Estimated reading time: 8 minutes.
Key facts
- What happened: Booking Holdings disclosed on November 3, 2026, that Priceline is in talks with the Federal Trade Commission to resolve a potential FTC complaint.
- The issues: FTC staff told Priceline in July 2026 that they intended to recommend a complaint over "unfair or deceptive business practices related to disclosures, fees, customer support, and billing practices."
- The money: Booking recorded a $900 million reduction in revenue and a $100 million accrued loss for the matter in the third quarter of 2026.
- Possible consumer refunds: Booking said a negotiated resolution would likely include a payment to the FTC and "monetary restitution to certain U.S. consumers."
- Status: No settlement has been reached, no FTC complaint has been filed, and there is no refund program or claim form.
- Reported partner: Reuters, citing unnamed sources, reported that the case involves Priceline's relationship with the booking site Guest Reservations. Booking's filing does not name the partner.
In this article
- What Booking disclosed
- Who Priceline and Booking Holdings are
- The reported link to Guest Reservations
- The San Francisco lawsuit
- How an FTC case like this works
- Who could get money
- What remains unknown
- What travelers can do now
- Frequently asked questions
Priceline may be close to resolving a federal consumer protection investigation that could put money back in some travelers' pockets. In a quarterly report filed November 3, 2026, parent company Booking Holdings said Priceline is negotiating with the Federal Trade Commission over a potential complaint about disclosures, fees, customer support and billing, and that it has set aside $1 billion in total for the matter.
The FTC has not filed a complaint or announced a settlement, and Priceline has not admitted any wrongdoing. Here is what the company disclosed, what news reports add, and what it could mean for people who booked hotels through Priceline or its partners.
What Booking disclosed
The disclosure appears in Note 13 of Booking Holdings' Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2026. It says that in July 2026, FTC staff "informed Priceline that they intended to recommend that the FTC file a complaint against Priceline and a business-to-business affiliate partner of Priceline that asserted unfair or deceptive business practices related to disclosures, fees, customer support, and billing practices."
The filing says Priceline is in discussions with the FTC and that "a settlement has not been agreed and litigation remains possible." It adds that a negotiated resolution "would be likely to include an agreement by Priceline to pay a certain amount to the FTC directly as well as to provide monetary restitution to certain U.S. consumers," along with changes to some of Priceline's business practices.
For accounting purposes, Booking recorded a $900 million reduction in revenue and a $100 million accrued loss, listed under general and administrative expenses. The filing warns that the FTC "may seek monetary penalties and restitution in excess of these amounts" and that similar claims could come up in other places.
In a statement reported by the travel news site Skift, Booking said: "Priceline is in discussions with the FTC to seek to resolve a potential complaint from the FTC... Although a settlement has not been reached, for accounting purposes we recorded a reduction in revenue of $900 million and accrued a loss of $100 million."
No claim form yet There is no Priceline refund program today. Any payment to consumers would depend on a final settlement or court order, and the FTC would announce how it works.
Who Priceline and Booking Holdings are
Booking Holdings, based in Norwalk, Connecticut, owns several of the largest travel brands, including Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, KAYAK and OpenTable. Priceline sells hotel rooms, flights and rental cars to consumers directly.
According to a lawsuit filed by the San Francisco City Attorney, Booking also runs a division called Priceline Partner Solutions that supplies hotel inventory to other websites through a software connection, so those sites can sell rooms under their own names.
The FTC charge did not dent Booking's underlying business much. Its earnings release reported third-quarter revenue of $8.893 billion, down 1% from a year earlier. Excluding the FTC matter, adjusted revenue was $9.793 billion, up 9%.
The reported link to Guest Reservations
Booking's filing describes the second company only as "a business-to-business affiliate partner of Priceline." Reuters, which first reported the connection in October citing anonymous sources, says the FTC has been investigating Priceline's relationship with Guest Reservations, a third-party website that often charges higher prices and fees for hotel rooms.
According to Reuters, the FTC is looking at whether that relationship violates a rule against impersonating other businesses, along with other possible fee violations. Reuters reported that Guest Reservations has drawn more than 1,000 complaints to the Better Business Bureau, many from people who said they believed they were booking directly with hotels. An FTC spokesperson declined to comment to Reuters.
