"BEWARE OF Gate 1's advertised "cancel for any reason""

I've happily traveled with Gate 1 many times in the past. NO MORE.
I booked a March trip to Japan advertised as "cancel for any reason." To be extra safe, I added $800+ extra to purchase "cancel for any reason" travel insurance through Gate 1.
Today, January 3, Japan is not allowing foreign visitors in. I worry that Covid will soon hit there and likely peak about the time we're scheduled to be there.
Gate 1's advertisement of "cancel for any reason" is deceptive and appears to have fraudulent intent. They give NO REFUNDS of either deposit or total trip and insurance payments, with or without rational cause; just a credit toward future travel taken with them in the next two years.
Traveler Beware of ever paying money to Gate1. You will never get it back no matter what was implied by advertised "Cancel for any reason."

"Gate1- 'Fly and Drive' a real…"

Gate1- 'Fly and Drive' a real disappointment. Hotel, flight, and auto rental - Milan, Italy October 2021.
Returned home to find a $444.00 auto credit card charge . Several calls to Gate1 seeking help to reverse the charge. Gate1 will not stand up for you. Calls are transferred to their 'accounting office' for review. Calls are transferred there in the hope that you'll just give up in frustration..

"A made a reservation in May 2021 to…"

A made a reservation in May 2021 to travel to Italy at the beginning of 2022.
With the Covid situation in the US and in Italy, i tried to postpone my trip.
They will not make any change. I would have to loose 90% of the land portion of my trip, and over $300 per airline ticket.
The world is in a crisis with Covid, and Gate1 is only looking to get their most money from you.
What a shame.
Never will use them again

"Gate 1 - Making Life Hell During Covid for No Reason"

Years ago, I had a wonderful tour with Gate 1 in Morocco. Earlier this year in July, there was a great deal including airfare and hotel with Gate 1. At the time, their most recent email about vaccination policy said that those who could be vaccinated must be vaccinated. The website where you signed up for the trip also didn't state anything throughout the registration process that said everyone must be vaccinated. I am all for being vaccinated, but I registered my 4 year old for this trip and no one contacted me and said it wasn't possible to travel. Now, we are approximately 2 months out from our trip and they are requiring everyone, no matter who they are, to be vaccinated. Obviously, he couldn't be vaccinated then and he is still not eligible due to age. The countries, the airlines, the hotel, the CDC, and airports have not banned a 4 year old from traveling. Only Gate 1 created this policy without informing customers. We aren't on a tour. We are using them for airfare and hotel. They need to update their waiver form so that customers can release them from liability for underage customers who are not on a "tour" and where it is impossible to be vaccinated. Otherwise, they are literally stealing money from customers. We accept the risk by booking and plan to follow all requirements. Plus, I've called for over a week and spent hours on the phone and they promise to call back and never do. So very disappointing.

"this is the worst company ever"

this is the worst company ever! They are impossible to reach and do not keep their word. I lost a lot of money due to unclear communications with them. Please book through airline directly. Avoid them!!!

"First trip with Gate 1. Excellent experience"

My friend asked me to join her on a 14 day kaleidoscope tour to Costa Rica from October 20 to November 2, 2021. She had heard from a friend of hers about a pleasant travel experience with Gate 1.
I contacted them in August and left my number for a return call as there was over an hour wait by phone. Approximately 3 hours later a very pleasant gentleman returned my call and answered all my questions. I did book the trip.
THE TRIP:
Best trip ever. I was met at the airport and transferred to my hotel. Front desk staff very accommodating.
That evening we were contacted by phone from our tour manager, Gilbert, who explained when to have our luggage by our door, when breakfast would be and when and where to meet for the bus that was transporting us to our first location.
Our tour manager couldn't have been better. He explained everything to us as we traveled....How bananas are harvested along with info on pineapples, rice, papaya etc. He knew about birds, animals, insects, trees, plants, cities and their history, churches, buildings, the history and politics (past and present) of his country. He was knowledgeable, pleasant, funny, thoughtful and kind. If he didn't know an answer to a question he found out and got back to you with the answer. Our bus driver Jose couldn't have been better at his job. How he got around those mountain curves was amazing.
I can't say enough good things about our tour manager, the bus driver or Gate 1. The hotels ranged from really nice to great. The meals that were included were very good.
I'll definitely do another Gate 1 tour. I just have to hope the next tour managers are as great as Gilbert was.

"Gate 1 Travel has stolen deposits!!!"

Gate 1 Travel has stolen all the deposits that are to payed back to customers due to cancelled trips during COVID and will not refund them!!! They will not ALLOW you to talk to a manager and they ignore all your emails. One time a manager did call me back and promised my refund but again, nothing was done. Gate 1 Travel used to be a good business but now they have turned into a business of theft!!!

"Just a question why not Spanish…"

Just a question why not Spanish speaking tours?

"We just joined a 10 days foliage tour…"

We just joined a 10 days foliage tour from 10/1 to 10/10/21 and the tour was excellent. Both the tour guide Bob Konen & Mike the driver were excellent.
When I came back, I filled in the questionnaire and forwarded it to my son to do the same thing, but he couldn't do it since it said it was completed my me. I called Gate 1 3 times this week requesting them to send another questionnaire to my son or to my e-mail address. They said they did send it but we never got it. I don't know why you make it so difficult for us to send you back the questionnaire?? Maida Cheung

"I booked 3 trips with gate 1 for…"

I booked 3 trips with gate 1 for Turkey, S Africa and Spain. I was suppose to leave for Turkey on March 12, the same day as Trump closed the borders. I was worried about refunds and maybe because I knew I wanted to keep traveling I just used the refunds for credits in the future. That wasn't any problem. I can't say what the hotel, guides, etc will be like since I haven't been on a trip yet but I'm optimistic so far. My trip is in March to Kenya/Uganda and I'll write more after that time. My experience has been good so far so I'm giving them a 5.