Quick answer
AI tools are useful for early ideas, and the details need a second look before you book. In a Greetwell survey fielded in August 2026, 55% of travelers who had used AI for trip planning ran into at least one bad recommendation, and about one in six were pointed to a place, tour, or activity that did not exist. Check prices, hours, availability, and fit before any payment goes through.
What the survey found
Greetwell, a travel concierge company, surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults in August 2026, and 485 of them had used or tried AI for travel. The company has a stake in the topic. The kinds of errors it found read like a practical checklist either way.
Among AI-using travelers, 27% got incorrect prices, hours, or details. Another 21% were sent to something fully booked or unavailable, 17% got a suggestion that was simply wrong for their request, 16% were pointed to something that did not exist, and 10% to a business that had permanently closed. Travelers could name more than one problem.
What I would double-check
Prices, hours, and details
Confirm any price, opening hour, or detail on the property's own website before you plan around it. A dinner reservation built on the wrong closing time can derail an evening.
Whether the place exists
One in six AI users in the survey received a recommendation for something that was not real. Search the name, find a recent photo or review, and look for a working website.
Whether it is available
A tour or restaurant may be fully booked on your dates. Check your exact dates early, especially for the experiences you are most looking forward to.
Whether it suits you
A suggestion can be real and still wrong for you. Think about the pace you want, the room you would like, and how far the airport is from the resort. Those details change how a week feels.
Where AI helps
Plenty of travelers use these tools well. In the Greetwell survey, 33% used AI to research or plan but not to book, and 11% used it to plan and book. Brainstorming destinations and drafting a first outline are good uses.
When it comes to booking, trust drops. 68% had little or no trust in AI to book their flights, and 64% had little or no trust in it for hotels.
When plans change
Greetwell also asked who people want to hear from when a tour or activity is canceled at the last minute and a refund is needed. 65% wanted a real person they could call or message, and 5% preferred an AI assistant or chatbot.
That matches the moments clients tell me about, a canceled flight or a changed reservation, when they want a calm voice and a solution.
What working with me looks like
You send an inquiry form with your dates, budget, and traveler details. We schedule an intake call so I can learn what you envision. Then I send a proposal with a video walkthrough that explains the thinking behind each recommendation.
After you book, I keep managing the reservation, including excursions and special restaurant reservations, so you can fully enjoy the experience.
Bring what you have gathered, including any AI-built itineraries, to our intake call. I will tell you what fits and what to skip. If a trip is on your mind, the inquiry form on this site is a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Is AI trip planning reliable?
It is a useful starting point, and the details need verifying. In Greetwell's August 2026 survey, 55% of travelers who had used AI for travel hit at least one bad recommendation.
What can go wrong with an AI-generated itinerary?
Among AI-using travelers in the survey, 27% received incorrect prices, hours, or details, 21% were sent to something fully booked or unavailable, 17% got a suggestion wrong for their request, 16% were pointed to something that did not exist, and 10% to a closed business.
Should I book travel through an AI assistant?
Many travelers hold back. In the survey, 68% had little or no trust in AI to book flights and 64% had little or no trust for hotels. I recommend confirming every detail directly with the property or airline before paying.
Can I use AI and a travel advisor together?
Yes. Many people start with AI for ideas and bring them to me. I review what you have, tell you what fits, and handle the details from there.
