Do credit-card style hotel room keys contain personal information?

Question

I have been told by co-workers not to leave my room key in my room when I use express checkout because the information imprinted on my room key also contains some personal information. Is this true?

Answer 1

No, this is a commonly recurring urban legend. Those who say there is are spreading a rumor. They are clueless of how the systems actually work.

The ONLY data on the room key is the room number and your checkout date, usually in encrypted format. The vast majority of systems don't even allow the desk staff to read the information on the card so there's no way to tell which room it was encoded for.

There is no direct connection between the machine that encodes the keycard and the hotel's reservation system or accounting systems. Watch closely when you check in and you'll notice that they key in the room number as well as the number of days or the checkout date (depending upon the system in use) and then swipe the card.

Answer 2

Ideally, room keys of that type should only contain code that translates to your account number with the hotel you are staying in. All your personal information should be stored not in that card but in the hotel's computers. But to be on the safe side, do not leave your room key just lying around.

Anna
http://www.biz-trips.info

Answer 3

I just checked this on Snopes.com, and found out that the idea that credit card info on hotel room keys is false.

Answer 4

Yes, sometimes they do
In some cases all of your billing information is on the card.
Which may include your name, phone number, home address, and credit card information.

Answer 5

I agree with Boston..The older are usually always the wises due to they have been around alot longer and know more.

Answer 6

yes --destroy ythe key