WYNDHAM HOTELS RESORTS INC

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

INDEX TO ANNUAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures to respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Deferred Revenues and Liability – Wyndham Rewards Loyalty Program – Refer to Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company operates the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program under which members earn points that can be redeemed for free nights or other rewards. Wyndham Rewards members primarily accumulate points by staying at a participating hotel, club resort, or vacation rental or by making purchases with their Wyndham Rewards co-branded credit card. Revenues related to the issuance of loyalty points are recognized net of redemptions over time based upon loyalty point redemption patterns, including an estimate of loyalty points that will expire or will never be redeemed. In addition, the Company records a liability for estimated future redemption costs of outstanding loyalty points.

The Company estimates the value of the deferred revenues and related liability (collectively referred to as the “liability”) related to the loyalty program based on (i) an estimated cost per point and (ii) an estimated redemption rate of the overall points earned, which is determined with the assistance of a third-party actuarial firm through historical experience, current trends and the use of an actuarial analysis, and includes an estimate of the points that will expire or will never be redeemed. Changes in the estimated cost per point and/or the estimated redemption rate used in the determination of the liability could result in a material change to the amount of liability reported.

We identified the estimated cost per point and the estimated redemption rate used in the determination of the liability as a critical audit matter because of the high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the involvement of our actuarial specialists, when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions related to the selection of the estimated cost per point and the estimated redemption rate.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the estimated cost per point and estimated redemption rate used in the determination of the liability included the following, among others:

•We tested the effectiveness of the controls related to the liability, including those over the estimate of the cost per point and the estimate of the redemption rate.

•We evaluated the assumptions used by management to estimate the cost per point by:

◦Testing the underlying data that served as the inputs for the historical cost per point, including historical redemptions.

◦Discussing with management the assumptions used in the Company’s estimated future cost per point and evaluating the reasonableness by comparing the projections to (1) forecasted information included in industry reports, and (2) trends in Wyndham Rewards member behavior.

◦Comparing management’s prior-year estimated cost per point to actual redemptions during the current year to identify potential bias in the determination of the liability.

◦Evaluating whether the assumptions used by management to estimate the cost per point were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.

•We evaluated the assumptions used by management to estimate the redemption rate by:

◦Testing the underlying data that served as the inputs for the actuarial analysis of the estimated redemption rate, including earnings and redemptions.

◦Evaluating whether any approved changes to the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program have been appropriately considered in the actuarial analysis of the estimated redemption rate.

◦Comparing management’s prior-year estimated redemption rate to actual redemptions during the current year to identify potential bias in the determination of the liability.

•With the assistance of our actuarial specialists, we developed a range of independent estimates of the liability, utilizing the same underlying data tested above, and compared our estimates to management’s estimates.

/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

February 15, 2024

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In millions, except per share amounts)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except per share amounts)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are in millions, except share and per share amounts)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (collectively with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Wyndham Hotels” or the “Company”) is a leading global hotel franchisor, licensing its renowned hotel brands to hotel owners in over 95 countries around the world.

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on a stand-alone basis. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the Company’s assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows and all entities in which it has a controlling financial interest. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In presenting the Consolidated Financial Statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. In management’s opinion, the Consolidated Financial Statements contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of annual results reported.

Business Description

Wyndham Hotels’ primary segment is hotel franchising which principally consists of licensing the Company’s lodging brands and providing related services to third-party hotel owners and others.

In the first quarter of 2023, the Company changed the composition of its reportable segments to reflect the recent changes in its Hotel Management segment due to the exit from the select-service management business, the sale of its two owned hotels and the exit from substantially all of its U.S. full-service management business in 2022. The remaining hotel management business, which is predominately the full-service international managed business, no longer meets the quantitative thresholds to be considered a reportable segment and as a result, the Company has aggregated, on a prospective basis, such management business within its Hotel Franchising segment.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

When evaluating an entity for consolidation, the Company first determines whether an entity is within the scope of the guidance for consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and if it is deemed to be a VIE. If the entity is considered to be a VIE, the Company determines whether it would be considered the entity’s primary beneficiary. The Company consolidates those VIEs for which it has determined that it is the primary beneficiary. The Company will consolidate an entity not deemed a VIE upon a determination that it has a controlling financial interest. For entities where the Company does not have a controlling financial interest, the investments in such entities are classified as available-for-sale securities or accounted for using the equity method, as appropriate.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates and assumptions are based on the Company’s knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from estimates and assumptions.

Revenue Recognition

The principal source of revenues from franchising hotels is ongoing royalty, marketing and reservation fees, which are typically a percentage of gross room revenues of each franchised hotel. For a more detailed description of revenue recognition see Note 3 - Revenue Recognition.

Loyalty Program

The Company operates the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program. Loyalty members primarily accumulate points by staying in hotels operated under one of the Company’s brands. Wyndham Rewards members may also accumulate points by purchasing everyday services and products with their Wyndham Rewards co-branded credit card.

The Company earns revenue from these programs (i) when a member stays at a participating hotel or club resort or vacation rental from a fee charged by the Company to the property owner or manager, which is based upon a percentage of room revenues generated from such stay which the Company recognizes, net of redemptions, over time based upon loyalty point redemption patterns, including an estimate of loyalty points that will expire or will never be redeemed, and (ii) based upon a percentage of the member’s spending on the Wyndham Rewards co-branded credit cards for which revenues are paid to the Company by a third-party issuing bank which the Company primarily recognizes over time based upon the redemption patterns of the loyalty points earned under the program, including an estimate of loyalty points that will expire or will never be redeemed.

As members earn points through the loyalty program, the Company records a liability for the estimated future redemption costs, which is calculated based on (i) an estimated cost per point and (ii) an estimated redemption rate of the overall points earned, which is determined with the assistance of a third-party actuarial firm through historical experience, current trends and the use of an actuarial analysis. The Company estimates the value of the future redemption obligations by projecting the timing of future point redemptions based on historical levels, including an estimate of the points that will expire or never be redeemed, and an estimate of the points members will eventually redeem. The recorded liability related to the program totals $117 million and $118 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, of which $75 million and $74 million, respectively, are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and $42 million and $44 million, respectively, are included in other non-current liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers highly-liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Valuation of Accounts Receivable

The Company measures the expected credit losses of its receivables on a collective (pool) basis which aggregates receivables with similar risk characteristics and uses historical collection attrition rates forten years to estimate its expected credit losses. For a more detailed description of the valuation of accounts receivable see Note 5 - Accounts Receivable.

