Gate1Travel

Is AI artificial intelligence or absolutely idiotic?

I rarly post about personal matters but I cant resist a post about my recent experience with tour operator Gate 1, a major player in the tourism industry. My wife and I recently went on one of its riverboat tours on the Douro River in Portugal.

It was a disaster. And while I usually do not reply to requests for reviews requested by companies, I did this time. I gave them a terrible review vowing I would never use them again, detailing all the problems we encountered. I expected I would get a response but never like what I received a response I have to believe was generated by AI with a sense of customer service akin to a rock.

Heres what I received. No need to recite my review. They covered it all. I cant think of a better example of failed reliance on AI.

The previous cruise I enjoyed that they mention was not on Gate 1 (as I told them in my review).

Dear Mr. Wood,

Thank you for writing to us regarding your first trip with Gate 1 Travel from Afurada onboard the Douro Cruiser.

We were sorry to hear about your recent experience. It sounds like this river cruise was a major disappointment, especially after having enjoyed others in the past. To deal with a combination of poor accommodations, inadequate facilities, and the discomfort of your wife falling ill must have been incredibly frustrating.

We hope she is in better health. You deserved a relaxing, enjoyable trip, and, understandably, youre upset about the small rooms, thin walls, and failing HVAC, which directly impacted your comfort and well-being.

Having to spend more time on buses than on tours, and even missing key parts due to faulty technology, must have been disheartening, especially when youre trying to make the most of your trip. Shockingly, basics like food, water, and even first-aid supplies were lacking, particularly in such critical moments as when your wife hurt her knee. The issues with running out of alcohol and food items like butter and apple juice add to the overall disappointment of the service provided.

We can only imagine how let down you must feel, especially after paying for a full alcohol package, experiencing subpar meals, and dealing with disorganized processes like boarding passes that didnt even offer proper security.

Its good to hear that the tour and activity directors did what they could and were friendly, but they had their hands tied with the situation.

Mr. Wood, thank you for allowing us to read your thorough feedback.

Rest assured, we have forwarded your invaluable feedback to our Product Development Department so they may be aware of your impressions and use that information when designing future tours for Gate 1 Travel.

We look forward to welcoming you back on your second tour with Gate 1 Travel. We are certain that your next Gate 1 Travel adventure will be great.

Sincerely,

As the saying goes, you cant make this stuff up.

Gate 1 made many errors. I didn't receive travel docs, then couldn't get into my account, apparently someone mistyped my email.

Tried to reserve optional tours - was told travel agent had to do for me. There was some unknown extra fee $268 or so, no explanation. Wouldn't let me book tours until this was paid. Finally paid it, just so I could sign up for 6 optional tours, $400 + 50 for additional insurance I didn't want but had to accept.

Then turns out they only booked me for 5 tours, even tho I paid for 6.

Long calls, long on hold, supposed to get call back from supervisor - never happened. Furious at all the aggravation - not how a vacation should start.

I got back from a small group tour in Canada on 6/22/24. The tour itself was great - terrific tour guide, a nice small group, and lots of adventures.

However, my husband fell ill with Covid and felt terrible, disoriented, and weak. When I called the emergency number to get an earlier flight home (two days early), I got a five-hour run-around. 'There is nothing available,' they said, even though I could see open flights on my phone. They kept saying, 'let me talk to a manager', and 'the website will not let me book it,' even though I could get to the purchase point on my phone.

Finally, for an extra 1600.00 change fee, they booked it.

I had to figure out how to get us to the departure city, two hours away, with zero help from them. I will attempt to use the very expensive travel insurance we purchased, but based on other reviews, I expect we will find ourselves out a lot of money and very disappointed in a company I had trusted before.

Our ambassador, 'Serge,' was rude and lacked diplomacy with us and several other travelers. He rambled endlessly throughout the entire duration of our bus travel about politics and religion, and occasionally mentioned a local feature too late for us to take a photo of the attraction.

It didn't feel much like a vacation, with breakfast at 6:30 a.m., a 7:30 departure, only to wait to get into the hotel after a truck-stop lunch at 1:30 p.m., and a late dinner often lasting past 8-9 p.m. Only one meal was included most days, and we had to fend for ourselves with what's available at 'convenience pricing' the rest of the time. Our bus driver had to advocate for us to get water! I recommend the company, but NOT our guide.