Reuters also reported in October that the matter could carry more than $500 million in penalties. Booking shares fell about 1.5% in extended trading after the November 3 disclosure, according to Reuters.
The FTC and Booking have not publicly confirmed that Guest Reservations is the partner.
The San Francisco lawsuit
A separate case gives a picture of the alleged conduct. On July 29, 2026, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu sued Guest Reservations, another booking site called Book Online, several related companies and individuals, and Booking Holdings, doing business as Priceline Partner Solutions, in San Francisco Superior Court.
The city's complaint alleges that Guest Reservations and Book Online use web addresses and ads that include a hotel's name, so travelers think they are booking directly with the hotel. It says the rooms often cost far more and come with stricter cancellation terms. In one example, it says a refundable Marriott room listed at $419 on Marriott's own site cost $775 on Guest Reservations, or 85% more.
The complaint alleges that Priceline Partner Solutions is the exclusive supplier of hotel inventory to Guest Reservations, that Booking collects a fee on each reservation, and that it does so "with full knowledge" of the alleged scheme. It brings claims under California's Unfair Competition Law and seeks restitution and civil penalties of $2,500 per violation.
These are allegations. The defendants have not been found liable, and the city case is separate from the FTC matter.
How an FTC case like this works
The FTC enforces federal law against unfair or deceptive business practices. When its staff finish an investigation, they can recommend that the full Commission vote to file a complaint. Many cases end in a settlement, often filed in federal court as a proposed order that requires the company to change its practices and pay money.
When an FTC settlement includes money for consumers, the agency usually manages the refunds itself. In past cases, it has mailed checks or sent payments directly to people identified from company records, without requiring a claim form. Whether that happens here will depend on the final terms.
Watch for official notices only If refunds are announced, they will come through the FTC or a court-approved process. The FTC does not charge fees to send refunds, so be wary of anyone asking for payment to claim one.
Who could get money
Booking's filing refers only to "certain U.S. consumers." It does not say who they are, how much they might receive, or which bookings are covered.
Based on the issues the FTC staff raised and the Reuters reporting, people who booked hotels through Priceline or through a partner site such as Guest Reservations, and who faced unexpected fees, billing problems or poor customer support, appear the most likely to be included. That is an informed reading of the reports, not a defined class. The actual group will be set by any final settlement.
Keep your booking records If you booked a hotel through Priceline or a site like Guest Reservations, saving receipts and card statements may help if a refund program opens.
What remains unknown
- Whether the FTC will approve a settlement, or vote to sue instead.
- The total amount Priceline would pay and how much would go to consumers.
- Which bookings, dates and websites would be covered.
- Whether the FTC or Booking will confirm that the partner is Guest Reservations, as Reuters reported.
- How the San Francisco case and any other state actions will proceed.
What travelers can do now
There is nothing to file today. Travelers who believe they were overcharged can keep records such as confirmation emails, receipts and card statements, and can watch the FTC's refunds page for any announcement.
To avoid look-alike booking sites, check the web address and the name of the company that will charge your card before you pay, and compare the price with the hotel's own site. For travel and fee-related cases that are open to consumers now, see our list of class action cases you can join. You can also read our coverage of the Expedia hotel pricing lawsuit. This article is for information only and is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Priceline FTC settlement?
Not yet. Booking Holdings said on November 3, 2026, that Priceline is in discussions with the FTC, but no settlement has been reached and litigation remains possible.
How much has Priceline set aside?
Booking recorded a $900 million reduction in revenue and a $100 million accrued loss, or $1 billion total, for the third quarter of 2026. The FTC could seek more.
What is the FTC investigating?
According to Booking's filing, FTC staff raised unfair or deceptive practices related to disclosures, fees, customer support and billing involving Priceline and a business partner.
Will Priceline customers get refunds?
Booking said a negotiated resolution would likely include restitution to certain U.S. consumers. Who qualifies and how much they get will not be known until a deal is final.
What is Guest Reservations?
It is a third-party hotel booking website. Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources, that the FTC case involves Priceline's relationship with it. San Francisco has also sued it, alleging it impersonates hotel websites.
Do I need to file a claim now?
No. There is no claim process yet. Any refund program would be announced by the FTC or through a court-approved process.
