Booking S3ASR Automatic shelf registration

TABLE OF CONTENTS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2020

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Booking Holdings Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

06-1528493
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

800 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06854
(203) 299-8000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

Peter J. Millones
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
800 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06854
(203) 299-8000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

With a copy to:
Craig F. Arcella
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Worldwide Plaza
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10019
(212) 474-1000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box: ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box: ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

	Large accelerated filer ☒			Accelerated filer ☐
	Non-accelerated filer ☐			Smaller reporting company ☐
				Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered

Amount to be Registered(1)

Proposed Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price Per Unit(1)

Proposed Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price(1)

Amount of
Registration Fee(1)

Common Stock

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Depositary Shares

Units

(1)

An unspecified aggregate initial offering price and number or amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered and may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee and will update the fee table in connection with an offering of securities. Securities registered hereunder may be sold either separately or as units comprising more than one type of security registered hereunder.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS

BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.

Common Stock
Debt Securities
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Depositary Shares
Units

The securities covered by this prospectus may be sold from time to time by Booking Holdings Inc. We may offer the securities for sale directly to purchasers or through underwriters, dealers or agents to be designated at a future date. When we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement describing the specific terms of the specific issue of securities, including the offering price of the securities. You should carefully read this prospectus and the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus relating to the specific issue of securities, together with the documents we incorporate by reference, before you invest in any of these securities.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “BKNG.”

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The securities may be offered and sold to or through underwriters, dealers or agents as designated from time to time, or directly to one or more other purchasers or through a combination of such methods. See “Plan of Distribution” on page 21. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangements between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Prospectus Dated August 7, 2020.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an automatic registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC using the “shelf” registration process under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Securities Act.” Under the shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities in a manner not described herein, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the offering and the means of distribution of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus and may include other special considerations applicable to such offering of securities. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read carefully this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The prospectus supplement will describe: the terms of the securities offered, any initial public offering price, the price paid to us for securities, the net proceeds to us, the manner of distribution and any underwriting compensation and the other specific material terms related to the offering of the applicable securities. For more detail on the terms of the securities, you should read the exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference in our registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Booking Holdings,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” refer to Booking Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation whose shares of common stock are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “BKNG,” and its subsidiaries.

References to “securities” include any security that we might sell under this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

We prepare our financial statements in U.S. dollars and prepare our financial statements, including all of the financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or “U.S. GAAP.” Our fiscal year ends on December 31. In this prospectus, except where otherwise indicated, references to “$” or “dollars” are to the lawful currency of the United States.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein. Please refer to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of the documents referred to herein have been filed, or will be filed or incorporated by reference, as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Pursuant to this registration statement, we may offer, issue and sell securities as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Because we are a “well-known seasoned issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, we may add to and offer additional securities by filing a prospectus supplement with the SEC at the time of the offer. In addition, we are able to add our subsidiaries and securities to be issued by them if we guarantee such securities.

We are only responsible for the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The distribution of this prospectus and sale of these securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons in possession of this prospectus are required to inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.

Our mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. We seek to empower people to cut through travel barriers, such as money, time, language and overwhelming options, so they can use our services to easily and confidently go where they want to go, stay where they want to stay, dine where they want to dine, pay how they want to pay and experience what they want to experience. We connect consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services around the world through our online platforms. Through one or more of our brands, consumers can: book a broad array of accommodations (including hotels, motels, resorts, homes, apartments, bed and breakfasts, hostels and other properties); make a car rental reservation or arrange for an airport taxi; make a dinner reservation; or book a flight, cruise, vacation package, tour or activity. Consumers can also use our meta-search services to easily compare travel reservation information, such as airline ticket, hotel reservation and rental car reservation information, from hundreds of online travel platforms at once. In addition, we offer various other services to consumers and partners, such as certain travel-related insurance products and restaurant management services to restaurants. We offer these services through six primary consumer-facing brands: Booking.com, KAYAK, priceline, agoda, Rentalcars.com and OpenTable.

Booking Holdings Inc. was formed as a Delaware limited liability company in 1997 and was converted into a Delaware corporation named priceline.com Incorporated in July 1998. Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “BKNG.” Our principal executive offices are located at 800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. Potential investors are urged to read and consider the risk factors and other disclosures relating to an investment in securities issued by us described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, as updated by annual, quarterly and other reports and documents we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and that are incorporated by reference herein. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider those risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also affect our business operations. To the extent a particular offering implicates additional known material risks, we will include a discussion of those risks in the applicable prospectus supplement.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus and the information incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein or therein by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Exchange Act,” and the Securities Act. These forward-looking statements reflect the views of management regarding current expectations and projections about future events and are based on currently available information and current foreign currency exchange rates. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including the Risk Factors identified on page 3 of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference; therefore, actual results could differ materially from those expressed, implied or forecast in any such forward-looking statements.

