which represents two times the target number of shares for the first- and second-sub periods that could be issued following the end of the performance period, subject to continued employment with us and the rTSR modifier and the TSR governor, which are not performance criteria.
(4)Includes 6,870 shares in connection with the three-year 2023 PSUs for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2023 and will end on December 31, 2025, which represents the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued following the end of the performance period in connection with these PSUs. The actual number of shares to be issued for this grant, if any, has not been determined and will be determined based on the relevant performance criteria over the applicable three-year performance period, subject to continued employment with us and the rTSR modifier and the TSR governor, which are not performance criteria.
(5)Includes 256 shares of our common stock subject to RSUs granted to Mr. Millones in March 2021 that vested on March 4, 2024, 555 shares of our common stock subject to RSUs granted in March 2022 that are scheduled to vest ratably on March 4, 2024, and March 4, 2025, respectively, and 716 shares of our common stock subject to RSUs granted in March 2023 that are scheduled to vest ratably on March 4, 2024, March 4, 2025, and March 4, 2026, respectively. Also includes: in connection with the three-year 2021 PSUs, 4,616 shares for which the performance periods commenced on January 1, 2021, 2022, or 2023 and ended on December 31, 2021, 2022, or 2023, as applicable, which represents two times the target number of shares for the first-, second- and third-sub periods that were issued in March 2024 upon vesting; and in connection with the three-year 2022 PSUs, 3,332 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2022 or 2023 and ended on December 31, 2022 or 2023, as applicable, which represents two times the target number of shares for the first- and second-sub periods that could be issued following the end of the performance period, subject to continued employment with us and the rTSR modifier and the TSR governor, which are not performance criteria.
(6)Includes 4,294 shares in connection with the three-year 2023 PSUs for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2023 and will end on December 31, 2025, which represents the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued following the end of the performance period in connection with these PSUs. The actual number of shares to be issued for this grant, if any, has not been determined and will be determined based on the relevant performance criteria over the applicable three-year performance period, subject to continued employment with us and the rTSR modifier and the TSR governor, which are not performance criteria.
(7)Represents the exercisable number of shares of our common stock subject to non-qualified stock options granted to Mr. Pisano in May 2020 that vested in March 2023.

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(8)Includes 136 shares of our common stock subject to RSUs granted to Mr. Pisano in August 2021 that are scheduled to vest on August 12, 2024, and 477 shares of our common stock subject to RSUs granted in March 2023 that are scheduled to vest ratably on March 4, 2024, March 4, 2025, and March 4, 2026, respectively. Also includes: in connection with the three-year 2021 PSUs, 1,098 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2021, 2022, or 2023 and ended on December 31, 2021, 2022, or 2023, as applicable, which represents two times the target number of shares for the first-, second- and third-sub periods that were issued in March 2024 upon vesting; in connection with the three-year 2022 PSUs, subject to continued employment, 952 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2022 and ended on December 31, 2022 and which represents two times the target number of shares for the first sub-period that could be issued following the end of the performance period; 952 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2023 and ended on December 31, 2023, which represents two times the target number of shares for the second sub-period, and 475 shares for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2024 and ends on December 31, 2024, which represents one times the target number of shares for the third sub-period that could be issued following the end of the performance period in connection with the three-year PSUs.
(9)Includes 2,290 shares in connection with the three-year 2023 PSUs for which the performance period commenced on January 1, 2023 and will end on December 31, 2025, which represents the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued following the end of the performance period in connection with these PSUs. The actual number of shares to be issued for this grant, if any, has not been determined and will be determined based on the relevant performance criteria over the applicable three-year performance period, subject to continued employment with us and the rTSR modifier and the TSR governor, which are not performance criteria. Also includes 475 shares of the 2022 PSUs for the third sub-period in the 2024 calendar year, which represent one times the target number of shares of our common stock attributable to such sub-periods that could be issued following the end of the performance period in connection with the three-year PSUs.

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Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The following table contains information about the vesting of stock awards held by our named executive officers in 2015. There were noNEOs and options exercised by our named executive officersNEOs in 2015.2023.

Name

 

Stock Awards

Number of Shares

Acquired on

Vesting

(#)

 

Value

Realized on

Vesting

($)(1)

Darren Huston

 

9,290

 

11,386,474

Daniel J. Finnegan

 

5,420

 

6,643,131

Gillian Tans

 

4,026

 

4,934,547

Glenn D. Fogel

 

6,194

 

7,591,800

Peter J. Millones

 

6,194

 

7,591,800

(1)

Reflects vesting of PSUs in March 2015 with a per share market price of $1,225.67, the closing price of our common stock on March 4, 2015.

  Option Awards Stock Awards 
  Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
(#)
 Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
 Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)
 Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
 
Glenn D. Fogel 0 0 12,607 33,983,410(1) 
David Goulden 0 0 17,035 44,638,514(2) 
Peter J. Millones 0 0 5,065 13,577,172(1) 
Paulo Pisano 1,600 2,017,767(3) 431 1,209,065(4) 
(1)Reflects vesting of PSUs and RSUs in March 2023 with a per share market price of $2,620.40, the closing price of our common stock on March 3, 2023 and vesting of RSUs in December 2023 with a per share market price of $3,479.12, the closing price of our common stock on December 15, 2023.
(2)Reflects vesting of PSUs and RSUs in March 2023 with a per share market price of $2,620.40, the closing price of our common stock on March 3, 2023. 
(3)Reflects the difference between the exercise price per stock option exercised and (i) the closing price per share of common stock on the date of exercise, if the resulting shares were held, or (ii) the sale price, if the resulting shares were sold. The per share market price for options exercised in March 2023 reflects (a) a closing price of $2,613.43, or (b) a sale price of $2,604.90, as applicable. The per share market price for options exercised in August 2023 reflects a sale price of $3,124.72.
(4)Reflects vesting of RSUs in March 2023 with a per share market price of $2,620.40, the closing price of our common stock on March 3, 2023 and vesting of RSUs in August 2023 with a per share market price of $3,206.23, the closing price of our common stock on August 11, 2023. 

Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment, and Change in Control Arrangements

 

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We have anOur NEOs’ employment agreement with each of our named executive officers. The agreements are of varying duration and generally provide for minimum annual base salaries. In addition, most of the agreements providesalaries and that each executive will be eligible to participate at a level commensurate with his or hertheir position in our annual bonus and long-term compensation plans generally made available to our senior executives and to participate in all benefit plans and arrangements and fringe benefits and perquisite programs generally provided to our other comparable senior executives. A summary is provided below of each named executive officer’s employment agreement followed by a summary of theAdditional material terms of anyeach NEO’s employment agreement and equity instruments held by such executive outstanding at December 31, 2015 that provide for accelerated vesting (or similar provisions) upon a change2023, are summarized below. Undefined capitalized terms in control or termination. this section are defined in the NEOs’ respective employment agreements unless otherwise specified.

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Mr. Fogel

Employment Agreement

On April 27,December 15, 2016, we entered into a separationan employment agreement with Mr. Huston. SeeFogel effective January 1, 2017 in connection with his appointment as our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 28, 2016 forPresident and Chief Executive Officer and as a summarymember of the termsBoard. In connection with Mr. Fogel taking on the additional roles of Chief Executive Officer and director of Booking.com in 2019, we amended and supplemented this agreement with a Letter Agreement, dated October 24, 2019. In addition to providing that Mr. Fogel will serve in the separation agreement.additional roles until the earliest of (a) the termination of his employment with us, (b) his removal pursuant to Booking.com’s Articles of Association and (c) his resignation from either or both such positions, this amendment provides certain benefits to Mr. Fogel to ensure that Mr. Fogel is not subject to adverse tax consequences and does not incur additional expenses as a result of serving as Chief Executive Officer of Booking.com. Further, in the event Mr. Fogel terminates his employment with us, he agrees that he will voluntarily resign from his positions with Booking.com. 

Mr. Huston

Employment Agreement

Term.TERM

Mr. Huston’sFogel’s employment agreement does not have a fixedhad an initial three-year term and isthat began on January 1, 2017, which was terminable at will by either party upon due observanceninety days’ written notice. The three-year initial term is automatically extended for additional one-year periods unless either party gives written notice to the other party at least ninety days prior to the expiration of the statutory noticethen-current one year additional period inthat the Netherlands, which is currently one month for an employment relationship of less than five years. The agreement automatically terminates upon Mr. Huston reaching the pensionable age under an applicable pension agreement or under the General Old Age Pensions Act in the Netherlands (which is generally age 65).will not be extended.

Termination without “Cause” or for “Good Reason.”

TERMINATION WITHOUT “CAUSE” OR FOR “GOOD REASON”

In the event of a termination of Mr. Huston’sFogel’s employment without “Cause” (as defined in the agreement) or by Mr. HustonFogel for “Good Reason” (as defined in the agreement),Reason,” Mr. HustonFogel will be entitled to receive among other things, in addition to his compensation accrued through the date of his termination of employment and the following severance compensation and benefits:

(1)

two timesbenefits, subject to his base salaryexecuting and target bonus, if any, paid overnot revoking a 12-month period following his termination of employment;release:

(2) 

if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata target annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs;

(3) 
1.two times his base salary and target bonus, if any, paid over a 24-month period following his termination of employment;
2.if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata actual annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs; and
3.continuation for eighteen months following termination of employment of group health insurance benefits as if Mr. Fogel were our employee.

continuation for twenty-four months following termination of employment of group health, life and disability insurance benefits as if Mr. Huston were an employee of Booking.com;

(4)

if Mr. Huston is resident in the Netherlands at the time of termination, the cost of reasonable relocation expenses to North America; and

(5)

a pro-rata portion of any PSU or other restricted stock (including RSU) award granted after January 1, 2014 will vest, provided that with respect to any such PSU award, the pro-rata portion shall be determined based on any applicable performance multiplier under the applicable award agreement as of the last fiscal quarter for which our financial results have been publicly reported.

If Mr. Huston’sFogel’s employment is terminated without “Cause” or by Mr. HustonFogel for “Good Reason” on or within three yearstwelve months after the consummation of, or, under certain circumstances, within six months prior to, a “Change in Control” (as defined in the agreement), instead of the above severance compensation and benefits, Mr. HustonFogel will be entitled to the following severance compensation and benefits:

(1)

three times the sum ofbenefits, subject to his base salaryexecuting and target bonus, if any, for the year in which such termination occurs, payable innot revoking a lump sum;

(2) 

if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata target annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs;

(3)

continuation for up to thirty-six months following termination of employment of group health, life and disability insurance benefits as if Mr. Huston were an employee;

(4)

if Mr. Huston is resident in the Netherlands at the time of termination, the cost of reasonable relocation expenses to North America; and

(5)

a pro-rata portion of any PSU or other restricted stock (including RSU) award granted after January 1, 2014 will vest, provided that with respect to any such PSU award, the pro-rata portion shall be determined based on any applicable performance multiplier under the applicable award agreement as of the last fiscal quarter for which our financial results have been publicly reported.

Because Mr. Huston’s employment agreement is governed by Dutch law so long as Mr. Huston resides in the Netherlands, and under Dutch law a court has discretion to award severance to an employee depending on the facts and circumstances of the termination of the employee (e.g., the reason for the termination), if a court awards Mr. Huston any compensation upon his termination, then the amount of such award shall be deducted from the amounts described above.release:

Termination as the Result of Death.

1.three times the sum of his base salary and target bonus, if any, for the year in which such termination occurs, paid over a 36-month period following his termination of employment;
2.if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs, determined at the higher of actual and target performance; and
3.continuation for up to eighteen months following termination of employment of group health insurance benefits as if Mr. Fogel were our employee.

TERMINATION AS THE RESULT OF DEATH OR “DISABILITY”

In the event of a termination of Mr. Huston’sFogel’s employment as the result of his death or “Disability,” Mr. Huston’sFogel or, as applicable, his heirs will be entitled to receive, among other things, in addition to his compensation accrued

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through the date of termination of employment, if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata target annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs, continuation for twelve months following his death of group health insurance benefits for his dependents (or for Mr. Fogel, if he is terminated as the result of “Disability”) as if he were our employee, and in the event of termination of Mr. Fogel’s employment as the result of “Disability,” continuation for twelve months following termination of employment of group life and disability insurance benefits as if Mr. Huston resided in the Netherlands at the time of his death, the cost of reasonable relocation expenses for his immediate family to North America.Fogel were our employee.

Illness or Other Incapacity to Work.

Should Mr. Huston become unable to perform work due to illness or other medical incapacity while residing in the Netherlands, Mr. Huston will be entitled to continued payment of 100% of his most recent gross base salary for the first six months of illness or incapacity, commencing on the first day of illness or incapacity, 85% for the second sixth months of illness or incapacity, and 70% for the second year of illness or incapacity. Such payments will be reduced by financial benefits that Mr. Huston may receive under any contractual or statutory insurance and any other income earned by Mr. Huston.OTHER

Other.

The employment agreement with Mr. Huston includes certain confidentiality, non-competition, and non-solicitation provisions. In addition, subject to certain limitations, if severance remuneration payable under the employment agreement is held to constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, we will reduce the amount of such payment to the extent necessary so that no portion of the payment, so reduced, would constitute a “parachute payment” if such reduction would result in an increase in the aggregate payments and benefits to be provided to Mr. HustonFogel determined

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on an after tax basis. Mr. HustonFogel also entered into a separate non-competition and non-solicitation agreement with us in November 2013 pursuant to which Mr. HustonFogel is subject to one-year non-competition and non-solicitation obligations following Mr. Huston’sFogel’s termination of employment with us.

Equity Instruments

PSUs.PSUS

The PSUsPSU awards granted to Mr. HustonFogel in March 2015, 20142021 with a three-year vesting period (the “2021 PSUs”), as well as the PSUs granted in March 2022 (the “2022 PSUs”), and 2013, respectively,March 2023 (“2023 PSUs”), provide for accelerated vesting upon a termination of service without “Cause,” for “Good Reason,” or as the result of death or “Disability.” The number of shares to be delivered to Mr. Fogel upon vesting would depend on the termination event and when it occurred, the application of the rTSR modifier, and, in the case of the 2022 PSUs and 2023 PSUs, the application of the TSR Governor, and could range from 0 to 2x of the total number of shares subject to the applicable PSU award.

Upon a termination of service as the result of death (that does not occur coincident with or following a “Change in Control”), the PSU performance multiplier would be applied to (i) the target number of PSUs allocated to any completed measurement periods based on actual performance, the rTSR modifier, and for the 2022 PSUs and the 2023 PSUs, the TSR Governor, and (ii) the sum of (a) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs allocated to the measurement period during which the termination occurred (based on the number of days that had elapsed since the beginning of such measurement period as of the date of his termination of service), based generally on our performance through the most recent fiscal quarter for which our financial results have been publicly reported closest to the termination of service as a result of his death, the rTSR modifier, and for the 2022 PSUs and the 2023 PSUs, the TSR Governor and (b) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs allocated to the measurement period during which the termination occurred (based on the number of days that had elapsed from the date of termination through the end of such measurement period). In addition, with respect to the 2021 PSUs and 2022 PSUs, for any measurement periods that had not yet started at the time of termination of service as a result of death, Mr. Fogel would receive the target number of PSUs allocated to those measurement periods without the application of any performance multiplier, rTSR modifier, or TSR Governor, if applicable. 

Upon a termination of service without “Cause,” for “Good Reason,” or as the result of “Disability” that does not occur coincident with or following a “Change in Control,” the PSU performance multiplier, the rTSR modifier, and for the 2022 PSUs and 2023 PSUs, the TSR Governor, would be applied to (i) the target number of PSUs allocated to any completed measurement periods based on actual performance, if any, and (ii) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs allocated to the measurement period during which the termination occurs (based on the number of days that had elapsed since the beginning of such measurement period as of the date of his termination of service) based generally on our performance through the most recent fiscal quarter for which our financial results have been publicly reported closest to the termination of service. 

If a “Change in Control” occurs (or in the case of the 2021 PSUs had occurred) prior to (i) March 4, 2026 for the 2023 PSUs, (ii) March 4, 2025 for the 2022 PSUs, or (iii) March 4, 2024 for the 2021 PSUs, and Mr. Fogel’s service is terminated as a result of death coincident with or following the effective date of the “Change in Control,” the PSU performance multiplier would be applied to (i) the target number of PSUs allocated to any completed measurement periods based on actual performance, the rTSR modifier, and for the 2022 PSUs and 2023 PSUs, the TSR Governor, and (ii) the sum of (a) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs allocated to the measurement period during which the “Change in Control” occurs (based on the number of days that had elapsed since the beginning of such measurement period as of the date of the “Change in Control”), based generally on our performance through the most recent fiscal quarter for which our financial results have been publicly reported closest to the “Change in Control”, the rTSR modifier, and for the 2022 PSUs and 2023 PSUs, the TSR Governor, and (b) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs allocated to the measurement period during which the “Change in Control” occurs (based on the number of days that had elapsed since the date of the “Change in Control” through the end of such measurement period). In addition, with respect to the 2021 PSUs and 2022 PSUs, for any measurement periods that had not yet started as of the date of the “Change in Control,” Mr. Fogel would receive the target number of PSUs allocated to those measurement periods without the application of any performance multiplier, rTSR modifier, or TSR Governor, if applicable.

