Microsoft buys Farecast for $115 million

Filed under: Internet, Web services, Microsoft

Microsoft buys Farecast for $115 million

by Brad Linder Apr 17th 2008

Microsoft has purchased Farecast, a travel pricing/comparison/booking service that competes with similar web services like Travelocity, Orbitz, and Kayak. What sets Farecast apart from other services is the site's focus on predictions. Based on trends over time, Farecast can help users predict whether prices will go up or down in the future.

The Seattle Post Intelligencer says Microsoft paid $115 million for the company. In a blog post, Farecast says very little about the acquisition other than that it "created tremendous opportunities." Farecast is already prominently featured on Microsoft's MSN Travel site. It's not clear if and how Microsoft will utilize Farecast and its technology beyond the travel site.

[via Profy]

Tags: acquisition, farecast, travel

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Quikboy said 11:17PM on 4-17-2008

Maybe MS might improve the look a bit. I think Farecast does a pretty good job, I just think has the worst look out of all the other booking sites.

Considering Expedia is already owned by MS, maybe this will create a stronger booking site?

Adam said 7:37AM on 4-18-2008

Echo the poster above. M$ owns expedia. Arguably one of M$ best entities

Jim said 7:37AM on 4-18-2008

Microsoft *started* Expedia. but spun it off into a seperate company in 1999. It was then bought by USA Networks (the cable TV channel) in 2001.

Get your facts right, people! Oh, and people that write "M$" are idiots.

modtv1337 said 7:39AM on 4-18-2008

.......jim plz get off of m$ balllzack .....its embarrassing o.o

kaushik said 11:49AM on 4-18-2008

When will Microsoft buy my site?

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