What Hotel Keycards Are Really Costing You
Keycards have been a staple in hotel operations for decades. They’re familiar and widely adopted across properties of all sizes. However, the true cost of using keycards goes far beyond the plastic cards handed over at check-in.
Keycard-based access control creates a recurring operational burden: in time, staff effort, guest friction, and ongoing costs that accumulate year over year. As properties look for ways to streamline operations, reduce overhead, and deliver a better guest experience, it’s worth taking a closer look at the hidden investment behind those small plastic cards.
The Direct Cost of Keycards
Branded RFID keycards typically cost around $0.50 per unit. For a 100-room property operating at 80% occupancy and issuing two keycards per room per night, this amounts to approximately 58,400 keycards issued annually. And at $0.50 per card, that’s $29,200 per year on keycard inventory alone.
Industry estimates show that roughly 39% of keycards are never returned. That means over 22,000 cards are lost each year, resulting in approximately $11,388 in wasted spend annually. This is a recurring annual expense that adds no value for the hotel or the guest.
The Operational Investment
While the cost of the cards is easy to quantify, the operational overhead required to support keycard-based access is less visible, but equally significant.
Consider the time spent by front desk staff each day:
Programming and issuing keycards at check-in
Replacing demagnetized or lost cards mid-stay
Collecting, wiping, and reprogramming returned cards
Managing card inventory
These tasks consume staff time and add to operational costs that are easily overlooked.
The Guest Experience Factor
While keycards are familiar to guests, they’re not friction-free. We’ve all experienced the inconveniences they cause:
Waiting in line at check-in to receive a plastic card
Demagnetized cards that no longer work
Having to return to the front desk after a lockout
These disruptions can affect the seamless experience guests expect, especially in a mobile-first world built around convenience. And in a competitive market, even small points of friction can shape guest perceptions and influence return bookings.
How Smart Locks Solve the Problem
Smart locks are a strategic investment that addresses the operational, financial, and experiential challenges associated with keycards.
No recurring keycard spend
Switching to digital credentials removes the need for keycard programming, distribution, and replacement. It also eliminates the $29,000 annual spend on keycards.
Time back for staff
With smart locks, hotels can adopt leaner front desk operations or move toward a fully front desk-less model. Automating check-ins through PIN codes or mobile keys frees up staff to focus on higher-value interactions.
Seamless guest experience
Today’s travelers expect convenience. With smart locks, guests can bypass the front desk entirely and head straight to their room, creating a smoother and more efficient arrival experience.
Flexible, secure control
Smart access systems allow operators to manage access remotely, monitor usage in real-time, and adjust credentials instantly. Whether a room assignment needs to be changed, entry granted to a contractor, or access revoked for security reasons, it can be managed digitally, from anywhere.
A Smarter Way Forward for Hotel Access
Keycards have had their place in hotel operations, but as the industry evolves, so do the tools that power it. Smart locks introduce a more streamlined approach to managing access, maximizing time, and elevating the guest experience.
For hotels looking to cut recurring expenses, simplify operations, and improve guest satisfaction, smart locks offer a scalable, measurable solution built for both performance and sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The average cost of a branded RFID hotel keycard is around $0.50. For a 100-room hotel running at 80% occupancy and issuing two cards per room per night, this adds up to roughly $29,200.
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Smart locks offer stronger security than traditional systems. Access is granted through secure, time-based PIN codes or digital keys that can be updated or revoked instantly, removing the risk of lost or copied keys.
The system logs each unlock event by user and timestamp, and notifications can be set to alert staff in real-time when a door is accessed. -
Smart locks eliminate recurring keycard expenses and reduce time spent on check-ins and lockouts. They streamline access by automatically issuing digital access credential like PIN codes or mobile keys, and allow for remote management and real-time monitoring, . This reduces front desk workload, minimizes lockout incidents, and frees staff to focus on guest service.
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While smart locks require an initial investment, affordable options like 33 Lock are available, often at half the price of many competitors. By reducing expenses tied to key replacement, inventory management, maintenance, and staff workload, they offer a cost-effective alternative to keycards.
33 Lock replaces the recurring costs of traditional systems with a one-time, cost-effective investment and no ongoing fees. -
Yes. Smart locks significantly reduce plastic waste and the carbon footprint associated with producing, shipping, and replacing tens of thousands of keycards each year. Traditional locks wear out over time, especially in high-traffic environments, and hardware maintenance and replacements can be expensive.
Solutions like 33 Lock are designed with advanced materials and durable mechanisms that require minimal upkeep. With fewer replacements, less maintenance, and no ongoing keycard waste, smart locks support a more efficient, eco-conscious operation.
For more information about how 33 Lock can support your business, feel free to contact us:
