Hotel key cards are security token that grants you access through electrically-powered doors. These systems require a keycard reader (installed on the door) and you gain access by either tapping your card on the reader (proximity reader), swiping it (swipe reader) or inserting it (insert reader).
With keycards, users no longer need to insert a metal or traditional key into a tumbler lock to gain access.
Benefits
Using these Hotel key cards offers a variety of benefits to the users and the hotels.
Lightweight
The difference between a Key Card and a traditional key is not massively impactful on your overall carrying weight; However, having keys is much more difficult than a card that can go into your wallet or purse alongside your payment cards.
Key Cards were designed to be easy to carry and not give you an additional thing to take with you, keys can be bulky and hard to find a comfortable place to store. On the other hand, a Key Card is a much more portable and lightweight.
Quick and easy
Being able to get into your room easily and quickly makes the whole process a lot smoother and will improve the guest’s perception of the hotel.
It becomes simple to check-in and check-out, and you have an effortless process from start to finish.
Cost-effective
Another benefit of a Key Card access control system in a hotel is the fact it is incredibly cost-effective. With each card being reprogrammable countless times and holding a very low cost of manufacture you can easily replace any cards you need to.
If you lose a card, it can be deactivated, if you lose a metal key, on the other hand, you run the risk of a security breach or may even need to change the locks.
Harder to copy
Having a system that is both easy to issue a new card but also hard for a layman or guest to copy means you will be much safer as a whole. Key Card access control in hotels creates a safer environment and you do not run the risk of a guest copying a Key Card like they could a metal key.
Types of key cards
There are different types of key cards available today namely
Magnetic Stripe
Possibly the most common and one we have probably all come across in the last decade or so. The magstripe key cards have a black strip that is swiped downwards through the reader.
Radio Frequency
Often known as a type of proximity card, or tap or contactless technology. This is a short-range card that can be held by the scanner to grant access within a few CMs.
Hole Punch
Typically, on their way out nowadays, but these were very popular in years past. A unique combination of holes punched in the card would determine access to your room.
How key cards work
There is a series of steps that shows the basics of how a key card works.
Step 1: Guest Checks In
You arrive at the hotel and go to the reception and check-in. When you get to the counter the front-of-house worker will grab a Key Card and start the process.
Step 2: Key Card is Assigned
Each Key Card is blank and will then be assigned the door unlocking privileges at the front desk. They will link the Key Card with your room on the digital system, this is often done by a keypad that is attached to the computer which will transfer the temporary data onto your Key Card.
Step 3: Your Key Card Unlocks Your Door
When you go to your room you will typically be doing one of two things, either sliding the card into a card reader or tapping it against the reader.
Both methods will scan your card, read the data and grant you access, unlocking your door. The whole process normally takes less than a few seconds and you will probably be able to hear the mechanism unlocking.
Step 4: Cards Provide Power
In a lot of hotels, your Key Card will provide power to your room, using a little reader next to the door. This is a green initiative utilized by hotels to reduce their power usage and also provide a secondary usage for your card.
Step 5: Check Out Card Reset
When you check out the card is wiped again so that it can be resigned to a new lock and door. This then allows the process to be started again for the next guest.
Conclusion
The technology in Hotel Key cards used in hotels can vary from country to country, and even chain to chain, but the overall concept is the same, digital access control.