Piccola Travel, LLC respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website, services, and book travel through our agency. By using our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy. SMS consent is separate and is given only through the checkbox described in Section 6.
Summary of Key Points
- We collect personal information necessary to book and manage your travel.
- Your data is shared only with the Travel Providers and service providers needed to fulfill your bookings.
- We never share your phone number, SMS opt-in, or consent with third parties or affiliates for marketing.
- We use secure payment gateways; your full credit card details are never stored on our servers.
- You can opt out of marketing communications at any time.
- We do not use automated tools to make legally significant decisions about your travel.
1. Information We Collect
We collect various types of information to provide and improve our travel services:
A. Information You Provide Directly
The only information you provide directly through this website is what you type into a request form on the site. Those forms ask for:
- Your name.
- Your phone number.
- Your email address.
- A destination or service selection from a drop-down list.
- An optional free-text message describing your travel plans.
Some pages also ask for the number of passengers, a departure city, and approximate travel dates. Nothing else is requested by the website.
This website never asks for and never collects payment card details, passport numbers, dates of birth, or government-issued identification. There is no payment form and no document upload anywhere on this site.
When you go on to book travel, we do need some of that information — passport details for international itineraries, dates of birth where an airline or cruise line requires them, and payment details to pay a supplier. We collect those separately, by phone, email, text message, or in person, and never through this website.
B. Booking and Travel Information
- Flight details, hotel reservations, cruise bookings, tour arrangements.
- Travel dates, destinations, passenger lists.
- Loyalty program memberships and frequent flyer numbers.
C. Payment Information
- Payment card details are never entered on this website. They are taken by your advisor, or entered by you directly into a supplier's or payment processor's own secure system.
- Billing address and payment confirmation details are handled the same way.
- We do not store complete payment card information on our servers.
D. Information Collected Automatically
- Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers.
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on site, click patterns, referring URLs.
- Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address.
E. Communications
- Records of emails, phone calls, chat messages, and other correspondence.
- Customer service inquiries and support tickets.
- Feedback, reviews, and survey responses.
F. Information About Other Travelers
- When booking for others, you provide their personal information and represent that you have authorization to do so.
- We collect the same categories of information for all travelers in your party.
2. How We Collect Information
A. Direct Collection
- Information you provide through website forms, phone calls, emails, or in-person consultations.
- Data entered during the booking process or account registration.
B. Automated Technologies
- Cookies: Small data files stored on your device to enhance user experience and track usage.
- Analytics Tools: Third-party services like Google Analytics to understand website traffic.
C. Third-Party Sources
- Travel Providers (airlines, hotels, cruise lines) with whom you have existing relationships.
- Publicly available sources for verification purposes.
3. Why We Use Your Information
A. To Provide Travel Services
- Process bookings, reservations, and payments.
- Communicate booking confirmations, itinerary changes, and travel updates.
- Arrange special requests and accessibility accommodations.
B. For Payment Processing
- Charge for travel services and process refunds.
- Verify payment information and prevent fraud.
C. To Communicate With You
- Send travel documents, boarding passes, and vouchers.
- Provide customer support and respond to inquiries.
- Send service-related notifications (not marketing).
D. For Marketing (With Consent)
- Send promotional offers, travel deals, and newsletters (only if you opt in).
- Personalize marketing communications based on your travel preferences.
E. To Improve Our Website and Services
- Analyze usage patterns to enhance user experience.
- Develop new features and service offerings.
- Troubleshoot technical issues.
F. For Security and Legal Compliance
- Protect against fraud, unauthorized transactions, and security breaches.
- Comply with legal obligations, court orders, and regulatory requirements.
- Enforce our Terms and Conditions.
4. Legal Bases for Processing Information
We process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:
- Performance of Contract: Processing necessary to fulfill your travel bookings.
- Consent: Where you have explicitly agreed to specific uses (e.g., marketing communications).
- Legal Obligation: Compliance with laws requiring data retention or disclosure.
- Legitimate Interests: Business operations, fraud prevention, and service improvement, balanced against your privacy rights.
Is Piccola Travel a legitimate, licensed travel agency?
Yes. Piccola Travel, LLC is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel (ST45235), is IATA accredited and a CLIA member, and is based in Miami, Florida. We plan and book travel for families, couples, and groups in English and Spanish. The only information this website collects is what you type into a request form; we never sell it, and we use it only to respond to your request and manage your booking.
