Gate1Travel
Reviews and Complaints
www.gate1travel.com
Anonymous
West Palm Beach, Florida
MACHU PICCHU TOUR
Just recently returned from tourwith gate 1. Am quite disappointed that our tour of machu picchu lasted only three hours at the site. I specifically chose this tour because it was highlighted as a full day machu picchu with an early morning train departure. Many other tour companies only offered half day tours. Our hard copy itinerary specified a full day machu picchu. Currently the company has changed the tour language to read otherwise. Some might say this could be deceptive practices,but otherwise the trip was fine with a very savy guide. All was not lost but a lot of disappointment.
Qiana Vzt
Crooked! Irresponsible! Dishonest!
I will NEVER travel with Gate 1! I was looking into an escorted tour to Thailand. While their packages are extensive, and their prices reasonable, I noticed something very disturbing. No matter what departure date you choose for the 15 Day Kaleidoscope of Thailand with River Kwai, the departure date the agency lists for the departing flight is WRONG! Departure is set for a certain day, the hotel transfer and first night hotel stay at your destination city is scheduled for the FOLLOWING day. The problem here is, it takes TWO days to travel to Thailand. The flight itinerary sets the arrival in the destination city for the day AFTER scheduled airport transfer, leaving passengers STRANDED at a foreign airport in a foreign city, searching for a car that they assumed would be there to pick them up! This would also mean that passengers miss an overnight stay at a hotel that they already paid for, AND arrive on the same day that the escorted portion of the tour is scheduled to begin! In some cases, arrival time is even AFTER the tour has already begun! I contacted Gate 1 by phone for clarification on the matter. I was told that it is the responsibility of the GUEST upon booking to notice the discrepancy in arrival times, and re-schedule THEIR OWN flight accordingly before confirming the reservation! WHAT?!!! I feel that it is OBVIOUSLY an honest travel agencies responsibility to set the departure and arrival times accordingly! I am glad I noticed the discrepancy! I fear that others will blindly trust Gate 1 to have all of the times correct on their packages, and therefore, experience a major inconvenience upon arrival at their destination. I sent Gate 1 an e-mail alerting them to the problem and never heard back. In over a YEAR they STILL have not addressed the GLARING oversight! What's the problem here? You can look for YOURSELF! It's in BLACK and WHITE! I also noticed that they have hundreds of reviews on their own website. All of the reviews are GLOWING. Not a SINGLE complaint! (NOT possible!) The whole thing just got more and more suspicious the further I looked into it. PLEASE do your research! These people ARE crooked!
5 comments
Christee Vta
Mendota, Illinois
No refund once booked
We booked a trip to Germany and now have to cancel. The trip starts in September 2015 and the company refuses to refund our deposit of $400.00. The reason given is they wouldn't have time ( 10 months ) to rebook someone else. Really?!! Ten months is ample time. My advice to anyone thinking of using Gate1 for their travels, don't!! Once you give them money it's gone whether or not you travel. Other travel agencies give deposit refunds if you cancel before a certain deadline. We still plan on going to Germany someday, but not on Gate1!!
Loss:
$400
Cons:
- Refund policy
Reason of review:
refund
Preferred solution: Full refund
4 comments
Anonymous
Outrageous charges for cancellation of flight to join trip later
I have traveled with Gate1 before and found their services to be fine and reasonable. I booked a trip to Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore for August 2014. I was considering traveling to Micronesia early in August and thought it best to fly to Hong Kong directly from Micronesia and delete the LAX to Hong Kong leg of my tour with Gate1. I did not see a problem in not taking the flight from LAX to Hong Kong and picking up the tour in Hong Kong, although I knew that I would not get a full refund on that ticket. Not only would I not get a refund, I would have to pay an additional $1798 not to take that flight!!! Let me say that again.......if I did not make the flight from LAX to Hong Kong I would not only lose the money that I paid for that flight, I would be charged an additional $1798. I was happy to say good things about Gate 1 when they deserved it. I am also willing to disclose this kind of outrageous gouging. Gate 1 says that the airlines would make them cancel all the other flights in the tour....Hong Kong to Bangkok, Bangkok to Singapore, Singapore to LAX, if I was not on the flight from LAX to Hong Kong. I simply do not believe that. An earlier poster suggested that if you had a problem with an airline to contact the airline, not Gate1. I tried that, the airline would not talk to me because I was booked through Gate1. It is probable that some clause in the agreement with Gate 1 authorizes this kind of totally unreasonable action on their part. That does not make it fair and other travelers should know of it.
