Document and Entity Information Abstract Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class B Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract] Revenue Revenue Costs and expenses: Cost of revenue Cost of revenue (1) Cost of revenue Cost of Revenue, Total Selling and marketing Selling and marketing (1) Selling and marketing Selling and Marketing Expense, Total Technology and Content Expense. Technology And Content Expense Technology and content (1) Technology and content Technology and content General and administrative General and administrative (1) General and administrative General and Administrative Expense, Total Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets, Total Spin Off Costs Spin Off Costs Spin-off costs Spin-off costs Legal reserves and occupancy tax assessments. Legal Reserves And Occupancy Tax Assessments Legal reserves and occupancy tax assessments Legal reserves and occupancy tax assessments Operating income Operating income Operating income (loss) Operating income Other Income (Expense) Other income (expense): Interest income Interest income Interest Expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Other, net Total other expense, net Total other expense, net Other expense, net Income before income taxes Income before income taxes Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net income Net income Net income (loss) (excludes net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest) Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc. Net income attributable to Expedia, Inc. Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings per share attributable to Expedia, Inc. available to common stockholders: Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Earnings per share, basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total Earnings per share, diluted Shares used in computing earnings per share: Shares used in computing earnings per share: Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted Dividends declared per common share Quarterly cash dividend declared Share Based Compensation Cost Of Revenue Share Based Compensation Cost Of Revenue Stock-based compensation, Cost of revenue Share based Compensation Selling and Marketing Expense Share Based Compensation Selling And Marketing Expense Stock-based compensation, Selling and marketing Share based Compensation Technology and Content Expense Share Based Compensation Technology And Content Expense Stock-based compensation, Technology and content Share Based Compensation General And Administrative Expense Share Based Compensation General And Administrative Expense Stock-based compensation, General and administrative Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Restricted cash and cash equivalents Short-term investments Short-term Investments, Total Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $13,537 and $12,114 Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $15,192 and $12,114 Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Total Prepaid expenses and other current assets Total current assets Total current assets Property Plant And Equipment Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property and equipment, net Long-term investments and other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total Goodwill Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Total TOTAL ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts Payable Merchant. Accounts Payable Merchant Accounts payable, merchant Accounts payable, other Accounts Payable, Current, Total Deferred Merchant Bookings. Deferred merchant bookings Deferred Revenue, Current Deferred Revenue, Current, Total Deferred revenue Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Long-term debt Senior unsecured notes outstanding Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Total Deferred income taxes, net Other long-term liabilities Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Commitments And Contingencies 2009 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock $.001 par value Authorized shares: 100,000 Series A shares issued and outstanding: 1 and 1 Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred stock $.001 par value Authorized shares: 100,000 Series A shares issued and outstanding: 1 and 1 Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common Stock Value Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common stock, value Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock $.001 par value Authorized shares: 1,600,000 Shares issued: 0 and 342,812 Shares outstanding: 0 and 263,929 Additional Paid In Capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Total Additional paid-in capital Treasury stock - Common stock, at cost Shares: 102,445 and 100,069 Treasury stock - Common stock, at cost Shares: 108,059 and 100,069 Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Retained earnings (deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Total Expedia, Inc. stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Total Expedia, Inc. stockholders' equity Minority Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Noncontrolling interest Total stockholders' equity Balance, value Balance, value Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' equity TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts receivable, allowance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Preferred stock, par value Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred stock, Series A, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Preferred stock, Series A, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Treasury stock - Common stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development Depreciation, Total Amortization of stock-based compensation Stock-based compensation Total stock-based compensation Total stock-based compensation Amortization of stock-based compensation Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Foreign Exchange Gain Loss On Cash Cash Equivalents And Short Term Investments Net Foreign Exchange Gain Loss On Cash Cash Equivalents And Short Term Investments Net Foreign exchange loss on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, net Realized gain on foreign currency forwards Realized (gain) loss on foreign currency forwards Other Other Other Noncash Income (Expense), Total Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions: Accounts receivable Accounts receivable Prepaid merchant bookings, prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable Merchant. Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable Merchant Accounts payable, merchant Accounts payable, other, accrued expenses and other current liabilities Increase Decrease In Deferred Merchant Bookings. Increase Decrease In Deferred Merchant Bookings Deferred merchant bookings Deferred merchant bookings Deferred revenue Deferred revenue Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities: Capital expenditures, including internal-use software and website development Capital expenditures, including internal-use software and website development Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Purchases of investments Purchases of investments Payments to Acquire Investments, Total Sales and maturities of investments Sales and maturities of investments Sales and maturities of investments Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Other Investments, Total Maturities of investments Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Net settlement of foreign currency forwards Net settlement of foreign currency forwards Payments for (Proceeds from) Derivative Instrument, Financing Activities, Total Other, net Other, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Financing activities: Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs Treasury stock activity Treasury stock activity Payment of dividends to stockholders Payment of dividends to stockholders Payments of Dividends, Total Proceeds from exercise of equity awards Proceeds from (Payments to) Noncontrolling Interests Sale (purchase) of interest in controlled subsidiary, net Sales (purchases) of interest in controlled subsidiaries, net Proceeds from (Payments to) Noncontrolling Interests, Total Sales of interest in controlled subsidiaries, net Excess tax benefit on equity awards Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities Other, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental cash flow information Cash paid for interest Interest Paid, Total Income tax payments, net Income Taxes Paid, Net, Total Basis Of Presentation [Abstract] Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure Text Block Basis Of Presentation Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies Text Block Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurement Inputs Disclosure Text Block Fair Value Measurements Debt [Abstract] Debt Disclosure Text Block Debt Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Earnings Per Share Text Block Earnings Per Share Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure Text Block Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Reporting Disclosure Text Block Segment Information Guarantor And Non Guarantor Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract] Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract] Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Supplemental Financial Information [Text Block] Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Supplemental Financial Information [Text Block] Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Supplemental Financial Information Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Accounting Estimates Reclassification Policy [Policy Text Block] Reclassification Policy [Policy Text Block] Reclassifications Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Policy [Policy Text Block] Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Policy [Policy Text Block] Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements The disclosures related to a new accounting pronouncement that has been issued but not yet adopted. Description Of New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Policy [Policy Text Block] Description Of New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Policy Derivatives, Reporting of Derivative Activity [Policy Text Block] Derivatives Policy Schedule Of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Financial Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Text Block] Long-term Debt Outstanding Fair value of senior notes. Fair Value Of Senior Notes [Table Text Block] Fair Value of Senior Notes Tabular disclosure of all or some of the information related to dividends declared and paid as of the financial reporting date. Schedule Of Dividends Declared Text Block Summary Of Dividends Declared Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Text Block] Operating Segment Information Schedule Of Statement Of Operations Information [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Statement Of Operations Information [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Statement Of Operations Information Schedule Of Balance Sheet Information [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Balance Sheet Information [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Balance Sheet Information Schedule Of Cash Flow Statement Information [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Cash Flow Statement Information [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Cash Flow Statement Information Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Table] Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type Categorization [Domain] Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] Available-for-sale Securities, Current Available for sale investments, short-term Available-for-sale Securities, Current, Total Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent Available for sale investments, long-term Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent, Total Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains Gross unrealized gains Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains, Total Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses Gross unrealized losses Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total Time Deposits Time deposits, held by company's majority-owned subsidiaries Time Deposits, Total Notional Amount of Fair Value Hedge Instruments Notional amount of foreign currency derivatives Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset at Fair Value Net forward asset Foreign currency forward contracts, assets Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities Foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax Net gains from foreign currency forward contracts Net gains (losses) from foreign currency forward contracts Fair Value, Option, Qualitative Disclosures Related to Election, by Eligible Item or Group [Axis] Fair Value, Option, Eligible Item or Group [Domain] Fair Value Option, Other Eligible Items [Member] Money Market Funds [Member] Time Deposits [Member] Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Cash Equivalents Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Investments Investments Corporate debt securities Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Trading Account Assets Total assets Total assets Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Line of Credit Facility [Axis] Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Credit Facility [Member] Credit Facility Member Credit Facility [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Eight Point Five Percent Senior Notes Due On Two Zero One Six [Member] Eight Point Five Percent Senior Notes Due On Two Zero One Six Member 8.5% Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member] Seven Point Four Five Six Percent Senior Notes Due On Two Zero One Eight [Member] Seven Point Four Five Six Percent Senior Notes Due On Two Zero One Eight Member 7.456% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member] Five Point Nine Five Percent Senior Notes Due On Two Zero Two Zero [Member] Five Point Nine Five Percent Senior Notes Due On Two Zero Two Zero Member 5.95% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member] Long-term Debt, Gross Senior unsecured notes principal amount Maturity date. Maturity Date Senior notes, maturity date Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Senior notes, interest rate Senior Notes Issued Price Percentage Senior Notes Issued Price Percentage Senior notes issued price