I think this thing although possible is less likely than other possible crimes on site. I will say (and this goes for all chains) that when I come back to the room and the maid is in there, I'm always asked to card my door. Regarding the smokers outside, no biggie to me other than the stench they have. When it comes to the rekey, I think some of the questions they ask you are also geared to identifying you as well. I'm always getting rekeyed for late checkouts and they seem to ask me questions that would verify my ID. IMHO, a thread that probably creates more paranoia than necessary
Originally Posted by
goldenbear
To take advantage of this, one would have to know the room number and be correct on the date of checkout. I think they usually ask at least a name on the room when re-keying at as well. But either way, someone could not just go randomly to the front desk and get a key for XXX room by asking a late checkout. Now if you knew that info about someone and his room, I could see it being a problem, but that would mean an acquaintance would be taking advantage of the situation. Seems a very small risk compared to when a room is being service. See something valuable (laptop, ipod) through the opened door, flash a room key, say you forgot something, and off you go.