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,” are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements for various reasons including the risks we face, which are more fully described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Quarterly Reports for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, which are incorporated herein by reference. The following factors, among others, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements:

•

the severity, extent and duration of the global COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our business and results of operations, financial condition and credit ratings, as well as on the travel and restaurant industries and consumer spending more broadly, the actions taken to contain the disease or treat its impact, the effect of remote working arrangements on our operations and the speed and extent of the recovery across the broader travel ecosystem;

•

adverse changes in general market conditions for travel services, including the effects of macroeconomic conditions, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, health concerns, civil or political unrest or other events outside our control;

•

the effects of competition;

•

any impairments of goodwill, long-term investments and long-lived assets and any increases in provisions for expected credit losses on receivables from and cash advances made to our travel service provider and restaurant partners;

•

adverse changes in relationships with travel service providers and restaurants;

•

our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

•

IT systems-related failures, data privacy risks and obligations, and/or security breaches;

•

fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and other risks associated with doing business in multiple currencies;

•

our ability to successfully manage growth and expand our global business;

•

our ability to respond to and keep up with the rapid pace of technological and market changes;

•

our performance marketing efficiency and the general effectiveness of our marketing efforts;

•

any change by our search and meta-search partners in how they present travel search results or conduct their auctions for search placement in a manner that is competitively disadvantageous to us; and

•

tax, legal and regulatory risks.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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, particularly our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. For information about how to obtain a copy of these reports or other documents that we file with the SEC, see “Where You Can Find More Information”.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general corporate purposes, which may include future repayments of indebtedness, share repurchases and corporate acquisitions, or for such other purposes as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

Subject to preferences that may apply to shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of outstanding shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the board of directors may from time to time determine. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Cumulative voting for the election of directors is not provided for in our certificate of incorporation, which means that the holders of a majority of the shares voted can elect all of the directors then standing for election. The common stock is not entitled to preemptive rights and is not subject to conversion or redemption. Upon the occurrence of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of shares of common stock would be entitled to share ratably in the distribution of all of our assets remaining available for distribution after satisfaction of all our liabilities and the payment of the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock. Each outstanding share of common stock is fully paid and nonassessable.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to those debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, reference must be made to both the prospectus supplement relating thereto and to the following description.

We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. The debt securities will be general obligations of Booking Holdings Inc. The debt securities may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a secured or unsecured senior or subordinated basis, jointly and severally, by guarantors, if any. In the event that any series of debt securities will be subordinated to other indebtedness that we have outstanding or may incur, the terms of the subordination will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subordinated debt securities. Debt securities will be issued under one or more indentures between us and one or more trustees named in the prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the trustee. The indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement filed with the SEC. The following discussion of certain provisions of the indenture is a summary only and should not be considered a complete description of the terms and provisions of the indenture. Accordingly, the following discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the indenture, including the definition of certain terms used below. You should refer to the indenture for the complete terms of the debt securities.

General

The debt securities will represent direct, general obligations of Booking Holdings Inc. and:

•

may rank equally with other unsubordinated debt or may be subordinated to other debt we have or may incur;

•

may be issued in one or more series with the same or various maturities;

•

may be issued at a price of 100% of their principal amount or at a premium or discount;

•

may be issued in registered or bearer form and certificated or uncertificated form; and

•

may be represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of a designated depositary’s nominee, and if so, beneficial interests in the global note will be shown on and transfers will be made only through records maintained by the designated depositary and its participants.

The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may authenticate and deliver is unlimited. You should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for the following terms of the debt securities of the series with respect to which that prospectus supplement is being delivered:

•

the title of the debt securities of the series (which will distinguish the debt securities of that particular series from the debt securities of any other series);

•

the price or prices of the debt securities of the series;

•

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under the indenture (except for debt securities authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other debt securities of the series);

•

the date or dates on which the principal and premium with respect to the debt securities of the series are payable;

•

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the debt securities of the series will bear interest (if any) or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, will accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest, if any, will be payable or the method by which such dates will be determined, the record dates for the determination of holders thereof to whom such interest is payable (in the case of securities in registered form), and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

TABLE OF CONTENTS

•

the currency or currencies in which debt securities of the series will be denominated, if other than U.S. dollars, the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the corporate trust office of the trustee (in the case of securities in registered form) or the principal office of the trustee (in the case of securities in bearer form), where the principal, premium and interest with respect to debt securities of the series will be payable or the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