percentage Redemption at option of holder. Redemption At Option Of Holder Redemption at option of holder Redemption at option of Company Redemption At Option Of Company Redemption at option of Company Senior notes redemption price percentage at the option of holder. Repayment of senior debt percentage holder option Senior notes redemption price percentage at the option of holder Redemption Of Senior Debt Percentage Maximum For EXPE On Or After 7.1.12. Redemption Of Senior Debt Percentage Maximum Redemption of senior debt percentage maximum for Company on or after 7.1.12 Redemption Of Senior Debt Percentage Minimum For EXPE On Or After 7.1.12. Redemption Of Senior Debt Percentage Minimum Redemption of senior debt percentage minimum for Company on or after 7.1.12 Accrued Interest Senior Notes Accrued Interest Senior Notes Accrued interest related to senior notes Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Unsecured revolving credit facility Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description Interest, on drawn amount Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Description Commitment fee on undrawn amounts Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding Line of credit, outstanding Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date Line of credit facility, maturity date Letters of credit outstanding Letters of credit issued under the credit facility Debt Instrument, Fair Value Fair value of senior notes Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Tencent Holdings [Member] Tencent Holdings Member Tencent Holdings [Member] Dividends Payable, Date Declared, Day, Month and Year Declaration Date Dividends declaration date Dividends Payable, Date of Record, Day, Month and Year Record Date Dividends record date Stock Repurchase Program Number Of Shares Authorized To Be Repurchased Authorized share repurchase Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Common stock repurchases, value Stock repurchased, value Treasury stock activity related to vesting of equity instruments, value Common stock repurchases, shares Stock repurchase during the period, shares Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share Average repurchase price per share Stock Repurchase Program Remaining Number Of Shares Authorized To Be Repurchased Remaining authorized share repurchase Cash dividends Dividends per share Comprehensive income attributable to Expedia, Inc. Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent, Total Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners Additional ownership interest purchased, percent Additional Ownership Interest Purchased Price Additional Ownership Interest Purchased Price Additional ownership interest purchased price Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent Ownership interest percentage Dividends Payable [Table] Report Date [Axis] Financial Statements Date [Domain] Q1 2011 [Member] Q One Two Thousand Eleven Member Q1 2011 [Member] Q2 2011 [Member] Q Two Two Thousand Eleven Member Q2 2011 [Member] Q1 2010 [Member] Q One Two Thousand Ten Member Q1 2010 [Member] Q2 2010 [Member] Q Two Two Thousand Ten Member Q2 2010 [Member] The aggregate amount of dividends paid during the period. Dividends Paid Amount Total Amount Dividends Declared, Date Paid, Month, Day and Year. Dividends Declared Date Paid Month Day And Year Payment Date Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Earnings per share attributable to Expedia, Inc. available to common stockholders: Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of call options using the treasury stock method. Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Call Options Options to purchase common stock Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Other Dilutive Securities Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Other Dilutive Securities Other dilutive securities This element represents the number of lawsuits in which the reporting entity was involved. Loss Contingency Number of Lawsuits Approximate number of lawsuits brought by or against cities and counties over issues involving the payment of hotel occupancy and other taxes Number of lawsuits filed by cities and counties involving hotel occupancy taxes Number of municipal lawsuits dismissed to date Loss Contingencies Number Of Dismissed Cases Number of lawsuits dismissed to date Dismissal findings. Dismissal Based On Finding Not Subject To Tax Number of dismissals based on finding that defendant was not subject to local hotel occupancy tax or the local government lacked standing to pursue claims Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value, Ending Balance Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value, Beginning Balance Reserve for potential settlement of issues related to hotel occupancy taxes Accrual related to court decisions and final settlements related to hotel occupancy taxes. Accrual Related To Court Decisions And Final Settlements Additional accrual on loss contingency Accrual related to court decisions and final settlements related to hotel occupancy taxes Represents tax assessment issued by the tax authority including interest and penalties. Loss contingency tax interest and penalties assessed Occupancy tax assessments including interest and penalties Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Statement, Business Segments [Axis] Segment [Domain] Leisure [Member] Leisure Member Leisure [Member] TripAdvisor Media Group [Member] Trip Advisor Media Group Member Trip Advisor Media Group [Member] Egencia [Member] Egencia Member Egencia [Member] Corporate and Eliminations [Member] Corporate And Eliminations Member Corporate and Eliminations [Member] Segment Reporting Reportable Segments Segment Reporting Reportable Segments Number of reportable segments Revenue from External Customers Third-party revenue Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue Intersegment revenue Intersegment revenue Operating Income Before Amortization Operating Income Before Amortization Operating Income Before Amortization Realized (gain) loss on revenue hedges. Realized Gain Loss On Revenue Hedges Realized gain on revenue hedges Realized (gain) loss on revenue hedges Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Parent [Member] Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] Eliminations [Member] Intercompany income expense net Intercompany (income) expense net Intercompany (income) expense, net Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Equity in pre-tax earnings of consolidated subsidiaries Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Other Operating Income Other, net Equity Method Investments Investment in subsidiaries Other Assets Other assets, net Other Assets, Total Other Liabilities Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Total Other Investing Activities Other Investing Activities Other, net Other, net Transfers to from related parties Transfers (to) from related parties Other Financing Activities Other Financing Activities Other, net Other, net Expedia [Member] Expedia Member Expedia [Member] Q Four Two Thousand Eleven Q Four Two Thousand Eleven Member Q4 2011 [Member] Q3 2011 [Member] Q Three Two Thousand Eleven Member Q3 2011 [Member] Q Three Two Thousand Ten Member Q Three Two Thousand Ten Member Q3 2010 [ Member]