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If a “Change in Control” occurs (or in the case of the 2021 PSUs had occurred) prior to (i) March 4, 2026 for the 2023 PSUs, (ii) March 4, 2025 for the 2022 PSUs, or (iii) March 4, 2024 for the 2021 PSUs, and Mr. Fogel’s service is terminated without “Cause,” for “Good Reason,” or as a result of “Disability” coincident with or at any time following the effective date of the “Change in Control,” the PSU performance multiplier, the rTSR modifier, and for the 2022 PSUs and 2023 PSUs, the TSR Governor, would be applied to (i) the target number of PSUs allocated to any completed measurement periods based on actual performance and (ii) the sum of (a) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs allocated to the measurement period during which the “Change in Control” occurs (based on the number of days that had elapsed since the beginning of such measurement period as of the date of the “Change in Control”), based generally on our performance through the most recent fiscal quarter for which our financial results have been publicly reported closest to the date of the “Change in Control” and (b) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs (based on the number of days that had elapsed since the date of the “Change in Control” through the date of termination).

RSUS

The RSUs granted to Mr. Fogel in March 2021 (the “2021 RSUs”), March 2022 (the “2022 RSUs”), and March 2023 (the “2023 RSUs”) are subject to three-year ratable vesting, but provide for full vesting upon a termination of service as the result of his death and pro rata vesting upon a termination of service without “Cause,” a termination of service for “Good Reason,” or a termination of service as the result of “Disability,” in each case based on the number of days elapsed from March 4, 2021 (for the 2021 RSUs), March 4, 2022 (for the 2022 RSUs), March 4, 2023 (for the 2023 RSUs), or the anniversary of the grant date that immediately precedes the date of termination, whichever applies, through and including the date of termination.

Mr. Goulden

Employment Agreement

Effective March 1, 2018, Mr. Goulden became our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. On January 19, 2018, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Goulden, effective March 1, 2018 in connection with his appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. On February 23, 2023, in anticipation of Mr. Goulden’s retirement from the Chief Financial Officer role, the Company and Mr. Goulden supplemented his employment agreement via a letter agreement, which has been amended effective January 18, 2024 and April 4, 2024 (as amended, the “Goulden Letter Agreement”). The Goulden Letter Agreement provides that Mr. Goulden would (1) remain a full-time employee and continue to serve as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until a successor begins employment with the Company, (2) continue to receive a base salary of $630,000 and be eligible for a cash bonus for the 2023 year, (3) continue with the Company as Executive Vice President of Finance following his retirement from the Chief Financial Officer position, on a full-time basis at the same base salary as in 2023 from the date a new Chief Financial Officer begins employment (which occurred in March 2024) until May 31, 2024, and on a part-time basis at a base salary of $315,000 from June 1, 2024 until December 31, 2024, and (4) be eligible for a cash bonus for the 2024 year with the target bonus based on actual base salary earned in 2024. A third of the PSU and RSU awards granted to Mr. Goulden on March 4, 2023 vested (or, for PSUs, became eligible to vest) on March 4, 2024, and the remaining portions of those PSU and RSU awards will vest (or, for PSUs, will become eligible to vest) quarterly until March 4, 2026 so long as Mr. Goulden continues service to the Company. Regardless of the date Mr. Goulden ceases service to the Company, the receipt of any shares that vest under the PSU award granted to Mr. Goulden on March 4, 2023 will not take place until March 2026 (other than in the event of Mr. Goulden’s death or “Disability.termination without “cause,The numberfor “good reason,” or as a result of “Disability” coinciding with or following a “Change in Control,” where shares are delivered on termination).

TERM

Mr. Goulden’s original employment agreement is terminable by either party upon ninety days’ written notice and is automatically extended for additional one-year periods unless either party gives ninety days written notice of termination. Mr. Goulden’s original employment agreement was modified pursuant to the Goulden Letter Agreement to provide that from March 15, 2024, Mr. Goulden is Executive Vice President of Finance on a full-time basis until May 31, 2024 and then on a part-time basis until December 31, 2024, at which time the Company expects Mr. Goulden will be employed in a different position by, become a consultant to, or serve on a managing board of the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate.

TERMINATION WITHOUT “CAUSE,” FOR “GOOD REASON”

In the event of a termination of Mr. Goulden’s employment without “Cause” or by Mr. Goulden for “Good Reason”, Mr. Goulden will be entitled to receive his compensation accrued through the date of his termination of employment

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and the following severance compensation and benefits, subject to his executing and not revoking a release:

1.one times the sum of his base salary and target bonus, paid over a 12-month period following his termination of employment;
2.if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata actual annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs; and
3.continuation for twelve months following termination of employment of group health insurance benefits as if Mr. Goulden were our employee.

If Mr. Goulden’s employment is terminated without “Cause” or by Mr. Goulden for “Good Reason” on or within twelve months after the consummation of, or, under certain circumstances, within six months prior to, a “Change in Control,” Mr. Goulden will be entitled to the following severance compensation and benefits, subject to his executing and not revoking a release:

1.two times the sum of his base salary and target bonus, if any, for the year in which such termination occurs, paid over a 24-month period following his termination of employment;
2.if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs, determined at the higher of actual and target performance; and
3.continuation for up to twelve months following termination of employment of group health insurance benefits as if Mr. Goulden were our employee.

TERMINATION AS THE RESULT OF DEATH OR “DISABILITY”

In the event of a termination of Mr. Goulden’s employment as the result of his death or “Disability,” Mr. Goulden or, as applicable, his heirs will be entitled to receive his compensation accrued through the date of termination of employment, if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata target annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs, continuation for twelve months following his death of group health insurance benefits for his dependents (or for Mr. Goulden, if he is terminated as the result of “Disability”) as if he were our employee, and in the event of termination of Mr. Goulden’s employment as the result of “Disability,” continuation for twelve months following termination of employment of group life and disability insurance benefits as if Mr. Goulden were our employee.

OTHER

In addition, subject to certain limitations, if severance remuneration payable under the employment agreement is held to constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, we will reduce the amount of such payment to the extent necessary so that no portion of the payment, so reduced, would constitute a “parachute payment” if such reduction would result in an increase in the aggregate payments and benefits to be deliveredprovided to Mr. HustonGoulden determined on an after tax basis. Concurrently with entering into the employment agreement, Mr. Goulden also entered into a non-competition and non-solicitation agreement with us pursuant to which Mr. Goulden is subject to one-year non-competition and non-solicitation obligations following Mr. Goulden’s termination of employment with us.

Equity Instruments

PSUS

The PSUs granted to Mr. Goulden in March 2021 would dependbe treated in the same fashion as the PSUs granted to Mr. Fogel in March 2021 described above under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments.

The PSUs granted to Mr. Goulden in March 2022 would be treated in the same fashion as the 2022 PSUs granted to Mr. Fogel described above under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments, with certain exceptions, including that certain of the PSUs granted to Mr. Goulden in March 2022 vested on March 4, 2024. Therefore, the terms relating to a termination event (terminationof service without cause/good reason/death/disability)“Cause,” a termination of service for “Good Reason,” a termination of service as the result of death or “Disability,” and when it occurred.a termination coincident with or following a Change in Control described above under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments applied if those terminations had occurred before March 4, 2024.

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The PSUs granted to Mr. Goulden in March 2023 would be treated in the same fashion as the 2023 PSUs granted to Mr. Fogel described above under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments, with certain exceptions. In particular, one-third of the PSUs granted to Mr. Goulden in March 2023 vested with respect to the service-vesting requirement as of March 4, 2024 and the remaining two-thirds are eligible to vest ratably on a quarterly basis thereafter through March 4, 2026, in each case dependent upon Mr. Goulden’s continuous service with the Company, and subject to achievement of the applicable performance goals determined at the end of the three-year performance period (the “Default PSU Determination”). Upon a termination of service as the result of death (that does not occur coincident with or following a “Change in Control”), Mr. Goulden will vest in the greater of (i) the amount described above for death under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments, or (ii) the Default PSU Determination. Upon a termination of service without “Cause,” for “Good Reason,” or as the result of death or “Disability” that does not occur coincident with or following a “Change in Control,” Mr. Goulden will vest in the greater of (i) the amount described above for such terminations under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments, or (ii) the Default PSU performance multiplier wouldDetermination, provided that in either case, Mr. Goulden will be applieddeemed to a pro-rata portion (based on the number of full months that had elapsed since January 1, 2015, January 1, 2014 or January 1, 2013, as applicable, as of the date of his termination of service) of Mr. Huston’s “target” PSU grant and could range from 0 to 2x, depending on our performancehave continued in service through the last fiscal quarternext applicable service-based vesting date following a termination without “Cause” or for which our financial results have been publicly reported.

“Good Reason.” If a “Change in Control” occurs prior to January 1, 2018, January 1, 2017 or January 1, 2016, as applicable,March 4, 2026 and Mr. Huston’sGoulden’s service is terminated as a result of death coincident with or following the effective date of the “Change in Control,” Mr. Goulden will vest in the number of PSUs calculated as described above under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments. If a “Change in Control” occurs prior to March 4, 2026 and Mr. Goulden’s service is terminated without “Cause,” for “Good Reason,” or as a result of death or “Disability” coincident with or at any time following the effective date of the “Change in Control,” the PSU performance multiplier would be applied to a pro-rata portion (based onMr. Goulden will vest in the number of full monthsPSUs calculated as described above under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments, with Mr. Goulden deemed to have continued in service through the next service-based vesting date following a termination without “Cause” or for “Good Reason.”

For all PSUs, the number of shares that had elapsed since January 1, 2015, January 1, 2014 or January 1, 2013, as applicable, as of the effective date of the “Change in Control”) of Mr. Huston’s “target” PSU grant; the performance multiplierGoulden could rangereceive ranges from 0 to 2x depending on our performance throughof the last fiscal quarter for which our financial results have been publicly reported; and Mr. Huston would also receive a pro-rata portion of Mr. Huston’s “target” PSU grant (based on thetotal number of full months that had elapsed since the effective date of the “Change in Control” as of the date of his termination).

If a “Change in Control” occurs on or after January 1, 2018, January 1, 2017 or January 1, 2016, as applicable, and Mr. Huston’s service is terminated without “Cause,” for “Good Reason,” or as a result of death or “Disability” coincident with or at any time following the effective date of the “Change in Control,”shares subject to the PSU performance multiplier would be applied to Mr. Huston’s “target” PSU grant and could range from 0 to 2x, depending on our performance through the 12th fiscal quarter completed since January 1, 2015, January 1, 2014 or January 1, 2013, as applicable.award.

2013 Restricted Stock Units.

RSUS

The RSUs granted to Mr. HustonGoulden in November 2013 provide that upon a termination without “Cause,” a termination for “Good Reason,” or a terminationMarch 2021 and March 2022, would be treated in the same fashion as a result of death or “Disability,”the RSUs granted to Mr. Huston will receive a pro-rata portionFogel in March 2021 and March 2022, respectively, described above under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments.

The RSUs granted to Mr. Goulden in March 2023 would be treated in the same fashion as the 2023 RSUs granted to Mr. Fogel described above under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments, with certain exceptions. One-third of the RSUs as ofgranted to Mr. Goulden in March 2023 vested on March 4, 2024 and the date of termination.

remaining two-thirds are eligible to vest ratably on a quarterly basis thereafter through March 4, 2026 dependent upon Mr. Finnegan

Employment Agreement

TerminationGoulden’s continuous service. If Mr. Goulden terminates service without “Cause” or for “Good Reason.Reason, he will be deemed to have continued in service through the next vesting date.

Mr. Millones

Employment Agreement

TERMINATION WITHOUT “CAUSE” OR FOR “GOOD REASON”

In the event of a termination of Mr. Finnegan’sMillones’ employment by us without “Cause” (as defined in the agreement with Mr. Finnegan) or by Mr. FinneganMillones for “Good Reason” (as defined in the agreement), Mr. FinneganMillones will be entitled to receive among other things, in addition to his compensation accrued through the date of his termination of employment and the following severance compensation and benefits:

(1) 

one

1.two times his base salary and target bonus, if any, paid over a 12-month period following his termination of employment;
2.if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata target annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs; and
3.continuation for one year following termination of employment of group health, life, and disability insurance benefits as if he were our employee (in the event of a “Change in Control,” continuation of benefits is for two years following the termination of employment).

TERMINATION AS A RESULT OF DEATH OR “DISABILITY”

In the event of a termination of Mr. Millones’ employment as a result of death or “Disability”, Mr. Millones or, as applicable, his heirs will be entitled to receive his compensation accrued through the date of termination of employment;

(2) 

if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata target annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs; and,

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(3) 

continuation for one year following termination of employment of group health, life and disability insurance benefits as if he were our employee.

Other.

Mr. Finnegan entered into a separate non-competition and non-solicitation agreement with us in February 2013 pursuant to which Mr. Finnegan is subject to one-year non-competition and non-solicitation obligations following Mr. Finnegan’s termination of employment with us.

Equity Instruments

PSUs.

The PSUs granted to Mr. Finnegan in March 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, would be treated in the same fashion as the PSUs held by Mr. Huston described above under “Mr. Huston - Equity Instruments.”

Ms. Tans

Employment Agreement

The employment agreement between Ms. Tans and Booking.com, which was entered into on February 19, 2015, does not have a fixed term and is terminable at will by either party upon due observance of the statutory notice period in the Netherlands, which is currently one month in the event of a termination by Ms. Tans and three months in the event of a termination by us. The agreement automatically terminates upon Ms. Tans reaching the pensionable age under an applicable pension agreement or under the General Old Age Pensions Act in the Netherlands (which is generally age 65).

Termination without “Cause.”

In the event of a termination of Ms. Tans’ employment by us without “Cause” (as defined in the agreement with Ms. Tans), Ms. Tans will be entitled to receive, among other things, in addition to her compensation accrued through the date of termination of her employment, severance compensation and benefits of one times her base salary (including holiday allowance) and target bonus (not to exceed a maximum of one times her annual base salary including holiday allowance). 

Other.

The employment agreement with Ms. Tans includes certain confidentiality, non-competition, and non-solicitation provisions. It also includes a commuting costs reimbursement not to exceed €200 per month.

Equity Instruments

PSUs.

As of December 31, 2015, with respect to accelerated vesting upon a termination of employment, the PSUs granted to Ms. Tans in March 2015, 2014 and 2013 would be treated in the same fashion as the PSUs held by Mr. Huston described above under “Mr. Huston - Equity Instruments,” except that Ms. Tans’ 2013 PSU award did not provide for accelerated vesting on a termination for “good reason.”

RSUs.

The RSUs granted to Ms. Tans in November 2015 provide for accelerated vesting upon a termination without “Cause” or a termination as a result of death or “Disability.” If a termination without “Cause,” for “Good Reason,” or as the result of death or “Disability” occurs prior to a “Change in Control,” Ms. Tans will receive a pro-rata portion of the RSUs as of the date of termination.

Mr. Fogel

Employment Agreement

Termination without “Cause” or for “Good Reason.”

In the event of a termination of Mr. Fogel’s employment by us without “Cause” (as defined in the agreement with Mr. Fogel) or by Mr. Fogel for “Good Reason” (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Fogel will be entitled to receive, among other things, in addition to his compensation accrued through the date of his termination of employment, the following severance compensation and benefits:

(1) 

one and a half times his base salary and target bonus, if any, paid over a 12-month period following his termination of employment;

(2) 

if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata target annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs; and

(3) 

continuation for one year following termination of employment of group health, life and disability insurance benefits as if he were our employee.

Other.

Mr. Fogel entered into a separate non-competition and non-solicitation agreement with us in February 2013 pursuant to which Mr. Fogel is subject to one-year non-competition and non-solicitation obligations following Mr. Fogel’s termination of employment with us.

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Equity Instruments

PSUs.

The PSUs granted to Mr. Fogel in March 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, would be treated in the same fashion as the PSUs held by Mr. Huston described above under “Mr. Huston - Equity Instruments.”

Mr. Millones

Employment Agreement

Termination without “Cause” or for “Good Reason.”

In the event of a termination of Mr. Millones’ employment by us without “Cause” (as defined in the agreement with Mr. Millones) or by Mr. Millones for “Good Reason” (as defined in the agreement), then Mr. Millones will be entitled to receive, among other things, in addition to his compensation accrued through the date of his termination of employment, the following severance compensation and benefits:

(1) 

two times his base salary and target bonus, if any, paid over a 12-month period following his termination of employment;

(2) 

if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata target annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs; and

(3) 

continuation for one year following termination of employment of group health, life and disability insurance benefits as if he were our employee.

