| Magnetic stripe keycards have had their heyday since | | | | having to carry money or a credit card. |
| they were first introduced in the 1960s. Although | | | | While Hotel Contactless (RFID) cards are "smarter" |
| they are still used by many organizations and credit | | | | than magnetic stripe keycards, they are also much |
| card companies, they have long since been surpassed | | | | easier to use. They work on low or high frequencies, |
| by even better technology. One of the problems | | | | which means that your guests no longer have to |
| with them, is that they tend to scratch easily and so | | | | insert their cards into a reader, they can just pass by |
| aren't always reliable. They can also easily be wiped | | | | at proximity. Depending on the RFID card you have |
| out by proximity to magnets. They also don't offer | | | | chosen this could be a distance of anywhere from a |
| the same level of security as Hotel Contactless | | | | few inches to a few feet. Very convenient if your |
| (RFID) cards and they can't store nearly as much | | | | hands are full of luggage and you are trying to open |
| data. If they are being used for access control, it also | | | | door. They can also be read by handheld readers to |
| means that your guests have to put down their | | | | make a purchase if your facility offers a gift shop or |
| luggage and then insert the card into the reader, | | | | even a coffee shop on the premises. Some people |
| which is usually mounted on the doorknob of their | | | | like them because they can also give them to children |
| room. | | | | while they are vacationing at a resort, without having |
| The newer Hotel Contactless (RFID) cards offer | | | | to them cold hard cash to carry around. |
| many benefits over the magnetic stripe keycards. | | | | People are always worried about security with RFID |
| First they can contain a lot more data, and can be | | | | cards however they are much more secure than |
| implemented as part of an overall access control and | | | | magnetic stripe cards which have been used for |
| facilities management system. This means that one | | | | years. You can also set up your Hotel Contactless |
| card could be used for multiple purposes within the | | | | (RFID) cards to work with a PIN system, so that if |
| same facility. The card could be used to give room | | | | they are lost or stolen, you don't have issues with |
| access, as well as access to things like fitness | | | | unauthorized access. They cards also contain minimal |
| facilities, or even pay per use services. This means | | | | account information and no personal information such |
| that the cards can not only carry data, but can | | | | as addresses and phone numbers, which is also a |
| capture data too, simplifying the check out and billing | | | | great advantage over many magnetic cards. The |
| process. It also means that your guests can move | | | | power of Contactless (RFID) cards is in their |
| around hotel facilities and still make purchases without | | | | simplicity and their overall integration. |