Privacy Policy

Overview

Silicon Valley Travel ("we," "our," or "us"), operated by Gretchen Ode, is a travel planning service based in San Jose, California. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using this website or contacting us to plan travel, you agree to the practices described here.

Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

• Name, email address, and phone number (via contact and trip inquiry forms)
• Travel preferences, destination interests, budget ranges, and trip dates
• Passport or traveler details when required for booking
• Communications you send us (email, phone, or social media messages)

We also collect limited technical data automatically when you visit this website, including your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on the site. This data is collected through Google Analytics and is used solely to understand site performance and improve your experience.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to your inquiries and plan travel on your behalf
• Make reservations and communicate with travel suppliers (hotels, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators) as necessary to complete your booking
• Send you trip confirmations, itineraries, and important travel updates
• Follow up after your trip to ensure your experience was as expected
• Improve our website and services based on usage patterns

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

Sharing Your Information

We share your personal information only as necessary to complete your travel arrangements:

• Travel suppliers — hotels, resorts, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, and transfer companies require your details to confirm reservations
• Travel networks and consortia — we are a member of the Signature Travel Network, which may have access to booking data as part of our professional affiliation
• Service providers — we use third-party tools (such as Google Analytics and our booking platform) that process limited data on our behalf under confidentiality agreements
• Legal requirements — we may disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights, safety, or property of Silicon Valley Travel or others

Commission Disclosure

Our trip planning services are complimentary to you. We receive commissions from travel suppliers — including hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, and tour operators — when we make bookings on your behalf. This compensation comes from the supplier and does not increase the price you pay. We disclose this practice in the spirit of full transparency.

Cookies & Analytics

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous data about site visits, such as page views, session duration, and general geographic location. This data does not identify you personally. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. We do not use cookies for advertising or tracking across other websites.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as needed to provide our services and fulfill the purposes described in this policy. Trip and booking records may be kept for up to seven years for tax and business record purposes. You may request deletion of your information at any time by contacting us directly.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your information (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Opt out of future marketing communications at any time

California residents may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information below.

Security

We take reasonable precautions to protect your information from unauthorized access or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.