Termination as a Result of Death or “Disability.”

In the event of a termination of Mr. Millones’ employment as a result of death or “Disability” (as defined in such agreement), Mr. Millones will be entitled to receive, among other things, in addition to his compensation accrued through the date of termination of employment, the following severance compensation and benefits:

(1)

if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata target annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs;

(2)

in the event of termination as a result of death, continuation for one year following termination of

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employment of group health insurance benefits for Mr. Millones’ dependents as if he were our employee;employee, and

(3)

in the event of termination as a result of “Disability,” continuation for one year following termination of employment of group health, life, and disability insurance benefits, as if he were our employee.

Other.

OTHER

Mr. Millones’ employment agreement provides that, subject to certain limitations, if severance remuneration payable under the employment agreement is held to constitute an excess parachute payment under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, we will reduce the amount of such payment to the extent necessary so that no portion of the payment, so reduced, would constitute a “parachute payment” if such reduction would result in an increase in the aggregate payments and benefits to be provided to Mr. Millones determined on an after tax basis. Mr. Millones entered into a separate non-competition and non-solicitation agreement with us in February 2013 pursuant to which Mr. Millones is subject to one-year non-competition and non-solicitation obligations following Mr. Millones’ termination of employment with us.

Equity Instruments

PSUs.PSUS

The PSUs granted to Mr. Millones in March 2015, 20142021, March 2022, and 2013, respectively,March 2023 would be treated in the same fashion as the PSUs held bygranted to Mr. HustonFogel in March 2021, March 2022, and March 2023, respectively, described above under “Mr. Huston -Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments.

RSUS

The RSUs granted to Mr. Millones in March 2021, March 2022, and March 2023 would be treated in the same fashion as the RSUs granted to Mr. Fogel in March 2021, March 2022, and March 2023, respectively, described above under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments.

Mr. Pisano

Employment Agreement

Effective August 1, 2021, Mr. Pisano became our Chief Human Resources Officer in addition to his role as the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer of Booking.com. On July 31, 2021, we entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Pisano in connection with his appointment as the Company’s Chief Human Resources Officer. The letter agreement supplements the Dutch employment contract between Mr. Pisano and Booking.com, effective March 2, 2020, which provides for Mr. Pisano’s terms of employment in his role as SVP and Chief People Officer, including one-year non-competition and non-solicitation covenants.

TERM

Mr. Pisano’s letter agreement has an initial period of approximately twelve to eighteen months, which is terminable by either party.

TERMINATION WITHOUT “CAUSE” OR FOR “GOOD REASON”

In the event of a termination of Mr. Pisano’s employment by us without “Cause” or by Mr. Pisano for “Good Reason,” Mr. Pisano will be entitled to receive his compensation accrued through the date of his termination of employment and the following severance compensation and benefits, subject to his executing and not revoking a release:

1.one times his base salary and target bonus, if any, paid over a 12-month period following his termination of employment;
2.if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata actual annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs;
3.reimbursement of up to EUR 50,000 for the cost of all reasonable relocation expenses incurred with respect to Mr. Pisano’s relocation to a country other than the Netherlands that occurs within 180 days following the termination of his employment; and
4.reimbursement of up to EUR 10,000 of any legal fees, for purposes of negotiating the termination agreement as required under Dutch law.

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In the event of the termination of Mr. Pisano’s employment by us without “Cause” or by Mr. Pisano for “Good Reason,” within six months preceding, or twelve months following, a “Change in Control,” Mr. Pisano will be entitled to Contentsreceive his compensation accrued through the date of his termination of employment and the following severance compensation and benefits, subject to his executing and not revoking a release:

1.two times his base salary and target bonus, if any, paid over a 24-month period following his termination of employment;
2.if a bonus plan is in place, a pro-rata annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs, determined at the higher of actual and target performance;
3.reimbursement of up to EUR 50,000 for the cost of all reasonable relocation expenses incurred with respect to Mr. Pisano’s relocation to a country other than the Netherlands that occurs within 180 days following the termination of his employment; and
4.reimbursement of up to EUR 10,000 in any legal fees, for purposes of negotiating the termination agreement as required under Dutch law.

TERMINATION AS A RESULT OF DEATH 

In the event of a termination of Mr. Pisano’s employment as a result of death, Mr. Pisano will be entitled to receive his compensation accrued through the date of termination of employment and a pro-rata target annual bonus for the year in which termination of employment occurs (if a bonus plan is in place).

OTHER

Mr. Pisano’s employment agreement provides that, subject to certain limitations, if severance remuneration payable under his employment agreement is held to constitute an excess parachute payment under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, we will reduce the amount of such payment to the extent necessary so that no portion of the payment, so reduced, would constitute a “parachute payment” if such reduction would result in an increase in the aggregate payments and benefits to be provided to Mr. Pisano determined on an after tax basis. Mr. Pisano entered into a separate non-competition and non-solicitation agreement with us in July 2021 pursuant to which Mr. Pisano is subject to one-year non-competition and non-solicitation obligations following Mr. Pisano’s termination of employment with us.

Equity Instruments

PSUS

The PSU awards granted to Mr. Pisano in March 2021, March 2022, and March 2023 provide for accelerated vesting upon a termination of service without “Cause,” a termination of service as the result of death or “Disability,” or in connection with the March 2022 PSUs and March 2023 PSUs, a termination of service for “Good Reason.” The number of shares to be delivered to Mr. Pisano upon vesting would depend on the termination event (termination without cause/for good reason/death/disability) and when it occurred (in relation to a “Change in Control” and/or during or following a particular one-year measurement period); provided that for the PSUs granted in March 2021 and March 2022, the number of shares that Mr. Pisano could receive could range from 1x to 2x of the total number of shares subject to the applicable PSU award, while for the PSUs granted in March 2023, the number of shares that Mr. Pisano could receive could range from 0 to 2x of the total number of shares subject to the applicable PSU award.

Upon a qualifying termination of employment, the PSUs granted to Mr. Pisano in March 2023 would be treated in the same fashion as the PSUs granted to Mr. Fogel in March 2023, described above under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments. 

The following applies with respect to the PSUs granted to Mr. Pisano in March 2021 and March 2022:

Upon a termination of service as the result of death (that does not occur coincident with or following a “Change in Control”), the PSU performance multiplier would be applied to (i) the target number of PSUs allocated to any completed measurement periods based on actual performance, and (ii) the sum of (a) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs allocated to the measurement period during which the termination occurred (based on the number of days that had elapsed since the beginning of such measurement period as of the date of his termination of service), based generally on our performance through the most recent fiscal quarter for which our financial results have been publicly reported closest to the date of the termination of service as a result of his death, and (b) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs allocated to the measurement period during which the termination occurred (based on the number of days that had

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elapsed from the date of termination through the end of such measurement period). In addition, for any measurement periods that had not yet started at the time of termination of service as a result of death, if applicable, Mr. Pisano would receive the target number of PSUs allocated to those measurement periods without the application of any performance multiplier. 

Upon a termination of service without “Cause,” as the result of “Disability,” or in connection with the March 2022 PSU award, for “Good Reason,” that does not occur coincident with or following a “Change in Control,” the PSU performance multiplier would be applied to (i) the target number of PSUs allocated to any completed measurement periods based on actual performance and (ii) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs allocated to the measurement period during which the termination occurs (based on the number of days that had elapsed since the beginning of such measurement period as of the date of his termination of service) based generally on our performance through the most recent fiscal quarter for which our financial results have been publicly reported closest to the date of the termination of service. 

If a “Change in Control” occurs prior to March 4, 2025 for the 2022 PSUs and Mr. Pisano’s service is terminated as a result of death coincident with or at any time following the effective date of the “Change in Control,” the PSU performance multiplier would be applied to (i) the target number of PSUs allocated to any completed measurement periods based on actual performance, and (ii) the sum of (a) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs allocated to the measurement period during which the “Change in Control” occurs (based on the number of days that had elapsed since the beginning of such measurement period as of the date of the “Change in Control”), based generally on our performance through the most recent fiscal quarter for which our financial results have been publicly reported closest to the date of the “Change in Control” and (b) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs allocated to the measurement period during which the “Change in Control” occurs (based on the number of days that had elapsed since the date of the “Change in Control” through the end of such measurement period). In addition, for any measurement periods that had not yet started as of the date of the “Change in Control,” if applicable, Mr. Pisano would receive the target number of PSUs allocated to those measurement periods without the application of any performance multiplier.

If a “Change in Control” occurs prior to March 4, 2025 for the 2022 PSUs and Mr. Pisano’s service is terminated without “Cause,” as a result of “Disability,” or in connection with the March 2022 PSU award, for “Good Reason,” in each case coincident with or at any time following the effective date of the “Change in Control,” the PSU performance multiplier would be applied to (i) the target number of PSUs allocated to any completed measurement periods based on actual performance, and (ii) the sum of (a) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs allocated to the measurement period during which the “Change in Control” occurs (based on the number of days that had elapsed since the beginning of such measurement period as of the date of the “Change in Control”), based generally on our performance through the most recent fiscal quarter for which our financial results have been publicly reported closest to the date of the “Change in Control” and (b) a pro-rata portion of the target number of PSUs (based on the number of days that had elapsed since the date of the “Change in Control” through the date of termination). 

RSUS

The RSUs granted to Mr. Pisano in March 2021 and August 2021 would be treated in the same fashion as the RSUs granted to Mr. Fogel in March 2021 described above under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments, except that (i)  his RSUs granted in March 2021 would not be subject to pro-rata vesting upon a termination for “Good Reason,” and (ii) his RSUs granted in August 2021 would vest based on the August 2021 grant date rather than the March 2021 grant date.

The RSUs granted to Mr. Pisano in March 2023 would be treated in the same fashion as the RSUs granted to Mr. Fogel in March 2023 described above under Mr. Fogel — Equity Instruments.

STOCK OPTIONS

The stock options granted to Mr. Pisano in May 2020 fully vested on March 4, 2023. The vested stock options may be exercised until the earliest to occur of the following events: (i) the date on which Mr. Pisano’s termination occurs for “Cause,” (ii) ninety days after the date on which his termination occurs for any reason other than “Cause”, death, or “Disability,” (iii) one year after his termination due to death or “Disability,” and (iv) ten years from the date of grant of the stock options. 

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL AND/OR TERMINATION     86

Potential Payments Upon a Change in Control and/or Termination 

The following tables estimate the payments required to be made to each named executive officerNEO in connection with a termination of his or hertheir employment upon specified events or a change in control, assuming a $1,274.95$3,547.22 per share price for our common stock (the closing market price on December 31, 2015)29, 2023, the last trading day of the year). The amounts shown also assume that the termination or change in control was effective December 31, 2015,2023, and thus include amounts earned through such time and are estimates of the amounts which would be paid out to the named executive officers.NEOs. Therefore, amounts shown do not reflect, for instance, any changes to base salaries or bonus targets effective in 2016, 20162024, 2024 changes in the cost of health benefit plans, equity grants made in 20162024, or the unvested proratapro-rata portion of equity awards for which the performance or vesting period extends beyond December 31, 2015.2023. However, amounts shown do reflect incremental amounts due to the named executive officerNEO upon or as a result of the specified event. The actual amounts paid can only be determined at the time of the termination of the named executive officer’s employment or a change in control. The terms “Cause,” “Good Reason,” and “Disability,” as applicable,“Disability” have the meanings in the individual employment agreements or equity instruments described above. In the event of voluntary resignation or retirement where the person’s last date of employment was December 31, 2015,2023, the named executive officerNEO would only receive his or hertheir accrued but unpaid salary through the termination date of employment. See EmploymentContracts,TerminationofEmploymentandChangeinControlArrangements above for more information.

Glenn D. Fogel

      Termination
without
“Cause” (non
-Change of
Control)
($)
     Termination for
Good Reason
(non-Change
of Control)
($)
     Termination
without
“Cause” or for
“Good
Reason” (Change
of Control)
($)
     No Termination
(Change of
Control)
($)
     Death
($)
     Disability
($)
Severance:            
Base Salary and Target Bonus 5,250,000 5,250,000 7,875,000  0 0
Pro-Rated Bonus 1,875,000 1,875,000 1,875,000  1,875,000 1,875,000
Equity and Benefits:            
Performance Share Units 96,151,103 96,151,103 96,151,103 0 128,495,389 96,151,103
Restricted Stock/RSUs 7,717,471 7,717,471 7,717,471 0 18,477,469 7,717,471
Stock Options 0 0 0 0 0 0
Health/Welfare(1) 33,386 33,386 33,386  22,257 22,495
Tax Gross-up 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 111,026,960 111,026,960 113,651,960  148,870,115 105,766,069
(1)Benefit amounts are based on 2023 annual premiums paid by the Company for medical, dental and vision coverage. In the case of termination due to Disability, Mr. Fogel would be eligible for an additional $238 for group life and disability insurance benefits (based on 2023 annual premiums paid by the Company).

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.Mr. Huston    87

Executive Benefits and

Payments Upon Separation

or Change in Control

 

Termination

without

“Cause”

(non-Change

in Control)

($)

 

Termination for

“Good Reason”

(non-Change in

Control)

($)

 

Termination

without “Cause” or

for “Good Reason”

(Change in

Control)

($)

 

No

Termination

(Change

in

Control)

($)

 

Death or

Disability

($)

Severance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Base Salary and
Target Bonus

 

6,055,000

 

6,055,000

 

9,082,500

 

 

Pro Rated Bonus

 

2,162,500

 

2,162,500

 

2,162,500

 

 

2,162,500

Equity and Benefits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Share Units

 

48,922,381(2)

 

48,922,381(2)

 

48,922,381(2)

 

 

48,922,381(2)

Restricted Stock Units

 

4,844,810

 

4,844,810

 

4,844,810

 

 

4,844,810

Stock Options

 

 

 

 

 

Health & Welfare(1)

 

60,734

 

60,734

 

91,101

 

 

30,367

Tax Gross-Up

 

 

 

 

 

Relocation

 

221,745

 

221,745

 

221,745

 

 

221,745

TOTAL:

 

62,267,170(2)

 

62,267,170(2)

 

65,325,037(2)

 

 

56,181,803(2)

(1)

Benefit amounts are based on 2015 annual premiums paid by us for (a) medical, dental and vision coverage, (b) term life insurance and (c) long-term disability insurance.

(2)

Includes 17,250 shares of our common stock with a December 31, 2015 value of $21,992,887.50 (based on a per share price of $1,274.95, the closing price on December 31, 2015) subject to performance share units that vested on March 4, 2016.

 

 

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David Goulden

      Termination
without
“Cause” (non
-Change of
Control)
($)
     Termination for
Good Reason
(non-Change
of Control)
($)
     Termination
without
“Cause” or for
“Good
Reason” (Change
of Control)
($)
     No Termination
(Change of
Control)
($)
     Death
($)
     Disability
($)
Severance:            
Base Salary and Target Bonus 1,953,000 1,953,000 3,906,000  0 0
Pro-Rated Bonus 1,323,000 1,323,000 1,323,000  1,323,000 1,323,000
Equity and Benefits:            
Performance Share Units 44,638,614 44,638,614 44,638,614 0 57,176,941 44,638,614
Restricted Stock/RSUs 3,359,509 3,359,509 3,359,509 0 8,169,248 3,359,509
Stock Options 0 0 0 0 0 0
Health/Welfare(1) 20,464 20,464 20,464  20,464 20,701
Tax Gross-up 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 51,294,587 51,294,587 53,247,587 0 66,689,653 49,341,824
(1)Benefit amounts are based on 2023 annual premiums paid by the Company for medical, dental and vision coverage. In the case of termination due to Disability, Mr. Goulden would be eligible for an additional $237 for group life and disability insurance benefits (based on 2023 annual premiums paid by the Company).

Peter J. Millones

      Termination
without
“Cause” (non
-Change of
Control)
($)
     Termination for
Good Reason
(non-Change
of Control) 
($)
     Termination
without
“Cause” or for
“Good
Reason” (Change
of Control)
($)
     No Termination
(Change of
Control) 
($)
     Death
($)
     Disability
($)
Severance:            
Base Salary and Target Bonus 3,227,700 3,227,700 3,227,700   
Pro-Rated Bonus 1,057,350 1,057,350 1,057,350  1,057,350 1,057,350
Equity and Benefits:            
Performance Share Units 28,304,468 28,304,468 28,304,468 0 37,766,786 28,304,468
Restricted Stock/RSUs 2,270,017 2,270,017 2,270,017 0 5,416,605 2,270,017
Stock Options 0 0 0 0 0 0
Health/Welfare(1) 28,908 28,908 57,817  28,671 28,908
Tax Gross-up 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 34,888,443 34,888,443 34,917,352  44,269,412 31,660,743
(1)Benefit amounts are based on 2023 annual premiums paid by the Company for (a) medical, dental and vision coverage, (b) group life insurance and (c) disability insurance benefits.

