An influencer couple’s Trip Turns Tearful thanks to ChatGPT’s ‘no visa needed’ advice becomes a cautionary tale about AI and travel

14 August 2025

Mery Caldass and Alejandro Cid set off for what they hoped would be a dream trip to Puerto Rico, only to have their departure unravel in the most digital of ways. Mery filmed her heavy-hearted moment roaming an airport terminal, tears streaming, after boarding officials informed her that what she believed was sound travel advice given by ChatGPT turned out to be misleading.

The couple had relied entirely on the AI to confirm whether they needed a visa to enter Puerto Rico. As Spanish passport holders, the answer was no and ChatGPT assured them so. What the AI missed was the crucial need for an ESTA, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, leaving the influencers stranded at the gate.

In her now‑viral TikTok clip that racked up over 13,000 views, Mery expressed her feelings in soft Spanish. She said she always did her homework, but had trusted ChatGPT to save time and guide the way. When the AI response proved flawed, she quipped that ChatGPT must have “got revenge” on her for previous insults she had thrown its way “I call him a bastard, you’re useless, but inform me well, that’s his revenge.”

While some viewers found the humor touching, others were less sympathetic. One commenter dryly remarked, “Well, natural selection, I guess,” arguing that using AI without double‑checking official sources for international travel is ultimately irresponsible. Another asked bluntly, “But who trusts ChatGPT for those types of situations?” Yet a quieter voice offered a defense, noting that perhaps the AI merely tripped them up because they hadn’t asked the right question confusing “visa” with “ESTA.”

Thankfully, the story didn’t end at the airport. Once the confusion was cleared, the couple received their ESTAs, rebooked a flight, and made it in time for the Bad Bunny concert that was the highlight of their getaway.

This incident reverberates beyond a fleeting travel mishap. It joins a growing series of reports highlighting the risks of relying solely on generative AI for critical information. Just days earlier and in similarly worrisome cases, ChatGPT has been blamed for guidance that landed a 60-year-old man in a hospital due to hallucinations, prompted under‑aged teens toward dangerous intoxication, and advised women to ask for lower salaries during negotiations.

The tide of public sentiment mirrors a larger cultural reckoning with AI. As tools like ChatGPT grow more sophisticated and ubiquitous, users must realize that accuracy cannot be assumed. Without sourcing from verified government or expert channels, even well-meaning prompts can lead to costly missteps.

Ironically, in the world of influencers where authenticity, immediacy, and branding blend their misadventure became both a social media moment and a learning moment. The video was raw, unfiltered, deeply human, and utterly modern: an influencer Instagram-ready breakdown, powered by AI and broadcast to thousands in real time.

This story isn’t just about travel compliance or artificial intelligence. It’s about trust, expectation, and the invisible chain reactions that begin with a few keystrokes. For anyone planning a trip especially across borders it stands as a reminder to consult official sources, cross-check, and perhaps remember that the smartest tool you bring on vacation might just be a government website.