A TikTok of a traveller being locked out of hotel room has gone viral, as holidaymakers are warned to look after their hotel key cards or they might make the same mistake
A TikTok has gone viral after a user has shared their experience of being locked out of their hotel room after keeping their key card in the same pocket as their smartphone.
The video reveals how the hotel guest was locked out of their hotel room after they had placed their hotel key card in their pocket alongside their mobile smartphone, causing it to demagnetise and consequently, deactivate.
Nicolas Bresch, managing director at Club Med, commented: “Hotel key cards store room information on a magnetic strip, which can become deactivated if exposed to strong magnetic fields. 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.”
Placing a hotel card next top a credit or debit card causes magnetic interference, which disrupt the magnetic strips. In turn, the card will demagnetise and stop working. It isn’t only credit and debit cards or phones that can cause this issue, air pod cases, clasps on purses and phone cases can all interfere with a room key card.
Moisture or spillages and excessive heat can also issues by damaging the card. For example, if you are heading to the pool, avoid placing youd room key into the same bag as damp towels and pockets of swimwear. Similarly, do not place a key card in direct sunlight, as it can cause the plastic to expand or warp and result in the structure of the card weakening.
Damage to a key card can also result in it not working and guests becoming locked out of their hotel rooms. Frequent swiping or excessive friction inside your wallet or pocket, for example, can gradually wear down the magnetic strip of your key card. Scratches, dirt build-up, and even fine sand, especially if you’ve been to the beach, can make it harder for the reader to recognise the card.
The TikTok video has now accumulated over 190,000 likes, with many users rushing to the comments. One user stated: “This is the most annoying technological inconvenience ever, why is there no solution?”
Another added: “I work in a hotel and it happens so many times.” Others shared solutions, like choosing hotels with waterproof key card bracelets, just like Club Med uses.
Digital bracelets can eliminate the frustrations and inconvenience caused by traditional key cards. Mr. Bresch added: “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.”
