Booking Holdings Stock Price, News & Analysis

Barclays and Priceline launched the Priceline VIP Rewards™ Visa® Card on November 16, 2021, offering cardmembers automatic Priceline VIP Gold Status and points on purchases with no annual fee. Cardholders earn 5X points on Priceline bookings, 2X points on gas and restaurant purchases, and 1X point on others. New members receive 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. The card provides various travel benefits, including discounts and no foreign transaction fees, enhancing travel rewards for cardholders.

Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG) has announced an agreement to acquire Getaroom, a B2B hotel room distributor, for approximately $1.2 billion. The acquisition, subject to regulatory approval, will see Getaroom integrated into Booking's Priceline brand, enhancing B2B distribution and technological capabilities for hotel partners. This strategic acquisition aims to streamline operations and improve offerings for hotel and affiliate partners, aligning with the recovery of the travel industry post-pandemic. Getaroom's CEO, Matt Davis, will lead the new Strategic Partnerships business unit.

Booking Holdings (BKNG) will release its third quarter 2021 financial results on November 3 at 4:00 p.m. ET. A conference call to discuss these results will follow at 4:30 p.m. ET. Investors can access the press release on the company's Investor Relations website. Booking Holdings operates globally through six major brands, including Booking.com and Priceline, serving customers in over 220 countries. The company aims to simplify travel experiences, emphasizing its commitment to enhancing customer service and global connectivity.

OpenTable, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), shared its list of the 100 Best Restaurants for a Date in America for 2021, highlighting popular dining spots. According to a Bumble survey, over 45% of US daters are eager to transition from virtual to in-person dates. OpenTable has partnered with Bumble, providing users with localized recommendations through the app from October 25 to November 8. The list and local guides aim to simplify the dating experience, while new features like Dining Areas enhance reservation choices.

Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) plans to hold a conference call on November 3, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. ET, to discuss its third quarter 2021 financial results. The call will be available via a webcast on the company's Investor Relations website, with a replay accessible for seven days thereafter. A release containing the financial results will be posted at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET on the same day.

The travel search engine KAYAK analyzed billions of search queries to reveal evolving American travel habits across states. The State Travel Superlatives report highlights significant behavioral trends, such as Alaskans seeking long-term stays (15%) and Texans showing the least interest (3%). Notably, Louisiana saw a 38% increase in searches since pre-COVID, while Maryland experienced a 15% decrease. The report reflects diverse preferences, from last-minute bookings in Nevada to business travel in New York, showcasing how Americans are adapting their travel choices.

The National Restaurant Association reports the restaurant industry is 1 million jobs short of pre-pandemic levels. In response, Indeed and OpenTable have launched Interview Days: Restaurant Jobs, a month-long hiring initiative starting October 1. This initiative aims to support recovery in the food service sector by providing free hiring tools and resources for both employers and job seekers. Notably, job postings in food preparation roles have risen by 39.9% since February 2020, highlighting the urgency to fill these positions to meet consumer demand.

Priceline highlights an uptick in travel demand across major U.S. cities, especially in the Northeast, as people embrace flexible work schedules. Hotel rates are rising, with averages up by 5% compared to 2019, while airfare remains down 15%. Package deals for hotels and flights are particularly appealing, with prices dropping by 10%. Miami, Orlando, and Phoenix show the greatest interest among travelers. Key cities for travel include New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, with significant savings available through bundled bookings.