FlipKey
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Vacation rental, Travel |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (179 countries) |
| Products | Vacation rental listings, travel service ratings |
| Parent | TripAdvisor |
FlipKey operates as a digital platform specializing in vacation rental listings and functions as a subsidiary of TripAdvisor. By 2016, the site featured more than 300,000 rental properties spanning 179 countries. Its main office is situated in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Before properties are listed, FlipKey's team verifies the rental owners; however, the platform largely depends on guest feedback to assess accommodations. Additionally, FlipKey provides ratings for various travel-related services, including culinary blogs and, within the United States, national historic landmarks.
In 2016, the Better Business Bureau assigned an F grade to FlipKey following grievances concerning amenities in rentals that were not reliably guaranteed.
History
Established in 2007, FlipKey began as a website dedicated to house exchanges and vacation rental listings. The following year, it was acquired by the travel company TripAdvisor and earned recognition from Travel and Leisure as one of the leading travel websites.
Originally, FlipKey generated revenue by selling subscriptions to property owners and operated out of offices located on Lincoln Street in Boston. After 2013, the business model transitioned to charging hosts a commission fee based on each booking.
In 2014, the company relocated its headquarters to Causeway Street in Boston, sharing premises with Smarter Travel, another Tripadvisor affiliate. That same year, FlipKey introduced a virtual tour of Boston to enhance the promotion of its rental offerings.
The platform underwent a technological upgrade in 2015, which led to dissatisfaction among some large-scale property managers due to increased charges. In 2017, FlipKey faced legal action from Coral Gables city officials in Florida for allegedly violating local laws that restrict commercial operations within residential zones.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Tripadvisor
- American companies established in 2007
- Hospitality companies established in 2007
- Real estate companies established in 2007
- Internet properties established in 2007
- Hospitality companies of the United States
- Online marketplaces of the United States
- Vacation rental
- Companies based in Boston