•

the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option or otherwise;

•

whether debt securities of the series are to be issued as securities in registered form or securities in bearer form or both and, if securities in bearer form are to be issued, whether coupons will be attached to them, whether securities in bearer form of the series may be exchanged for securities in registered form of the series, and the circumstances under which and the places at which any such exchanges, if permitted, may be made;

•

if any debt securities of the series are to be issued as securities in bearer form or as one or more global securities representing individual securities in bearer form of the series, whether certain provisions for the payment of additional interest or tax redemptions will apply; whether interest with respect to any portion of a temporary bearer security of the series payable with respect to any interest payment date prior to the exchange of such temporary bearer security for definitive securities in bearer form of the series will be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary bearer security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the persons entitled to interest payable on such interest payment date; and the terms upon which a temporary bearer security may be exchanged for one or more definitive securities in bearer form of the series;

•

the obligation, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of such debt securities and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, debt securities of the series will be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

•

the terms, if any, upon which the debt securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for Booking Holdings Inc.’s common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, other debt securities or warrants for common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, indebtedness or other securities of any kind and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange will be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other additional provisions;

•

if other than denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which debt securities of the series will be issuable;

•

if the amount of principal, premium or interest with respect to the debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

•

if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of debt securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such stated maturity, the amount that will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined), and if necessary, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. dollars;

•

any changes or additions to the provisions of the indenture dealing with defeasance;

•

if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or provable in bankruptcy;

TABLE OF CONTENTS

•

the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the debt securities of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral, including whether certain provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Trust Indenture Act,” are applicable and any corresponding changes to provisions of the indenture as then in effect;

•

any addition to or change in the events of default with respect to the debt securities of the series and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium and interest, if any, with respect to such debt securities due and payable;

•

if the debt securities of the series will be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual debt securities in definitive registered form, the depositary (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) for such global security and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such global security in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in the indenture;

•

any trustee, authenticating or paying agent, transfer agent or registrar;

•

the applicability of, and any addition to or change in, the covenants and definitions then set forth in the indenture or in the terms then set forth in the indenture relating to permitted consolidations, mergers or sales of assets;

•

the terms, if any, of any guarantee of the payment of principal, premium and interest with respect to debt securities of the series and any corresponding changes to the provisions of the indenture as then in effect;

•

the subordination, if any, of the debt securities of the series pursuant to the indenture and any changes or additions to the provisions of the indenture relating to subordination;

•

with regard to debt securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the trustee; and

•

any other terms of the debt securities of the series (which terms will not be prohibited by the provisions of the indenture).

The prospectus supplement will also describe any material U.S. federal income tax consequences or other special considerations applicable to the series of debt securities to which such prospectus supplement relates, including those applicable to:

•

securities in bearer form;

•

debt securities with respect to which payments of principal, premium or interest are determined with reference to an index or formula (including changes in prices of particular securities, currencies or commodities);

•

debt securities with respect to which principal or interest is payable in a foreign or composite currency;

•

debt securities that are issued at a discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates, or original issue discount debt securities; and

•

variable rate debt securities that are exchangeable for fixed rate debt securities.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, securities in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the trustee at which its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States or at the office of the trustee or the trustee’s agent at which its corporate agency business is conducted, subject to the limitations provided in the indenture, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Securities in bearer form will be transferable only by delivery. Provisions with respect to the exchange of securities in bearer form will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities in bearer form.

All funds that we pay to a paying agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to any debt securities that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after that principal, premium or interest

TABLE OF CONTENTS

will have become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holders of those debt securities or any related coupons will thereafter look only to us for payment thereof.

Global Securities

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities. A global security is a debt security that represents, and is denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all outstanding debt securities of a series, or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal and interest are due, and interest rate or method of determining interest. A global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary, which will be identified in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to a nominee of the depositary, by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary, or by the depositary or any nominee of the depositary to a successor depositary or any nominee of such successor.

The terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements, in all cases subject to any restrictions or limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities.

Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary for such global security will credit, on its book entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary (“participants”). Such accounts will be designated by the dealers or underwriters with respect to such debt securities or, if such debt securities are offered and sold directly by us or through one or more agents, by us or such agents. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that hold beneficial interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary (with respect to interests of participants) or records maintained by participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limitations and laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

So long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of such global security, such depositary or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the individual debt securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual debt securities represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any of such debt securities in definitive form, and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture.

