That was probably permanent magnet cards (pre-made credit cards, membership cards, etc) vs re-writable magnetic cards that can be written to with a desktop machine.
Most hotels use reprogrammable RFID cards, not magnetic cards. Hanlon's razor dictates negligence or incompetence be assumed first. I think it's more likely that a hotel employee incorrectly programmed the cards, or just didn't at all before handing them over.
I vastly prefer the RFID but several of the Homewood Suites and Hampton Inns I stay in each week are still magnetic stripe. I've definitely killed one. Used it to unlock my room, but then stuck it in a pocket with my magnetic headphone case when I went to workout
That was probably permanent magnet cards (pre-made credit cards, membership cards, etc) vs re-writable magnetic cards that can be written to with a desktop machine.
Most hotels use reprogrammable RFID cards, not magnetic cards. Hanlon's razor dictates negligence or incompetence be assumed first. I think it's more likely that a hotel employee incorrectly programmed the cards, or just didn't at all before handing them over.
They do these days. They used to use magnetic strip. Some low-budget places probably still do. Or even physical keys.
I vastly prefer the RFID but several of the Homewood Suites and Hampton Inns I stay in each week are still magnetic stripe. I've definitely killed one. Used it to unlock my room, but then stuck it in a pocket with my magnetic headphone case when I went to workout
Can also personally attest that a hotel room key card & galaxy buds case do not mix.