He appeared to be a financially mismanaged, lonely old man who needed the position to have a meal and a bed, as he wore the same outfit for the duration of our trip. A shrewd and narcissistic person who wouldn't admit fault, he was deemed *** by several of the women on the tour.

Title: Lost $600 with Gate 1 Travel: A Warning to Future Customers
My recent experience with Gate 1 Travel has left me not only disappointed but out of pocket by a staggering $600. If you're considering booking with Gate 1 Travel, let my misfortune be a cautionary tale.
Despite purchasing trip cancellation insurance with the assumption of flexibility, I found myself navigating a labyrinth of confusion when attempting to cancel my trip.

Gate 1 Travel's opaque policies and lack of transparency regarding insurance coverage left me stranded, unsure of my rights and options.
Upon following their instructions to file a claim with Arch Solution Insurance, I faced further frustration. The process dragged on for eight agonizing days, during which I was left in limbo, unable to plan or make alternative arrangements.
What's more appalling is Gate 1 Travel's dismissive attitude when I sought recourse for my losses. Despite my grievances and the significant inconvenience caused, they refused to refund my $600 deposit or offer any form of compensation. It's clear that customer satisfaction is not a priority for Gate 1 Travel.
In conclusion, my $600 loss serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with booking with Gate 1 Travel.

Their lack of transparency, poor communication, and refusal to take responsibility for their shortcomings make them a company to avoid at all costs.
Consider this a warning to all prospective customers: don't make the same mistake I did. Take your business elsewhere and spare yourself the frustration and financial loss.
Rating: 0/5 (If I could give a lower rating, I would)

THE ABSOLUTE WORST. Dishonest, incompetent, fraudulent.

We booked a trip to Europe with them, and it was a mess from start to finish.

The flight that we paid extra for (it's worth the extra money for me to fly nonstop) was changed by the airline to include a stop, but Gate 1 wouldn't refund the extra amount they charged me for it. They also refused to call Delta about the flight change - even though Delta told me that all Gate 1 had to do was call to request the change back to a nonstop flight for me (at no extra charge). After I called Gate 1 out on this, they suddenly claimed that they HAD called Delta, but that they didn't know when and didn't know who they spoke with, and they couldn't call with me on the line.

They also promised me a $450 credit to make up for the extra night of hotel I could not be used because of their incompetence, and said they would apply it to my account. However, they did not actually issue that credit.

When I brought it up, they told me that since I'd made final payment prior to their issuance of the credit, they weren't going to give it to me anymore.

Excuse me, but YOUR inability or failure to do what YOU promised to do is not my fault or my problem.

This is further evidence of incompetence, dishonesty, and fraud.

Gate 1 clearly does not care one bit about their customers or their reputation.

Gate 1 should go out of business. I'm reporting them to the various state agencies for their dishonest business practices.

they cancelled our flight then changed the flight to earlier flight so I have to rushed packing my belongings. when we get to armsterdan our flight with klm was delayed for another 4 h0urs our flight supposed to be 12 noon but able to leave at 4pm.

they told once we get to New York get to nearest delta counter and let them book us to our final destination. we reached New York City . employee of delta air were upset why we were not book to our final destination . im so tired I cannot deal with this employee who are just passing the bucket from one place to another .

I don't want to travel again with gate 1 if you put me to fly with klm airplane. try and fly with klm , its a bad experience .I hate the aggravation and the uncertainty of flying with klm.

I arrived at Munich airport during the snow storm. I was then on the plane to Krakau for 4 hours before the flight was cancelled.

Upon deplaning and trying to get my luggage to no avail for 4 days it became clear that a part of my tour which was a gift to myself was never going to happen. I called Gate 1 emergency number and spoke to someone who was not very helpful. I then tried several more times to reach someone to no avail. I do realize that you can't control the weather, but Poland was the country I wanted to visit the most.

I eventually made it to Prague and met up with the group. However, I am very concerned about a trip I have booked in September to Greece with my daughter. I am asking for partial compensation for the market tour.

I hope you can help me. Thank you