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.    88

Paulo Pisano

      Termination
without
“Cause” (non
-Change of
Control) 
($)
     Termination for
Good Reason
(non-Change
of Control)
($)
     Termination
without
“Cause” or for
“Good
Reason” (Change
of Control)
($)
     No Termination
(Change of
Control)
($)
     Death
($)
     Disability
($)
Severance:(1)            
Base Salary and Target Bonus 1,148,660 1,148,660 2,297,320  0 0
Pro-Rated Bonus 689,196 689,196 689,196  689,196 0
Other(2) 64,865 64,865 64,865 0 0 0
Equity(3) and Benefits:            
Performance Share Units 10,950,380 7,282,555 10,950,380 0 15,986,488 10,950,380
Restricted Stock/RSUs 654,094 654,094 654,094 0 2,174,446 654,094
Stock Options 0 0 0 0 0 0
Health/Welfare 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tax Gross-up 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 13,507,195 9,839,370 14,655,855  18,850,130 11,604,474
(1)Amounts (other than equity awards) for Mr. Pisano are converted using a EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.08109137, which was the average rate for 2023.
(2)Includes reimbursable amounts for relocation expenses up to EUR 50,000 and legal fees up to EUR 10,000.
(3)Accelerated vesting occurs upon termination for “Good Reason” only for PSUs and RSUs granted starting August 2021.

2023 CEO Pay Ratio

Our 2023 CEO Pay Ratio is the ratio of the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Fogel, to the annual total compensation of our median employee (excluding our Chief Executive Officer). There has been no change in our employee population or employee compensation arrangements that we reasonably believe would result in a significant change to our pay ratio disclosure and so we are using the same median employee identified in 2022 in our 2023 pay ratio calculation. To identify our median employee in 2022, we used our worldwide employee population without exclusions (other than Mr. Fogel) as of November 1, 2022 and salary, wage, overtime, and bonus compensation information from our payroll records. We annualized compensation for those employees who worked for the Company for only part of the fiscal year, did not make any cost-of-living adjustments, and excluded the value of equity awards because we do not distribute equity awards to all employees.

As reported in the Summary Compensation Table, Mr. Fogel’s total compensation for 2023 was $46,720,734. Calculated in the same manner as Mr. Fogel’s total compensation, the total compensation of our median employee in 2023 was $92,967. The ratio of Mr. Fogel’s total 2023 compensation to that of our median employee is 503 to 1.

Our pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules. The pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to ours because SEC rules for identifying the median employee and calculating the pay ratio allow companies to use different methodologies, apply certain exclusions, and make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices.

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.    89

Pay Versus Performance 

As required by SEC Regulation S-K Item 402(v), the following table sets forth the compensation information of our Principal Executive Officer (PEO) and our non-PEO NEOs along with total shareholder return, net income, and revenue performance results for our fiscal years ending in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The calculations and analysis below do not reflect the Company’s approach to aligning executive compensation with performance. For information about how we align executive compensation with financial performance, refer to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

YearSummary
Compensation
Table Total
for PEO(1)
Compensation
Actually Paid
to PEO(1)(2)(3)(4)
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for Non-PEO
Named
Executive
Officers(5)
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid
to Non-PEO
Named
Executive
Officers(2)(3)(5)(6)
 Value of Initial Fixed $100
Investment Based On:
Net Income
(in millions)
Revenue
(in millions)(9)
 Total
Shareholder
Return(7)
Peer Group
Total
Shareholder
Return(7)(8)
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e) (f)(g)(h)(i)
2023$46,720,734$139,515,292$15,362,746$45,820,973 $172.72$118.93$4,289$21,365
2022$31,519,648$32,381,096$9,254,954$7,503,594 $98.13$81.50$3,058$17,090
2021$55,077,473$78,192,575$14,259,697$22,828,947 $116.82$134.41$1,165$10,958
2020$7,148,598($43,204,620)$13,708,464$1,250,364 $108.45$137.32$59$6,796
(1)Mr. Fogel served as Chief Executive Officer (PEO) in each year included in the table.
(2)Year-end stock prices used as part of the “Compensation Actually Paid” calculation were: 2023 $3,547.22, 2022 $2,015.28, 2021 $2,399.23, and 2020 $2,227.27.
(3)Fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of equity awards included in columns (c) and (e) was determined by reference to (1) for RSU awards, closing price on applicable year-end date(s) or, in the case of vesting dates, the actual vesting price, (2) for performance-based PSU awards (excluding PSUs with an rTSR component, TSR governor component, and a stock price appreciation component), the probable number of shares multiplied by the closing price on the applicable year-end date(s) or, in the case of awards that vested, the vested number of shares multiplied by the actual value per share on the vesting date, (3) for PSUs with an rTSR component and, for certain 2023 and 2022 PSUs, the TSR governor component, the probable number of shares multiplied by the share price on the applicable year-end date(s) which was derived using Monte Carlo simulations (because of the rTSR and TSR governor components of this award, as applicable), (4) for PSUs with an additional stock price appreciation component, the probable number of shares multiplied by the closing price on the applicable year-end date(s), plus the fair value of the stock price appreciation component on the applicable year-end date(s) or, in the case of awards that vested, the vested number of shares multiplied by the actual value per share on the vesting date, and (5) for stock options, a Black Scholes value as of the applicable year-end date(s) or vesting date, determined based on the same methodology as used to determine grant date fair value but using the closing stock price and assumptions including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected dividends, and expected term as of the applicable revaluation date(s).
(4)Compensation Actually Paid to Mr. Fogel in 2023 reflects the following adjustments from column (b):
(5)In 2023, 2022, and 2021, the non-PEO NEOs were Messrs. Goulden, Millones, and Pisano. In 2020, the non-PEO NEOs were Messrs. Goulden and Millones.
(6)Average Compensation Actually Paid to the non-PEO NEOs noted in footnote (5) in 2023 reflects the following adjustments from column (d):
(7)The amount listed for each year reflects what the cumulative value of $100 would be if that had been invested on December 31, 2019 (including reinvestment of dividends for applicable peers).
(8)Peer group total shareholder return reflects the RDG Internet Composite as reflected in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(9)Revenue is revenue under GAAP as reflected in the Company’s financial statements.

(1)Mr. Fogel served as Chief Executive Officer (PEO) in each year included in the table.

(2)Year-end stock prices used as part of the “Compensation Actually Paid” calculation were: 2023 $3,547.22, 2022 $2,015.28, 2021 $2,399.23, and 2020 $2,227.27.
(3)Fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of equity awards included in columns (c) and (e) was determined by reference to (1) for RSU awards, closing price on applicable year-end date(s) or, in the case of vesting dates, the actual vesting price, (2) for performance-based PSU awards (excluding PSUs with an rTSR component, TSR governor component, and a stock price appreciation component), the probable number of shares multiplied by the closing price on the applicable year-end date(s) or, in the case of awards that vested, the vested number of shares multiplied by the actual value per share on the vesting date, (3) for PSUs with an rTSR component and, for certain 2023 and 2022 PSUs, the TSR governor component, the probable number of shares multiplied by the share price on the applicable year-end date(s) which was derived using Monte Carlo simulations (because of the rTSR and TSR governor components of this award, as applicable), (4) for PSUs with an additional stock price appreciation component, the probable number of shares multiplied by the closing price on the applicable year-end date(s), plus the fair value of the stock price appreciation component on the applicable year-end date(s) or, in the case of awards that vested, the vested number of shares multiplied by the actual value per share on the vesting date, and (5) for stock options, a Black Scholes value as of the applicable year-end date(s) or vesting date, determined based on the same methodology as used to determine grant date fair value but using the closing stock price and assumptions including expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected dividends, and expected term as of the applicable revaluation date(s).
(4)Compensation Actually Paid to Mr. Fogel in 2023 reflects the following adjustments from column (b):

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.90

 

 Adjustments to Calculate Compensation Actually Paid for PEO 2023 2022 2021 2020
 Amount Reported in Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) $46,720,734 $31,519,648 $55,077,473 $7,148,598
 Subtract Amounts Reported under the Stock Awards and Option Awards Column in the SCT (40,929,691) (26,258,740) (48,010,707) (6,954,041)
 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Year that Remain Unvested as of Year End 94,201,594 35,126,298 49,934,780 7,376,718
 Fair Value of Awards Granted during Year that Vest during Year   20,829,900 
 Increase/Deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior Year-end to current Year-end of Awards Granted prior to Year that were Outstanding and Unvested as of Year-end 30,945,880 (4,718,980) 379,688 (44,329,590)
 Increase/Deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior Year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted prior to Year that Vested during Year 8,576,775 (3,287,130) (18,559) (6,446,305)
 Compensation Actually Paid to PEO $139,515,292 $32,381,096 $78,192,575 $(43,204,620)

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement58


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(5)In 2023, 2022, and 2021, the non-PEO NEOs were Messrs. Goulden, Millones, and Pisano. In 2020, the non-PEO NEOs were Messrs. Goulden and Millones.
(6)Average Compensation Actually Paid to the non-PEO NEOs noted in footnote (5) in 2023 reflects the following adjustments from column (d):

Mr. Finnegan

Executive Benefits and

Payments Upon Separation

or Change in Control

 

Termination

without

“Cause”

(non-Change

in Control)

($)

 

Termination for

“Good Reason”

(non-Change in

Control)

($)

 

Termination

without “Cause”

or for “Good

Reason” (Change

in Control)

($)

 

No

Termination

(Change in

Control)

($)

 

Death or

Disability

($)

Severance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Base Salary and
Target Bonus

 

976,500

 

976,500

 

976,500

 

 

Pro Rated Bonus

 

661,500

 

661,500

 

661,500

 

 

Equity and Benefits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Share Units

 

22,486,293

 

22,486,293

 

22,486,293

 

 

22,486,293

Restricted Stock Units

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Options

 

 

 

 

 

Health & Welfare(1)

 

24,325

 

24,325

 

24,325

 

 

Tax Gross-Up

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL:

 

24,148,618

 

24,148,618

 

24,148,618

 

 

22,486,293

(1)

Benefit amounts are based on 2015 annual premiums paid by us for (a) medical, dental and vision coverage, (b) term life insurance and (c) long-term disability insurance.

 Adjustments to Calculate Compensation Actually Paid for non-PEO NEOs 2023 2022 2021 2020
 Average Amount Reported in SCT $15,362,746 $9,254,954 $14,259,697 $13,708,464
 Subtract Average Amounts Reported under the Stock Awards and Option Awards Column in the SCT (12,088,367) (6,777,593) (11,312,738) (12,407,092)
 Average Fair Value of Awards Granted during Year that Remain Unvested as of Year end 27,444,862 8,986,958 11,970,027 15,095,779
 Average Fair Value of Awards Granted during Year that Vest during Year   4,463,550 
 Average Increase/Deduction for Change in Fair Value from prior Year-end to current Year-end of Awards Granted Prior to Year that were Outstanding and Unvested as of Year-End 9,603,511 (3,160,646) 3,433,026   (14,159,513)
 Average Increase/Deduction for Change in Fair Value from Prior Year-end to Vesting Date of Awards Granted Prior to Year that Vested during Year 5,498,221 (800,079) 15,385 (987,274)
 Average Compensation Actually Paid to non-PEO NEOs $45,820,973 $7,503,594 $22,828,947 $1,250,364

Ms. Tans

Executive Benefits and

Payments Upon Separation

or Change in Control

Termination

without

“Cause”

(non-Change

in Control) ($)

Termination for

“Good Reason”

(non-Change in

Control)

($)

Termination

without “Cause”

or for “Good

Reason” (Change

in Control)

($)

 

No

Termination

(Change in

Control)

($)

Death or

Disability

($)

Severance:(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Base Salary and Target Bonus

733,486

733,486

733,486

 

Pro Rated Bonus

377,151

377,151

377,151

 

Equity and Benefits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Share Units

11,117,564

11,117,564

11,117,564

 

11,117,564

Restricted Stock Units

14,024

14,024

14,024

 

14,024

Stock Options

 

Health & Welfare

 

Tax Gross-Up

 

TOTAL:

12,246,225

12,246,225

12,246,225

 

11,131,588

(1)

Ms. Tans’ compensation is translated into U.S. Dollars using an average exchange rate of 1.1087 U.S. Dollars to 1 Euro.

(7)The amount listed for each year reflects what the cumulative value of $100 would be if that had been invested on December 31, 2019 (including reinvestment of dividends for applicable peers).

(8)Peer group total shareholder return reflects the RDG Internet Composite as reflected in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(9)Revenue is revenue under GAAP as reflected in the Company’s financial statements.

 

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement59


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Mr. Fogel91

Executive Benefits and

Payments Upon Separation

or Change in Control

 

Termination

without “Cause”

(non-Change in

Control) ($)

 

Termination for

“Good Reason”

(non-Change in

Control)

($)

 

Termination

without “Cause”

or for “Good

Reason”

(Change in

Control)

($)

 

No

Termination

(Change in

Control)

($)

 

Death or

Disability

($)

Severance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Base Salary and
Target Bonus

 

1,370,250

 

1,370,250

 

1,370,250

 

 

Pro Rated Bonus

 

598,500

 

598,500

 

598,500

 

 

Equity and Benefits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Share Units

 

22,486,293

 

22,486,293

 

22,486,293

 

 

22,486,293

Restricted Stock Units

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Options

 

 

 

 

 

Health & Welfare(1)

 

24,325

 

24,325

 

48,650

 

 

Tax Gross-Up

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL:

 

24,479,368

 

24,479,368

 

24,503,693

 

 

22,486,293

(1)

Benefit amounts are based on 2015 annual premiums paid by us for (a) medical, dental and vision coverage, (b) term life insurance and (c) long-term disability insurance.

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Mr. Millones

Executive Benefits and

Payments Upon Separation

or Change in Control

Termination

without “Cause”

(non-Change in

Control)

($)

Termination for

“Good Reason”

(non-Change in

Control)

($)

Termination

without “Cause”

or for “Good

Reason” (Change

in Control)

($)

 

No Termination

(Change in

Control)

($)

Death or

Disability

($)

Severance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Base Salary and
Target Bonus

1,914,000

1,914,000

1,914,000

 

Pro Rated Bonus

627,000

627,000

627,000

 

627,000

Equity and Benefits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Share Units

22,486,293

22,486,293

22,486,293

 

22,486,293

Restricted Stock Units

 

Stock Options

 

Health & Welfare(1)

24,350

24,350

48,700

 

24,350

Tax Gross-Up

 

TOTAL:

25,051,643

25,051,643

25,075,993

 

23,137,643

(1)

Benefit amounts are based on 2015 annual premiums paid by us for (a) medical, dental and vision coverage, (b) term life insurance and (c) long-term disability insurance.

NotetoWe believe thePotentialPaymentsUponaChangeinControland/orTerminationTablesAbove. Under applicable SEC rules, we are required “Compensation Actually Paid” to estimateour PEO and other NEOs over the potential payments to eachfour-year cumulative period reflects the T&C Committee balancing performance-aligned compensation in the uncertain context of the named executive officers upon termination or change in control assumingCOVID-19 pandemic, which dramatically affected the event occurredCompany and its industry, as well as the Company’s improved financial performance and increased stock price following the COVID-19 pandemic. The charts below show “Compensation Actually Paid” and (i) total stockholder return, (ii) net income, and (iii) revenue. Our compensation plans do not include net income as a measure of financial performance and therefore there is no direct relationship to “Compensation Actually Paid.”

COMPENSATION ACTUALLY PAID VERSUS TSR

COMPENSATION ACTUALLY PAID VERSUS NET INCOME

 

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COMPENSATION ACTUALLY PAID VERSUS REVENUE

 

We measure performance for purposes of assessing pay for our PEO and other NEOs based on December 31, 2015, the last day of ourfollowing four unranked most recently-completed fiscal year. However, the payments to named executive officers could differ, in some instances materially, if the triggering event were to occurimportant financial performance measures. For additional information, see How We Measure Performance on or after January 1, 2016.page 55.

Revenue
Compensation EBITDA
Absolute Total Stockholder Return
Relative Total Stockholder Return

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

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We have one primary equity compensation plan: the 1999 Omnibus Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). In addition, in connection with our acquisition of KAYAK Software Corporation in May 2013, Buuteeq, Inc. in June 2014, OpenTable, Inc. in July 2014, and Rocket Travel, Inc. (“RocketMiles”) in March 2015, we assumed its equity plans of those acquired companiesplan (the “Acquired Company Plans”“OpenTable Plan”). We may continue to grant equity awards under certain of the Acquired Company Plans to employees of the applicable acquired company and, subject to certain limitations, other employees of us or our other subsidiaries.OpenTable Plan. The CompensationT&C Committee has broad authority to among other things, grant equity awards and determine the terms, conditions, and restrictions relating to those equity awards under the Plan and the Acquired Company Plans.

