News & insights

Notes from the hotel key card industry

Grounded, jargon-light reporting on the things that decide what a guest holds at check-in — the move off magnetic stripe, RFID security and the aging of MIFARE Classic, sustainable card materials, mobile keys, and the practical operations of keeping a property stocked. Written for hoteliers, not engineers.

Why U.S. Hotels Are Finally Retiring Magstripe Key Cards
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Why U.S. Hotels Are Finally Retiring Magstripe Key Cards

Demagnetization, slow check-ins and an aging reader fleet are quietly pushing American hotels off the magnetic stripe — and onto contactless RFID for good.

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More from the desk

Every piece is grounded in real industry developments — no invented company news.

Boutique Hotels Lead the Switch to Sustainable Key Cards Sustainability

Boutique Hotels Lead the Switch to Sustainable Key Cards

Independent and design-led properties are turning the room key into a sustainability statement guests notice.

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The “Unsaflok” Saflok Flaw: What U.S. Hoteliers Should Know Security

The “Unsaflok” Saflok Flaw: What U.S. Hoteliers Should Know

A look at the 2024 dormakaba Saflok disclosure, the firmware fix, and why your card stock is not the weak link.

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MIFARE Classic Is Aging: What It Means for Hotel Card Security Security

MIFARE Classic Is Aging: What It Means for Hotel Card Security

The Crypto1 cipher behind MIFARE Classic is decades old. Here is what that means — and does not mean — for your locks.

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How RFID Wristbands Power Cashless, Keyless Resorts Product

How RFID Wristbands Power Cashless, Keyless Resorts

One waterproof credential for the room, the pool bar and the spa — and what it takes to roll one out.

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Wood vs PVC Key Cards: The Real Carbon Math Sustainability

Wood vs PVC Key Cards: The Real Carbon Math

A grounded comparison of FSC wood, bamboo, rPVC and virgin PVC across footprint, durability and guest perception.

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Key Card Lead Times in 2026: Planning Smarter Reorders Industry

Key Card Lead Times in 2026: Planning Smarter Reorders

Why running out of room keys is avoidable — a practical reorder cadence by property size.

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Mobile Keys vs Plastic: Why Most Hotels Still Run Both Industry

Mobile Keys vs Plastic: Why Most Hotels Still Run Both

Adoption, battery anxiety and the front-desk reality that keeps a printed card in every welcome folder.

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Retrofitting RFID: What Changes Beyond the Key Card Guide

Retrofitting RFID: What Changes Beyond the Key Card

Readers, encoders and PMS integration — the full picture when a property moves from stripe to contactless.

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The Key Card as a Brand Touchpoint Hotels Underuse Product

The Key Card as a Brand Touchpoint Hotels Underuse

Foil, texture and a memorable back-of-card message turn a throwaway into a check-in moment.

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From the news to the how-to

Our news covers what is changing across U.S. hospitality. When you are ready to act on it, the guides walk through the practical choices — which chip your locks read, how to order, and how many cards a property of your size actually needs.

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We will send a free sample pack — plastic, wood and bamboo cards in your hand — so you can feel the stock and confirm the fit with your locks before you commit.

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