Privacy Policy

SFHostels.com (the "Site") is a product of Golden Gate Council of American Youth Hostels, Inc. (the "Council"), nonprofit organization doing business in San Francisco, California. The Council is one of 33 council affiliates of Hostelling International USA.

Overview

Thank you for visiting the Site and reviewing our Privacy Policy (the "Policy"). Your privacy is important to us, and the Policy is simple: We will collect no personally identifiable information about you when you visit the Site unless you choose to provide that information. The Policy does not describe information collection practices on other sites, including those linked to the Site or those the Site links to as a resource.

Information We Collect

The server on which the Site is located collects and saves only the default information customarily logged by web server software: Date and time of visit, originating IP address, and pages and images requested.

When you use the Reservation Wizard service to reserve a bed or room on the Site, we obtain from you the necessary information required to complete your transaction. This information may include your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and credit card account number.

You will be contacted via e-mail regarding your reservation. You will also receive a monthly e-newsletter and periodic special offers. All such communications will provide you with the option to opt-out of all or portions of future e-mail communications.

We may collect additional information if you choose to use or participate in one of our various services, programs or surveys. For example, if you sign up for our e-newsletter service, you may elect to provide demographic data to the Site because you prefer tailored communication based on your preferences.

Customer Security

When you use a credit card to make a reservation at a HI-San Francisco hostel, your personal credit information is encrypted using Secure Socket Layering (SSL). SSL technology is the industry standard for secure online transactions. You have the right to make a reservation by phone. Use the following phone numbers to reach one of our customer service associates: City Center at , Downtown at and Fisherman's Wharf at

All your information is restricted in our offices and only employees who need the information to perform a specific job are granted access to personally identifiable information. All employees are kept up-to-date on our security and privacy practices with regular updates or whenever new policies are added.

Special Notification for California Residents

Individual customers who reside in California may request information about disclosures of certain categories of personal information to third parties for direct marketing purposes. We do not provide your personal information to third parties for direct marketing purposes.

Children's Privacy

The Site does not knowingly collect personal data from children. Children must not use the Site or services offered on it to submit any individually identifiable information about themselves. If you have reason to believe that a child has provided personal data to the SIte, please contact us at the information provided below, and we will delete that information from our database.

Copyright

The materials found on the Site are protected by United States and other copyright laws, except for works of the United States Government pursuant to 1 U.S.C. Section 105. The selection, arrangement and presentation of all materials (including information in the public domain), and the overall design of the Site are copyright ©

Permission is granted to view and print materials from the Site for the non-commercial purpose of viewing, reading and retaining for reference. Any other copying, distribution, retransmission or modification of information or materials on the Site, whether in electronic or hard copy form, without the express prior written permission of the Council, is strictly prohibited.

Trademarks

Hostelling International, HI and the blue triangle logo with the hut and tree are trademarks or service marks of the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) used under license by the Council.

No Warranties

The Site DOES NOT MAKE ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS OR ENDORSEMENTS WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH REGARD TO THE SITE, MATERIALS, ANY PRODUCTS, INFORMATION OR SERVICE PROVIDED THROUGH THE SITE, OR ANY SITES LISTED THEREIN, AND THE SITE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY COST OR DAMAGE ARISING EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM ANY SUCH TRANSACTION. THE SITE DOES NOT WARRANT THAT IT WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE OR THAT DEFECTS IN IT WILL BE CORRECTED. THE SITE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS, AS AVAILABLE" BASIS.

IN NO EVENT WILL THE SITE OR ITS MEMBERS, MANAGERS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS AND THE ASSIGNS OF SAME BE LIABLE FOR (1) ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF PROGRAMS OR INFORMATION, AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SITE, THE MATERIALS OR ANY INFORMATION, OR TRANSACTIONS PROVIDED ON THE SITE OR DOWNLOADED FROM THE SITE, EVEN IF THE SITE OR ITS AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR (2) ANY CLAIM ATTRIBUTABLE TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR OTHER INACCURACIES IN THE WEB SITE, THE MATERIALS AND/OR LISTINGS OR INFORMATION DOWNLOADED THROUGH THE WEB SITE. BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. IN SUCH STATES, THE WEB SITE'S LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Site and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents and the assigns of same, from and against any and all loss, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses), claims, damages and liabilities related to or associated with your use of the Site and any violation of this Policy by you.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

The Policy constitutes a contract made under and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

Your Consent and Rights

By using the Site, you consent to the collection and use of this information by the Council. If we decide to change the Policy, we will disclose how the collection or sharing of your personal information may have changed.

You have the right to add or remove your personal information we may have on file. Please contact us using the information provided below. If you know the program, product or service that led to your submission of personal information, please tell us so we may efficiently locate your information.

Contact Information

Questions or comments regarding the Site or the Policy should be directed to:

Enforcement

If you feel that the Site fails to comply with the Policy you have the right to contact the following:

Executive Director
Use the same information provided above
Better Business Bureau

Complaint form
Federal Trade Commission
Phone:
Complaint form

Last Update

This Policy was last updated on April 1, 2005.

Prior Revision: None (the Site launched on April 1, 2005).

If the Policy changes the prior revision will be posted here.