What to Do With Old Hotel Key Cards? Some Creative Ways

Art can be made from almost anything, and hotel key cards are no exception. They are a great size and shape for various types of artwork, and if you travel a lot, they can be a fun way to remember different places you’ve been. Here are a few hotel key card car ideas:

1. Mosaic Art: You can cut the cards into small pieces and use them to create colorful mosaic designs. This could be on a small scale, like a coaster or picture frame, or on a larger scale, like a tabletop or wall art.
2. Collage: Combine hotel key cards with other materials to create a collage. This could be a great way to display your travel memories. You could use the actual cards or them as a base and layer other materials on top.
3. Jewelry: You can cut and shape hotel key cards into interesting designs to make unique jewelry pieces. You might need additional materials and tools to shape the plastic, like a hole punch, jewelry findings, and possibly a heat tool.
4. Painting Tools: Hotel key cards can also be used to create art. They’re great for scraping paint to create interesting textures and patterns on a canvas.
5. Mixed Media Art: Incorporate hotel key cards into mixed media art pieces. They can be painted, collaged, stacked, layered, or altered to become part of a larger work.
6. Sculpture: If you have many of them, you could use them to create a three-dimensional sculpture.

Remember that if you cut or heat the cards, do so in a well-ventilated area and be careful not to hurt yourself. And, of course, have fun with your creativity!

Displaying your collection of hotel key cards can be a great way to remember your travels and add a unique decorative touch to your space. Here are a few ideas on how you can display your hotel key cards:

1. Shadow Box: Arrange your hotel key cards in a shadow box and hang it on the wall. You can arrange them by color, location, or date to create a visual story of your travels.
2. Bulletin Board: Pin your hotel key cards onto a bulletin board. This allows you to add new cards as you collect them easily.
3. Photo Album: Use a photo album or a business card album to store and display your cards. This keeps them protected while allowing you to flip through and view them.
4. Picture Frame: If you have a smaller collection, consider arranging them in a large picture frame. You can use a background that complements the colors of the cards.
5. Map Display: If you have hotel key cards from different locations, consider displaying them on a map. You can pin the cards to their corresponding location using a corkboard map.
6. Glass Jar: Place your hotel key cards in a glass jar or vase for a simple and casual display. This can be an interesting decorative item on a bookshelf or table.
7. Scrapbook: If you enjoy scrapbooking, consider creating a scrapbook for your hotel key cards. You can add photos, ticket stubs, and other travel souvenirs.

When creating your display, consider writing the date and location on each card (if it’s not already printed) to help you remember where each one came from.

Destroy them

Suppose you’re concerned about potential unauthorized use (though it’s unlikely, as most key cards don’t store personal data and are typically deactivated upon check-out). In that case, you might want to destroy them physically. Use scissors to cut them up, or run them through a shredder if you can access one.

Yes, you can typically keep your hotel key cards. Most hotels use reprogrammable RFID cards to open RFID hotel locks, so they don’t mind if guests take them as souvenirs or forget to return them. However, these cards hold no value outside of the hotel, and once deactivated, they cannot be used for future access.

Remember that some high-end hotels or resorts might use more expensive, proprietary key systems or cards and charge a fee if the hotel key cards are lost or not returned. If you’re unsure about their policy, checking with the front desk is always a good idea.

Are hotel key cards recyclable?

Yes, hotel key cards can be recyclable, but it depends on the material they are made from. Key cards made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are technically recyclable, but not all recycling facilities accept them due to the specific processing required.

Cards made from eco-friendly materials like wood, bamboo, or bioplastics are more readily recyclable. Hotels need to work with recycling programs that can properly process these items.

Despite the potential for recycling, recycling hotel key cards is not as common as it could be. Many hotels do not have programs to collect and recycle used key cards, and guests may not know how to dispose of them properly.

While it’s generally considered good etiquette to return hotel key cards to the front desk upon checking out, it’s not typically required. Most hotels use disposable or reprogrammable key cards, which can be easily and inexpensively replaced.

However, some hotels, especially luxury or boutique establishments, may use more expensive key systems or cards and charge a fee if the card isn’t returned. If unsure, it’s always best to ask the hotel staff about their policy.

In the past, there was also some concern about personal data being stored on these cards, but this is largely a myth. Modern hotel key cards don’t typically store sensitive information beyond an encrypted link to your reservation in the hotel’s system, which is deactivated after you check out.