2 comments
Anonymous
Worst tour gide EVER
We had the Northern Italy tour, and were transferring to Florence, while the rest of the group was continuing to Sorento. We had information stating we had a transfer to Florence from Montacatini, however our tour guide had "no transfer" on her info. She left us stranded at the hotel, did not help us get a train schedule, did not let us know we could get a train ticket at any of the Tabacco shops, and didn't even tell us how to get to the train station from the hotel. This is just one of the many complaints from many of us about our tour guide, Ana Dinis. All she did was smoke and talk on her phone. Soooo disappointing.
2 comments
Anonymous
Yuma, Arizona
Gate 1 Website
What in the world is wrong with their website?!? We received several errors on their website while trying to book a Ecuador tour. Please someone tell me this is NOT a foregleam of their customer service, tours, etc. I have 48 hours left before we have to make a decision. What is up with this company, they have more bad reviews than good reviews online. Please someone tell me that this company is truly reliable.....I found a review that said their website leaves a lot to be desired. We LOVE the itinerary but that website situation leaves question marks, how do I know if I book on the phones that it will be correct & reliable. If a company is making $ why are they not spending it on a reliable website to show they can be trusted with the consumer's $. You have other companies: airlines, Wal-mart, ebay, etc who realizes if you want customers you must have a working, reliable website.
6 comments
Anonymous
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Flight itinerary reservation 736826
I am very upset, because I paid in total my trip to Great Britain and in the airport I do not have ticket, I call to somebody to resolve the problem and spoke with Eliza and after with Margo Paaske ext 1371 and told me that was because I did not paid insurance. This answer do not have sense. I have a friend in Air Canadian and let me take the next flight I gave all the information to Margo. When I arrive to London no body was in the airport; I paid to pick me Airport to Hotel. I was with my granddaughter 14 years old. I requested for paid me the cab and the day that I did not be on London.
Loss:
$500
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Preferred solution: Full refund
2 comments
Anonymous
Huntersville, North Carolina
Other Product Review
STAY AWAY!!!! They will *** the first chance they get!!!!
Anonymous
Lima, Lima
Unescorted day in Lima
We flew to Lima during our trip to Machu Pichu, with GATE ONE, stayed over night and were left to our own devices for the entire day. Not being familiar with the city, I felt the least GATE ONE could have done was provide a bus trip, if not a map, for those interested in touring the city. It was a very tiring day as most of our walk was mostly uphill to the Cathedral. Gate ONE did not even provide hints, maps etc. about where to go or what to see, another failing on their part. As we returned to the hotel, we got lost, as again, there were not guidelines provided, not even a map! NOT acceptable!!!
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution
4 comments
Anonymous
Scare tactic used to buy their transfers in Russia
We took the 10 day River Trip in Russia. We were told that taxis would overcharge us and not adhere to previously agreed fees. We had no trouble getting a taxi to the dock in St. Petersburg for about $38 for 2, Gate 1 price, $181 for 2. We did not see online how easy or difficult it might be at the Moscow dock so took Gate 1 transfer for $181. They called a taxi for us and he handed us a receipt for 1200 rubles or about $38. They made a $143 profit! They are the Motel 6 version of river tours, tiny cabins, limited service, drinks provided only at meal time, lousy wi-fi service. We had some good local guides, but not all. Think carefully before signing on.
