Hilton HHonors - Good use for Hampton Inn Keys

I was getting dressed for work the other day and I left my shoe horn at home. When I went to put my shoes on, I wasn't sure what I would use. When I saw my hampton inn key, I thought ,"hey, this might work."

Well, it did work fairly decent as a shoe horn. Anyone else try this?

Speaking of those keys - does anyone have a key from every state (where they have the "welcome to Texas/Florida/etc." I have only about 6 states.

Dorky? yes. :D

I was expecting a review on the Hampton Inn in Islamorada FL, in the Florida Keys. :p

Do they charge you if you keep a key?

Do they charge you if you keep a key?

I sure hope not - I have about 20-30 that I kept in my pocket/wallet/briefcase by accident!

I sure hope not - I have about 20-30 that I kept in my pocket/wallet/briefcase by accident!

I wonder how much hotels spend a year on those keys......I have a boat load myself. They get stuffed in laptop bag, pants or something and just never think to turn them in since I dont stop at the desk.

I take them home for my kids and tell them they are credit cards. It's so cute. They jump up and down and get all excited about going "shopping" with them. :p

Sad part is they're 18 and 21. :(

I wonder how much hotels spend a year on those keys......I have a boat load myself. They get stuffed in laptop bag, pants or something and just never think to turn them in since I dont stop at the desk.


If they don't charge then it's probably built into the room rates. Since they most likely buy them by the thousands, the cost is probably minimal.

Sad part is they're 18 and 21. :(


ROTFL ;)

Lets hope all keys are thrown away after use anyways. Who wants to hold onto a key that's been stuffed in somebody else's sweaty smelly pocket (or worse? :eek: )

I try to always drop them off at the desk when I leave. Of course, I do doubt that they take a second to wipe off the ones returned before giving them back to other customers.

:o

I guess that reinforces that you should regularly wash your hands. Of course, you could figure that you are strengthening your immune system. :D

Lets hope all keys are thrown away after use anyways.


I hope not. That sound really wasteful. :( While I've never thought about it previously, I'll probably start wiping my key off with the sani-wipes I carry in my bag.

Speaking of those keys - does anyone have a key from every state (where they have the "welcome to Texas/Florida/etc." I have only about 6 states.

Dorky? yes. :DI guess I'm not the only sick one. I, too, only have a few states.

Do they charge you if you keep a key?
no and I have been keeping them and throwing them away at home because I have read they store a bit of info on them for a short time-

Lets hope all keys are thrown away after use anyways. Who wants to hold onto a key that's been stuffed in somebody else's sweaty smelly pocket (or worse? :eek: )

Oh, like the old keys with the 6" plastic tag hanging off it was clean? Those were kept in smelly, sweaty pockets;dropped in toilets; slobbered upon by babies, chewed by dogs, etc. What about the doorknobs? Rental car steering wheels? Anything else other humans touch? It's an epidemic I tell you and there is no end in sight!

Excuse me, I have to go shower. :D

Oh, like the old keys with the 6" plastic tag hanging off it was clean? Those were kept in smelly, sweaty pockets;dropped in toilets; slobbered upon by babies, chewed by dogs, etc. What about the doorknobs? Rental car steering wheels? Anything else other humans touch? It's an epidemic I tell you and there is no end in sight!

Excuse me, I have to go shower. :D

You raise some good points, now I am truly DOOMED! :)

no and I have been keeping them and throwing them away at home because I have read they store a bit of info on them for a short time-

I don't intentionally keep them, but probably end up with 20 Hilton property keys a year due to my absentmindedness (is that a word?). I always shred them when I find them in my wallet or briefcase (or garment bag, or pocket, or PDA case, etc.).

absentmindedness (is that a word?).

Its more than a word, its a way of life *smile*

Speaking of those keys - does anyone have a key from every state (where they have the "welcome to Texas/Florida/etc." I have only about 6 states.

Dorky? yes. :D
I'm a collectiholic (is that a word?) and so I would like to have one from every state. But, alas, I only have about three states. Hey, anyone wanna trade? I have a few extras for California :) .

I collect them too. I think I'm up to eight states, maybe more (I don't count much, they just accumulate in my bag), including one from Minnesota that I got at a HI in Texas or something :D

By the way, I also collect Avis maps from the cities I visit, and I have a ton of those now.

I am obviously oblivious as I spend a ton of time in Hampton's but have never noticed that they even have states on them. I would be happy to nab them though for those who collect them. Jassy just let me know what states you already have and what you need.

