Cookie Policy
How we use cookies and tracking technologies in compliance with PECR and UK GDPR.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your computer, mobile device, or tablet when you visit websites. They are widely used to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site.
In this policy, we refer to all cookies, web beacons, tracking pixels, and local storage technologies collectively as “cookies”.
2. UK PECR & ICO Compliance Guidelines
In the United Kingdom, the use of cookies is regulated by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
UK Case Context — PECR Consent Rules:
In alignment with the **Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)** cookie guidelines, Travel Kin operates a strict opt-in framework. No non-essential cookies (such as analytics or behavioral trackers) are loaded on your device until you have given your active, explicit consent via our cookie banner.Under PECR, we do not require your consent for “strictly necessary” cookies, which are essential to provide the service you explicitly requested (for example, logging into your account securely).
3. Cookie Categories We Use
We categorize the cookies used on our Platform into three main classes:
A. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are vital for the operational safety, session integrity, and core navigation of our website. Without them, you cannot use essential features like secure login, payment processing via Stripe, or safety-critical alert matching.
B. Performance & Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect aggregated, anonymous information about how you use our Platform (such as which pages you visit most often and any errors encountered). We use this data via tools like PostHog to optimize load times and improve navigation flows.
C. Functional & Preferences Cookies
These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make (such as your preferred destination filters, active travel currency, or language settings) to provide a more personalized experience.
4. Inventory of Cookies
The specific cookies we commonly deploy on the Travel Kin platform include:
| Cookie Name | Category | Lifespan | Purpose Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| session_token | Strictly Necessary | Session | Maintains your authenticated user session, protecting against CSRF attacks. |
| cookie_consent | Strictly Necessary | 1 Year | Stores your cookie preferences selected in our consent banner. |
| _ph_token | Performance/Analytics | 1 Year | Deploys anonymous tracking codes via PostHog to analyze interface usability. |
| prev_dest | Functional | Session | Remembers your last searched travel destination to populate search bars automatically. |
5. How to Manage and Disable Cookies
You can control and manage cookies in various ways. Please note that removing or blocking cookies can impact your user experience and parts of our Platform may no longer be fully accessible.
Most web browsers allow you to change your cookie settings. These settings will typically be found in the “options” or “preferences” menu of your browser. To understand these settings, the following links may be helpful:
- Cookie settings in Microsoft Edge
- Cookie settings in Firefox
- Cookie settings in Google Chrome
- Cookie settings in Safari (Mac)
We also respect Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals sent by your browser, which automatically set your cookie preferences in accordance with your browser settings.
6. Questions & Contact
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time in order to reflect changes to the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons.
If you have any questions or concerns about our use of cookies, please email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@travelkin.co.uk.