When your guests stay at your hotel, they rely on you and your team to provide them with a worry-free, comfortable, and safe stay. The best way to protect your guests and give them the best experience possible is to be prepared for common situations that might crop up. At Front Desk Supply, we understand that hotels have questions about which hotel keycards are best for their unique needs like how to choose the right hotel keycards for your property.
What Makes A Good Hotel Keycard?
In hospitality, every detail matters, and that includes your hotel keycards. They can play an important role in the guest experience, hotel branding, and, of course, security.
In short, a good hotel keycard should:
- Provide secure access to guest rooms.
- Improve the guest experience through convenience and reliability.
- Reflect the hotel’s brand through custom designs and materials.
- Offer durability and resistance to wear and tear.
How Long Do Hotel Keycards Last?
Depending on the type of hotel keycard your property is currently using, you can generally expect to get 3-5 years of functionality before it’s time for an upgrade or refresh. This timeline is longer for RFID cards.
Not only do you have to consider the actual ability to unlock doors, but also the look and feel of the branding on your hotel keycards, as they may begin to fade after years of use. Keeping your keycards updated ensures they function properly and continue to push your hotel’s branding to the forefront of the guest experience.
Signs It’s Time To Upgrade Your Hotel Keycards
Whether your hotel uses a magnetic keycard or RFID card system, it may be a good time to upgrade your hotel keycards if your hotel keycards are beginning to demagnetize, the designs on your keycards are beginning to fade, or enough cards have gone missing for your hotel that you’re running low on stock. Upgrading to a better magnet stripe can often solve most issues at a low cost.
Types Of Hotel Keycards
When choosing the right hotel keycard for your property, understanding the differences between RFID cards and magnetic keycards is the first place you should begin your research.
RFID cards don’t require contact, while magnetic keycards need to be swiped. While this might seem like a minor difference, it can have a noticeable impact on your guest experience, in addition to your budget.
Related Article: RFID vs. Magnetic keycards: Which is Better for Your Hotel?
RFID Cards
RFID cards are definitely the newer technology between the two. These hotel keycards allow guests to access their rooms by simply tapping or waving the keycard near a pad on their hotel room’s door. This touchless feature makes RFID cards the most convenient and easy-to-use option.
Benefits Of RFID Cards:
Here are some reasons why you may want to choose RFID cards for your hotel:
- RFID cards have a longer lifespan compared to magnetic keycards. The embedded chip is well-protected and resistant to damage.
- Unlike magnetic keycards, RFID cards aren’t affected by magnetic fields or wear and tear from constant swiping.
- RFID cards are harder to skim or duplicate than magnetic cards, adding an extra layer of security for your guests.
- Touchless entry greatly improves the guest experience, especially if their hands are full during check in.
- Please be sure to consider the ongoing cost of the cards (ask us for help!) when deciding to upgrade the locks.
Magnetic Keycards
Magnetic stripe keycards are the more traditional option. To open a door, the guest slides the keycard into a magnetized slot, unlocking the door when the magnetic stripe lines up correctly with the reader.
Benefits Of Magnetic Keycards:
Here are a few reasons why magnetic keycards may be right for you:
- Magnetic keycards are the most cost-effective type of hotel keycard, making them a popular choice for properties on a tight budget.
- Many older hotel locking systems are already set up for magnetic cards, reducing the need for system upgrades.
- Using the highest degree of magnetization makes these nearly as reliable as an RFID card.
Hotel Keycard Security Considerations
Hotel keycard systems play a major role in keeping your guests safe. Hotel keycards are significantly harder to counterfeit than traditional keys. With a traditional key, a lost or duplicated copy requires hotels to change the entire lock. But with both RFID cards and magnetic keycards, your systems are reprogrammable. This means you can easily deactivate lost or stolen cards while still saving time and money.
Related Article: How to Choose the Right Type of keycard Protection for Your Hotel
Do RFID Cards Or Magnetic Keycards Provide The Best Protection?
Both RFID and magnetic keycards offer solid security features. However, RFID cards do have the added benefit of being even harder to skim or duplicate than magnetic cards. Their resistance to demagnetization means they’re less likely to leave guests locked out of their rooms, adding another layer of convenience to their overall experience.
If your hotel’s security system allows for it, upgrading to RFID cards could be a worthwhile investment depending on your overall procurement budget.
Hotel Keycard Customization Options
A hotel keycard isn’t just a tool for room access – it’s also a branding opportunity. Customization options can help your hotel build more brand awareness, and leave a lasting impression on guests.
Here are some ways Front Desk Supply can help your property’s hotel keycards stand out:
Redesign
Hotel keycards can range from simple designs to luxurious pieces of art in their own right. At Front Desk Supply, some of our options include:
- Single-color or multi-color print on white cards.
- Full-color designs using photos or graphics that showcase your hotel’s branding, local attractions, or anything else you’d like to include on the keycard.
- Re-designing regularly keeps a fresh look for returning guests and staff as well.
Interested in seeing what’s possible with your hotel’s branding? Check out our free design services to learn more.
Related Page: Custom Hotel Keycards
Materials And Finishes
keycards can also be made from a variety of materials to suit your hotel’s style and budget! These include materials like:
- Plastic or PVC
- Compressed Paper
- Wood
- Metal
- Eco friendly materials
You can even take your hotel keycard designs a step further with options like metallic ink, matte finishes, or laminate coatings for a more polished look.
Costs Associated With Hotel Keycards
Pricing is always going to be a factor when selecting the right hotel keycards for your property. Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with RFID and magnetic keycards:
Which Hotel Keycards Are More Expensive?
From a materials cost perspective, magnetic keycards will cost around 10 to 12 cents per unit, making them the most affordable option. While RFID cards can range from 30 to 90 cents per unit, depending on the level of customization you’re looking for and the technology..
RFID Cards
First and foremost, it can be pretty expensive to upgrade your access system from magnetic to RFID, so it’s often best to stick with whichever option is compatible with your current technology. However, if your property plans to make some upgrades in the near future, it might be worth it to incorporate RFID technology into your rooms.
Magnetic Keycards
Magnetic keycards offer lower initial costs but require more frequent replacements. It’s also important to acknowledge that your card readers will need regular maintenance to ensure proper functionality for years to come. Upgrading to the highest level of magnetization can be an easy, low cost upgrade to ensure more reliability.
Other Important Hotel Keycard Considerations
But it’s not just security and pricing that goes into finding the right hotel keycards for your needs. When making your choice, you should also consider these additional factors:
Guest Experience
Guests prefer RFID cards for their ease of use, especially when carrying luggage or juggling multiple items. RFID cards also avoid the frustration of demagnetization, giving guests the smoothest experience possible.
Hotel Operations
RFID cards are faster to program and more efficient for front desk staff. They also support key fobs for hotel employees, which can greatly improve your operational efficiency.
Get The Perfect Hotel Keycards With Front Desk Supply
Your guests will likely use their room keys multiple times per day, so why not give them the best experience possible? Whether you’re thinking of choosing RFID cards or magnetic keycards, Front Desk Supply is here to help every step of the way!
The Best Supplier for Hotel Keycards
If you’re looking for a reliable partner for your next hotel keycard update, Front Desk Supply has you covered. We offer a wide range of products, and serve clients that range from boutique hotels to nationwide chains. We can provide all types of both magnetic cards and RFID cards, while also offering a wide range of wristband options for RFID systems.
Help your hotel provide the best experience possible for its guests. Interested in learning more? For a custom quote or more information, contact us through our website or call (888)-859-2061. For information on our complimentary design services, click here. Our staff can also assist you with reorder requests.
