Privacy Policy

What personal information do 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 purposes. See SMS Terms and Conditions section, below.

How is personal information used?

  • The information we collect when you book a flight (either through the online booking platform or directly over the phone) is only used by us to facilitate or follow up on the hot air balloon flight that you are booking, 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, 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.

Who is personal information shared with?

  • No one. 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 flight, not data collection and sales.

SMS Terms of Service

Required technical language:

By opting into SMS from a web form or other medium, you are agreeing to receive SMS messages from RIO GRANDE BALLOONS. This includes SMS messages in response to your texts, minimal automated reminders about the flight you booked, and text communications from 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:

What type of texts can you expect to receive by opting into SMS texts from a web form, booking form or by making a booking over the phone?

  • 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 (from your pilot, a booking person, etc.) 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.

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

Messaging frequency may vary.

  • 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.

Message and data rates may apply.

To opt out at any time, text STOP

  • We’re not going to send a bunch of automated emails, 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.