Advertising Expense

Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expenses, which are primarily recorded within marketing and reservation expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income, were $127 million, $124 million and $85 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment (including leasehold improvements) are recorded at cost and presented net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation, recorded as a component of depreciation and amortization on the Consolidated Statements of Income, is calculated utilizing the straight-line method over the lesser of the lease terms or estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements, also recorded as a component of depreciation and amortization, is calculated utilizing the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated benefit period of the related assets or the lease terms. Useful lives are generally up to 20 years for leasehold improvements and from three toseven years for furniture, fixtures and equipment.

The Company capitalizes the costs of software developed for internal use in accordance with the guidance for accounting for costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use. Capitalization of software developed for internal use commences during the development phase of the project. The Company amortizes software developed or obtained for internal use on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, which is generally three tofive years. Such amortization commences when the software is substantially ready for its intended use.

The net carrying value of software developed or obtained for internal use was $47 million and $56 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Depreciation expense on capitalized software developed or obtained for internal use was $40 million, $37 million and $33 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which is reported within depreciation and amortization on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill is reviewed annually (during the fourth quarter of each year subsequent to completing the Company’s annual forecasting process), or more frequently if circumstances indicate that the value of goodwill may be impaired, to the reporting units’ carrying values as required by the guidance. This is done either by performing a qualitative assessment or utilizing the one-step impairment test, with an impairment being recognized only where the fair value is less than carrying value. In any given year, the Company can elect to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is in excess of its carrying value. If it is not more likely than not that the fair value is in excess of the carrying value, or the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment, the Company would use the one-step impairment test. The qualitative factors evaluated include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, its historical share price as well as other industry-specific considerations. The Company performed its annual quantitative assessment for impairment on each reporting unit’s goodwill as of October 1, 2023 and determined that no impairments existed and that it was more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting units continued to substantially exceed their carrying values.

The Company also determines whether the carrying values of other indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist. Application of the other indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment test requires judgment in the assumptions used to determine fair value. The fair value of each other indefinite-lived intangible asset is estimated using a discounted cash flow methodology. This analysis requires significant judgments, including estimation of future cash flows, which are dependent on internal forecasts, discount rates and to a lesser extent, estimation of long-term rates of growth. The estimates used to calculate the fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets change from year to year based on operating results and market conditions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and the other indefinite-lived intangible assets’ impairment. The Company performed its annual quantitative assessment for impairment on its indefinite-lived intangible assets as of October 1, 2023 and determined that no impairments existed and that it was more likely than not that the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangible assets continued to exceed their carrying values.

The Company also evaluates the recoverability of each of its definite-lived intangible assets by performing a qualitative assessment to determine if circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. If such circumstances exist, the Company performs a quantitative assessment by comparing the respective carrying value of the assets to the expected future cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, to be generated from such assets.

The Company also evaluates the recoverability of its other long-lived assets, including property and equipment, if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred, pursuant to guidance for impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. This analysis is performed by comparing the respective carrying values of the assets to the current and expected future cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, to be generated from such assets. If such analysis indicates that the carrying value of these assets is not recoverable, the carrying value of such assets is reduced to fair value.

Business Combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations in accordance with the guidance for business combinations and related literature. Accordingly, the Company allocates the purchase price of acquired companies to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of purchase. The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

In determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, the Company uses various recognized valuation methods including present value modeling and referenced market values, where available. Further, the Company makes assumptions within certain valuation techniques including discount rates and timing of future cash flows. Valuations are performed by management or external valuation specialists under management’s supervision, where appropriate. The Company believes that the estimated fair values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on reasonable assumptions that marketplace participants would use. However, such assumptions are inherently uncertain and actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets to assess their potential realization and establishes a valuation allowance for portions of such assets that the Company believes will not be ultimately realized. In performing this review, the Company makes estimates and assumptions regarding projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and the implementation of tax planning strategies. A change in these assumptions may increase or decrease the Company’s valuation allowance resulting in an increase or decrease in its effective tax rate, which could materially impact the Company’s results of operations.

For tax positions the Company has taken or expects to take in a tax return, it applies a more likely than not threshold, under which the Company must conclude a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained, based on the technical merits, assuming that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information, in order to recognize or continue to recognize the benefit. In determining the Company’s provision for income taxes, the Company uses judgment, reflecting its estimates and assumptions, in applying the more likely than not threshold.

The Company accounts for the global intangible low-taxed income provisions under the period cost method.

Stock-Based Compensation

In accordance with the guidance for stock-based compensation, the Company measures all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and records the related expense in its Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company recognizes the cost of stock-based compensation awards to employees as they provide services, and the expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period. The requisite service period is the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for an award. Forfeitures are recorded upon the actual employee termination for each outstanding grant.

Derivative Instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments as part of its overall strategy to manage its exposure to market risks primarily associated with fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates. As a matter of policy, the Company does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. All derivatives are recorded at fair value as either assets or liabilities. Changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments and of derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments are recognized currently in operating income and interest expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income, based upon the nature of the hedged item. The effective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. The ineffective portion is reported immediately in earnings as a component of operating or interest expense, based upon the nature of the hedged item. Amounts included in other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged item affects earnings.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) (loss) consists of accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains or losses on the Company’s cash flow hedges. Foreign currency translation adjustments exclude income taxes related to indefinite investments in foreign subsidiaries. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries having non-U.S.-dollar functional currencies are translated at exchange rates at the balance sheet dates. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the periods presented. The gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements into U.S. dollars, net of hedging gains or losses and taxes, are included in AOCI on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting update, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance is to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Upon transition, the segment expense categories and amounts disclosed in the prior periods should be based on the significant segment expense categories identified and disclosed in the period of adoption. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of adopting this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2024, as required.

In December 2023, the FASB issued an accounting update, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which modifies the rules on income tax disclosures to require entities to disclose (1) specific categories in the rate reconciliation, (2) the income or loss from continuing operations before income tax expense or benefit (separated between domestic and foreign) and (3) income tax expense or benefit from continuing operations (separated by federal, state and foreign). This update also requires entities to disclose their income tax payments to international, federal, state and local jurisdictions, among other changes. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. This update should be applied on a prospective basis, but retrospective application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2025, as required.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. On December 18, 2019, the FASB issued guidance which simplifies the accounting standards for income taxes. The amendment clarifies and simplifies aspects of the accounting for income taxes to help promote consistent application of GAAP by eliminating certain exceptions to the general principles of ASC 740, Income Taxes. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2021, as required. There was no material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures as a result of adopting this new standard.