Payments of principal, premium, and interest with respect to individual debt securities represented by a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner or holder of such global security. Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent or registrar for such debt securities nor any agent of ours or the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for:

•

any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depositary, its nominee or any participants on account of beneficial interests in the global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests;

•

the payment to the owners of beneficial interests in the global security of amounts paid to the depositary or its nominee; or

•

any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the depositary, its nominee or its participants.

Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent or registrar for such debt securities or any agent of ours or the trustee will be liable for any delay by the depositary, its nominee or any of its participants in identifying the

TABLE OF CONTENTS

owners of beneficial interests in the global security, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the depositary or its nominee for all purposes.

We expect that the depositary for a series of debt securities or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to a definitive global security representing any of such debt securities, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security, as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers and registered in “street name.” Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants. Receipt by owners of beneficial interests in a temporary global security of payments of principal, premium or interest with respect thereto will be subject to the restrictions described in an applicable prospectus supplement. See “Limitations on Issuance of Securities in Bearer Form” below.

If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary, we will appoint a successor depositary. If a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of debt securities. The global security of a series shall also be exchangeable for individual debt securities of such series if an event of default with respect to such series of debt securities shall have happened and be continuing. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine to no longer have debt securities of a series represented by a global security and, in such event, will issue individual debt securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of debt securities. Furthermore, if we so specify with respect to the debt securities of a series, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security representing debt securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to us, the trustee, and the depositary for such global security, receive individual debt securities of such series in exchange for such beneficial interests. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities of the series represented by such global security equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such debt securities registered in its name (if the debt securities are issuable as securities in registered form). Individual debt securities of such series so issued generally will be issued:

•

as securities in registered form in denominations, unless otherwise specified by us, of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof if the debt securities are issuable as securities in registered form;

•

as securities in bearer form in the denomination or denominations specified by us if the debt securities are issuable as securities in bearer form; or

•

as either securities in registered form or securities in bearer form as described above if the debt securities are issuable in either form.

Limitations on Issuance of Securities in Bearer Form

The debt securities of a series may be issued as securities in registered form (which will be registered as to principal and interest in the register maintained by the registrar for such debt securities) or securities in bearer form (which will be transferable only by delivery). If such debt securities are issuable as securities in bearer form, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe certain special limitations and considerations that will apply to such debt securities.

Certain Covenants

If debt securities are issued, the indenture, as supplemented for a particular series of debt securities, will contain certain covenants for the benefit of the holders of such series of debt securities, which will be applicable (unless waived or amended) so long as any of the debt securities of such series are outstanding, unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement. The specific terms of the covenants, and summaries thereof, will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities.

Subordination

Debt securities of a series, and any guarantees, may be subordinated, which we refer to as subordinated debt securities, to senior indebtedness (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) to the extent set

TABLE OF CONTENTS

forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. To the extent we conduct operations through subsidiaries, the holders of debt securities (whether or not subordinated debt securities) will be structurally subordinated to the creditors of our subsidiaries, except to the extent such subsidiary is a guarantor of such series of debt securities.

Events of Default

Each of the following will constitute an event of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities:

•

default in payment of the principal or premium, if any, on the debt securities of that series, when such amount becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, required redemption or otherwise;

•

failure to pay interest on the debt securities of that series when such interest becomes due and payable, and such failure continues for a period of 30 days;

•

failure to comply with the obligations described under “— Merger and Consolidation” below;

•

failure to comply for 60 days after notice with any of our other covenants or agreements in the debt securities of that series or the indenture or supplemental indenture related to that series of debt securities; or

•

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting us.

A prospectus supplement may omit, modify or add to the foregoing events of default.

A default described under the fourth bullet above will not constitute an event of default until the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities notify us of the default and we do not cure such default within the time specified after receipt of such notice.

If any event of default (other than an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) occurs and is continuing with respect to a particular series of debt securities, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding by written notice to us (and to the trustee if such notice is given by the holders), may declare the principal amount of (or in the case of original issue discount debt securities, the portion thereby specified in the terms thereof), premium, if any, and accrued interest on the debt securities of that series to be immediately due and payable. In the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the debt securities of that series will automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding by notice to the trustee under the indenture may on behalf of the holders of all of such series of debt securities waive any existing default or event of default and its consequences under the indenture except a continuing default or event of default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the debt securities of such series.

Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee in case an event of default will occur and be continuing, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture or debt securities at the request or direction of any of the holders of any series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the trustee, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to such series of debt securities. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder of such series of debt securities (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such holders) or that would involve the trustee in personal

TABLE OF CONTENTS

liability. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the trustee is entitled to indemnification and/or security satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder of debt securities of a series has any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture or debt securities of such series, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:

•

such holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to such series of debt securities;

•

the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made a written request, and such holder or holders have offered reasonable security and/or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense, to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and

•

the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer.