1 comment
Anonymous
Brandon, Florida
Purchased train tickets never recieved them
I contacted Gate 1 about not receiving everything I paid for. Got an excuse its on it way, Still nothing. I booked an train ticket in this tour and it never came with documents , I called and got the excuse its on its way. I have a car service at the end location I paid for but how can they pick me up if I have no times of train ticket?Tours I booked for were at different times then what they gave me. I am not happy with tis company so far. I am very leary of this company now and am worried about my trip. I will
Loss:
$350
1 comment
Anonymous
North Miami, Florida
No refund for a cancellation due to health reason
We went to Peru in April. For health reasons we cancelled a walking tour but found two people to take the tour instead of us. We did not get a refund. Writing a comment to Gate 1 - so far no response. The tour guide had no people skills, but was knowledgeable. The flights were booked so we lost basically two days. Also the hotel on Titikakalake was so far away from ANYTHING. not even a walk way. We were stuck there for two half days without doing anything. A dinner show was $65.00. The food was so bad I felt like in a soup kitchen. A slob of beans, some dry meat, raw stuff we were not supposed to eat. Terrible!!! We booked another trip in September. Hopefully we have better luck.
Loss:
$80
2 comments
Anonymous
Denver, Colorado
*** Company
I booked a river cruise with this company when they came out with a "special". the trip is in 10 months. After booking the trip 4 days later they call to say they cannot get me a reservation. This is after I had booked airfare to Europe for this trip. But of course they could upgrade me for another $800. This is the second time I have had trouble with tis company (you would think I would learn). Do not book with them. They will leave you high and dry. The supervisor Brian is a total *** and thinks arguing with customers is a good retention policy. This company SUCKS!
Loss:
$1100
2 comments
Anonymous
Minneapolis, Minnesota
I am being scammed out of my deposit !!!
I had to cancel an upcoming trip with Gate 1 due to a life-changing event that will make it impossible for me to travel in August. I promptly informed Gate 1 about this but was told by a rude customer service rep that my deposit was non-refundable. I have made 2 previous tours with Gate 1 but this experience leaves a bad taste in my mouth; for a reputable company, one would think that they will make some type of compromise with their customers especially if the trip is cancelled way in advance. I am truly disappointed and doubt if I will do business with them in the future if this is not amicably resolved. Will definitely contact my state's general attorney's office if I have to.Scamming people out of their hard-earned money is no way for any company to do business.
Loss:
$1200
3 comments
Anonymous
Zagreb, Zagreb
Horrible group
I'm about to quit this tour!!! This is Day 3 of my tour of Croatia and I want out. I'm not alone. Many others have complained about how this trip is not working out for them. Five people in the group are loud and obnoxious and have totally taken over the air space on the long bus trips with their inane conversations. The tour guide has done nothing to address this. Good bye Gate 1. Never again will I waste my money on this aggravation. Ugly selfish egotistical people take up too much energy that I would rather invest more wisely.
5 comments
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I looked at my documents, and see what you mean. I wouldn't have even known until I arrived which would have put me in a horrible mood.
Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention!!!!!
First, let me say I have taken this tour, and it is superb. If you refuse to work with Gate 1 on this, well, it will just be your loss.
Even if you book it as shown, you get to BKK on the morning before the tour actually begins. You would have been picked up at the airport when you arrived, no problem. With that schedule, you would have missed a hotel night, that is true.
I went into BKK a full three days early, and bought the extra hotel nights from Gate 1 at less than $70 per night, and was able to do a lot of extra touring of BKK on our own.
I think this whole issue could have been easily resolved by COMMUNICATING with the supplier. You could have easily booked the flight a day early, and arrive early in the morning TWO days before the first tour activity, giving you extra time to enjoy the city.
It would have not cost you anything extra. Your loss.
When including flights on a package, our system offers all of the options available publicly at that time along with the best possible pricing. Flights are pulled directly from the airline's reservations systems and these flight schedules are created by the airline.