3. REVENUE RECOGNITION

The principal source of revenues from franchising hotels is ongoing royalty fees, which are typically a percentage of gross room revenues of each franchised hotel. The Company recognizes royalty fee revenues as and when the underlying sales occur. The Company also receives non-refundable initial franchise fees, which are recognized as revenues over the initial non-cancellable period of the franchise agreement, commencing when all material services or conditions have been substantially performed. This occurs when a hotel opens for business in the Company’s system or when a franchise agreement is terminated after it has been determined that the hotel will not open. The Company’s standard franchise agreement typically has a term of 10 to 20 years. Additionally, the Company recognizes occupancy taxes on a net basis.

The Company’s franchise agreements also require the payment of marketing and reservation fees, which are intended to reimburse the Company for expenses associated with operating an international, centralized reservation system, e-commerce channels such as the Company’s brand.com websites, as well as access to third-party distribution channels, such as online travel agents, advertising and marketing programs, global sales efforts, operations support, training and other related services. Marketing and reservation fees are recognized as revenue when the underlying sales occur. The Company is generally contractually obligated to spend the marketing and reservation fees it collects from franchisees, in accordance with the franchise agreements. Marketing and reservations costs are expensed as incurred, which may not occur in the same period as the recognition of marketing and reservation revenues.

The Company earns revenues from its Wyndham Rewards loyalty program when a member stays at a participating hotel, club resort or vacation rental. These revenues are derived from a fee the Company charges a franchised or managed hotel based upon a percentage of room revenues generated from a Wyndham Rewards member’s stay. These fees are to reimburse the Company for expenses associated with member redemptions and activities that are related to the administering and marketing of the program. Revenues related to the loyalty program represent variable consideration and are recognized net of redemptions over time based upon loyalty point redemption patterns, which include an estimate of loyalty points that will expire or will never be redeemed.

The Company earns revenue from its Wyndham Rewards co-branded credit card program, which is primarily generated by cardholder spending and the enrollment of new cardholders. The advance payments received under the program are recognized as a contract liability. The program primarily contains two performance obligations: (i) brand performance services, for which revenue is recognized over the contract term on a straight-line basis, and (ii) issuance and redemption of loyalty points, for which revenue is recognized over time based upon the redemption patterns of the loyalty points earned under the program, including an estimate of loyalty points that will expire or will never be redeemed.

The Company provides management services for certain international hotels under management contracts. The Company’s standard management agreement typically has a term of 10 to 20 years. The Company’s management fees are comprised of base fees, which are typically a specified percentage of gross revenues from hotel operations, and, in some cases, incentive fees, which are typically a specified percentage of a hotel’s gross operating profit. The base fees are recognized when the underlying sales occur and the management services are performed. Incentive fees are recognized when determinable, which is when the Company has met hotel operating performance metrics and the Company has determined that a significant reversal of revenues recognized will not occur.

The Company also recognizes reimbursable payroll costs for operational employees and other reimbursable costs at certain of the Company’s managed hotels as revenue. Although these costs are funded by hotel owners, accounting guidance requires the Company to report these fees on a gross basis as both revenues and expenses.

The Company recognizes license and other revenues from Wyndham Worldwide (“former Parent”), now known as Travel + Leisure Co., for use of the “Wyndham” trademark and certain other trademarks.

In addition, the Company earned revenues from its previouslytwo owned hotels (sold in 2022), which consisted primarily of (i) gross room rentals, (ii) food and beverage services and (iii) on-site spa, casino, golf and shop revenues. These revenues were recognized upon the completion of services.

Deferred Revenues

Deferred revenues, or contract liabilities, generally represent payments or consideration received in advance for goods or services that the Company has not yet provided to the customer. Deferred revenues as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

Deferred initial franchise fees represent payments received in advance from prospective franchisees upon the signing of a franchise agreement and are generally recognized to revenue within 13 years. Deferred loyalty revenues represent the portion of loyalty program fees charged to franchisees, net of redemption costs, that have been deferred and will be recognized over time based upon loyalty point redemption patterns. Deferred co-branded credit card program revenue represents payments received in advance from the Company’s co-branded credit card partners, primarily for card member activity, which is typically recognized within one year.

Performance Obligations

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to a customer. The consideration received from a customer is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, each performance obligation is satisfied. The following table summarizes the Company’s remaining performance obligations for the years set forth below:

Disaggregation of Net Revenues

In the first quarter of 2023, the Company changed the composition of its reportable segments to reflect the recent changes in its Hotel Management segment due to the exit from the select-service management business, the sale of its two owned hotels and the exit from substantially all of its U.S. full-service management business in 2022. The remaining hotel management business, which is predominately the full-service international managed business, no longer meets the quantitative thresholds to be considered a reportable segment and as a result, the Company has aggregated, on a prospective basis, such management business within its Hotel Franchising segment.

The table below presents a disaggregation of the Company’s net revenues from contracts with customers by major services and products for each of the Company’s segments:

(a) For 2023, the Hotel Franchising segment includes the former Hotel Management segment, which is primarily comprised of the Company's remaining international full-service managed business.

(b) The Company’s other revenues are primarily related to revenues from its co-branded credit card program and property management systems.

Capitalized Contract Costs

The Company incurs certain direct and incremental sales commissions costs in order to obtain hotel franchise and management contracts. Such costs are capitalized and subsequently amortized beginning upon hotel opening over the first non-cancellable period of the agreement. In the event an agreement is terminated prior to the end of the first non-cancellable period, any unamortized cost is immediately expensed. In addition, the Company also capitalizes costs associated with the sale and installation of property management systems to its franchisees, which are amortized over the remaining non-cancellable period of the franchise agreement. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, capitalized contract costs were $68 million and $34 million, respectively, of which $4 million for both periods was included in other current assets, and $64 million and $30 million, respectively, were included in other non-current assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, as of December 31, 2022, capitalized contract costs of $27 million were included in prepaid expenses on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet.

4. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is based on net income divided by the basic weighted average number of common shares and diluted weighted average number of common shares, respectively.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS (in millions, except per-share data) for the years ended December 31:

(a) Diluted shares outstanding exclude shares related to stock options which were immaterial in 2023 and 0.4 million in 2022. Diluted shares outstanding exclude shares related to RSUs of 0.4 million and 0.2 million for 2023 and 2022, respectively. Such options and RSUs were excluded as their effect would have been anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.

Stock Repurchase Program

The following table summarizes stock repurchase activity under the current stock repurchase program (in millions, except per share data):

The Company had $443 million of remaining availability under its program as of December 31, 2023.

5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company generates trade receivables in the ordinary course of its business and provides for estimated bad debts on such receivables. The Company measures the expected credit losses of its receivables on a collective (pool) basis which aggregates receivables with similar risk characteristics and uses historical collection attrition rates forten years to estimate its expected credit losses. As such, the Company measures the expected credit losses of its receivables by segment and geographical area. The Company provides an estimate of expected credit losses for its receivables immediately upon origination or acquisition and may adjust this estimate in subsequent reporting periods as required. When the Company determines that an account is not collectible, the account is written-off to the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company also considers whether the historical economic conditions are comparable to current economic conditions. If current or expected future conditions differ from the conditions in effect when the historical experience was generated, the Company would adjust the allowance for doubtful accounts to reflect the expected effects of the current environment on the collectability of the Company’s trade receivables which may be material.

The following table sets forth the activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivables for the years ended:

Notes Receivable

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had notes receivable of $28 million and $3 million, respectively, net of $1 million allowance for both years, which is primarily included in other non-current assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. For a significant portion of such notes receivable, the Company has received guarantees from the owners of these hotels. In addition, the Company had $15 million and $12 million of notes receivable, which is included in other current assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which are fully offset by a corresponding amount in deferred revenues.

6. HOTEL BRAND ACQUISITION

During September 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of the Vienna House hotel brand for a total purchase price of $44 million. Vienna House’s portfolio consisted of 41 franchised hotels across Europe, predominantly in Germany. This acquisition enables the Company to grow the Vienna House brand by leveraging its global scale and franchise expertise and is consistent with the Company’s strategy to expand its brand portfolio and total system size.

The purchase price was allocated based on the fair value of the indefinite lived trademark and franchise agreements acquired, which have a 20 year life. The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired in connection with Wyndham's acquisition of Vienna House:

This asset acquisition was assigned to the Company’s Hotel Franchising segment. The results of operations of Vienna House have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Income since its date of acquisition. Such results were not material to the Company's results of operations for the three months and year ended December 31, 2022.

7. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment, net consisted of:

The Company recorded depreciation expense of $49 million, $46 million, and $57 million during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to property and equipment.

8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting unit are as follows:

Amortization expense relating to amortizable intangible assets was as follows for the years ended December 31:

(a) Included as a component of depreciation and amortization on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Based on the Company’s amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 2023, the Company expects related amortization expense as follows:

In March 2022, the Company completed the exit of its select-service hotel management business and received an $84 million termination fee, which under the terms of the agreement with CorePoint Lodging (“CPLG”) effectively resulted in the sale of the rights to the management contracts that were acquired as part of the La Quinta Holdings purchase in 2018. The termination fee proceeds were completely offset by the write-off of the remaining balance of the related hotel management contract intangible asset and thus resulted in a full recovery of such asset. The proceeds were reported in proceeds from asset sales, net on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The franchise agreements for these hotels remained in place at their stated fee structure.

9. FRANCHISING, MARKETING AND RESERVATION ACTIVITIES

Royalties and franchise fee revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Income include initial franchise fees of $16 million, $15 million and $14 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

In accordance with its franchise agreements, the Company is generally contractually obligated to expend the marketing and reservation fees it collects from franchisees for the operation of an international, centralized, brand-specific reservation system and for marketing purposes such as advertising, promotional and co-marketing programs, and training for the respective franchisees.

Development Advance Notes

The Company may, at its discretion, provide development advance notes to certain franchisees/hotel owners in order to assist them in converting to one of its brands, in building a new hotel to be flagged under one of its brands or in assisting in other franchisee expansion efforts. Provided the franchisee/hotel owner is in compliance with the terms of the franchise agreement, all or a portion of the development advance notes may be forgiven by the Company over the period of the franchise agreement. Otherwise, the related principal is due and payable to the Company. In certain instances, the Company may earn interest on unpaid franchisee development advance notes.

The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the following with respect to development advances:

During 2023, the Company made a non-cash reclass of $29 million to development advance notes in connection with the execution of franchise agreements, of which $25 million was from other current assets and $4 million was from other non-current assets.

(a) Amounts are recorded as a reduction of royalties and franchise fees and marketing, reservation and loyalty revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

10. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of:

11. INCOME TAXES

The income tax provision consists of the following:

Pretax income for domestic and foreign operations consisted of the following:

Deferred Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following:

(a) As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $9 million of foreign tax credits. The foreign tax credits expire no later than 2033.

(b) As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards primarily relate to state net operating losses, which are due to expire at various dates, but no later than 2043.

(c) The valuation allowance of $23 million as of December 31, 2023 relates to net operating loss carryforwards, certain deferred tax assets and foreign tax credits of $12 million, $2 million and $9 million, respectively. The valuation allowance of $23 million as of December 31, 2022 relates to net operating loss carryforwards, certain deferred tax assets and foreign tax credits of $14 million, $2 million and $7 million, respectively. The valuation allowance will be reduced when and if the Company determines it is more likely than not that the related deferred income tax assets will be realized.

Although the one-time mandatory deemed repatriation tax during 2017 and the territorial tax system created as a result of U.S. tax reform generally eliminate U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries, the Company continues to assert that all of the undistributed foreign earnings of $84 million will be reinvested indefinitely as of December 31, 2023. In the event the Company determines not to continue to assert that all or part of its undistributed foreign earnings are permanently reinvested, such a determination in the future could result in the accrual and payment of additional foreign withholding taxes and U.S. taxes on currency transaction gains and losses, the determination of which is not practicable due to the complexities associated with the hypothetical calculation.

The Company’s effective income tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate as follows for the years ended December 31:

The effective income tax rate for 2023, 2022 and 2021 differs from the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes and U.S. and foreign taxes, including withholding taxes on the Company’s international operations.