The indenture provides that if a default with respect to a series of debt securities occurs and is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee must mail to each holder of such debt securities notice of the default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or accrued and unpaid interest with respect to any debt security of a series, the trustee may withhold notice if and so long as the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders.

The indenture requires us to furnish to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a statement by certain of our officers as to whether or not we, to their knowledge, are in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.

Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks and brokers for information on their requirements for giving notice or taking other actions upon a default.

Modification and Waiver

Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture or the debt securities may be amended with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of all series under the indenture then outstanding and affected by such amendment, voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities). Without the consent of each holder of an outstanding debt security affected, however, no amendment may, among other things:

•

make any change to the percentage of principal amount of debt securities of any series the holders of which must consent to an amendment;

•

reduce the principal amount of, premium, if any, or interest on, or extend the stated maturity or interest payment periods of, any debt security;

•

make any debt security payable in money or securities other than that stated in such debt security;

•

make any change that adversely affects such holder’s right to require us to purchase a debt security, if any;

•

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment with respect to the debt securities;

•

in the case of any subordinated debt security or coupons pertaining thereto, make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to subordination that adversely affects the rights of any holder under such provisions; or

TABLE OF CONTENTS

•

waive a default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities of a series or modify any provisions of the indenture relating to modification or amendment thereof.

Without the consent of any holder, we and the trustee may amend the indenture for one or more of the following purposes:

•

to evidence the succession of another person pursuant to the provisions of the indenture relating to consolidations, mergers and sales of all or substantially all of our assets and the assumption by such successor of the covenants, agreements and obligations in the indenture and in the debt securities;

•

to surrender any right or power conferred upon us by the indenture, to add to our covenants such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders of all or any series of debt securities as our board of directors will consider to be for the protection of the holders of such debt securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in respect of any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a default or an event of default under the indenture (provided, however, that with respect to any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such amendment may provide for a period of grace after default, which may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults, may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default, may limit the remedies available to the trustee upon such default or may limit the right of holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities to waive such default);

•

to cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any provision contained in the indenture, in any supplemental indenture or in any debt securities that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained therein;

•

to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the indenture as will not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any holders of debt securities of any series;

•

to modify or amend the indenture in such a manner as to permit or maintain the qualification of the indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect;

•

to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide that securities in bearer form may be registerable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal or premium with respect to securities in registered form or of principal, premium or interest with respect to securities in bearer form; or to permit securities in registered form to be exchanged for securities in bearer form, so as to not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities or any coupons of any series in any material respect or permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities of any series in uncertificated form;

•

in the case of subordinated debt securities, to make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to subordination that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of senior indebtedness under such provisions (but only if each such holder of senior indebtedness consents to such change);

•

to add guarantees with respect to the debt securities or to secure the debt securities;

•

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect;

•

to add to, change, or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture with respect to one or more series of debt securities, so long as any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under the indenture will (a) neither apply to any debt security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the holders of any such debt security with respect to such provision or (b) become effective only when there is no such debt security outstanding;

•

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor or separate trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as will be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the indenture by more than one trustee; or

TABLE OF CONTENTS

•

to establish the form or terms of debt securities and coupons of any series, as described under “— General” above.

Merger and Consolidation

The indenture provides that we will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, another person, unless (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee person, if not Booking Holdings Inc., is a person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture; and (iii) the resulting, surviving or transferee person, if not Booking Holdings Inc., expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture. Upon any such consolidation, merger or transfer, the resulting, surviving or transferee person shall succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, Booking Holdings Inc. under the indenture.

Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture; Defeasance

Unless otherwise provided for in the prospectus supplement, the indenture will generally cease to be of any further effect with respect to a series of debt securities if (a) we have delivered to the trustee for cancellation all debt securities of such series (with certain limited exceptions) or (b) all debt securities and coupons of such series not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation will have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and we will have deposited with the trustee as trust funds the entire amount sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all such debt securities and coupons (and if, in either case, we will also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable under the indenture by us).

In addition, we will have a “legal defeasance option” (pursuant to which we may terminate, with respect to the debt securities of a particular series, all of our obligations under such debt securities and the indenture with respect to such debt securities) and a “covenant defeasance option” (pursuant to which we may terminate, with respect to the debt securities of a particular series, our obligations with respect to such debt securities under certain specified covenants contained in the indenture). If we exercise our legal defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of such debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of such debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default related to the specified covenants.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the procedures we must follow in order to exercise our defeasance options.