Upon review of the package that you mentioned there are currently two options available, for the included departure city, that have arrivals on the day of the scheduled transfer. With that said, based on the location of this destination, the itinerary is designed to accommodate travelers arriving the following day and we can certainly adjust a transfer.
Additionally, we can always review the option of departing a day early. Should you wish to review this matter further, please don’t hesitate to contact our reservations department and we will be happy to research flight options that will best suit your needs.
I have the booked the same tour that you have referred to. Gate1 called almost immediately and informed me that I would be arriving on Day 3 as I was flying out of LAX rather than San Francisco.
I worked with them to move my flight up 1 day so that I indeed arrived on day 2 of the tour. (see, not such a difficult problem to solve)
I have read so many of these reviews and have come to the conclusion that when it comes to world travel, many Americans are simply out to lunch on real world expectations. Having traveled the globe extensively for over three decades, you must be ready to be flexible, jump through hoops, and think out of the box when it comes to fixing situations that jump the tracks. GATE1 is a discount company with some fairly outstanding tours - I've gone to China, Peru, Ecuador, and France using their services and have found them to be an excellent way of "getting there" for a little more than the price of finding the airfare and hotels myself.
Your case is exactly the same as mine.
When you book on the internet it is impossible to get everything right - hence I to was scheduled to land on day 3. But rest assured, even had I not thought to have them book my flight one day earlier - my idea, not their idea, I have complete confidence my transfer would have picked me up as the on ground tour manager would have caught the concern.
Try booking with Globus or Tauck and see if the package price for flying out of the city of your choice is as cheap as GATE 1. It won't happen. Again, I have read most of the reviews on this site and it blows my mind the expectations Americans have.
I stayed at the Mecurer in France and I can attest it was "hot". No air conditioning. Like another reviewer, I opened the window and heard lots of road noise. So What.
It's Europe, they don't use air conditioning the way we do, and I was in Paris for a little more than the price of my airfare. I got over it.
I read these sites looking for real concerns so that I can make educated decisions about my travel plans. Air conditioning, arriving on day three instead of two, rude members in the group who talk to loud, or the rooms were too small are concerns that just come with the territory of cheap travel or for that matter - travel. I am hoping that maybe, just maybe, a concern such as I booked a flight to Thailand and instead ended up in India or my guide didn't show up might be discussed.
My opinion is that the reason Gate1 gets more then it should in complaints on sites like this is that it appeals to those looking for a discount - rather then seasoned travelers who have spent years traveling the world and understand that life outside of America is unpredictable to say the least. When you travel in a discounted way, expect hiccups.
I am preparing for my 4th Gate 1 trip. I wouldn't be doing so if I thought the place was a ripoff or that they did't have a good product.
I am actually an experienced budget traveler. Nowhere in my review did I complain about the size of the rooms or the lack of air conditioning in European budget hotels.
I don't know what about my review led you in any reasonable way to make assumptions about my life style. My go-to way of travel is actually to travel alone and arrange everything for myself. When I choose to travel in this way, I keep myself flexible and EXPECT to have to "think outside the box." This being said, I was not comfortable arranging and traveling a 15 day, extensive tour of Thailand on my own. Therefor, I looked into finding a travel agency that I could trust to help me with the arrangements.
I did so specifically to avoid "unpredictability" and having to "jump through hoops". That's WHY people go through travel agencies. I DO agree that many "Americans" have a hard time keeping an open mind when they travel. I am in no way one of said "Americans." I DO NOT agree that "Americans" are in any way "out to lunch" for wanting full disclosure from a travel agency to whom they have paid good money.
Again, people enlist the help of a travel agency to make sure that their travel goes smoothly. I also do not agree with your obvious superiority complex. ANYONE can travel. You are NOT elite.
I am, however, somewhat comforted to hear that Gate 1 does have customers who trust them. I will not.