Hotel key cards may seem like small pieces of plastic, but they are important for a safe hotel stay. These cards are made to let you into one room and one room only, keeping unwanted people out. You may be wondering how these key cards work and if they have any sensitive personal information stored on them. Here's what kind of data is actually on your hotel key card…
So how does that tiny plastic card actually work?
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How hotel key cards function
Nowadays, most hotels use either key cards with a magnetic strip that the guest swipes to unlock the door, or cards with RFID technology that can be tapped to open the door. Both of these methods work by using the same basic information to grant access to the cardholder. Some older hotels still use an outdated system with key cards that have holes punched in them, which are specific to each lock and don't use any virtual data. However, this hole punch technology is quite uncommon these days.
What details are held on a hotel key card?
When you arrive at a hotel, the front desk staff will give you a blank card that has been wiped clean of any data. They'll then load 2 specific pieces of information onto the card: your room number and the dates of your stay. Once the card is programmed, it'll allow you to access your room until the day you check out, at which point the card will automatically stop working. Some people may have heard that key cards can contain personal information like your name, credit card number, and other sensitive details. However, this is just a myth – none of those details are needed for you to access your room.
What to do if you misplace your card
Losing your key card can happen, but there's no need to worry about someone hacking into the hotel's system and stealing your identity. The main concern is someone using the card to access your hotel room. However, they won't know which room is yours unless they try to unlock each door. If you lose your key card, go to the front desk as soon as possible, and they can invalidate the old card and give you a new one. If you're feeling uneasy about the situation, you can request to change rooms if a similar one is available.
Other useful tips for key card safety
First, it's important not to write the hotel room number directly on the key card itself. If you do this and then lose the card, whoever finds it'll know exactly which room it belongs to. In addition, you should avoid keeping the key card in the default paper sleeve you get when checking in, as that sleeve often contains information like the room number and your last name.
Should you return your hotel key card?
Some people give back their hotel key cards when they check out, while others keep them as mementos. However, there isn't really a specific reason to do one or the other. If you return the key card, it'll be erased and no one will be able to access your personal information. But if you want to keep the card as a souvenir, the hotel staff won't come after you and ask you to give it back. It's really just a matter of personal choice.
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