The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31:

The gross amount of the unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate was $11 million, $8 million and $7 million as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company recorded both accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of provision for income taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The amount of potential penalties and interest related to these unrecognized tax benefits recorded in the provision for income taxes were immaterial during 2023, 2022 and 2021. The Company had a liability for potential penalties of $1 million as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, and potential interest of $3 million as of December 31, 2023 and $2 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. Such liabilities are reported as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and state jurisdictions, as well as in foreign jurisdictions. With certain exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal income tax examinations for years prior to 2020. The 2018 through 2022 tax years generally remain subject to examination by many state tax authorities. In significant foreign jurisdictions, the 2016 through the 2022 tax years generally remain subject to examination by their respective tax authorities. The statute of limitations is scheduled to expire and current open examinations are expected to be resolved within 12 months of the reporting date in certain taxing jurisdictions, and the Company therefore believes that it is reasonably possible that the total amount of its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by $8 million to $9 million, inclusive of interest and penalties.

The Company made cash income tax payments, net of refunds, of $95 million, $123 million and $114 million during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) was signed into law in the United States. The IRA did not have a material impact on its financial results, including on its annual estimated effective tax rate or liquidity.

12. LONG-TERM DEBT AND BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS

The Company’s indebtedness consisted of:

(a) The carrying amount of the term loans and senior unsecured notes are net of deferred debt issuance costs of $16 million and $11 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The carrying amount of the term loan B is net of unamortized discounts of $5 million as of December 31, 2023.

(b) Weighted average interest rates are based on the stated interest rate for the year-to-date periods and include the effects from hedging.

Maturities and Capacity

The Company’s outstanding debt as of December 31, 2023 matures as follows:

As of December 31, 2023, the available capacity under the Company’s revolving credit facility was as follows:

Long-Term Debt

$750 million Revolving Credit Facility

In April 2022, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated May 30, 2018 (“Third Amendment”) which amended its original five-year $750 million revolver to extend the term to April 2027. The benchmark rate applicable to the revolver has changed from LIBOR to Secured Overnight Funding Rate (“SOFR”). The revolver is subject to an interest rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (i) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.00% or (ii) SOFR, plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.00% and an additional 0.10% SOFR adjustment, in either case based upon the total leverage ratio of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries. The revolver is subject to the same prepayment provisions and covenants applicable to the previous revolver.

During 2023, the Company borrowed $160 million, net of repayments, on its revolving credit facility. Such borrowings are included within long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

$400 million Term Loan A Agreement

The Third Amendment provides for a new senior secured term loan A facility (“Term Loan A”) in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million maturing in April 2027, the proceeds of which were used to repay a portion of the existing Term Loan B facility in 2022. The Term Loan A is subject to an interest rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (i) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.00% or (ii) SOFR, plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.00% and an additional 0.10% SOFR adjustment, in either case based upon the total leverage ratio of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries. The Term Loan A is subject to the same prepayment provisions and covenants applicable to the existing Term Loan B. The Term Loan A is subject to quarterly principal payments as follows: (i)0.0% per year of the initial principal amount during the first year, (ii)5.0% per year of the initial principal amount payable in equal quarterly installments during the second and third years and (iii)7.5% per year of the initial principal amount payable in equal quarterly installments during the fourth and fifth years, with final payments of all amounts outstanding, plus accrued interest, being due on the maturity date in April 2027.

$1.1 billion Term Loan B Agreement

On May 25, 2023, the Company entered into a Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated May 30, 2018 (the “Fourth Amendment”), which, prior to giving effect to the Fourth Amendment, provided for senior secured credit facilities in an aggregate principal amount of $2.35 billion, consisting of (i) a term loan B facility in an aggregate principal amount of $1.6 billion maturing in May 2025 and (ii) a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $750 million maturing in April 2027. The Fourth Amendment provides for a new senior secured term loan B facility (the “New Term Loan B”) in an aggregate principal amount of $1.14 billion maturing in May 2030, the proceeds of which were used to repay the existing Term Loan B facility. The interest rate per annum applicable to the New Term Loan B facility is equal to, at our option (a) Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement), plus an applicable rate of 1.25% or (b) Term SOFR, inclusive of the SOFR Adjustment (defined as 0.10% per annum in the Credit Agreement), plus an applicable rate of 2.25%.

The Term SOFR with respect to the New Term Loan B is subject to a “floor” of 0.00%. The New Term Loan B is subject to the same prepayment provisions and covenants applicable to the existing Term Loan B facility, subject to customary exceptions and limitations. These provisions include a standard mandatory prepayment provisions including (i) 100% of the net cash proceeds from issuances or incurrence of debt by the Company or any of its restricted subsidiaries (other than with respect to certain permitted indebtedness); (ii) 100% (with step-downs to 50% and 0% based upon achievement of specified first-lien leverage ratios) of the net cash proceeds from certain sales or other dispositions of assets by the Company or any of its restricted subsidiaries in excess of a certain amount and subject to customary reinvestment provisions and certain other exceptions; and (iii) 50% (with step-downs to 25% and 0% based upon achievement of specified first-lien leverage ratios) of annual (commencing with the 2019 fiscal year) excess cash flow of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries, subject to customary exceptions and limitations.

The revolving credit facility and term loans (the “Credit Facilities”) are guaranteed, jointly and severally, by certain of the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company and those subsidiaries. The Credit Facilities were initially guaranteed by former Parent, which guarantee was released immediately prior to the consummation of the spin-off. The Credit Facilities contain customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the Company and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to grant liens on the Company and its restricted subsidiaries’ assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations and pay certain dividends and other restricted payments. The Credit Facilities require the Company to comply with financial maintenance covenants to be tested quarterly, consisting of a maximum first-lien leverage ratio.

Subject to customary conditions and restrictions, the Company may obtain incremental term loans and/or revolving loans in an aggregate amount not to exceed (i) the greater of $650 million and 100% of EBITDA, plus (ii) the amount of all voluntary prepayments and commitment reductions under the Credit Facilities, plus (iii) additional amounts subject to certain leverage-based ratio tests.

The Credit Facilities also contain certain customary events of default, including, but not limited to: (i) failure to pay principal, interest, fees or other amounts under the Credit Facilities when due, taking into account any applicable grace period; (ii) any representation or warranty proving to have been incorrect in any material respect when made; (iii) failure to perform or observe covenants or other terms of the Credit Facilities subject to certain grace periods; (iv) a cross-default and cross-acceleration with certain other material debt; (v) bankruptcy events; (vi) certain defaults under ERISA; and (vii) the invalidity or impairment of security interests.

