Privacy Policy

How We Collect Your Personal Information:

  • Through phone or text conversation, email, or online booking platform when you make a flight reservation, or through web form on our website if you choose.

What personal information we collect:

  • Name, Age and Weight for each passenger: This information is required for our flight manifest and our aircraft weight and balance calculations.

  • Email address: This is used a) for direct communication with the person who booked the flight, specifically related to the flight, and b) on rare occasion to communicate a change to Rio Grande Balloons that past passengers may find significant (I have sent only one such email in the last 5 years of operation).

  • Phone number: This is used for phone or SMS text communication with the person who booked the flight, specifically related to the flight. SMS consent is not shared with third parties for marketing, or any other purposes. See SMS Terms and Conditions section, below.

How We Use Your Personal Information:

  • The information we collect when you book a flight (either through the online booking platform or directly over the phone via conversation or text) is only used by us to facilitate or follow up on the hot air balloon flight that you are booking/have booked, or on rare occasion to send an email related to significant developments at Rio Grande Balloons (i.e. if we open up a new flying area that we think you might want to know about, we might send one email to let past passengers know). We do not use this for future scheduled marketing emails or to barrage you with automated emails or text messaging.

How and Why We Share Personal Information with Third Parties:

  • WE DON‘T! We do not sell, share, trade or in any other way give away your personal information. We are in the business of sharing the beauty of hot air balloon flights, not data collection and sales.

SMS Terms and Conditions

By opting into SMS messaging from a web form, online booking form, text message, phone call or other medium, you are agreeing to receive SMS messages from RIO GRANDE BALLOONS. This includes SMS messages in response to your texts, one set of three (3) automated booking confirmation texts, and text communications from a human being (your pilot and/or booking person) about your booking, weather cancellations, rescheduling your flight, etc. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. See privacy policy (above). Message HELP for help. Reply STOP to any message to opt out.

In simple language, how this is actually applied:

Consent for SMS Communications:

  • Upon granting consent to receive SMS communications from Rio Grande Balloons, rest assured that your phone number and consent will remain confidential. We will not sell or share your information with third parties or affiliates for marketing, or any other purposes. The phone number and consent will only be used to facilitate direct communication with you, from us.

Types of SMS Communications: The following types of messages may be sent after obtaining consent:

  • Direct responses to any texts that you send us with questions about booking a flight or related to a flight that you have already booked, etc.

  • Direct communications from us (a human being, i.e. your pilot or a booking person) about your booked flight: weather cancellations, rescheduling, etc.

  • Follow-up texts after the flight. For example, a link to photos that were taken or any followup information related to pertinent conversations with the pilot and/or crew during the flight (this will be from a human, not automated).

  • Minimal automated texts (at this point, one reminder to complete the online waiver prior to your flight)

Example Messages:

  • "Thanks for booking a flight with us! Sincerely, Sol Lothe Owner and Pilot Rio Grande Balloons"

  • "These are the only automated texts you will receive. Any other texts will be from a human being: i.e. your Pilot."

  • "To opt out, reply "STOP" to unsubscribe. Message data rates may apply. Messaging frequency may vary. For assistance, reply "HELP.""

Standard Messaging Disclosures:

  • To opt out of SMS communications, simply reply with "STOP."

  • For assistance or inquiries, reply with "HELP."

  • Message and data rates may apply.

Sample Response for "HELP" Reply:

  • "For further assistance, please visit our website at www.riograndeballoons.com or contact us at 575-208-1888."

Message Frequency:

  • You will receive one set of three (3) automated confirmation texts when you book a flight (see “Example Messages”, above). Any texts after that, if necessary, will be from a human being (your pilot) in order to communicate directly about your flight (weather issues, rescheduling, etc.). The frequency may vary depending on the nature of the communications. Basically, we’re human too. We’re not going to spam you with a bunch of automated texts, but are happy to text with you as much as necessary to answer any questions you may have or help coordinate details of your flight (weather updates or cancellations, rescheduling, answering questions, etc.).

Opt-In Method: You may opt-in to receive SMS messages from Rio Grande Balloons in the following ways:

  • Verbally, during a conversation

  • By submitting an online form

Opt-Out Method:

  • You can opt-out of receiving SMS messages at any time. To do so, simply reply "STOP" to any SMS message you receive. Alternatively, you can contact us directly to request removal from our messaging list.

  • Note that we only send one required automated SMS text when you book a flight (any other texts will be from your pilot), so this is basically irrelevant.

For assistance, text HELP or visit our website at www.riograndeballoons.com.

  • Or just call us. We’d much rather answer any questions you may have over the phone.