Regarding the Trustee

The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an event of default, the trustee may exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

The indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become one of our creditors, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us or any of our affiliates; provided, however, that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the indenture or in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following description of the terms of the preferred stock we may issue sets forth certain general terms and provisions of any series of preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. Particular terms of the preferred stock offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general terms and provisions will apply to any series of preferred stock so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the applicable preferred stock. The applicable prospectus supplement may also state that any of the terms set forth in this description are inapplicable to such series of preferred stock. This description does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to applicable Delaware law and the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation relating to our preferred stock.

We currently have 150,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Preferred stock may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to or separate from the other securities. As of August 6, 2020, we had no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Pursuant to Delaware law and our restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority to provide by resolution for the issuance of shares of preferred stock, in one or more classes or series, and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, the number of shares constituting any series and the designation of such series. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock and could adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock. Our board of directors, in approving the issuance of a series of preferred stock and the applicable prospectus supplement, will set forth with respect to such series, the following:

•

the number of shares constituting such series;

•

the designation of such series;

•

the voting powers, if any, of the shares of such series; and

•

the preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series.

The terms of each series of preferred stock will be described in any prospectus supplement related to such series of preferred stock and will contain a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in the preferred stock.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description of the terms of the warrants sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the warrants offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to those warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those warrants. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of warrants, reference must be made to both the prospectus supplement relating thereto and to the following description.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares or units. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares or units offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such warrants.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of such warrants, including the following:

•

the title of such warrants;

•

the offering price for such warrants, if any;

•

the aggregate number of such warrants;

•

the designation and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

•

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;

•

if applicable, the date from and after which such warrants and any securities issued therewith will be separately transferable;

•

the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which such principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise (and whether such price may be payable in cash, securities, or other property) and the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or units purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which such shares may be purchased upon exercise;

•

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

•

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

•

whether the warrants represented by the warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;

•

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

•

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

•

if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in such warrants;

•

the antidilution provisions of such warrants, if any;

•

the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such warrants; and

•

any additional terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following description of the terms of the depositary shares sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to those depositary shares will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those depositary shares. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of depositary shares, reference must be made to both the prospectus supplement relating thereto and to the following description.

General

•

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than single shares of preferred stock (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock). In the event we elect to do so, depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares will be issued.

•

The shares of any class or series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and one or more depositaries selected by us. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by such depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights.

•

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of the related class or series of preferred shares in accordance with the terms of the offering described in the related prospectus supplement.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

The following description of the terms of the units sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the units to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the units offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to those units will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those units. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of units, reference must be made to both the prospectus supplement relating thereto and to the following description.

We may issue units consisting of two or more other constituent securities. These units may be issuable as, and for a specified period of time may be transferable only as, a single security, rather than as the separate constituent securities comprising such units.

If we issue units, we will provide in a prospectus supplement the following terms of the units being issued:

•

the title of any series of units;

•

identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;

•

the price or prices at which the units will be issued;

•

the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;

•

information with respect to any book-entry procedures;

•

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in the units or any constituent security;

•

whether we will apply to have the units traded on a securities exchange or securities quotation system; and

•

any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer and sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time, in one or more transactions, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to market prices, at a fixed price or prices subject to change, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices, by a variety of methods, including the following:

•

through agents;

•

to or through underwriters;

•

in “at the market offerings,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise;

•

through brokers or dealers;

•

directly by us to purchasers, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process; or

•

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

Registration of the securities covered by this prospectus does not mean that those securities necessarily will be offered or sold.

In effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged by us may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate. Broker-dealer transactions may include:

•

purchases of the securities by a broker-dealer as principal and resales of the securities by the broker-dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus;

•

ordinary brokerage transactions; or

•

transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers.

In addition, we may sell any securities covered by this prospectus in private transactions or pursuant to Rule 144 under, or pursuant to other exemptions from registration under, the Securities Act rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

We may sell offered securities through agents designated by us from time to time. Any such agent in the offer or sale of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to that agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement to the extent required. Unless indicated in the prospectus supplement, such agents will have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment.