I am obviously oblivious as I spend a ton of time in Hampton's but have never noticed that they even have states on them. I would be happy to nab them though for those who collect them. Jassy just let me know what states you already have and what you need.
Lehava, you are a real PAL! ^ I have CA, PA and TX. Any others gratefully appreciated :) . Send me a PM and I will send you my address.

In looking at the card keys just now, I suddenly realized that the little pictures on them can be different. I have 2 CA's with 2 different pictures. Oh, no, more collecting possibilities!! Argh, the curse of a collectiholic! :D

I like the one I just got last week. "Welcome to Ohio".

But, in the picture, there's a photo of a vehicle and its front license plate, "Explore Kentucky". :p

I'm up to 12 states

I like the one I just got last week. "Welcome to Ohio".

But, in the picture, there's a photo of a vehicle and its front license plate, "Explore Kentucky". :p
:D :D :D
Now, that's a collectible!!

Lehava, you are a real PAL! ^ I have CA, PA and TX. Any others gratefully appreciated :) . Send me a PM and I will send you my address.

In looking at the card keys just now, I suddenly realized that the little pictures on them can be different. I have 2 CA's with 2 different pictures. Oh, no, more collecting possibilities!! Argh, the curse of a collectiholic! :D

I can not seem to get PM's to work. PM me and then I can just reply!!!

:D :D :D
Now, that's a collectible!!

Must be at a property near CVG...the airport that doesnt quite no where it is (its called Cincinnati but is actually in Kentucky!!)

I have heard (for what it's worth) that hotels are specifically NOT supposed to ask you to return your magnetic key. More and more I have been finding this to be the case. I understand that these keys hold some of your personal information (such as your CC number) that are accessible to anyone with access to the card reader (or, presumably their own card reader if they were so inclined). Has anybody else heard of the legality related to this or am I just spewing heresay and paranoia?

I was expecting a review on the Hampton Inn in Islamorada FL, in the Florida Keys. :p

I can give a review on the Key West property. Not in the center of town, but it has some of the best room rates on the island. It is a short 5 minute drive to the center of town. Over the past several years will stay there because the rates downtown are so high. The pool and surrounding deck area have a nice view of the bay/lagoon. There is an outside liquor bar next to the pool.

Stay there and you can have a key from the SouthernMost Hampton Inn in the US.

I too read that they store information on them and should be pitched (or at a minimum retured to the front desk).

I too read that they store information on them and should be pitched (or at a minimum retured to the front desk).

I have heard (for what it's worth) that hotels are specifically NOT supposed to ask you to return your magnetic key. More and more I have been finding this to be the case. I understand that these keys hold some of your personal information (such as your CC number) that are accessible to anyone with access to the card reader (or, presumably their own card reader if they were so inclined). Has anybody else heard of the legality related to this or am I just spewing heresay and paranoia?

no and I have been keeping them and throwing them away at home because I have read they store a bit of info on them for a short time




Where are you people coming up with these urban legends?

The only thing that gets programmed onto the key is the room# and check-out date.

Stop spreading this BS!


http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/hotelkey.asp

As often as my card seems to get wiped out by something in my wallet and has to be re-programmed I am totally not worried about someone putting it through a card reader. I cant keep it working when I need it to so I am far from concerned about it holding data.

I will happily be collecting them however for people on FT who collect them and want them. Am in MN this week at two different Hampton's will have a couple MN's (one spoken for).

:D :D :D
Now, that's a collectible!!

Actually Ohio with a Kentucky license isnt that unique...think about CVG airport, called Cincinnati but it is in Northern Kentucky. Must have been from a hampton near CVG

I have heard (for what it's worth) that hotels are specifically NOT supposed to ask you to return your magnetic key. More and more I have been finding this to be the case. I understand that these keys hold some of your personal information (such as your CC number) that are accessible to anyone with access to the card reader (or, presumably their own card reader if they were so inclined). Has anybody else heard of the legality related to this or am I just spewing heresay and paranoia?

If they where putting your CC number on the key it would take a lot more keystrokes and time to encode it then what is done. A CC number is 16 digits long for MC/Visa! Imagine having to wait for the clerk to key in all that plus a room number plus the dates (or number of times the key could be used)!

I'm a collectiholic (is that a word?) and so I would like to have one from every state. But, alas, I only have about three states. Hey, anyone wanna trade? I have a few extras for California :) .

Lol, So am I. I have a few extra to trade also;

2-CT
2-IL
2-MO
1-KS
6-TX

PM me and let's trade.

ontherun