PRODUCT INFORMATION is effective as of 1/1/2010 and replaces all other
oral,written or printed information except for Gift Certificates. Gift Certificates have different conditions and restrictions
which are printed on the back of the certificate, a copy can be requested in advance of purchase by E-mailing us. All
Gift Certificates are 100% non-refundable for any reason and all sales are final. Gift Certificates and special fares
are valid and available to use only during our current flight season except Holiday dates or other special dates (such as
Valentines Day, Mother's Day, etc.) when only full fare tickets are accepted. We reserve the right to change the dates
of our flight season at any time if - in our sole professional opinion - conditions are not suitable for flying. By
making a verbal telephone reservation with us with your major credit card you acknowledge that you have been notified of this
information by our reservations agent when you made the reservation as evidenced by the date and time your credit card was
charged in full, have read this information and ALL OTHER INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE, understand it, and agree to it:
GENERAL
Uniformed pilots are FAA Certified Commercial Balloon Pilots. All flight times are approximate.
Trip length varies due to wind speed and is conducted at varying altitudes. The exact flight path and landing areas
are unknown in advance and not guaranteed due to unpredictable wind and weather conditions. Our balloons are inspected
and certified as aircraft in accordance with all applicable FAA regulations.
JOINING INSTRUCTIONS
Due
to calm air in the early morning, MEETING TIMES vary from 5:00 to 9:00 am depending on the month. Call local reservations
for meeting times and directions to launch site at least 12 hours prior to your flight. Local offices are NOT open during
early morning hours, as our staff is physically at the launch site two hours prior to your meeting time preparing your balloon
for flight. Passengers should check in at the meeting time. A confirmed meeting time is given at the same time you make your
reservation and cannot be changed. It is imperative that you are on time. DEPARTURE TIME is typically 30 minutes after the
MEETING TIME. We take off ON TIME. The departure time cannot be changed to accomodate late arriving passengers, as we are
sitting on the ground burning a finite amount of on-board fuel intended for flight, as well as making other passengers who
have already boarded wait. If you arrive late we reserve the right to deduct the amount of time late from the flight time.
If you arrive after the flight has departed you will not be given a refund, we will make no attempt to make illegal and potentially
dangerous landings to board you and you will not allowed to re-book for a future date. No exceptions to this policy will be
made under any circumstances.
CLOTHING
Although usual conditions predict cool mornings and comfortable
inflight conditions, passengers should be prepared for extremes. We recommend dressing in 3 light weight layers with a light
weight cap and sunglasses. Video cameras and regular cameras are allowed only if you have a strap to allow the camera to hang
from your neck.
Passengers should wear sturdy footwear like tennis shoes or lightweight hiking boots. Cell phones MUST
be turned off inflight. Absolutely no high heel shoes, sandals or open toe shoes are allowed. The Pilot In Command reserves
the right to deny boarding to any passenger, that, in his sole opinion, arrives for the flight improperly dressed, and no
refund will be given nor re-booking for a future flight date.
SMOKING
Balloons are fueled by propane,
a flammable gas. ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING is allowed at ANY time around or near balloons or motorized equipment.
BAGGAGE/FOOD
AND BEVERAGES
Due to limited space on board, FAA regulations prohibit luggage, camera bags, back packs, purses,
etc. We recommend leaving these items at home or locking them in the trunk of your car before arriving at the balloon. Safekeeping
is provided for in our vehicles but we expressly deny any claims for lost, stolen or damaged goods in our possession while
you are flying. Food and beverage is not allowed on board with the exception of water in small plastic bottles
GRATUITIES
We are frequently asked about gratuities. Your pilot is an exceptionally skilled professional pilot and also serves
as your tour guide. Common guidelines in the tour and travel industry indicate a minimum ten percent gratuity for your pilot
which is shared with the crew. Many passengers like to extend additional gratuity and we recommend you do so in cash
to the pilot at the conclusion of the flight. Our pilots and crew, like many in the service industry, depend on gratuities
as a significant part of their incomes.
CANCELLATIONS AND TRANSFERS
When you make a reservation we
block space for you on an exclusive, definite basis, remove it from inventory and often must turn away
other paying passengers who would like to go on the same flight you have reserved. We
guarantee that space will be available for you that day. We do not take tentative or speculative
reservations, over book our flights or have standby status.
Regardless of reason, cancellations, transfers to another
date and other switches results in a costly process of letters, toll calls, record adjustments, etc., plus a loss of revenue
if time does not permit a resale. In fairness to others we cannot make exceptions to the following policy:
* Once
we have received your credit card information for your full fare or special discount ticket your account is charged in full
for your flight. No refunds will be made and your fare is 100% non-refundable UNLESS Balloon America cancels (usually for
weather related reasons, but for any other reason in our sole opinion we deem necessary). In this case we will call you early
the morning of your flight, usually before you wake, and notify you that the flight has been cancelled. If we do this we will
either refund your full fare ticket payment electronically to your credit card or, if you prefer, re-book you for a future
date. Special discount tickets may require to you re-book your flight within a certain time frame up to the
expiration date. All Gift Certificates are 100% non-refundable for ANY reason. In case of a cancellation by Balloon
America for your Gift Certificate or special discount fare you will be allowed to to re-book a future date in accordance
with the gift certificate or special dioscount ticket terms and expiration date, but under no circumstances past this expiration
date. It is the customer's responsiblity to be aware of and comply with any expiration dates and/or any special terms
required for advanced booking of Gift Certificates or special discount fares. Extensions to the expiration date will
not be given for any reason. If you elect to re-book any fare all of the above policy applies
as if it was a new reservation.
