Wallet Keys for hotels: digital room keys for a seamless guest experience

Wallet Keys: convenience redefined

Imagine this. A guest arrives at your hotel after a long journey and, before he even reaches the reception desk, his phone vibrates softly. The room is ready. Check-in takes just a few taps on the screen. A secure digital key immediately appears in the mobile wallet. No queues, no paperwork and no plastic waste.

Today's travellers not only appreciate this kind of convenience, they expect it. According to the State of Guest Tech Report 2025, 80 per cent of guests actively seek out hotels that offer digital keys, and 60 per cent prefer digital keys to traditional keycards. Wallet Keys, compatible with both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, offer exactly what modern guests want: instant access, intuitive use and strong security. But for hoteliers, the benefits go beyond simply meeting guest expectations. In this article, you'll learn how Wallet Keys help streamline processes, reduce costs and improve sustainability.

The key to a pleasant stay

We live in a mobile-driven world, and hotel guests expect services that reflect this. With Wallet Keys, guests can store their digital key in the wallet they use every day, alongside payment cards, boarding passes and travel documents. Checking in has never been easier or more secure. There is no waiting time at reception and no app is required. Guests add their digital key to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet and open doors with a single tap on their smartphone or smartwatch.

In addition to hotel rooms, Wallet Keys can also be set up for lifts, fitness rooms, swimming pools, meeting rooms and other areas. This gives guests access to multiple zones while preventing unauthorised access. Wallet Keys utilise the same advanced security technologies as mobile banking and digital identity documents. For guests, this means a smoother stay. For hoteliers, it means less congestion at reception, fewer lost or demagnetised keycards and a significant reduction in operational costs.

More efficient processes and lower costs

Wallet Keys offer more than just convenience. They increase security, reduce keycard costs and cut down on plastic waste, while giving staff more time for personal service.

Hotels no longer need to purchase, reprint or dispose of physical cards. These costs can quickly add up, especially for hotels with high occupancy rates. With Wallet Keys, reprogramming cards, replacing lost keys and problems with demagnetised strips are a thing of the past. What's more, Wallet Keys represent a visible and meaningful step towards sustainability by significantly reducing the use of plastic.

The operational benefits extend further. With more guests bypassing reception, staff can focus on valuable guest interaction rather than administrative tasks. This is particularly noticeable during peak periods, when pre-check-in and automatic key distribution enable faster room changes and smoother front desk processes.

Strengthening hoteliers worldwide

For more than 40 years, Vingcard has been setting the global standard in access solutions. From electronic locks to cloud-based software, our solutions secure 6.5 million rooms in 42,000 hotels every day. Our international team supports a wide range of businesses in more than 160 countries, helping them to optimise processes, reduce costs and elevate the guest experience.

Ready to unlock the future of hospitality? Discover the possibilities at vingcard.com.