The New Term Loan B is subject to equal quarterly amortization of principal of 0.25% of the initial principal amount, starting in the third quarter of 2023, the first full fiscal quarter after the closing date.

4.375% Senior Unsecured Notes

In August 2020, the Company issued $500 million of senior unsecured notes, which mature in 2028 and bear interest at a rate of 4.375% per year, for net proceeds of $492 million. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing on February 15, 2021.

Finance Leases

The Company’s finance leases primarily consist of the lease of its corporate headquarters. In connection with the Company’s separation from former Parent, it was assigned the lease for its corporate headquarters located in Parsippany, New Jersey from its former Parent, which resulted in the Company recording a finance lease obligation and asset.

Deferred Debt Issuance Costs

The Company classifies deferred debt issuance costs related to its revolving credit facility within other non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Such deferred debt issuance costs were $3 million and $4 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Cash Flow Hedge

The Company has pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps which hedge the interest rate exposure on $1.1 billion of its outstanding variable-rate debt, effectively representing more than 97% of the outstanding term loan B, as of December 31, 2023. The interest rate swaps consist of $600 million of swaps that expire in the second quarter of 2024 and have a weighted average fixed rate of 2.33% (plus applicable spreads) and $500 million of swaps that expire in the fourth quarter of 2024 and have a weighted average fixed rate of 0.91% (plus applicable spreads). As a result of the Fourth Amendment, as well as the discontinuance of LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate, during the second quarter of 2023 the Company amended its interest rate swaps to align with the change in the benchmark interest rate of the underlying debt. As such, the variable rates of such swap agreements are based on one-month SOFR. During the third quarter of 2023, the Company entered into new pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps that hedges the interest rate exposure on $600 million of its variable-rate debt with an effective date in the second quarter of 2024 and an expiration date in the second quarter of 2028. The fixed rate associated with the new swaps is 3.84% (plus applicable spreads). Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company entered into new pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps that hedges the interest rate exposure on $200 million of its variable-rate debt with an effective date in the fourth quarter of 2024 and an expiration date in the fourth quarter of 2027. The fixed rate associated with the new swaps is 3.55% (plus applicable spreads). The aggregate fair value of these interest rate swaps was an asset of $13 million and $53 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which was included within other non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. The effect of interest rate swaps on interest expense, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income were $36 million of income during 2023 and $2 million and $26 million of expense during 2022 and 2021, respectively.

There wasno hedging ineffectiveness recognized in 2023, 2022 or 2021. The Company expects to reclassify approximately $29 million of gains from AOCI to interest expense during the next 12 months.

Interest Expense, Net

The Company incurred interest expense of $108 million, $85 million and $94 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Cash paid related to such interest was $103 million, $82 million and $96 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Interest income was $6 million, $5 million and $1 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Early Extinguishment of Debt

The Company incurred non-cash early extinguishment of debt costs of $3 million, $2 million and $18 million during 2023, 2022 and 2021 respectively. The 2023 amount relates to the refinancing of the Company’s term loan B during the second quarter of 2023. The 2022 amount relates to the Third Amendment and $400 million partial pay down of its term loan

B, as discussed above. The 2021 amount related to the redemption of its $500 million 5.375% senior unsecured notes redeemed in 2021.

13. FAIR VALUE

The Company measures its financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis and utilizes the fair value hierarchy to determine such fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value driver is observable.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs used when little or no market data is available. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls has been determined based on the lowest level input (closest to Level 3) that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

The fair value of financial instruments is generally determined by reference to market values resulting from trading on a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques, as appropriate. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of all other financial instruments are as follows:

The Company estimates the fair value of its debt using Level 2 inputs based on indicative bids from investment banks or quoted market prices with the exception of finance leases, which are estimated at carrying value.

Financial Instruments

Changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates expose the Company to market risk. The Company uses cash flow hedges as part of its overall strategy to manage its exposure to market risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. As a matter of policy, the Company only enters into transactions that it believes will be highly effective at offsetting the underlying risk, and it does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. The Company estimates the fair value of its derivatives using Level 2 inputs.

Interest Rate Risk

A portion of debt used to finance the Company’s operations is exposed to interest rate fluctuations. The Company uses various hedging strategies and derivative financial instruments to create a desired mix of fixed and floating rate assets and liabilities. Derivative instruments currently used in these hedging strategies include interest rate swaps. The derivatives used to manage the risk associated with the Company’s variable-rate debt are derivatives designated as cash flow hedges. See Note 12 - Long-Term Debt and Borrowing Arrangements for the impact of such cash flow hedges.

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company has foreign currency rate exposure to exchange rate fluctuations worldwide, particularly with respect to the Canadian Dollar, Chinese Yuan, Euro, Brazilian Real, British Pound and Argentine Peso. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts at various times to manage and reduce the foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with its foreign currency denominated receivables and payables, forecasted royalties and forecasted earnings and cash flows of foreign subsidiaries and other transactions. The Company recognized losses from freestanding foreign currency exchange contracts of $3 million during 2023 and gains of $2 million during 2022 and 2021. Such gains and losses are included in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company accounts for certain countries as a highly inflationary economy, with its exposure primarily related to Argentina. The Company incurred foreign currency exchange losses related to Argentina of $14 million, $4 million and $1 million during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Such losses are included in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Credit Risk and Exposure

The Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to various agreements and sales transactions. The Company manages such risk by evaluating the financial position and creditworthiness of such counterparties and often by requiring collateral in instances in which financing is provided. The Company mitigates counterparty credit risk associated with its derivative contracts by monitoring the amounts at risk with each counterparty to such contracts, periodically evaluating counterparty creditworthiness and financial position, and where possible, dispersing its risk among multiple counterparties.

Market Risk

The Company is subject to risks relating to the geographic concentration of its hotel properties, which may result in the Company’s results of operations being more sensitive to local and regional economic conditions and other factors, including competition, natural disasters and economic downturns, than the Company’s results of operations would be, absent such geographic concentrations. Local and regional economic conditions and other factors may differ materially from prevailing conditions in other parts of the world. Excluding cost-reimbursement revenues, which are offset by cost-reimbursement expense, revenues from transactions in the states of Texas and Florida as a percent of U.S. revenues were approximately 10% and 17%, respectively, during 2023,10% and 24%, respectively, during 2022 and 10% and 18%, respectively, during 2021. Revenues in the state of Florida include license and other fees from the Company’s former Parent. Excluding these revenues, revenues in the state of Florida as a percent of U.S. revenues were 7%,16% and 12% during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

During 2021 CorePoint accounted for 20% of revenues. Excluding cost-reimbursement revenues, which are offset by cost-reimbursement expenses, CorePoint accounted for 8% during 2021. During the first quarter of 2022, CorePoint terminated its management contracts with the Company.

