Hotel Keycards and Urban Myths

It's time to bust another urban myth that refuses to die, so listen up!

If you still believe that your hotel room electronic keycard carries personal information such as your address and credit card information, you're wrong.

In a 2005 trade publication called Computer World, they tested 100 cards from numerous hotels and found no personal data on any.

Most hotel companies say that all your keycard contains is a code that is randomly selected upon your check in. That code synchronizes the card with the door of your assigned room, allowing you access during your stay. Upon your departure a new code is chosen for the next person staying in that room.

So when you check out of a hotel, feel free to leave the keys in your room as you leave. If you still don't feel comfortable doing this, then drop them off at the front desk.

But stop worrying about a nonexistent problem.

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