6. Text Messages, SMS Consent, and Communication Preferences
SMS Disclosures
- You consent to receive text messages from us only by checking the SMS consent box on our website forms; providing your phone number alone does not enroll you in text messaging. Consented messages may include booking confirmations, payment reminders, trip updates and travel reminders, replies to your inquiries and follow-up on quotes, and promotional travel offers from Piccola Travel.
- Message frequency varies based on your travel activity.
- Message and data rates may apply according to your carrier plan.
- No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
Opt-Out Instructions
You can stop all text messages from us at any time by replying STOP to any message. You may receive one final message confirming that you have opted out; after that, we will send no further text messages to your number unless you opt back in. If you have an active booking, we will send any essential updates by email or phone instead. Text HELP at any time for assistance.
SMS/Text Messaging Privacy
- We collect your phone number when you submit a request form. We text you only if you also tick the SMS consent box; without the box, we do not send you text messages.
- Your phone number and SMS consent are used only for the messages described above. They are never sold, and never shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing.
- SMS consent is not shared with third parties or affiliates. All other categories of information described in this Privacy Policy exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
- Opt out any time by replying STOP; text HELP for assistance.
How do I opt out of automated travel update text messages?
Reply STOP to any text message and all texts from Piccola Travel stop. You can also call 1-888-902-0978. Text HELP at any time for assistance.
Does Piccola Travel use automated tools to make legally significant decisions?
No. Automated tools help us organize booking information and route routine tasks. Booking details, supplier rates, and terms are checked and finalized by a Piccola Travel advisor.
8. Our Use of Artificial Intelligence and Automation
Piccola Travel utilizes AI and automated technologies to enhance service delivery:
- Data Organization: Automated tools categorize and organize booking information for efficient processing.
- Processing Efficiencies: Workflow automation streamlines routine tasks and document generation.
- Human Oversight: All significant travel decisions, itinerary validations, and rate assignments are reviewed and approved by qualified travel advisors.
We do not use automated decision-making that produces legal effects concerning you or similarly significantly affects you without human intervention.
9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:
Our website stores nothing itself: request-form data goes directly from the form to our customer relationship system (Zoho CRM), and booking documents such as vouchers and travel documents are stored in Dropbox.
- Encryption: your information travels over TLS-encrypted connections, and the systems where we store it (our CRM and our file storage) encrypt data at rest.
- Access Controls: multi-factor authentication is required on the staff accounts that hold your information.
- Incident Notification: if we learn of a breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you and the authorities as Florida law requires.
No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence:
- Travel bookings often require data sharing with international suppliers (airlines, hotels) in your destination countries.
- We use service providers that may store data in various global locations.
- When your information goes to a supplier or provider abroad, we rely on that supplier's or provider's own contractual and security commitments; we do not hold separate international data-transfer agreements.
By using our services and booking international travel, you consent to such transfers necessary to fulfill your travel arrangements.
11. Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed to children under 16 years of age, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children:
- If we discover that a child under 16 has provided us with personal information, we will promptly delete it.
- Children may travel as part of family bookings; their information is collected only as necessary for travel arrangements with parental consent.
- Parents or guardians may contact us to review, correct, or request deletion of information related to their children.
12. How Long We Keep Information
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy:
- Active Bookings: Duration of travel plus any post-travel support period.
- Legal Requirements: Retention periods required by tax, accounting, and travel industry regulations.
- Business Needs: Reasonable periods for resolving disputes, enforcing agreements, and improving services.
- Marketing Consent: Until you withdraw consent or we cease marketing activities.
When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention schedule.
13. Your Privacy Rights and Choices
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request copies of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances.
- Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service provider.
- Restriction: Request limitation of how we process your information.
- Objection: Object to certain processing activities, including marketing.
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw previously given consent at any time.
How to Exercise Your Rights
Contact us using the information in Section 16. We will respond within 30 days. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.
14. Third-Party Services
Our website and services may contain links to third-party websites and services:
- Travel Provider websites (airlines, hotels, cruise lines) operate independently with their own privacy policies.
- Social media platforms and sharing features are governed by their respective privacy terms.
- We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or services.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit through our platform.
15. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements:
- The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy indicates the most recent revision.
- Material changes will be communicated via email or website notice.
- Continued use of our services after policy changes constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your information.
16. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Piccola Travel, LLC
12150 SW 128th Ct Ste 202
Miami / Kendall, Florida 33186
Phone: 1-888-902-0978
Email: support@piccolatravel.com
Florida Seller of Travel Registration: ST45235