in hotels, if you lose your room key card, how are they able to reprogram the new one so it works and the old one doesn’t?

Question

Is there some system that transmits information to your door card reader on what the new key is, or is it something different entirely?

In: 1028

Answer 1

I don’t know if it’s exactly the same as the software we use for the security doors at my job, but that works as follows…

Each card has it’s own unique identifier.

Guest A checks in, A’s card is assigned to their room door using it’s unique ID. Guest A can now freely enter the room.

Guest A checks out, and Guest B checks in. Guest A’s card is deactivated, and Guest B’s card is activated. Now B can freely enter, but A no longer can.