In connection with the sale of securities covered by this prospectus, broker-dealers may receive commissions or other compensation from us in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions. Broker-dealers may also receive compensation from purchasers of the securities for whom they act as agents or to whom they sell as principals or both. Compensation as to a particular broker-dealer may be in excess of customary commissions or in amounts to be negotiated. In connection with any underwritten offering, underwriters may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us or from purchasers of the securities for whom they act as agents. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Any underwriters, broker-dealers, agents or other persons acting on our behalf that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on the sale of the securities by them and any discounts, commissions or concessions received by any of those underwriters, broker-dealers agents or other persons may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

In connection with the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus or otherwise, we may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions. In connection with such transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of our securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with us. We may also sell securities short and deliver the securities offered by this prospectus to close out our short positions. We may also enter into option or other

TABLE OF CONTENTS

transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction. We may also from time to time pledge our securities pursuant to the margin provisions of our customer agreements with our brokers. Upon our default, the broker may offer and sell such pledged securities from time to time pursuant to this prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction.

At any time a particular offer of the securities covered by this prospectus is made, a revised prospectus or prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of securities covered by this prospectus being offered and the terms of the offering. Such prospectus supplement, and, if necessary, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, will be filed with the SEC to reflect the disclosure of additional information with respect to the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus. In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities sold under this prospectus may only be sold through registered or licensed broker-dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

In connection with an underwritten offering, we would execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in the revised prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement, such underwriting agreement would provide that the obligations of the underwriter or underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent, and that the underwriter or underwriters with respect to a sale of the covered securities will be obligated to purchase all of the covered securities, if any such securities are purchased. We may grant to the underwriter or underwriters an option to purchase additional securities at the public offering price, less any underwriting discount, as may be set forth in the revised prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement. If we grant any such option, the terms of that option will be set forth in the revised prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement.

Underwriters, agents, brokers or dealers may be entitled, pursuant to relevant agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact, or any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in this prospectus, any supplement or amendment hereto, or in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, agents, brokers or dealers may be required to make.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement and certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, New York. If the securities are being distributed in an underwritten offering, certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by counsel identified in the related prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, including Booking Holdings Inc., that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings are also available at our website at http://www.bookingholdings.com. Except for documents filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this prospectus, no information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is to be considered part of this prospectus.

We are “incorporating by reference” into this prospectus specific documents that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents that are considered part of this prospectus. Information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, and any future documents that we file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the termination of the offerings of all of the securities covered by this prospectus has been completed. This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed with the SEC.

We are “incorporating by reference” into this prospectus the following documents filed with the SEC (excluding any portions of such documents that have been “furnished” but not “filed” for purposes of the Exchange Act):

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019;

•

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020;

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on April 8, 2020, April 14, 2020, April 24, 2020, May 7, 2020, June 5, 2020, July 17, 2020, August 4, 2020 and August 6, 2020; and

•

the description of our common stock contained in the registration statement on Form 8-A filed on March 18, 1999 under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, as amended or supplemented by any subsequent filings on Form 8-K.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request and without charge, a copy of the documents referred to above that we have incorporated in this prospectus by reference. You can request copies of such documents if you call or write us at the following address or telephone number: Office of the General Counsel, Booking Holdings Inc., 800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854, telephone: 203-299-8000, or you may visit our website at http://www.bookingholdings.com for copies of any such document.

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or information incorporated by reference herein or therein, contains summaries of certain agreements that we have filed as exhibits to various SEC filings, as well as certain agreements that we will enter into in connection with the offering of securities covered by any particular accompanying prospectus supplement. The descriptions of these agreements contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or information incorporated by reference herein or therein do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the definitive agreements. Copies of the definitive agreements will be made available without charge to you by making a written or oral request to us.

Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or in any accompanying prospectus supplement, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified and superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by Booking Holdings Inc. (the “registrant”) in connection with the sale or distribution of the securities registered under this registration statement.

	Amount
SEC Registration Fee		$	*
Printing Expenses			**
Legal Fees and Expenses			**
Rating Agency Fees			**
Accounting Fees and Expenses			**
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees			**
Trustee Fees			**
Miscellaneous			**
Total		$	**

Under Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act, applicable SEC registration fees have been deferred and will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under this registration statement, and are therefore not estimable at this time.

Because an indeterminate amount of securities is covered by this registration statement, the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities are not currently determinable.

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) empowers a Delaware corporation to indemnify any persons who are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that such officer, director, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests, and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify officers and directors in an action by or in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him or her against the expenses that such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred.

Article Seven of our restated certificate of incorporation provides that:

(1) we shall indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law, provided that any proceeding initiated by any director or officer (other than a proceeding to enforce rights to indemnification) must be authorized or consented to by our board of directors;

(2) we may, to the extent authorized from time to time by our board of directors, indemnify our other employees and agents to the extent that we indemnify our officers and directors;

II-1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(3) the right to indemnification in Article Seven includes the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; and

(4) the rights conferred in Article Seven are not exclusive of any other right any person may have or acquire under our restated certificate of incorporation, our by-laws, any statute, agreement, vote of stockholders of the Company or disinterested directors of the Company or otherwise.

