Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In the Revenue Recognition section of Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies”, the Company discloses that revenue earned from vehicle rentals and from other forms of rental related activities wherein an identified asset is transferred to the customer and the customer has the ability to control that asset, are accounted for under Topic 842, which the Company adopted in accordance with the effective date on January 1, 2019. Prior to the adoption of Topic 842, the Company accounted for such revenue under Topic 606 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The following disclosures are in accordance with Topic 606 for the year ended December 31, 2018. See Note 10, "Leases" for disclosures in accordance with Topic 842 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

The Company operates at airport rental locations in the U.S. and internationally ("airport") and at off airport locations also in the U.S. and internationally ("off airport"). The Company's airport rental customers are primarily airline travelers; whereas the Company's off airport rental customers include people who prefer to rent vehicles closer to their home or place of work for business or leisure purposes, as well as those needing to travel to or from airports. The Company's off airport customers also include people who have been referred by, or whose rental costs are being wholly or partially reimbursed by, insurance companies following accidents in which their vehicles were damaged, those expecting to lease vehicles that are not yet available from their leasing companies and replacement renters. In addition, the Company's off airport customers include TNC drivers.

The following table presents revenues from contracts with customers by reportable segment and disaggregated by product/service and type of location and customer for the year ended December 31, 2018:
Year Ended December 31, 2018
(In millions)U.S. Rental CarInternational Rental CarAll Other OperationsConsolidated
Vehicle rental and rental related:
Airport$4,465 $1,288 $— $5,753 
Off airport1,881 842 — 2,723 
Total vehicle rental and rental related6,346 2,130 — 8,476 
Other:
Licensee revenue32 145 — 177 
Ancillary retail vehicle sales102 — 103 
Fleet management— — 45 45 
Total other134 146 45 325 
Total revenue from contracts with customers$6,480 $2,276 $45 $8,801 

The Company recognizes receivables and liabilities resulting from its contracts with customers. Contract receivables primarily consist of receivables from customers for vehicle rentals. Contract liabilities primarily consist of obligations to customers for prepaid vehicle rentals and related to the Company’s points-based loyalty programs.

The contract liability balance as of December 31, 2018 is $341 million and is included in accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The revenue recognized during the year ended December 31, 2018 for such contract liabilities is $127 million. Additionally, the Company elected to apply the practical expedient where the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for sales-based royalty fees from franchisees is not disclosed.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, based on the net impact of loyalty points earned and redeemed by customers, the Company recorded a net revenue deferral of $7 million. As of December 31, 2018, the value of unredeemed loyalty points is $272 million, which is recorded as a contract liability in accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2020Feb 26, 2021Showing above
2019Feb 25, 2020
2018Feb 25, 2019
2017Feb 27, 2018
2016Mar 6, 2017

About Revenue Disclosures

Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.

Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.