OpenTable Plan. The table below presents information as of December 31, 2015 regarding2023 on the Plan and the Assumed Company Plans:plans:

Plan Category

 

Number of securities

to be issued upon

exercise of outstanding

options, warrants and

rights(1)

(#)

 

Weighted-average

exercise price of

outstanding

options, warrants

and rights(2)

($)

 

Number of securities

remaining available for

future issuance under

equity compensation

plans (excluding outstanding

securities as

reflected in the first column)(3)

(#)

Equity Compensation plans approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

1999 Omnibus Plan

 

0

 

0.00

 

2,425,519

Equity Compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005 KAYAK Plan(4)

 

56,349

 

308.17

 

2012 KAYAK Plan(4)

 

4,727

 

647.96

 

9,077

Buuteeq Plan(5)

 

5,377

 

166.79

 

973

OpenTable Plan(6)

 

23,124

 

568.10

 

145,392

RocketMiles Plan(7)

 

561

 

230.37

 

3,482

TOTAL:

 

90,138

 

 

 

2,584,443

(1)

Excludes an aggregate of 788,477 unvested RSUs and unvested PSUs outstanding at December 31, 2015, consisting of 665,551 unvested shares under the 1999 Omnibus Plan, 23,579 shares under the 2012 KAYAK Plan, and 99,347 under the OpenTable Plan.

(2)

The weighted-average exercise price does not apply to PSUs or RSUs because there is no exercise price associated with such awards.

(3)

With respect to PSUs, this column assumes that the maximum number of shares underlying the PSUs will be issued at the end of the relevant performance periods, and therefore all such shares have been excluded. As of December 31, 2015, the actual number of shares to be issued, if any, had not been determined and will be determined based on the relevant performance criteria over the applicable performance periods.

(4)

The assumed KAYAK plans include the KAYAK Software Corporation 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and the KAYAK Software Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 KAYAK Plan”). No further grants may be made under the 2005 KAYAK Plan, although the stock options shown in the table were outstanding as of December 31, 2015.

(5)

The assumed Buuteeq plan is the Buuteeq, Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Plan.

(6)

The assumed OpenTable plan is the OpenTable, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Award Plan.

(7)

The assumed RocketMiles plan is the Amended and Restated Rocket Travel, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan.

Plan Category Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options, warrants
and rights(1)
  Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding options,
warrants and rights(2)
  Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in the first column)(3)
 
Equity Compensation plans approved by security holders            
1999 Omnibus Plan  557,021   $1,411.00   1,008,880 
             
Equity Compensation plans not approved by security holders            
OpenTable Plan(4)  17,984   $0.00   3,205(5) 
             
Total:  575,005       1,012,085 

(1)Includes an aggregate of 25,523 unexercised stock options, 296,350 unvested and unissued RSUs and 253,132 unvested PSUs (based on maximum performance for the 2021, 2022 & 2023 PSUs) outstanding at December 31, 2023, consisting of 399,999 unvested shares under the 1999 Omnibus Plan and 17,984 unvested shares under the OpenTable Plan. The number of shares reported for the PSUs may overstate dilution.
(2)Represents weighted-average exercise price of stock options outstanding under the applicable plan. The weighted-average exercise price does not apply to PSUs or RSUs because there is no exercise price associated with such awards.
(3)With respect to PSUs, this column assumes that the maximum number of shares underlying the PSUs will be issued at the end of the relevant performance periods, and therefore all such shares have been excluded. As of December 31, 2023, the actual number of shares to be issued, if any, had not been determined and will be determined based on the relevant performance criteria over the applicable performance periods.
(4)The assumed OpenTable plan is the OpenTable, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Award Plan.
(5)Under the OpenTable Plan, there is fungible share-counting, and future full value awards would deplete the securities available for future issuance by the 1.66 fungible share ratio.

 

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Non-Employee Director Compensation and Benefits 

The T&C Committee reviews our non-executive director compensation program every two years, including a review of peer director pay practices, and seeks the advice of its independent compensation consultant to Contents

For 2015, directors who were alsoensure that it maintains director compensation practices that are in the best interests of our employees received no additionalstockholders. The Plan includes a limit on annual compensation for serving on our Board.non-employee directors of $750,000. The T&C Committee’s last review of non-executive director compensation occurred in 2022. 

2023 Non-Employee Director Compensation Program

In consultation with Mercer, the CompensationT&C Committee’s outsideindependent compensation consultant, the CompensationT&C Committee and the Board have approved the 2023 compensation program for the non-employee members of the Board. In 2015, non-employee directorsFor 2023, our CEO, Mr. Fogel, received an annual cash retainer of $50,000 and an annual restricted stock unit award representing shares of common stock valued at approximately $260,000 on the date of grant (in 2015, this resulted in RSUs representing 194 shares of common stock being granted to each non-employee director). The RSUs vest on the day after the one-year anniversary of the date of grant; the vesting of the RSUs will accelerate upon a change in control of us or if the director’s serviceno additional compensation for serving on the Board terminates as a result ofduring the director’s death or disability.

In addition, members of the Audit Committee and members of the Compensation Committee receive an additional $15,000 annual cash retainer for each such committee on which they serve, and members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receive an additional $10,000 annual cash retainer. Further, the chairperson of the Audit Committee receives an additional cash retainer of $20,000, and the chairperson of the Compensation Committee and the chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee each receives an additional $10,000 annual cash retainer. Additional compensation, if any, for service on temporary or special Board committees will be determined from time to time by the Board or the Compensation Committee if such committees are formed.

Mr. Guyette served as the Lead Independent Director in 2015. The Lead Independent Director receives an additional annual cash retainer of $30,000. Mr. Boyd served as Chairman of the Board in 2015. As Chairman of the Board, Mr. Boyd received an additional annual cash retainer of $25,000 and an additional annual restricted stock unit award representing shares of common stock valued at approximately $110,000 on the date of grant.

We reimburse non-employee directors for all travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attending Board and committee meetings.

In consultation with Mercer, the Compensation Committee generally reviews the non-employee director compensation program every two years and, if it deems appropriate, makes recommendations to the Board regarding adjustments to the program. After its biennial review at the end of 2014 and beginning of 2015, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board approved, changes to the non-employee director compensation program effective January 1, 2015. These changes increased the additional annual cash retainer received by members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to $10,000 and increased the annual restricted stock unit award from shares of common stock valued at approximately $250,000 on the date of grant to shares valued at approximately $260,000 on the date of grant. In addition, during 2015 the Compensation Committee determined to move the annual grant date for director grants from March to the end of May to more closely align with our annual meeting starting in 2016. As a result, in March 2016 directors received an interim pro-rata RSU award to cover the period from March 2016 to May 2016, and then in May 2016 will receive a normal one-year award.

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement62


Back to Contentsyear.

 

Position2023 Director Fees ($)
Non-employee Director Base Pay(1)60,000
RSUs valued at approximately 265,000
(2)
Additional Committee and Leadership Fees
Non-employee Chair Premium25,000
RSUs valued at approximately 110,000
Lead Independent Director Premium40,000
Audit Committee Chair Premium20,000
CG Committee Chair Premium15,000
Cybersecurity Subcommittee Chair Premium15,000
T&C Committee Chair Premium15,000
Audit Committee Member Retainer20,000
CG Committee Member Retainer10,000
Cybersecurity Subcommittee Member Retainer10,000
T&C Committee Member Retainer15,000

(1)We reimburse non-employee directors for travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attending Board and committee meetings.
(2)In 2023, this resulted in RSUs representing 102 shares of common stock being granted to each incumbent non-employee director in May 2023. These RSUs vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, and vesting will accelerate upon a change in control or if the director’s service on the Board terminates as a result of the director’s death or disability.

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The following table shows compensation earned during 20152023 by all non-employee directors serving at any time during fiscal 2015.

Name

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
($)(1)

Stock Awards
($)(2)(3)

Option Awards
($)

All Other Compensation
($)

Total
($)

Tim Armstrong

65,000

259,584

324,584

Howard W. Barker, Jr.

95,000

259,584

354,584

Jeffery H. Boyd

75,000

370,125

445,125

Jan L. Docter

50,000

259,584

309,584

Jeffrey E. Epstein

80,000

259,584

339,584

James M. Guyette

115,000

259,584

374,584

Charles H. Noski

54,167

259,584

313,751

Nancy B. Peretsman

60,000

259,584

319,584

Thomas E. Rothman

60,000

259,584

319,584

Craig W. Rydin

90,000

259,584

349,584

(1)

This column reports the amount of cash compensation earned in 2015 for Board and committee service.

(2)

This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For additional information, please refer to Notes 2 and 3 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.  These amounts reflect our accounting expense for these awards, and do not correspond to the actual value, if any, that will be recognized by the non-employee directors.

(3)

As of December 31, 2015, our non-employee directors had the following outstanding equity awards:

Tim Armstrong: RSUs for 755 shares (which includes 546 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Armstrong for tax planning purposes);

Howard W. Barker, Jr.: RSUs for 4,043 shares (which includes 3,834 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Barker for tax planning purposes);

Jeffery H. Boyd: RSUs for 567 shares and PSUs for an aggregate “target” amount of 11,501 shares (which were granted to Mr. Boyd in connection with his prior service as our Chief Executive Officer and which could result in up to two times that number of shares being issued depending on Company performance);

Jan L. Docter: RSUs for 209 shares;

Jeffrey E. Epstein: RSUs for 4,043 shares (which includes 3,834 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Epstein for tax planning purposes);

James M. Guyette: RSUs for 209 shares;

Charles H. Noski: RSUs for 209 shares;

Nancy B. Peretsman: RSUs for 1,072 shares (which includes 863 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Ms. Peretsman for tax planning purposes);

Thomas E. Rothman: RSUs for 755 shares (which includes 546 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Rothman for tax planning purposes); and

Craig W. Rydin: RSUs for 1,072 shares (which includes 863 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Rydin for tax planning purposes).

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement63


Back to Contents2023. 

Name Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash(1)
($)
 Stock
Awards(2)(3)
($)
 Option
Awards
($)
 All Other
Compensation
($)
 Total
($)
Timothy Armstrong(4) 25,833 0 0 0 25,833
Mirian M. Graddick-Weir 110,000 264,295 0 0 374,295
Kelly Grier 12,222 150,637 0 0 162,859
Wei Hopeman 70,000 264,295 0 0 334,295
Robert J. Mylod, Jr. 100,000 375,714 0 0 475,714
Charles H. Noski 145,000 264,295 0 0 409,295
Larry Quinlan 77,639 264,295 0 0 341,934
Nicholas J. Read 87,056 264,295 0 0 351,351
Thomas E. Rothman 70,000 264,295 0 0 334,295
Sumit Singh 68,542 264,295 0 0 332,837
Lynn Vojvodich Radakovich 85,000 264,295 0 0 349,295
Vanessa A. Wittman 107,056 264,295 0 0 371,351

(1)This column reports the amount of cash compensation earned in 2023 for Board and committee service.
(2)This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For additional information, please refer to Notes 2 and 4 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.  These amounts reflect the Company’s accounting expense for these awards and do not correspond to the actual value, if any, that will be recognized by the non-employee directors.
(3)As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s non-employee directors had the following outstanding equity awards:
Kelly Grier: RSUs for 49 shares;
Mirian M. Graddick-Weir: RSUs for 773 shares (which includes 671 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Dr. Graddick-Weir for tax planning purposes);
Wei Hopeman: RSUs for 376 shares (which includes 274 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Ms. Hopeman for tax planning purposes);
Robert J. Mylod, Jr.: RSUs for 1,125 shares (which includes 980 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Mylod for tax planning purposes);
Charles H. Noski: RSUs for 1,333 shares (which includes 1,231 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Noski for tax planning purposes);
Larry Quinlan: RSUs for 102 shares;
Nicholas J. Read: RSUs for 102 shares;
Thomas E. Rothman: RSUs for 1,879 shares (which includes 1,777 vested shares the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Rothman for tax planning purposes);
Sumit Singh: RSUs for 102 shares;
Lynn Vojvodich Radakovich: RSUs for 102 shares; and
Vanessa A. Wittman: RSUs for 102 shares.
(4)Timothy Armstrong retired from the Board effective June 6, 2023.

Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Guidelines

OurWe recently increased our Stock Ownership Guidelines to require that each non-employee director own shares of our common stock in an amount equal to or exceeding ten times our annual base cash retainer (currently $60,000). Prior to this amendment in the fall of 2023, the Stock Ownership Guidelines required each non-employee director to own shares of our common stock in an amount equal to or exceeding the lesser of 2,500 shares orand shares valued at $350,000. Because the shares are fully vested and only delivery of the shares has been deferred, our Stock Ownership Guidelines consider vested stock-based equity awards thatAll non-employee directors have properly elected to defer in accordancemet those holding requirements as of March 31, 2024 with the termsexception of their grant agreementsMr. Quinlan, who joined the Board in October 2022, and applicable law to be owned byMs. Grier, who joined the director under and for the purposesBoard in November 2023. Upon vesting of shares of our common stock in May 2024, we expect Mr. Quinlan will meet the Stock Ownership Guidelines. We believe that allowing deferred shares to be counted for purposesSee Security Ownership of our Stock Ownership Guidelines has the additional benefit of acting as a holding period restriction as any deferred shares will not be delivered to the director until 60 or 90 days after termination of his or her Board service, depending on the terms of the deferral program in place at the time of the deferral. See SecurityOwnershipofCertainBeneficialOwnersandManagement on page 3143 for more details regarding stock ownership by our non-employee directors. The following table sets for

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Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the number of shares deemed owned by each non-employee directorExchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, as of March 31, 2016 for purposeswell as stockholders holding 10% of our Stock Ownership Guidelines.

Name

Number of Shares Required

to be Owned under Our Stock

Ownership Guidelines – the Lesser of:

Number of Shares

Deemed Owned as of

March 31, 2016(1)

Shares Valued Above

$350,000 (Yes/No)(2)

Tim Armstrong

2,500 shares or shares valued at $350,000

755

Yes

Howard W. Barker, Jr.

2,500 shares or shares valued at $350,000

4,043

Yes

Jeffery H. Boyd

2,500 shares or shares valued at $350,000

100,755

Yes

Jan L. Docter

2,500 shares or shares valued at $350,000

6,267

Yes

Jeffrey E. Epstein

2,500 shares or shares valued at $350,000

9,479

Yes

James M. Guyette

2,500 shares or shares valued at $350,000

2,187

Yes

Charles H. Noski

2,500 shares or shares valued at $350,000

209

No(3)

Nancy B. Peretsman

2,500 shares or shares valued at $350,000

4,372

Yes

Thomas E. Rothman

2,500 shares or shares valued at $350,000

755

Yes

Craig W. Rydin

2,500 shares or shares valued at $350,000

1,259

Yes

Lynn M. Vojvodich

2,500 shares or shares valued at $350,000

No(4)

(1)

See Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management on page 31 for certain details relating to beneficialoutstanding shares of common stock, to file reports regarding their ownership calculated in accordance with SEC rules.

(2)

Based on the closing share price of $1,288.96 on March 31, 2016.

(3)

Mr. Noski joined the Board on March 1, 2015 and, as a result, will be permitted to reach the ownership guidelines over time.

(4)

Ms. Vojvodich joined the Board on January 1, 2016 and, as a result, will be permitted to reach the ownership guidelines over time.

The closing price of our common stock on March 31, 2016 was $1,288.96securities with the SEC. Due to an administrative error, we filed one late Form 4 report for Mr. Read in December 2023. We believe that during 2023 our directors and therefore, as a result,executive officers otherwise complied with all non-employee directors (other than Mr. NoskiSection 16(a) filing requirements.

In making this statement, we have relied upon examination of the copies of Forms 3, 4, and Ms. Vojvodich) met5, and amendments to these forms provided to us, and the holding requirementswritten representations of our Stock Ownership Guidelines for non-employee directors as of March 31, 2016.and executive officers.

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement64


Talent and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

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As noted above, the CompensationThe T&C Committee is currently comprised of four non-employee independent directors: Messrs. Armstrong, Epstein, GuyetteMirian M. Graddick-Weir, Robert J. Mylod, Jr., Sumit Singh, and Rydin.Lynn Vojvodich Radakovich. No member of the CompensationT&C Committee is or was formerly an officer or an employee of us orthe Company, other than Mr. Mylod, who was an officer and employee of ours until 2011 and joined the Board in 2017. No member of the T&C Committee had any related person transaction required to be disclosed in which we were a participant during the last fiscal year. In addition, none of our executive officers servesserve on the compensation committee or board of directors of a company for which any of our directors serves as an executive officer.

Compensation Risk Assessment

Review and Approval or Ratification of Related Person Transactions

The AuditT&C Committee pursuant to a written policy, reviews all relationships and transactions in which we participate and in which any related person has a directbelieves that our compensation programs do not create or indirect material interest and the transaction involvesencourage excessive or is expected to involve payments of $120,000 or more in the aggregate per fiscal year. Our legal staff is primarily responsible for gathering information from the directors and executive officers. Related person transactions are generally identified in:

questionnaires annually distributed to our directors and executive officers;

certifications submitted annually by our executive officers and directors related to their compliance with our Code of Conduct;

communications made directly by the related person to the General Counsel; and

periodic internal reviews by management.