Section 145 of the DGCL permits a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in such capacity, or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability. We have obtained officers’ and directors’ liability insurance for the members of our board of directors and executive officers for certain losses arising from claims or charges made against them while acting in their capacities as directors and officers of the Company.

In addition, Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that the certificate of incorporation of a corporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director: (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Article Five of our restated certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.

We have also entered into indemnification agreements with certain officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, indemnifying each such person against losses, liabilities and expenses arising out of any claims made against such person by reason of his or her being a director or officer of the Company. Among other exclusions, we shall not indemnify any person with respect to claims involving any breach of the duty of loyalty; willful or intentional misconduct, gross negligence or a knowing and willful violation of law; unlawful payment of a dividend or distribution or unlawful stock or equity purchase or redemption; or any receipt of an improper personal benefit.

II-2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 16.

Exhibits

Set forth below is a list of exhibits that are being filed or incorporated by reference into this prospectus:

		Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description	Form	File No.	Date of First Filing	Exhibit Number	Filed Herewith
1.1	Form of Equity Securities Underwriting Agreement*	—	—	—	—	—
1.2	Form of Debt Securities Underwriting Agreement*	—	—	—	—	—
1.3	Form of Preferred Shares and Depositary Shares Underwriting Agreement*	—	—	—	—	—
3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Booking Holdings Inc.	8-K	001-36691	2/21/2018	3.2	—
3.2	Amended and Restated By-laws of Booking Holdings Inc.	8-K	001-36691	10/25/2019	3.1	—
4.1	Indenture, dated August 8, 2017 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee	S-3ASR	333-219800	8/8/2017	4.1	—
4.2	Form of Debt Security*	—	—	—	—	—
4.3	Form of Warrant*	—	—	—	—	—
4.4	Form of Warrant Agreement*	—	—	—	—	—
4.5	Form of Certificate of Designation*	—	—	—	—	—
4.6	Form of Deposit Agreement*	—	—	—	—	—
4.7	Form of Depositary Receipt*	—	—	—	—	—
5.1	Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP	—	—	—	—	X
23.1	Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)	—	—	—	—	X
23.2	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	—	—	—	—	X
24.1	Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this registration statement)	—	—	—	—	X
25.1	Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for the Debt Securities.	—	—	—	—	X

To be filed, if necessary, as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the registrant in connection with a specific offering, and incorporated herein by reference.

II-3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 17.

Undertakings

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement (notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement); and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement;

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus (as provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof); provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a

II-4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; and

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) For an offering in which the securities to be registered are to be offered to existing security holders pursuant to warrants or rights and any securities not taken by security holders are to be reoffered to the public, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes, if applicable, to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of any trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

II-5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Norwalk, State of Connecticut, on August 7, 2020.

BOOKING HOLDINGS INC.

By:

/s/ David I. Goulden

Name:

David I. Goulden

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

The officers and directors of Booking Holdings Inc. whose signatures appear below hereby constitute and appoint Glenn D. Fogel, David I. Goulden and Peter J. Millones, or any of them, to act severally as attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and resubstitution, for each of them in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments, including post-effective amendments, of and supplements to this registration statement and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact, or substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Robert J. Mylod, Jr. Robert J. Mylod, Jr.	Director, Chairman of the Board	August 7, 2020
/s/ Glenn D. Fogel Glenn D. Fogel	Director, Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer)	August 7, 2020
/s/ David I. Goulden David I. Goulden	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)	August 7, 2020
/s/ Susana D’Emic Susana D’Emic	Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)	August 7, 2020
/s/ Timothy M. Armstrong Timothy M. Armstrong	Director	August 7, 2020
/s/ Jeffery H. Boyd Jeffery H. Boyd	Director	August 7, 2020
/s/ Mirian M. Graddick-Weir Mirian M. Graddick-Weir	Director	August 7, 2020
/s/ Wei Hopeman Wei Hopeman	Director	August 7, 2020
/s/ Charles H. Noski Charles H. Noski	Director	August 7, 2020

II-6

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Nicholas J. Read Nicholas J. Read	Director	August 7, 2020
/s/ Thomas E. Rothman Thomas E. Rothman	Director	August 7, 2020
/s/ Bob van Dijk Bob van Dijk	Director	August 7, 2020
/s/ Lynn M. Vojvodich Lynn M. Vojvodich	Director	August 7, 2020
/s/ Vanessa A. Wittman Vanessa A. Wittman	Director	August 7, 2020

II-7

Booking (BKNG) S-3ASRAutomatic shelf registration