14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

The Company is involved, at times, in claims, legal and regulatory proceedings and governmental inquiries arising in the ordinary course of its business, including but not limited to: breach of contract, fraud and bad faith claims with franchisees in connection with franchise agreements and with owners in connection with management contracts, as well as negligence, breach of contract, fraud, employment, consumer protection and other statutory claims asserted in connection with alleged acts or occurrences at owned, franchised or managed properties or in relation to guest reservations and bookings. The Company may also at times be involved in claims, legal and regulatory proceedings and governmental inquiries relating to bankruptcy proceedings involving efforts to collect receivables from a debtor in bankruptcy, employment matters, claims of infringement upon third parties’ intellectual property rights, claims relating to information security, privacy and consumer protection, fiduciary duty/trust claims, tax claims, environmental claims and landlord/tenant disputes. Along with many of its competitors, the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in litigation matters filed in state and federal courts, alleging statutory and common law claims related to purported incidents of sex trafficking at certain franchised and managed hotel facilities. Many of these matters are in the pleading or discovery stages at this time. In certain matters, discovery has closed, and the parties are engaged in dispositive motion practice. As of December 31, 2023, the Company is aware of approximately 35 pending matters filed naming the Company and/or subsidiaries. Based upon the status of these matters, the Company has not made a determination as to the likelihood of any probable loss of any one of these matters and is unable to estimate a range of losses at this time.

The Company records an accrual for legal contingencies when it determines, after consultation with outside counsel, that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In making such determinations, the Company evaluates, among other things, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome, and when it is probable that a liability has been incurred, its ability to make a reasonable estimate of loss. The Company reviews these accruals each reporting period and makes revisions based on changes in facts and circumstances, including changes to its strategy in dealing with these matters.

The Company believes that it has adequately accrued for such matters with reserves of $7 million and $8 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company also had receivables of $4 million and $6 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for certain matters which are covered by insurance and were included in other current assets on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Litigation is inherently unpredictable and, although the Company believes that its accruals are adequate and/or that it has valid defenses in these matters, unfavorable results could occur. As such, an adverse outcome from such proceedings for which claims are awarded in excess of the amounts accrued, if any, could be material to the Company with respect to earnings and/or cash flows in any given reporting period. As of December 31, 2023, the potential exposure resulting from adverse outcomes of such legal proceedings could, in the aggregate, range up to approximately $10 million in excess of recorded accruals. However, the Company does not believe that the impact of such litigation will result in a material liability to the Company in relation to its combined financial position or liquidity.

Guarantees

Separation-Related Guarantees

The Company assumed one-third of certain contingent and other corporate liabilities of former Parent incurred prior to the spin-off, including liabilities of former Parent related to, arising out of or resulting from certain terminated or divested businesses, certain general corporate matters of former Parent and any actions with respect to the separation plan or the distribution made or brought by any third party.

Credit Support Provided and Other Indemnifications Relating to former Parent’s Sale of its European Vacation Rentals Business

In May 2018, former Parent completed the sale of its European Vacation Rentals business to Compass IV Limited, an affiliate of Platinum Equity, LLC (“Buyer”). In connection with the sale of the European Vacation Rentals business, the Company provided certain post-closing credit support in the form of guarantees to help ensure that the business meets the requirements of certain credit card service providers, travel association and regulatory authorities. Such post-closing credit support may be enforced or called upon if the European vacation rentals business fails to meet its primary obligation to pay certain amounts when due. The European vacation rentals business has provided an indemnity to former Parent in the event that the post-closing credit support is enforced or called upon.

Pursuant to the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement that was entered into in connection with the Company’s spin-off, the Company will assume one-third and former Parent will assume two-thirds of losses that may be incurred by former Parent or the Company in the event that these credit support arrangements are enforced or called upon by any beneficiary in respect of any indemnification claims made.

The table below summarizes the post-closing credit support guarantees related to the sale of the European Vacation Rentals business, the fair values of such guarantees and the receivables from its former Parent representing two-thirds of such guarantees as of December 31, 2023:

The fair value of the guarantees was $61 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and were included in other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In connection with these guarantees the Company had receivables from its former Parent of $41 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, which were included in other non-current assets on its Consolidated Balance Sheets.

15. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has a stock-based compensation plan available to grant non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock-settled appreciation rights (“SSARs”), RSUs, performance-vesting restricted stock units (“PSUs”) and/or other stock-based awards to key employees and non-employee directors. Under the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. 2018 Equity and Incentive Plan (“Stock Plan”), which became effective on May 14, 2018, a maximum of 10.0 million shares of common stock may be awarded. As of December 31, 2023,4.8 million shares remained available.

During 2023, the Company granted incentive equity awards totaling $30 million to key employees and senior officers in the form of RSUs. The RSUs generally vest ratably over a period offour years based on continuous service. Additionally, the Company approved incentive equity awards to key employees and senior officers in the form of PSUs with a maximum grant value of $19 million. The PSUs generally cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date based on continuous service with the number of shares earned (0% to 200% of the target award) dependent upon the extent to which the Company achieves certain performance metrics.

Incentive Equity Awards Granted by the Company

The activity related to the Company’s incentive equity awards for the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of the following:

(a)Represents awards granted by the Company primarily in March 2023.

(b)Represents awards granted by the Company at the maximum achievement level of 200% of target payout. Actual shares that may be issued can range from 0% to 200% of target.

(c)RSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2023 have an unrecognized compensation expense of $47 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years.

(d)PSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2023 have an aggregate maximum potential unrecognized compensation expense of $22 million, which may be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years based on attainment of targets.

There were no stock options granted in 2023 or 2022. The activity related to stock options for the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of the following:

(a)Unvested options as of December 31, 2023 are expected to vest over time and have an aggregate unrecognized compensation expense of $1 million, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.9 years.