As required under SEC rules, transactions in which we participate and in which any related person has a direct or indirect material interest and the amount involved exceeds $120,000 are disclosed in our proxy statement. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews and approves or ratifies any related person transactioninappropriate risk-taking that is requiredreasonably likely to be disclosed. In the course of its review and approvalhave a material adverse effect on us or ratification of a disclosable related party transaction, the Audit Committee will consider:

the nature of the related person’s interest in the transaction;

the material terms of the transaction, including, without limitation, the amount and type of transaction;

the importance of the transaction to the related person;

the importance of the transaction to us;

whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a director or executive officer to act in our best interest; and

any other matters the committee deems appropriate.

Any member of the Audit Committee who is a related person with respect to a transaction under review may not participate in the deliberations or vote respecting approval or ratification of the transaction; provided, however, that such director may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting that considers the transaction. This process is included in our Corporate Governance Principles, which is available on our corporate website (www.pricelinegroup.com) under the tab “For Investors.”business.

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PROPOSAL 2  

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Proposal 2

Advisory Vote to Approve 2023 Executive Compensation

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FORthe approval, on an advisory basis, of the 2023 compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S.K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables, and narrative discussion.

The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent external audit firm retained to audit our financial statements. The Audit Committee has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. The Audit Committee is responsible for the audit fee negotiations associated with our retention of Deloitte & Touche LLP. In order to assure continuing auditor independence, the Audit Committee periodically considers whether there should be a regular rotation of the independent external audit firm. Further, in conjunction with the mandated rotation of the audit firm’s lead engagement partner, the Audit Committee and its chairperson are directly involved in the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP’s new lead engagement partner. We are submitting the Audit Committee’s selection of independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Deloitte & Touche LLP has audited our financial statements since July 1997. We expect that representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting, will

Since 2011, we have an opportunity to make a statement if they wish and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Our By-Laws do not require that stockholders ratify the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm. However, we are submitting the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate governance. Although the Audit Committee and the Board believe that the continued retention of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as our independent external auditor is in our best interests and those of our stockholders, if our stockholders do not ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain Deloitte & Touche LLP. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year.

With respect to Proposal 2, the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to act as our independent auditors requires approval by a majority of the total number of shares present and entitled to vote on the matter. With respect to Proposal 2, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the matter.

TheBoardofDirectorsrecommendsavoteFORProposal2.

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement66


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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Audit Committee has the responsibility to, among other things, oversee and review the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, our system of internal controls and the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has the sole authority and responsibility to select, evaluate and, when appropriate, replace our independent registered public accounting firm. The specific duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are described in the charter of the Audit Committee, which is available on our corporate website (www.pricelinegroup.com) under the tab “For Investors.” The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director based on The NASDAQ Stock Market’s listing rules and that each member of the Audit Committee also satisfies the SEC’s additional independence requirements for members of audit committees. In addition, the Board has determined that each of Howard W. Barker, Jr., Jeffrey E. Epstein and Charles H. Noski is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by SEC rules.

Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including our system of internal controls, and for the preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The independent auditors are responsible for performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to oversee and review these processes. The Audit Committee is not, however, professionally engaged in the practice of accounting or auditing and does not provide any expert or other special assurance or professional opinion as to the sufficiency of internal and external audits, whether our financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or on the effectiveness of our system of internal control.

The Audit Committee met eight times in 2015.

Review and Discussions with Management

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 with our management.

Review and Discussions with Independent Accountants

The Audit Committee has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by applicable PCAOB standards, which include, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the audit of our financial statements.

The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by PCAOB Rule 3526 (“Communication With Audit Committees Concerning Independence”) and has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP its independence with respect to the Company. In addition, the Audit Committee has considered whether Deloitte & Touche LLP’s provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining its independence. The Audit Committee’s meetings include, whenever appropriate, executive sessions with Deloitte & Touche LLP without the presence of our management.

Conclusion

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, and the Audit Committee’s review of the representations of management and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that our audited consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

SUBMITTEDBYTHEAUDITCOMMITTEE

OFTHEBOARDOFDIRECTORS

Howard W. Barker, Jr., Chairman

Jeffrey E. Epstein

Charles H. Noski

Craig W. Rydin

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement67


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AUDITOR INDEPENDENCE

Deloitte & Touche LLP is our independent registered public accounting firm. The approximate aggregate fees billed for professional services by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and their respective affiliates (collectively, “Deloitte”) in 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

Type of Fees

 

2015

($)

 

2014

($)

Audit Fees

 

4,900,000

 

5,600,000

Audit Related Fees

 

114,000

 

119,000

Tax Fees

 

270,000

 

67,000

All Other Fees

 

5,200

 

2,600

AuditFees. The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Deloitte for the audit of our consolidated financial statements included in Form 10-K, review of financial statements included in Form 10-Qs and audit of management’s assessment of internal controls, for services related to debt offerings, equity offerings and acquisitions, and for services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

AuditRelatedFees. The aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services by Deloitte that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees,” which include services for matters such as audits of employee benefit plans and other domestic services.

TaxFees. The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Deloitte for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning, which include preparation and review of tax returns and consultation related to tax strategies and planning, compliance and state and local tax regulatory matters.

AllOtherFees. The aggregate fees billed for other services rendered by Deloitte relate to licenses obtained for an online accounting research tool.

Pre-ApprovalPoliciesandProcedures. The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for pre-approving all audit and non-audit work performed by Deloitte. In accordance with our policy and applicable SEC rules and regulations, the Audit Committee or its chairperson pre-approves all audited related services, tax services and other services provided to us by Deloitte (“Auditor Services”). Pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services. If Auditor Services are required prior to a regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting, the Audit Committee chairperson is authorized to approve such services, provided that they are consistent with our policy and applicable SEC rules and regulations, and that the full Audit Committee is advised of such services at the next regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting. Deloitte and management periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of the Auditor Services provided by Deloitte in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the Auditor Services performed to date. All audit related services, tax services and other services described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee or the Audit Committee’s chairperson, and the Audit Committee concluded that the provision of such services by Deloitte was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions.

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement68


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PROPOSAL 3  

ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

At our 2015 annual meeting of stockholders, 97.6% of shares present and entitled to vote (which includes abstentions but not broker non-votes) were voted in support of our executive compensation program, which has remained substantially unchanged. In addition, at the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders our stockholders supported an annual frequency for this advisory vote. In light of the voting results, and consistent with the Board’s prior recommendation to our stockholders, the Board has determined that, until the next required stockholder vote on frequency of future advisory votes on our executive compensation or until the Board determines that such vote will be conducted at a different frequency, we will seeksought advisory approval of our executive compensation on an annual basis. This non-binding advisoryAt our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, approximately 88% of shares present and entitled to vote is being provided aswere voted in support of our 2022 executive compensation program. As required pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act and applicableby SEC rules. Accordingly,rules, the Board is submitting this non-binding stockholder vote to approve our executive compensation for 20152023 as described in this proxy statement (commonly referred to as “say-on-pay”), by approving the following resolution.

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables, and narrative discussion is hereby APPROVED.”

This non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation will be considered approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of shares present and entitled to vote on the matter. With respect to Proposal 3,2, abstentions are considered present and entitled to vote on the matter and therefore have the same effect as votes against the matter, and broker non-votes are not considered entitled to vote on the matter and therefore have no effect on the outcome of the vote. Although this vote is non-binding, the Board and the CompensationT&C Committee, which is comprised of independent directors, expect to take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation decisions.

As described in detail under CompensationDiscussionandAnalysis, our compensation program iscontinues to be designed to attract, motivate, and retain highly talented individuals at all levels of the globalour organization and incentivize decision making and management focus that is designed to enhance long-term stockholder value. The T&C Committee remains committed to responsible stewardship of our Company’s executive compensation programs.

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AUDIT MATTERS

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE99
AUDITOR INDEPENDENCE101
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM102

Report of the Audit Committee

We, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Booking Holdings Inc. (the “Company”), have the responsibility to oversee the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company’s system of internal controls, and the qualifications, independence, compensation, and performance of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (“independent auditor”). We have the sole authority and responsibility to select, evaluate and, when appropriate, replace the Company’s independent auditor. Our specific duties and responsibilities are described in our charter, which is available on the Company’s corporate website (www.bookingholdings.com). We review the charter annually and work with the Board to amend it as appropriate to reflect the evolving role of the Audit Committee. The Board has determined that each of us is an independent director based on The Nasdaq Stock Market’s listing rules and that each of us also satisfies the SEC additional independence requirements for members of audit committees. In addition, the Board has determined that each of Kelly Grier, Charles H. Noski, Nicholas J. Read, and Vanessa A. Wittman is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by SEC rules.

Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including the Company’s system of internal controls, and for the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s independent auditor, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”), is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and to issue reports in connection with such audit. Our responsibility is to oversee these processes, and we rely on the expertise and knowledge of management, the internal auditor, and the independent auditor in carrying out that role. We are not professionally engaged in the practice of accounting or auditing and do not provide any expert or other special assurance or professional opinion as to the sufficiency of internal and external audits, whether the Company’s consolidated financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or on the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting.

We met nine times in 2023. Additional information regarding our activities can be found under Audit Committee on page  34, Board’s Role in Risk Oversight on page 32, and Proposal 3 Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on page 102.

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We reviewed and discussed with management and Deloitte the Company’s quarterly earnings press releases and periodic reports for the year ended December 31, 2023, including the Company’s 2023 audited consolidated financial statements and Annual Report on Form 10-K, each filed with the SEC. We also reviewed management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting with management, the internal auditor, and Deloitte. In connection with such discussions, Deloitte addressed the matters required to be discussed with us by applicable PCAOB standards and SEC rules and regulations. In addition, we discussed with the internal auditor and Deloitte the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. We met periodically with the internal auditor and Deloitte, separately or together, as appropriate, to discuss their work and the results of their audits. Our meetings included, as appropriate, executive sessions with the internal auditor or Deloitte without the presence of management.

We have also received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte required by PCAOB Rule 3526 (“Communication With Audit Committees Concerning Independence”) and have discussed with Deloitte its independence with respect to the Company. In addition, we have considered whether Deloitte’s provision of non-audit services (including the fees for such services) is compatible with maintaining its independence.

Deloitte rotates its lead audit partner every five years. In connection with the rotation that occurred for 2024 we interviewed proposed candidates, consulted with management, and selected the lead audit partner. 

We assessed Deloitte’s performance as independent auditor during 2023, including the performance of the lead audit partner and the audit team, a process we undertake on an annual basis. We reviewed a variety of indicators of audit quality relating to Deloitte, including:

the quality and candor of its communications with us and management, its responsiveness and accessibility, and its historical and recent performance on the Company’s audits;
how effectively it maintained its independence and employed independent judgment, objectivity, and professional skepticism;
the quality of insight demonstrated in its review of the Company’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting and remediation of control deficiencies;
available external data about quality and performance, including reports by the PCAOB and Deloitte’s response to those reports;
the appropriateness of its fees, taking into account the Company’s size and complexity and the resources necessary to perform the audit; and
its tenure as the Company’s independent auditor and knowledge of the Company’s global operations, accounting policies and practices, and internal control over financial reporting.

We also consider the impact of changing auditors when assessing whether to retain the current independent auditor. As a result of our evaluation of the independent auditor’s performance and considering other factors we deemed relevant, we concluded that the selection of Deloitte as the Company’s independent auditor for the year ending December 31, 2024 is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, and our review of the representations of management and the report of the independent auditor, we recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.


SUBMITTED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Vanessa A. Wittman, Chair
   Mirian M. Graddick-Weir
Kelly Grier
Charles H. Noski
Nicholas J. Read

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Auditor Independence 

Deloitte & Touche LLP is our independent registered public accounting firm (“independent auditor”). The approximate aggregate fees and expenses billed for professional services by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and their respective affiliates (collectively, “Deloitte”) in 2023 and 2022 were as follows: 

Type of Fees 2023
($)
 2022
($)
Audit Fees 14,293,000 13,043,000
Audit-Related Fees 422,000 584,000
Tax Fees 176,000 285,000
All Other Fees 10,000 308,000

Audit Fees. The aggregate fees and related expenses billed for professional services rendered by Deloitte for the audit of our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, review of consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-Qs, and audit of management’s assessment of internal controls and for services that are normally provided by the independent auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. The increase in audit fees in 2023 as compared with 2022 primarily relates to an increased scope of work including procedures around new finance systems.
Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services by Deloitte that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees,” which include services for matters such as system readiness work and audits of employee benefit plans. The decrease in audit-related fees in 2023 as compared with 2022 primarily relates to a decrease in costs related to work on finance systems readiness.
Tax Fees. The aggregate fees and related expenses billed for professional services rendered by Deloitte for tax regulatory matters covering an employee benefit plan and tax compliance. The decrease in tax fees in 2023 as compared with 2022 primarily relates to a decreased scope of work for indirect tax matters.
All Other Fees. The aggregate fees billed for other services rendered by Deloitte included fees related to human capital practice consulting, licenses obtained for an online accounting research tool, and training. The decrease in fees in 2023 as compared with 2022 relates to fees paid in 2022 for advice and recommendations related to skills-based organization transformation.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for pre-approving all audit and non-audit work performed by Deloitte. In accordance with our policy and applicable SEC rules and regulations, the Audit Committee or its chair pre-approves all audit-related services, tax services, and other services provided to us by Deloitte (“Auditor Services”). Pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services. If Auditor Services are required prior to a regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting and do not fall within the pre-approved services set forth in the pre-approval policy adopted by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee chair is authorized to approve such services, provided that they are consistent with our policy and applicable SEC rules and regulations, and that the full Audit Committee is advised of such services at the next regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting. Deloitte and management periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of the Auditor Services provided by Deloitte in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the Auditor Services performed. All audit-related services, tax services and other services described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee or the Audit Committee’s chair, and the Audit Committee concluded that the provision of such services by Deloitte was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence.

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Proposal 3

Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FORProposal 3.

The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of our independent auditor. Deloitte has audited our consolidated financial statements since 1997. After taking into account its assessment of Deloitte’s prior service to us, the Audit Committee has selected Deloitte as our independent auditor for the year ending December 31, 2024. In order to ensure continuing auditor independence, the Audit Committee periodically considers whether there should be a regular rotation of the independent auditor, and the advisability and potential impact of selecting a different independent auditor. Further, in conjunction with the mandated rotation of Deloitte’s lead audit partner (which occurs at least every five years), the Audit Committee and its chair are directly involved in the selection of Deloitte’s new lead audit partner. We are submitting the Audit Committee’s selection of our independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Representatives of Deloitte will be available at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they wish, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Our By-Laws do not require that stockholders ratify the selection of our independent auditor. However, we are submitting the selection of Deloitte to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate governance. Although the Audit Committee and the Board believe that the continued retention of Deloitte to serve as our independent auditor is in our best interests and those of our stockholders, if our stockholders do not ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain Deloitte. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year.

With respect to Proposal 3, the ratification of the selection of Deloitte to act as our independent registered public accounting firm requires approval by a majority of the total number of shares present and entitled to vote on the matter. With respect to Proposal 3, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the matter.

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Proposal 4  

Stockholder Proposal — Improve Clawback Policy for Unearned Executive Pay

Mr. John Chevedden, 2215 Nelson Avenue, No. 205, Redondo Beach, California 90278, owner of not less than 10 shares of the Company’s common stock, has submitted the following proposal, supporting statement, and graphic, and has given notice that he intends to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting:

Proposal 4 — Improve Clawback Policy for Unearned Executive Pay

 

Shareholders ask the Board of Directors to amend the Company Policy on recoupment of incentive pay to apply to the each Named Executive Officer and to state that conduct or negligence — not merely misconduct — shall trigger mandatory application of that policy. Also the Board shall report to shareholders in each annual meeting proxy the results of any deliberations about whether or not to cancel or seek recoupment of unearned compensation paid, granted or awarded to NEOs under this policy. There shall at least be the full web address of the complete Clawback Policy in each annual meeting proxy.

These amendments should operate prospectively, be in plain English and be implemented so as not to violate any contract, compensation plan, law or regulation. This includes that at the time of the amendment that no section of such revised policy be adopted that would act against this proposal and make it more difficult to clawback unearned NEO pay and that no section of such revised policy shall further restrict the current policy.

The 2023 Booking Holdings annual meeting proxy has only 94-words on the Clawback Policy that has not been updated for 11-years. It is based solely on misconduct so Booking Holdings executives get a free ride for negligence. Plus the Clawback Policy completely optional so that the Board can decide to give an executive a free ride for misconduct. Plus there is no web address in the proxy for the complete Clawback Policy.

