Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently and provide information to website owners.

1.1 Types of Technologies

When we refer to "cookies" in this policy, we include similar technologies such as:

• HTTP Cookies: Small data files stored by your browser
• Local Storage: Data stored locally in your browser
• Session Storage: Temporary data stored for your browser session
• Web Beacons: Small graphic images that track user behavior
• Pixels: Code snippets that collect information about your visit

1.2 First-Party vs Third-Party

• First-Party Cookies: Set directly by Auto Essence Australia
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we use (analytics, advertising, etc.)

1.3 Session vs Persistent

• Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device until they expire or you delete them

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website and to provide you with personalized services. Our cookies help us to:

2.1 Essential Functions

• Remember your cookie preferences
• Maintain your session when browsing our site
• Process your booking and payment information securely
• Remember items in your inquiry or booking cart
• Authenticate your identity when you log in

2.2 Website Improvement

• Understand how visitors use our website
• Identify popular content and frequently visited pages
• Analyze website performance and loading times
• Test new features and website designs
• Monitor and prevent security threats

2.3 Personalization

• Remember your location preferences
• Customize content based on your interests
• Show relevant travel recommendations
• Remember your language and accessibility preferences

2.4 Marketing and Communication

• Show you relevant advertisements
• Measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
• Provide social media integration features
• Track conversion from marketing efforts to bookings

3. Types of Cookies We Use

We categorize our cookies into four main types based on their purpose and functionality:

4. Essential Cookies

Essential cookies are critical for the basic functionality of our website. These cookies are always active and cannot be disabled without breaking core website features.

4.1 Essential Cookie Details

4.2 Why These Cookies Are Essential

• Security: Protect against malicious attacks and unauthorized access
• Functionality: Enable core website features like forms and navigation
• User Experience: Maintain continuity during your browsing session
• Legal Compliance: Remember your privacy preferences

5. Performance Cookies

Performance cookies help us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve its functionality and content.

5.1 Performance Cookie Providers

5.2 Data Collected

Performance cookies typically collect anonymous information including:

• Pages visited and time spent on each page
• How you arrived at our website (referral source)
• Device type, browser, and operating system
• General geographic location (country/region)
• Click patterns and scroll behavior
• Website loading times and technical performance

5.3 How We Use This Data

• Identify popular content and improve less-visited pages
• Optimize website speed and performance
• Understand user journey and navigation patterns
• Fix technical issues and broken links
• Make data-driven decisions about website improvements

6. Functional Cookies

Functional cookies enhance your browsing experience by remembering your preferences and providing personalized features.

6.1 Functional Features

• Location Preferences: Remember your preferred travel destinations
• Language Settings: Store your language preference for future visits
• Accessibility Options: Remember text size and contrast preferences
• Form Data: Save partially completed forms (not sensitive information)
• User Interface: Remember your preferred layout and display options

6.2 Personalization Benefits

When you allow functional cookies, we can:

• Show you content relevant to your interests and location
• Avoid repeatedly asking for the same information
• Provide a more streamlined booking experience
• Remember your accessibility needs
• Customize the website layout to your preferences

6.3 Third-Party Functional Services

7. Targeting Cookies

Targeting cookies are used to deliver personalized advertisements and measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns.

7.1 Advertising Partners

7.2 How Targeting Works

Targeting cookies help us:

• Show you ads for destinations you've shown interest in
• Avoid showing you irrelevant advertisements
• Measure how many people visit our website after seeing our ads
• Create lookalike audiences of potential customers
• Retarget visitors who didn't complete a booking

7.3 Data Used for Targeting

• Pages visited on our website
• Travel destinations viewed
• Time spent browsing specific content
• Device and browser information
• General geographic location
• Previous interactions with our ads

7.4 Your Advertising Choices

You can control advertising cookies through:

• Our cookie consent manager on this website
• Individual platform opt-out pages (links provided above)
• Industry opt-out tools like Your Online Choices
• Browser settings and ad-blocking extensions

8. Third-Party Cookies

Our website includes content and services from third-party providers, which may set their own cookies when you interact with their content.

