Don't leave spare hotel keys lying around

Each Friday, we feature a reader-submitted tip as our Travel Tip of the Day. This week’s tip comes from reader Rob W., who says:

“Last week I had some stuff stolen out of my hotel room. Luckily, it wasn’t valuable and all was eventually returned. What happened?

On check-in I was given two key cards by the hotel (I prefer not to name the hotel). As usual, when I am traveling alone, I always take one with me and I leave the other keycard in its packet in the room or in the entry slot. Apparently, a disenchanted employee in housekeeping decided to lift the keycard from my room, who in turn gave it to a bad friend. That bad friend then came back later, entered my room without issue and pilfered my stuff. Luckily all my valuables were in the safe. So the bad employee could not be tracked entering the room at the time of the robbery because it was my key card that was used.

So my tip is: If you are given two cards, never leave the spare laying around in your room or in the power slot at the front door. Lock it in the safe, or better still, only get one keycard if you are traveling alone.”

A good one. Thanks, Rob!

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3 Comments On "Don't Leave Spare Hotel Keys Lying Around"
  1. James Meredith|

    How did they know it was a friend of a disgruntled employee? This story doesn’t make sense to me.

  2. Rich Turner|

    This would be a perfect use for those cards you forget to give back at the other hotels and if you leave it in the room so what.

  3. ania|

    thats a bummer, I very often live the card in the slot especially if i leave something to charge, and card in the slot is needed for power. Good lesson, thanks

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