Despegar is the leading online travel agency (OTA) in Latin America, operating across 18 markets with Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia as its largest. Customers search, compare, and book flights, hotels, vacation packages, and other travel services through Despegar's websites, mobile apps, call centers, and physical retail locations. About 61% of transactions occur via mobile. Beyond its direct consumer business, Despegar sells travel inventory to third-party agencies (B2B) and provides white-label travel platforms to banks, retailers, airlines, and loyalty programs (B2B2C). Despegar earns a commission, or "take rate," on each transaction it facilitates — running in the 13-15% range — without bearing inventory risk. Take rate is driven by product mix (packages and hotels carry higher margins than standalone air), geography (international travel is more profitable), and payment solutions. Installment financing is a key differentiator in Latin America, where consumers depend on installment plans to afford travel; local banks pay Despegar for directing credit card volume their way. Despegar also operates Koin, a fintech subsidiary offering buy now pay later loans, payment processing, and fraud prevention in Brazil and Mexico. Strategically, Despegar is shifting revenue mix toward packages and non-air products, expanding its B2B and white-label channels, and growing its loyalty program, Pasaporte Despegar, which reached 32.5 million members. In December 2024, Despegar agreed to be acquired by Prosus for $19.50 per share; the deal is pending regulatory approval and expected to close in Q2 2025.