8.1 Common Third-Party Services

• Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube embedded content
• Maps: Google Maps for location services
• Analytics: Google Analytics, other measurement tools
• Payment Processing: Secure payment gateway providers
• Customer Support: Live chat and help desk services
• Content Delivery: Services that help load website content faster

8.2 Third-Party Responsibilities

These third-party services have their own privacy policies and cookie practices:

• We are not responsible for third-party cookie practices
• You should review their individual privacy policies
• They may use cookies for their own analytics and advertising
• Some may share data with additional partners

8.3 Managing Third-Party Cookies

You can control third-party cookies through:

• Our cookie consent manager (for cookies we control)
• Individual third-party privacy settings
• Browser cookie controls
• Avoiding interaction with third-party content

9. Cookie Consent

We respect your right to control cookies on your device and provide clear choices about cookie usage.

9.1 Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:

• Accept All: Allow all cookies for the best experience
• Necessary Only: Only allow essential cookies
• Customize: Choose specific cookie categories

9.2 Detailed Cookie Settings

In the detailed settings, you can control:

• Each category of cookies individually
• Specific third-party services
• Future cookie preferences
• Cookie information and descriptions

9.3 Changing Your Mind

You can update your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Using the cookie controls at the top of this page
• Clicking the cookie settings link in our website footer
• Clearing your browser cookies and revisiting our site
• Contacting us directly with your preferences

9.4 Consent Withdrawal

Withdrawing consent is as easy as giving it:

• Use our cookie controls to disable specific categories
• Your changes take effect immediately
• Some features may be limited with reduced cookie access
• Essential cookies will remain active for basic functionality

10. Managing Your Cookies

You have several options for managing cookies, both through our website controls and your browser settings.

10.1 Website Cookie Controls

Our website provides user-friendly cookie management through:

• Cookie consent banner on first visit
• Detailed cookie settings panel
• Individual category controls
• Real-time preference updates

10.2 Browser Cookie Settings

Most browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings:

Google Chrome

1. Click the three dots menu → Settings
2. Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
3. Choose your preferred settings

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click the menu button → Settings
2. Privacy & Security panel
3. Cookies and Site Data section

Safari

1. Safari menu → Preferences
2. Privacy tab
3. Website tracking and cookies settings

Microsoft Edge

1. Three dots menu → Settings
2. Site permissions → Cookies and data stored
3. Configure your preferences

10.3 Mobile Device Settings

On mobile devices, you can manage cookies through:

• Browser app settings
• Device privacy settings
• App-specific cookie controls
• Advertising ID management

10.4 Impact of Disabling Cookies

Disabling certain cookies may affect:

• Essential Cookies: Basic website functionality may be impaired
• Performance Cookies: We can't improve the website based on usage data
• Functional Cookies: Personalization features won't work
• Targeting Cookies: You may see less relevant advertisements

11. Cookie Retention

Different cookies have different lifespans depending on their purpose and type.

11.1 Cookie Expiration Periods

11.2 Automatic Deletion

Cookies are automatically deleted when they expire, but you can also:

• Manually delete cookies through browser settings
• Set your browser to delete cookies when closing
• Use incognito/private browsing mode
• Clear all cookies periodically

11.3 Cookie Renewal

Some cookies may be renewed when you revisit our website:

• Analytics cookies reset their expiration date
• Advertising cookies may be refreshed
• Functional cookies update with new preferences
• Essential cookies maintain their required duration

12. Updates to This Cookie Policy

12.1 Policy Changes

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:

• Changes in our cookie usage
• New third-party services we integrate
• Updates to privacy laws and regulations
• Improvements to our website functionality
• Feedback from users about cookie preferences

12.2 Notification of Changes

When we make significant changes to this policy, we will:

• Update the "last modified" date at the top of this page
• Display a notification on our website
• Send email notifications to newsletter subscribers
• Request renewed consent for new cookie types

12.3 Review Recommendation

We recommend reviewing this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies and your control options.

13. Contact Us

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

13.1 Cookie-Related Inquiries

For specific questions about cookies, please include:

• The specific cookie name or category you're asking about
• Your browser type and version
• The page where you encountered the cookie
• Any specific concerns or requests you have

13.2 Technical Support

If you're experiencing technical issues with our cookie controls:

• Try refreshing the page and clearing your browser cache
• Check if JavaScript is enabled in your browser
• Contact our technical support team for assistance
• Provide details about your device and browser