Because the Booking Holdings clawback policy merely gives the Board the option of clawback and does not require disclosure to shareholders of its being put to use in actual cases, that policy is too narrow, too vague, and does not address situations where an executive fails to exercise oversight responsibilities that result in significant financial or reputational damage to Booking Holdings. It should.

A clawback policy based on conduct — not serious misconduct is consistent with a 2022 rule from the Securities and Exchange Commission that requires a clawback of erroneously awarded incentive pay — even with no misconduct — if a company restates its financial statements owing to material errors.

Wells Fargo offers a prime example of why Booking Holdings needs a stronger policy. After 2016 Congressional hearings, Wells Fargo agreed to pay $185 million to resolve claims of fraudulent sales practices. Wells Fargo’s board then moved to claw back $136 million from 2 top executives. Wells Fargo unfortunately concluded that the CEO had only turned a blind eye to the practice of opening fraudulent accounts.

Please vote yes:

Improve Clawback Policy for Unearned Executive Pay - Proposal 4

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Board of Directors Statement in Opposition to Proposal 4

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote AGAINST this Proposal 4. Your proxy will be so voted unless you specify otherwise on the proxy card.

The Board of Directors and our Talent and Compensation Committee have considered the stockholder proposal and believe that adoption of the proposal is not in the best interests of the Company or our stockholders. We recommend against this proposal because the Company already has compensation clawback policies and a strong risk management framework which are appropriate and effective in aligning the interests of management with those of our stockholders. 

The Company already has two strong clawback policies that we believe are appropriate and effective in protecting the interests of our stockholders. 

We adopted a policy for the clawback of executive compensation in February 2013 (the “Incentive-Based Clawback Policy”). The Incentive-Based Clawback Policy was developed based on market practice, and the Talent and Compensation Committee regularly reviews all elements of the Company’s executive compensation program with the guidance of its independent compensation consultant. In 2023, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Talent and Compensation Committee, adopted the Booking Holdings Inc. Financial Restatement Recovery Policy (the “Recovery Policy” and together with the Incentive-Based Clawback Policy, the “Clawback Policies”) pursuant to the new Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) listing standards. 

The Recovery Policy requires the clawback of erroneously awarded incentive compensation paid to an executive officer based on financial results that were subsequently restated due to noncompliance with reporting requirements, regardless of the executive officer’s personal culpability. The Company’s Incentive-Based Clawback Policy covers a wider range of circumstances by allowing the Board to seek recovery of excessive incentive-based compensation received by an executive officer where the executive officer engaged in misconduct that resulted in the executive officer receiving excessive incentive-based compensation. Together, the Clawback Policies permit the Board to recover excessive compensation from executive officers in a broader set of circumstances than currently required by law and seek to ensure our executive officers act ethically and in the best interests of our stockholders. 

The proposal is overly broad and could limit the Company’s ability to attract and retain top talent. 

Proposal 4 seeks to introduce an overly prescriptive, vague, and imprecise standard for recovery under the Incentive-Based Clawback Policy by mandating recoupment of compensation if an executive officer has “fail[ed] to exercise oversight responsibilities that result in significant financial or reputational harm to the Company.” Adoption of this standard would place executive officers’ incentive-based compensation at constant risk and could result in recovery of compensation in situations where the executive officer has no personal culpability. Because the proposed amendment does not specify the criteria for determining or measuring reputational harm or a method for calculating the compensation to be recovered, the proposed amendment would require the Talent and Compensation Committee to engage in a subjective analysis regarding an executive officer’s conduct under a standard that is not clear to the executive officer or the Board. This result could undermine the objectives of our performance-based compensation program and discourage our executive officers from taking appropriate risks for fear that their legitimate business decisions may subsequently come under scrutiny, which could disadvantage our ability to attract and retain top talent in the highly competitive technology industry. 

The proposal’s requirements are overly prescriptive and would limit our Board’s ability to exercise discretion in significant and sensitive cases.

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The proposal requests a mandatory application of recoupment of compensation from executive officers in vague and wide-ranging scenarios, thereby restricting the Board from using its judgment to ensure that a recoupment would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. Further, the Company may take a number of actions to address executive performance issues and other concerns, and a requirement that strips the Board of its judgment and requires application of financial recoupment is overly prescriptive. Outside the scope of the required clawback under the Recovery Policy, the Board should be given flexibility to use judgment in its assessment and actions relating to executive compensation. Pursuant to the SEC rules and Nasdaq listing standards referenced above, we are already required to provide detailed disclosures regarding the application of the Recovery Policy in the event of a financial restatement. We believe that mandating the application of the policy and additional disclosure regarding deliberations about potential clawbacks would unnecessarily restrict the Board’s ability to exercise judgment and discretion with respect to executive officer compensation. 

We are committed to achieving and fostering a culture of and reputation for the highest levels of ethics, transparency, and integrity.

We embed compliance and ethics in everything we do to allow us to achieve our mission: making it easier for everyone to experience the world. We believe that the Clawback Policies, together with the Company’s robust governance and risk management policies and practices, effectively address the reputational risks described in the proposal. For example, our Code of Conduct, which applies to all directors, executive officers and employees, defines our expectations and commitment to operating with integrity, honesty, and accountability and in compliance with applicable regulations. In the event an executive officer violates the Code of Conduct or our other policies, the Board may take disciplinary and/or preventive action, up to and including termination, and, if warranted, legal proceedings for damages. 

Our values guide our actions at every level and we strive to foster a culture of inclusion and integrity that lives up to our compliance and ethics tagline: the Right Results, the Right Way. In 2023, we were named to Newsweek’s “Most Trustworthy Companies in America” and Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” lists, which reflects our dedication to achieving success with integrity and accountability. We believe that our existing policies and practices collectively motivate our executive officers to act in a manner that promotes the long-term interests of the Company and our stockholders while providing the Board and the Talent and Compensation Committee with the appropriate tools to monitor for and address misconduct or other issues as they deem appropriate in their business judgment. 

We are committed to aligning our executive pay with our stockholders’ interests and conduct a robust stockholder engagement process to ensure our compensation program reflects stockholders’ feedback.

Our compensation philosophy is to link executive compensation to long-term value creation and positive stockholder returns. The Talent and Compensation Committee continually reviews our executive officer compensation program and seeks the advice of its independent compensation consultant to ensure our executive compensation program continues to provide balanced and competitive compensation that promotes long-term stockholder value. Part of these reviews includes an annual compensation risk assessment to ensure the compensation program appropriately balances risk to the Company. The Talent and Compensation Committee considers feedback from stockholders when shaping the executive compensation program to ensure that the Company’s compensation practices are in the best interests of our stockholders. Therefore, the Board believes the proposed clawback policy is unnecessary and does not align with the best interests of stockholders.

For these reasons, the Board believes that Proposal 4 is not in the best interests of the Company or our stockholders.

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Proposal 5  

Stockholder Proposal — Reproductive Rights and Data Privacy

Arjuna Capital, 13 Elm Street, Manchester, Massachusetts 01944, on behalf of Warren Wilson College, owner of at least $2000 of the Company’s common stock, has submitted the following proposal and supporting statement, and has given notice that it intends to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting:

Proposal 5 — Reproductive Rights and Data Privacy

WHEREAS: Following the revocation of the constitutional right to an abortion in June 2022, policymakers have become concerned about the use of personal digital data to enforce state laws banning or restricting abortion access. Law enforcement agencies may demand data held by Booking Holdings and its balancesubsidiaries seeking evidence of short-term incentives (including performance based cash bonus awards)consumer acts that were legal in the state where they occurred, but illegal in the consumer’s state of residence, including travel information related to reproductive healthcare.

Law enforcement’s reliance on digital consumer data has become increasingly common. While Booking Holdings does not publicly report figures on compliance with law enforcement requests, such requests are common. Alphabet and long-term incentives (including performance based equity awardsMeta alone collectively received around 119,000 requests in the second half of 2022, and each complied with about 84 percent of those requests.(1) In one example from 2022, Meta satisfied, to significant negative press, a data request from Nebraska police for private Facebook messages between a mother and teenage daughter regarding plans to end the daughter’s pregnancy. Based on those messages, both were convicted for felony crimes and will serve prison time.(2)

As the world’s leading provider of online travel and related services, Booking Holdings and its subsidiaries, including Priceline, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com, collect sensitive personal information from consumers such as geolocation data, travel history, and browsing history. Shareholders are concerned that vest after three years)such data will be accessed without consumer consent by states that criminalize abortion, especially as some restrictive states seek to ban or severely restrict abortion interstate travel.(3) Booking and subsidiaries’ privacy policies allow disclosure of personal information to law enforcement to “comply with applicable laws,” which may include instances where compliance is voluntarily sought.(4)(5)(6)(7)

Booking Holdings is not exempt from abortion-related law enforcement requests that may create significant reputational, financial, and legal risks. There is brand value in upholding and increasing longstanding consumer privacy expectations.

RESOLVED: Shareholders request the Board issue a public report detailing known and potential risks and costs to the Company of fulfilling information requests relating to Booking Holdings customers for the enforcement of state laws criminalizing abortion access, and setting forth any strategies beyond legal compliance that the Company may deploy to minimize or mitigate these risks. The report should be produced at reasonable expense, exclude proprietary or legally privileged information, and be published within one year of the annual meeting.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT: Shareholders recommend, at board and management discretion, that input from reproductive rights and civil liberties organizations be solicited and reflected in the report, and that the report contain an assessment of the benefits and feasibility of:

Notifying consumers about law enforcement information requests regarding their data prior to, and with sufficient time for consumer response, complying with any such request;
Disclosing and assessing metrics on government requests for customer data received by the company, including categories of requests and consumer data produced.

(1)https://transparencyreport.google.com/user-data/overview?hl=en; https://transparency.fb.com/data/government-data-requests/country/US/
(2)https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/22/us/jessica-burgess-abortion-pill-nebraska.html
(3)https://www.stltoday.com/states-clash-over-abortion-trafficking/article_eee90a89-d086-52c8-a4fb-3579d6dc2d1f.html
(4)https://www.bookingholdings.com/privacy-notice/
(5)https://www.priceline.com/static-pages/privacy-policy.html
(6)https://www.booking.com/content/privacy.html
(7)https://www.rentalcars.com/en/privacy/

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Board of Directors Statement in Opposition to Proposal 5 

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote AGAINST this Proposal 5. Your proxy will be so voted unless you specify otherwise on the proxy card.

The Board of Directors has considered this proposal and believes that adoption of the proposal is not in the best interests of the Company or our stockholders. We recommend against this proposal because:

We have implemented a robust privacy program which is intended to comply with applicable legislation and regulations, 
We are committed to transparent disclosure regarding our data practices, and 
The requested report would create an undue burden and incur unnecessary costs to the Company and our stockholders without enhancing the Company’s compliance with applicable laws. 

We invest significant resources to develop a robust privacy program that involves all levels of our organization. 

Our privacy program reflects our Privacy Principles set out in our Code of Conduct: transparency, purpose, control, security, embedded privacy, and accountability. We reinforce these principles and our expectations of all employees regarding the management of customer, employee, and partner data through our Protecting Personal Data Policy. We have taken steps to build a comprehensive governance structure to manage privacy and data protection risks, including the following: 

We require our employees to maintain the privacy, security, and confidentiality of all personal information entrusted to them, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. 
Our Global Privacy Advisory Council, comprised of our Chief Privacy Officer and brand-level privacy leaders, monitors internal and external privacy risks and aligns strategies to mitigate and/or remediate these risks. 
Our employees participate in privacy training to maintain focus on privacy and compliance. 
The Audit Committee of the Board has established a Cybersecurity Subcommittee composed of independent directors which oversees, among other things, privacy and data protection risk and the steps management has taken to monitor and mitigate such exposures.
Our Chief Privacy Officer and others with responsibility for privacy and data protection risks provide an update to the Board twice a year regarding these matters. 

We agree with the proponent’s statement that there is brand value in upholding and increasing long standing consumer privacy expectations, and we understand that our customers provide their personal information to us with the expectation that we will safeguard it appropriately from misuse and/or unauthorized processing. As such, we view the management of privacy and data protection risk as key among our responsibilities as a global technology company. We invest in the people, processes, and technology for protecting personal information we collect and complying with applicable privacy regulations, such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and share ownership guidelines reward sustained performance that is alignedsimilar data protection regulations. 

We are committed to transparency about our data practices. 

Our Privacy Principles emphasize our commitment to transparency about our data practices and our responsibility to do the right thing with long-term stockholder interests. Stockholders are encouragedthe personal data we collect. We disclose our privacy and data protection risks, including those arising in connection with our compliance with applicable legislation and regulations, in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

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We make publicly available our privacy policies which disclose to read the CompensationDiscussioncustomers clear andAnalysis, the accompanying compensation tables, easily accessible information on what personal data we collect and the manners in which we collect, use, share, protect, and store this data. These privacy policies also describe the privacy rights our customers and other stakeholders have related narrativeto the personal data we collect. 

In light of our stated commitment to transparency and the responsible handling of data we collect, we do not believe the report requested by the proposal would meaningfully expand or enhance our existing public disclosures regarding our data practices and enterprise-wide focus on safeguarding the personal data we collect in order to deliver on our mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. 

The preparation and publication of the report requested by the proposal would create an undue burden and incur unnecessary cost to the Company and our stockholders without enhancing the Company’s compliance with applicable laws. 

The Company carefully considers requests for information from law enforcement agencies and regulators with the goal of ensuring we appropriately respond to and comply with lawful inquiries while protecting our customers’ privacy. The details requested by the proposal may not even be reasonably ascertainable by the Company in most cases because legal process methods typically do not specify the crime an issuing agency or prosecuting authority is investigating. Criminal laws frequently prohibit disclosure includedof criminal investigations and government authorities often issue non-disclosure orders which may prohibit the Company from disclosing the existence of legal process, including the demand itself, to a customer whose data is at issue. In considering this proposal, the Company performed an internal search and was unable to confirm it has ever received a request of the type referred to in this proxy statement.the proposal. As such, the Company would nevertheless be limited in its ability to identify and report on the details requested in the proposal and the report requested by the proponent would be inherently limited in its utility. 

The broad scope of the requested report would divert the attention of our Board, management, and privacy leaders away from the implementation of our privacy program, while providing little to no value to our stockholders. We believe that these individuals’ time is better spent monitoring and addressing privacy risks facing the Company and further enhancing the privacy program in response to the rapidly changing landscape of privacy legislation and regulations across the globe. 

For these reasons, the Board believes that Proposal 5 is not in the best interests of the Company or our stockholders.

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.   109

2025 Stockholder Proposals 

TheBoardofDirectorsrecommendsthatyouvoteFORtheapproval,onanadvisorybasis,ofthecompensationpaidtoournamedexecutiveofficers,asdisclosedpursuanttoItem402ofRegulationS-K,includingtheCompensationDiscussionandAnalysis,compensationtablesandnarrativediscussion.

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement69


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2017 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Stockholders who, in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the SEC’s proxy rules, wish to present proposals (other than nominees for election to the Board pursuant to Article II Section 13 of our By-Laws) for inclusion in the proxy materials to be distributed by us in connection with the 20172025 annual meeting of stockholders must submit their proposals to our Corporate Secretary on or before December 29, 2016.24, 2024.

In order for proposals, including stockholder nominees for election to the Board (other than those requested to be included in our proxy materials pursuant to Article II Section 13 of our By-Laws), to be properly brought before the 20172025 annual meeting of stockholders in accordance with our By-Laws (and not pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8), a stockholder’s notice of the matter the stockholder wishes to present must be delivered to our Corporate Secretary not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of this year’s Annual Meeting. As a result, any notice given by or on behalf of a stockholder pursuant to these provisions of the By-Laws (and not pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8 or Article II Section 13 of our By-Laws) must be received no earlier than February 2, 20174, 2025 and no later than March 4, 2017.6, 2025.

If one or more eligible stockholders desire to include one or more nominees for election to the Board in our proxy materials for the 20172025 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Article II Section 13 of our By-Laws, the notice required by Article II Section 13 of the By-Laws must be delivered to our Corporate Secretary not less than 120 nor more than 150 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of this year’s Annual Meeting. As a result, any such notice must be received no earlier than January 3, 20175, 2025 and no later than February 2, 2017.4, 2025.

In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under our By-Laws, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than April 5, 2025.

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OTHER MATTERS

OTHER MATTERS111
ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION112
For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024112
Voting Rights and Outstanding Shares; Approval112
Revocability of Proxies113
Solicitation113
How to Attend the Annual Meeting113

Other Matters 

The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy card intend to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment.

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement70


BackThis proxy statement contains forward-looking statements, including with respect to Contentsour sustainability goals and objectives. These forward-looking statements reflect our views regarding current expectations and projections about future events and conditions and are based on currently available information. They are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Expressions of future goals and expectations and similar expressions, including “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “aims,” “seeks,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “targets,” and “continue,” reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. However, readers should carefully review the reports and documents we file or furnish from time to time with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

Website links and other reports referenced in this proxy statement are for convenience only. Information contained in or accessible through such website links and other reports is not incorporated herein and does not constitute a part of this proxy statement.

