AI Gave Bad Visa Advice And This Influencer Missed Her Flight
An Influencer's Travel Plans Go Awry
A Spanish social media influencer recently went viral for reasons no traveler ever wants to experience. In a tearful TikTok video, Mery Caldass shared her travel disaster after her planned romantic getaway to Puerto Rico with her boyfriend came to a sudden halt at the airport.
Caldass, who noted that she typically does extensive research for her trips, made a critical mistake: she relied on ChatGPT for a crucial piece of travel documentation advice. She asked the AI whether she and her boyfriend needed a visa to visit the U.S. territory.
The Dangers of AI Travel Advice
ChatGPT informed her that a visa was not necessary, and Caldass took that information at face value without further verification. While the AI's answer was technically correct for a stay under 90 days, it omitted a vital detail. As a Spanish citizen, Caldass and her boyfriend were required to complete the U.S. State Department’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form. This form is mandatory for travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries and determines their eligibility to enter the United States.
Without the approved ESTA, the couple was denied boarding, and their trip was ruined before it even began.
A Viral Cautionary Tale
The video of a distraught Caldass at the airport has since been viewed over 13,000 times. Adding a touch of humor to her unfortunate situation, she joked that she regularly insults ChatGPT, and perhaps the bad advice was the AI's form of "revenge."
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the limitations of AI. While tools like ChatGPT can be excellent starting points for research, they are known to "hallucinate"—fabricating incorrect information or presenting misleading data with confidence. For critical details like travel documentation, relying solely on an AI can have disastrous consequences.
How to Use AI for Travel Planning Safely
The key takeaway from this experience is to treat AI as a junior assistant, not as a definitive authority. Savvy users understand the importance of double-checking all critical information, especially legal and travel requirements, with official sources like government websites or embassies. Always verify visa, passport, and entry form requirements directly from the destination country's official immigration or state department website before booking any travel.
