Spanish influencer couple misses flight after following ChatGPT travel advice; viral sobbing video divides internet

Travel plans don’t always go as expected—even when you have the latest AI at your fingertips. Spanish influencers Mery Caldass and Alejandro Cid recently discovered this the hard way, after missing a flight to Puerto Rico for a Bad Bunny concert because of advice from ChatGPT.

In a video that quickly went viral, Caldass is seen tearfully recounting the incident while Cid tries to comfort her. “Look, I always do a lot of research, but I asked ChatGPT and it said no,” she said, when asked whether they needed a visa to travel to Puerto Rico for a Bad Bunny concert. Unfortunately, the AI did not mention that they still needed an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) to board the flight.

At the airport, airline staff informed the couple they couldn’t fly without the proper authorization. Had they checked official government websites, they would have seen that while Spanish citizens don’t need a visa for Puerto Rico, the ESTA is mandatory. Their mistake highlights the importance of double-checking even the smartest AI tools before traveling.

Adding a touch of humor to an otherwise stressful moment, Caldass jokingly accused ChatGPT of holding a grudge. "I don't trust that one anymore because sometimes I insult him (ChatGPT). I call him a bastard, you're useless, but inform me well that's his revenge.” she said with a laugh.

Reactions online were a mix of sympathy and playful teasing. Some applauded their ability to laugh through the mishap, while others stressed the need to always verify travel requirements. A few even defended ChatGPT, pointing out that the couple hadn’t specifically asked about the ESTA.