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.111

APPENDIX
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Annual Meeting Information 

For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 

The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Booking Holdings Inc. for use at our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. local (Eastern) time, or at any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting, for the purposes set forth in this proxy statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Annual Meeting will be held virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BKNG2024. We intend to mail this proxy statement and the proxy card on or about April 23, 2024 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Voting Rights and Outstanding Shares; Approval

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 9, 2024 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on April 9, 2024, 34,020,016 shares of common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. Each holder of record of common stock on April 9, 2024 will be entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. If your shares are registered directly in your name with the Booking Holdings Inc. transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, you are the shareholder of record with respect to those shares.

The inspector of election appointed for the meeting will tabulate all votes and will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes, abstentions, and broker non-votes. A majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, present either at the webcast or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders who are present at the Annual Meeting webcast or by proxy and who abstain, and proxies relating to shares held by a broker on your behalf (that is, in “street name”), that are not voted (referred to as “broker non-votes”) will be treated as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.

ItemVote Required for ProposalsHow Votes are Counted

Board Vote

Recommendation

ProposalApproval
Standard
Voting
Choices
Broker
Discretion

to Vote(1)
Impact
of Abstain
Vote
Treatment
of Broker
Non-Vote
1Election of DirectorsMajority of votes cast

For 

Against

Abstain

NoNo effectNo effectFOR each nominee
2Advisory Vote to Approve 
2023 Executive Compensation
Majority of shares present and entitled to vote

For 

Against

Abstain

NoSame effect as a vote againstNo effectFOR
3Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmMajority of shares present and entitled to vote

For 

Against

Abstain

YesSame effect as a vote againstNot applicable as brokers are entitled to vote(1)FOR
4Non-Binding Stockholder Proposal to Amend the Company’s Clawback PolicyMajority of shares present and entitled to vote

For 

Against

Abstain

NoSame effect as a vote againstNo effectAGAINST
5Non-Binding Stockholder Proposal Regarding Reproductive Rights and Data PrivacyMajority of shares present and entitled to vote

For 

Against

Abstain

NoSame effect as a vote againstNo effectAGAINST

(1)If your shares are held in “street name,” and you do not instruct the broker as to how to vote your shares on Proposals 1, 2, 4, or 5, the broker may not exercise discretion to vote for or against those proposals. This would be a “broker non-vote” and these shares will not be counted as having been voted on the applicable proposal. With respect to Proposal 3, the broker may exercise its discretion to vote for or against that proposal in the absence of your instruction. Please instruct your broker so your vote can be counted.

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Revocability of Proxies 

Any person giving a proxy in response to this solicitation has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted. Proxies may be revoked by any of the following actions:

filing a written notice of revocation with our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive office (800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854);
filing with our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive office (800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854) a properly executed proxy showing a later date; or
attending the virtual Annual Meeting and voting through the platform (attendance at the meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy). 

Please note that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank, or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain from the record holder a proxy issued in your name to obtain a 16-digit control number.

Solicitation

We will pay for the entire cost of proxy solicitations, including preparation, assembly, printing, and mailing of proxy solicitation materials. We will provide copies of solicitation materials to banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries, and custodians holding in their names shares of our common stock beneficially owned by others to forward these materials to the beneficial owners of common stock. We may reimburse persons representing beneficial owners of common stock for their costs of forwarding solicitation materials. Our directors, officers, or other employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, in-person, or otherwise. We will not additionally compensate directors, officers, or other employees for these services. We have engaged Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies, and we currently expect to pay Morrow Sodali LLC approximately $11,000 for its services.

How to Attend the Annual Meeting 

If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, it will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time and the webcast can be accessed at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/BKNG2024. We encourage you to access the meeting website prior to the start time to ensure your ability to access the meeting. If you wish to vote or ask questions at the Annual Meeting, you must provide the 16-digit control number provided on your proxy card, on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or on the instructions that accompanied the proxy materials and follow the instructions available on the meeting website during the Annual Meeting. If you experience technical difficulties during check-in or during the Annual Meeting, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual meeting platform page for assistance.

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APPENDICES       

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(InAppendix Athousands)

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO

ADJUSTED EBITDA

Year Ended

December 31,

 

Three Years Ended

December 31,

 

 

2015

2014

 

2015

2014

 

GAAP net income applicable to common stockholders

$2,551,360

$2,421,753

 

$6,865,776

$5,733,982

(a)

Charges (credits) related to travel transaction tax judgments, rulings and settlements

(30,059)

 

(15,820)

30,365

(b)

Stock-based employee compensation

247,395

186,425

 

574,346

398,516

(c)

Acquisition costs

 

6,444

6,444

(d)

Depreciation and amortization

272,494

207,820

 

598,289

390,936

(e)

Interest income

(55,729)

(13,933)

 

(73,829)

(21,960)

(e)

Interest expense

160,229

88,353

 

331,871

233,706

(f)

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

3

6,270

 

32,934

32,931

(g)

Income tax expense

576,960

567,695

 

1,548,394

1,309,266

(h)

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

135

4,606

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$3,722,653

$3,464,383

 

$9,868,540

$8,118,792

(a)

Adjustments for credits and charges associated with judgments, rulings and/or settlements related to travel transaction tax (e.g., hotel occupancy taxes, excise taxes, sales taxes, etc.) proceedings, including: the net reversal of previously accrued travel transaction taxes (including estimated interest and penalties) of $30.1 million in 2015, principally related to a favorable ruling in the State of Hawaii; the $6.3 million credit recorded in the 4th quarter of 2013 related to a favorable ruling and settlement in the District of Columbia; the $20.5 million charge (including estimated interest and penalties) recorded in the 1st quarter 2013, principally related to unfavorable rulings in the State of Hawaii and the District of Columbia; and the $16.1 million charge (including estimated interest and penalties) recorded in the 4th quarter of 2012, primarily related to an unfavorable ruling in the State of Hawaii.

(b)

Stock-based employee compensation is recorded in Personnel expense.

(c)

Adjustment for KAYAK acquisition costs is recorded in General and administrative expense.

(d)

Depreciation and amortization are excluded from Net income to calculate Adjusted EBITDA.

(e)

Interest income and Interest expense are excluded from Net income to calculate Adjusted EBITDA.

(f)

Loss on early extinguishment of convertible debt is recorded in Foreign currency transactions and other.

(g)

Income tax expense is excluded from Net income to calculate Adjusted EBITDA.

(h)

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is excluded from Net income to calculate Adjusted EBITDA.

Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Information 

 

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP* NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA AND PRE-SBC ADJUSTED EBITDA

   Year Ended December 31, 
(In millions)(1) 2023  2022  2021  2020  2019 
GAAP Net income $4,289  $3,058  $1,165  $59  $4,865 
(a) Adjustment to personnel expenses  -   -   -   -   66 
(b) Accruals related to the Netherlands pension fund matter  276   -   -   -   - 
(c) Accruals related to a draft decision by the Spanish competition authority  530   -   -   -   - 
(d) Accruals related to settlements of indirect tax matters  62   46   -   -   - 
(e) Termination fee related to an acquisition agreement  90   -   -   -   - 
(f) Depreciation and amortization  504   451   421   458   469 
(g) Loss on assets classified as held for sale  -   36   -   -   - 
(h) Gain on sale and leaseback transaction  -   (240)  -   -   - 
(i) Impairment of goodwill  -   -   -   1,062   - 
(f) Interest and dividend income  (1,020)  (219)  (16)  (54)  (152)
(f) Interest expense  897   391   334   356   266 
(j) Net losses (gains) on equity securities  131   963   577   (1,711)  (745)
(k) Foreign currency transaction losses (gains) on the remeasurement of certain Euro-denominated debt and accrued interest and debt-related foreign currency derivative instruments  163   (56)  (135)  200   (7)
(l) Losses on early extinguishment of debt and related reverse treasury lock agreements  -   -   257   -   - 
(f) Income tax expense  1,192   865   300   508   1,093 
ADJUSTED EBITDA $7,112  $5,295  $2,904  $879  $5,855 
(m) Stock-based compensation (“SBC”) recorded in Personnel expenses  530   404   370   233   308 
(m) PRE-SBC ADJUSTED EBITDA $7,642  $5,699  $3,274  $1,111  $6,162 
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AS A % OF GAAP NET INCOME  12%  13%  32%  392%  6%
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AS A % OF PRE-SBC ADJUSTED EBITDA  7%  7%  11%  21%  5% 

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement71116


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RECONCILIATION OF GAAP* NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME

   Year Ended December 31, 
(In millions, except share and per share data)(1) 2023  2022 
GAAP Net income $4,289  $3,058 
(b) Accruals related to the Netherlands pension fund matter  276   - 
(c) Accruals related to a draft decision by the Spanish competition authority  530   - 
(d) Accruals related to settlements of indirect tax matters  62   46 
(e) Termination fee related to an acquisition agreement  90   - 
(g) Loss on assets classified as held for sale  -   36 
(h) Gain on sale and leaseback transaction  -   (240)
(j) Net losses on equity securities  131   963 
(k) Foreign currency transaction losses (gains) on the remeasurement of certain Euro-denominated debt and accrued interest and debt-related foreign currency derivative instruments  163   (56)
(n) Amortization of intangible assets  222   224 
(o) Interest received on refunded tax payments  (31)  - 
(p) Net unrecognized tax benefits related to French income tax matters  -   100 
(q) Tax impact of Non-GAAP adjustments  (170)  (133)
NON-GAAP NET INCOME $5,561  $3,998 
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE NUMBER OF DILUTED COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (IN 000’S)  36,530   40,052 
GAAP NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS PER DILUTED COMMON SHARE $117.40  $76.35 
NON-GAAP NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS PER DILUTED COMMON SHARE $152.22  $99.83 

RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE CASH FLOW

 Year Ended December 31, 
(In millions)(1) 2023  2022 
Net cash provided by operating activities $7,344  $6,554 
(r) Additions to property and equipment  (345)  (368)
FREE CASH FLOW $6,999  $6,186 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES AS A  % OF TOTAL REVENUES  34.4%  38.3%
FREE CASH FLOW AS A % OF TOTAL REVENUES  32.8%   36.2% 

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.117

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*U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
(1)Amounts may not total due to rounding.

Notes:

(a)Adjustment to correct an immaterial error related to the nonpayment of prior-period wage-related tax on compensation paid to certain highly compensated former employees in the year of separation, which is recorded in Personnel expenses and is excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income and Adjusted EBITDA.
(b)Accruals related to the Netherlands pension fund matter are recorded in Personnel expenses and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income and Adjusted EBITDA.
(c)Accruals related to a draft decision by the Spanish competition authority are recorded in General and administrative expenses and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income and Adjusted EBITDA.
(d)Accruals related to settlements of certain indirect tax matters are recorded in General and administrative expenses and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income and Adjusted EBITDA.
(e)Termination fee related to the acquisition agreement for the Etraveli Group is recorded in General and administrative expenses and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income and Adjusted EBITDA.
(f)Amounts are excluded from Net income to calculate Adjusted EBITDA.
(g)Loss on assets classified as held for sale is recorded in Other operating expenses and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income and Adjusted EBITDA.
(h)Gain on the sale and leaseback transaction related to Booking.com’s headquarters building is recorded in Other operating expenses and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income and Adjusted EBITDA.
(i)Impairment of goodwill related to our OpenTable and KAYAK reporting unit in 2020 is recorded in Operating expenses and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income and Adjusted EBITDA.
(j)Net losses (gains) on equity securities with readily determinable fair values, significant gains on equity securities without readily determinable fair values, and impairments of investments in equity securities are recorded in Other income (expense), net and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income and Adjusted EBITDA.
(k)Foreign currency transaction losses (gains) on the remeasurement of Euro-denominated debt and accrued interest that are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes and debt-related foreign currency derivative instruments used as economic hedges are recorded in Other income (expense), net and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income and Adjusted EBITDA.
(l)Loss on early extinguishment of debt and losses on related reverse treasury lock agreements which were designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in Other income (expense), net and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income and Adjusted EBITDA.
(m)Stock-based compensation recorded in Personnel expenses is excluded from Net income to calculate Pre-SBC Adjusted EBITDA.
(n)Amortization of intangible assets is recorded in Depreciation and amortization expenses and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income.
(o)Interest received on tax payments refunded pursuant to a settlement with authorities is recorded in Other income (expense), net and Income tax expense, as applicable, and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income.
(p)Net unrecognized tax benefits related to French income tax matters is recorded in Income tax expense and excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income.
(q)Reflects the tax impact of Non-GAAP adjustments above which are excluded from Net income to calculate Non-GAAP Net income.
(r)Cash used for additions to property and equipment is included in the calculation of Free cash flow.
For (a) - (q) above, Net income, Personnel expenses, General and administrative expenses, Other operating expenses, Operating expenses, Other income (expense), net, Depreciation and amortization expenses, and Income tax expense refers to the respective line item in the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. For a more detailed discussion of the adjustments described above, please see our earnings press release for the relevant period, including the section under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” which provides definitions and information about the use of non-GAAP financial measures.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA

Non-GAAP net income (loss) represents GAAP net income excluding depreciation and amortization expense, interest income, interest expense, net income and loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and income taxes and is(loss), adjusted to exclude stock-based employeethe impact of charges to correct an immaterial error related to the nonpayment of prior-period wage-related tax on compensation expense,paid to certain highly-compensated former employees in the year of separation, accruals related to the Netherlands pension fund matter, accruals related to a draft decision by the Spanish competition authority, accruals related to settlements of certain indirect tax matters, the termination fee related to an acquisition agreement, significant losses on assets classified as held for sale, significant gains and losses on sale and leaseback transactions, the impact of impairments of goodwill, gains and losses on equity securities with readily determinable fair values, the impact, if any, of significant gains and losses on the sale of and impairment and credit losses on investments in available-for-sale debt securities and significant gains and losses on the sale of and impairment and other valuation adjustments on investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values, foreign currency transaction gains and losses on the remeasurement of Euro-denominated debt and accrued interest that are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes and debt-related foreign currency derivative instruments used as economic hedges, gains and losses on early extinguishment of debt extinguishment and significant charges or credits associatedrelated reverse treasury lock agreements which were designated as cash flow hedges, amortization expense of intangible assets, interest received on tax payments refunded pursuant to settlement with judgments, rulings, and/or settlementsauthorities, the impact of net unrecognized tax benefits related to travel transactioncertain income tax (e.g. hotel occupancy taxes, excise taxes, sales taxes, etc.) proceedingsmatters, and significant acquisition costs.the income tax impact of the non-GAAP adjustments mentioned above.

In addition to the adjustments listed above regarding non-GAAP net income (loss), Adjusted EBITDA is aexcludes depreciation expense, interest expense, and to the extent not included in the adjustments listed above, interest and dividend income and income tax expense (benefit). In addition, Pre-SBC Adjusted EBITDA excludes stock-based compensation also.

Free cash flow represents net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures.

Non-GAAP net income (loss), Adjusted EBITDA, Pre-SBC Adjusted EBITDA, and Free cash flow are “non-GAAP financial measure,measures,” as such term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission,SEC, and may differ from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. As discussed in this proxy statement, we use adjustedAdjusted EBITDA (calculated as described in this proxy statement) as a key performance measure under our annual cash incentive bonus plan and long-term equity incentive awards, as they pertain to the named executive officers. This non-GAAP metric ismeasure and the other non-GAAP measures used are not intended to represent funds available for our discretionary use and isare not intended to represent, or to be used as a substitute for, operating income (loss) or net income or cash flows from operations data(loss) as measured under GAAP. The items excluded from adjustedNon-GAAP net income (loss), Adjusted EBITDA, and Pre-SBC Adjusted EBITDA, but included in the calculation of itstheir closest GAAP equivalent, are significant components of our consolidated statements of incomeoperations, and must be considered in performing a comprehensive assessment of overall financial performance.

We also use non-GAAP net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA for financial and operational decision-making. We believe that non-GAAP net income (loss), Adjusted EBITDA, Pre-SBC Adjusted EBITDA, and Free cash flow are useful for analysts and investors to evaluate our ongoing operating performance because they facilitate comparison of our results for the current period and projected next-period results to those of prior periods and to those of our competitors (though other companies may calculate similar non-GAAP financial measures differently than those calculated by us). Data of our competitors presented in this proxy statement is derived from publicly available information. The Company has not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the underlying non-GAAP financial measures of any such competitor.

The presentation of this financial information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The discussion on non-GAAP adjustments above is based on GAAP inas applicable to the United States.Company for the year ended December 31, 2023.

2024 PROXY STATEMENT | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement72119


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APPENDIX B  

FORM OF PROXY CARD

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. - 2016 Proxy Statement73


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Appendix B  

Form of Proxy Card

 

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