Designing the Modular System
That Unified KAYAK’s Fragmented Stays Experience

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I led the end-to-end redesign of KAYAK Stays, one of KAYAK’s most complex verticals—spanning seven acquired brands, two regional business models, and four legacy card types.

Over 18 months, I shaped the product roadmap and drove major UX improvements across the experience. This included unifying fragmented card formats into a scalable modular system and redesigning key surfaces

such as Map, Filters, and the Detail Page to meet both user and business goals.

Problem 1: How to Support Two Different Business Models with One Design?

Problem 1: How to Support Two Different Business Models with One Design?

The Stays results page was running two different card designs.

In NORAM/EMEA, revenue relied heavily on high CPC performance, so the card emphasized the “Primary Deal” on the right.

In APAC, most revenue came from bookings, so the card focused on comparing all available deals.

The team tested applying a single card design across all regions, but both versions caused revenue drops in markets they weren’t optimized for.

This revealed the core challenge: one design needed to support two fundamentally different business models.

The Stays results page was running two different card designs.

In NORAM/EMEA, revenue relied heavily on high CPC performance, so the card emphasized the “Primary Deal” on the right.

In APAC, most revenue came from bookings, so the card focused on comparing all available deals.

The team tested applying a single card design across all regions, but both versions caused revenue drops in markets they weren’t optimized for.

This revealed the core challenge: one design needed to support two fundamentally different business models.

Design Concept: Modular Card Structure

Design Concept: Modular Card Structure

Using the four information elements, I developed a modular card design that could adapt to seven sister brands and regional requirements.
This structure supported the new vertical multi-book layout while remaining flexible enough to switch back to the horizontal pattern when needed.

Using the four information elements, I developed a modular card design that could adapt to seven sister brands and regional requirements.
This structure supported the new vertical multi-book layout while remaining flexible enough to switch back to the horizontal pattern when needed.

Modular Cards in Action

Modular Cards in Action

The modular structure adapts to different business models, layouts, and regional requirements.
This flexibility allows the card to reconfigure itself based on the information each scenario requires.

The modular structure adapts to different business models, layouts, and regional requirements.
This flexibility allows the card to reconfigure itself based on the information each scenario requires.

Final Design: One Adaptive Card Across All View Types

Final Design: One Adaptive Card Across All View Types

The modular system enabled a single adaptive card that works across both List and Map views.
It also expanded the information area (+10%) and the Primary Deal area (+21%) to support comparison and click-driven revenue.

The modular system enabled a single adaptive card that works across both List and Map views.
It also expanded the information area (+10%) and the Primary Deal area (+21%) to support comparison and click-driven revenue.

Result: Stays Results Page Improvements

Result: Stays Results Page Improvements

Through incremental improvements across the cards, filters, and map exploration, we achieved an increase in conversion
with only a minimal, business-acceptable dip in CTR.


We met the business goals while delivering clearer readability and a smoother browsing experience.
Unifying four separate card types into a single system also reduced development and operational cost to one quarter of the original.

Through incremental improvements across the cards, filters, and map exploration, we achieved an increase in conversion
with only a minimal, business-acceptable dip in CTR.


We met the business goals while delivering clearer readability and a smoother browsing experience.
Unifying four separate card types into a single system also reduced development and operational cost to one quarter of the original.

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