The fair value of stock options granted by the Company were estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the relevant assumptions outlined in the table below. Expected volatility is based on both historical and implied volatilities of the stock of comparable companies over the estimated expected life of the options. The expected life represents the period of time the options are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate is based on yields on U.S. Treasury strips with a maturity similar to the estimated expected life of the options. The projected dividend yield was based on the Company’s anticipated annual dividend divided by the price of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense was $39 million, $33 million and $28 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

16. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The reportable segments presented below represent the Company’s operating segments for which separate financial information is available and is utilized on a regular basis by its chief operating decision maker to assess performance and allocate resources. In identifying its reportable segments, the Company also considers the nature of services provided by its operating segments. Management evaluates the operating results of each of its reportable segments based upon net revenues and “adjusted EBITDA”, which is defined as net income/(loss) excluding net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, early extinguishment of debt charges, impairment charges, restructuring and related charges, contract termination costs, separation-related items, transaction-related items (acquisition-, disposition-, or debt-related), (gain)/loss on asset sales, foreign currency impacts of highly inflationary countries, stock-based compensation expense, income taxes and development advance notes amortization. The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure of performance for its segments which, when considered with U.S. GAAP measures, allows a more complete understanding of its operating performance. The Company uses this measure internally to assess operating performance, both absolutely and in comparison to other companies, and to make day to day operating decisions, including in the evaluation of selected compensation decisions. The Company’s presentation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

In the first quarter of 2023, the Company changed the composition of its reportable segments to reflect the recent changes in its Hotel Management segment due to the exit from the select-service management business, the sale of its two owned hotels and the exit from substantially all of its U.S. full-service management business. The remaining hotel management business, which is predominately the full-service international managed business, no longer meets the quantitative thresholds to be considered a reportable segment and as a result, the Company has aggregated, on a prospective basis, such management business within its Hotel Franchising segment.

(a) Includes the elimination of transactions between segments.

Provided below is a reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA.

The geographic segment information provided below is classified based on the geographic location of the Company’s subsidiaries.

(a) Includes U.S. territories.

17. OTHER EXPENSES AND CHARGES

Transaction-Related, Net

The Company recognized transaction-related expenses of $11 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 related to costs associated with (i) an unsolicited exchange offer from Choice Hotels International, Inc to acquire all outstanding shares of the Company's stock and (ii) the refinancing of the Company’s term loan B.

Separation-Related

The Company incurred separation-related costs associated with its spin-off from former Parent of $1 million during 2023 and 2022 and $3 million during 2021, which primarily consisted of legal and tax-related costs.

Gain on Asset Sale, Net

In March 2022, the Company completed the sale of its Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek Resort for gross proceeds of $121 million ($118 million, net of transaction costs) and recognized a $35 million gain, net of transaction costs, for the year ended December 31, 2022. Such amounts were attributable to the Company’s hotel management business and were reported within gain on asset sale, net on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Additionally, the Company entered into a 20 year franchise agreement with the buyer.

In May 2022, the Company completed the sale of its Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort for gross proceeds of $62 million ($61 million, net of transaction costs). There was no gain or loss on the sale. Additionally, the Company entered into a 20 year franchise agreement with the buyer.

Impairments, Net

During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company’s Board approved a plan to sell its two owned hotels. As a result of the Board approval, the Company evaluated the recoverability of its owned hotels long-lived assets and in the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company recorded a $6 million impairment charge which was reported within impairments, net on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

18. TRANSACTIONS WITH FORMER PARENT

The Company has a number of arrangements with its former Parent for services provided between both parties as described below.

License Agreement and Other Agreements with Former Parent

In connection with the Company’s spin-off, the Company and former Parent entered into long-term exclusive license agreements to retain former Parents’ affiliations with one of the hospitality industry’s top-rated loyalty programs, Wyndham Rewards, as well as to continue to collaborate on inventory-sharing and customer cross-sell initiatives.

In connection with the Company’s license, development and non-competition agreement, the Company recorded license fees from former Parent in the amounts of $90 million, $83 million and $65 million during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Further, the Company recorded revenues of $15 million, $10 million and $9 million during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, for activities associated with the Wyndham Rewards program. The Company also recorded license fees from a former affiliate of $7 million during 2023 and 2022 and $5 million during 2021. Such fees are recorded within license and other fees on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Transfer of Former Parent Liabilities and Issuances of Guarantees to Former Parent and Affiliates

Upon the distribution of the Company’s common stock to former Parent stockholders, the Company entered into certain guarantee commitments with its former Parent. These guarantee arrangements relate to certain former Parent contingent tax and other corporate liabilities. The Company assumed and is responsible for one-third of such contingent liabilities while its former Parent is responsible for the remaining two-thirds. The amount of liabilities assumed by the Company in connection with the spin-off was $20 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, of which $20 million and $3 million, respectively were included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $17 million in 2022 was included within other non-current liabilities on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, the Company had $3 million of receivables due from former Parent as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022 which were included within current assets on its Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Former Parent’s Sale of its European Vacation Rentals Business

In connection with the sale of the European Vacation Rentals business, the Company was entitled to one-third of the excess of net proceeds from the sale above a pre-set amount. During 2019, the Buyer notified former Parent of certain proposed post-closing adjustments of approximately $44 million which could serve to reduce the net consideration received from the sale of the European Vacation Rentals business. On December 13, 2021, former Parent entered into a settlement agreement, contingent upon regulatory approval, to settle the post-closing adjustment claims for $7 million which was split one-third and two-thirds between the Company and former Parent, respectively. The Company had a $2 million reserve for such settlement as of December 31, 2021. During the third quarter of 2022, the settlement was approved by the regulatory authority and as a result, the Company paid $2 million for its obligation of the settlement and all claims on the Company were dismissed.

19. LEASES

The Company leases property and equipment under finance and operating leases. For leases with terms greater than one year, the Company records the related asset and obligation at the present value of lease payments over the term. The Company does not separate lease and non-lease components of equipment leases.

The table below presents the lease-related assets and liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The table below presents the remaining lease term and discount rates for finance and operating leases.

Undiscounted Cash Flows

The table below reconciles the undiscounted cash flows for each of the first five years and total of the remaining years to the finance lease liabilities and operating lease liabilities recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023.

Other Information

The Company recorded the following related to leases on the Consolidated Financial Statements:

20. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

The components of AOCI are as follows:

EXHIBIT INDEX

† Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

• Filed herewith.

** Furnished with this report.