Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They help websites remember information about your visit and how you interact with the site, making it easier to use and providing a better, more personalized experience.

FlightMate uses a minimal number of cookies to provide essential functionality, maintain security, and improve our service. We are committed to transparency about how we use cookies and give you full control over your preferences.

This Cookie Policy is part of our overall Privacy Policy and complies with GDPR, CCPA, and other applicable data protection regulations.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

These cookies are required for the basic functionality of our website and cannot be disabled. They enable core features such as:

• Session Management: Keeps you logged in as you navigate the site
• Security: Protects against cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks
• Load Balancing: Distributes traffic across our servers for optimal performance
• Form Submissions: Ensures forms work correctly when you sign up or manage your account

Duration: Session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or up to 30 days for persistent cookies

2.2 Analytics Cookies (Performance)

We use minimal analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our site so we can improve it. These cookies collect anonymous information such as:

• Pages visited and time spent on each page
• How you arrived at our site (e.g., search engine, direct link)
• Which links you clicked
• Browser type and device information

Analytics Provider: We use self-hosted analytics (not Google Analytics or other third-party trackers)

Duration: Up to 12 months

2.3 Email Tracking

When we send you emails, we may use tracking pixels to understand email engagement:

• Open Tracking: Whether you opened the email
• Click Tracking: Which links you clicked in the email
• Device Information: Email client and device type

This helps us:

• Understand which flight deals are most interesting to subscribers
• Improve our email content and design
• Optimize send times for better engagement

Note: You can disable image loading in your email client to prevent email tracking.

3. Cookies We DON'T Use

FlightMate is committed to your privacy. We explicitly do NOT use:

• Advertising Cookies: We don't show ads or use advertising networks
• Third-Party Tracking: No Facebook Pixel, Google Analytics, or similar trackers
• Cross-Site Tracking: We don't track your activity on other websites
• Social Media Cookies: No social media tracking pixels or widgets
• Retargeting/Remarketing: We don't follow you around the internet with ads
• Behavioral Profiling: We don't build detailed profiles of your browsing behavior

4. Third-Party Cookies

4.1 Stripe (Payment Processing)

When you make a payment, Stripe (our payment processor) may set cookies for:

• Fraud detection and prevention
• Secure payment processing
• Remembering your payment information (if you choose)

Stripe's cookies are subject to Stripe's own privacy policy: stripe.com/privacy

4.2 Email Service Provider

Our email service (Resend) may set cookies when you click links in our emails. These are used to:

• Track email delivery and engagement
• Prevent spam and abuse

5. How to Control and Delete Cookies

5.1 Browser Settings

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• View cookies stored on your device
• Delete all cookies or specific cookies
• Block all cookies from all websites
• Block cookies from specific websites
• Accept cookies only from trusted websites
• Set your browser to notify you when a cookie is being set

5.2 Browser-Specific Instructions

5.3 Important Notes About Blocking Cookies

If you block all cookies or delete essential cookies:

• You may not be able to sign in or use certain features
• Your preferences and settings may not be saved
• Some pages may not display correctly
• You may need to re-enter information more frequently

We recommend allowing essential cookies while blocking third-party cookies if you're concerned about privacy.

6. Detailed Cookie Information

Here's a complete list of cookies used by FlightMate:

7. Do Not Track (DNT) Signals

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal that you can enable to tell websites you don't want to be tracked.

FlightMate respects DNT signals. When we detect a DNT signal:

• We disable non-essential analytics cookies
• We still use essential cookies required for site functionality
• We anonymize all data collection

8. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal and regulatory reasons.

When we make changes:

• We'll update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• We'll notify you via email if the changes are significant
• Your continued use of FlightMate constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

9. More Information About Cookies

If you want to learn more about cookies and how they work, these resources may be helpful:

• AllAboutCookies.org - Comprehensive information about cookies
• CookieChoices.org - Information from the EU
• AboutCookies.org - How to control and delete cookies

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

We're committed to transparency and will be happy to answer any questions about how we use cookies.