Hotel expert warns all holidaymakers about common room key mistake | Travel News | Travel

Travel enthusiasts have been cautioned by hotel experts regarding a widespread blunder involving hotel room keys that is leaving numerous individuals stranded outside their rooms.

A substantial number of people remain oblivious to a common mistake that causes hotel room key cards to become deactivated – something that many of us inadvertently do. TikTok user keeewill recently shared a video showcasing his failed attempt to gain entry into his hotel room using his key card.

In the accompanying caption, he penned: “POV: the hotel key was in the same pocket as your phone.” Multiple viewers were perplexed by this however, experts have shed light on the issue, revealing that storing the key card alongside one’s phone leads to demagnetization and subsequent deactivation.

In response to the inconveniences presented by conventional hotel key cards, Club Med – an all-inclusive resort and holiday package provider – has introduced digital wristbands. Nicolas Bresch, Managing Director at Club Med, elaborated: “Hotel key cards store room information on a magnetic strip, which can become deactivated if exposed to strong magnetic fields.”

Nicolas further clarified: “A card gets demagnetised when a magnetic field disrupts the alignment of the data on the strip, effectively erasing the stored information and leaving it unable to be used to enter your room. This can happen through direct contact with a magnet, such as those found in smartphones, as seen in the case of this unlucky TikToker.”

Club Med has issued a word of caution to travellers regarding their hotel room keys, urging them not to store them alongside smartphones or other everyday items. Credit and debit cards are known culprits for demagnetising room keys due to magnetic interference which can disrupt and disable the magnetic strips.

Magnetic items are another hazard for room keys, with Club Med explaining: “Many everyday items, like the clasps on purses, phone cases, or even airpod cases, contain magnets, so to avoid deactivating your card, avoid placing it directly next to these items.” Also, exposure to moisture or spilt liquids, especially from water-based activities, can be detrimental to the functionality of hotel key cards.

Club Med recommends keeping your room key separate from wet towels or swimsuits in bags when heading to the pool or beach. Overheating is another potential issue, as the organisation warns, “leaving your key card in direct sunlight, near a heater, or inside a hot car can cause the plastic to expand or warp, which can weaken its structure.”

Club Med provides further insight: “The heat can make the card brittle, cause it to lose flexibility, or even crack, which can interfere with the functioning of the internal chip or magnetic strip. This can lead to problems when trying to unlock your room, as the electronic lock may struggle to read the card. To avoid any issues, it’s best to keep your key card in a cool, dry place and avoid leaving it in environments with extreme temperatures.

Another aspect to consider is damage and wear, as “frequent swiping or excessive friction inside your wallet or pocket can gradually wear down the magnetic strip of your key card”. Scratches, dirt accumulation and even fine sand, like from the beach, can hinder the reader’s ability to recognise the card.

Club Med warns that this can “become an issue if multiple guests do it, as the cumulative wear and tear from frequent swiping or friction inside wallets or pockets can gradually damage the magnetic strip, leading to a higher chance of it not working.” Nicolas explained how they have eradicated key card frustrations at Club Med: “At Club Med, we’ve moved beyond outdated hotel key cards.

“Our digital bracelets are a more secure, convenient, and frictionless way to access your room, shop, order drinks, and even pay for spa treatments while avoiding the common issues that key cards face. No more demagnetisation, no more frustration – just a smooth and seamless experience for our guests.”

Keeewill’s TikTok video has amassed a staggering 1.9 million views, 195,000 likes, and 734 comments to date. The clip has sparked a flurry of reactions, with one user venting: “This is the most annoying technological inconvenience ever. Why is there no solution?”

Another chimed in with a suggestion: “They need to find a way to do tap to unlock with your phone.” Meanwhile, a third shared their workaround: “That’s why I go to the hotels where the key cards is in a bracelet that’s waterproof.”