Imagine arriving at your hotel after a long journey, only to find yourself locked out of your room because your hotel key card suddenly stop working. That’s exactly what happened to a TikToker who recently went viral after experiencing this frustrating situation. The culprit? Their key card had been in the same pocket as their phone, rendering it useless.
While it might seem like a random mishap, there’s actually a scientific explanation behind it. According to Mirror (11/3/2025), Nicolas Bresch, Managing Director at Club Med, explained that hotel key cards rely on a magnetic strip to store crucial room access information. However, this strip is highly sensitive to magnetic interference.
“If a key card comes into direct contact with magnets, such as those found in smartphones, the stored data can be erased, making the card unusable,” Bresch said.
It’s not just phones that can cause this problem. Keeping a key card next to credit or debit cards can also lead to magnetic interference, potentially erasing the data. Other common objects, such as AirPods cases, wallet clips, and even certain phone covers, can also affect key cards.
But magnetic interference isn’t the only threat. Exposure to moisture, heat, and rough handling can also damage key cards. For instance, placing your key card in a bag with wet towels or swimwear can weaken its functionality. Similarly, leaving it in direct sunlight for too long may cause the plastic to warp, compromising the card’s structure.
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Frequent use and friction inside pockets or wallets can gradually wear down the magnetic strip. Scratches, dirt buildup, and even fine sand—especially for beachgoers—can make it harder for card readers to detect the key. Over time, this can lead to the frustrating experience of being locked out of your room when you least expect it.
To avoid your hotel key card stop working, travelers should store their key cards carefully, keeping them away from phones and magnetic objects. If a card stops working, the best solution is to request a replacement from the hotel rather than struggling with a faulty one.
