Magnetic key cards remain a hospitality staple. But not all magstripe cards are built the same, and the stripe type you choose affects cost, durability, and guest experience.
Hoteliers often ask whether LoCo or HiCo stripes suit their property better. The right choice usually depends on guest turnover, budget, and how often cards get reused.
Sourcing custom hotel key cards from an experienced manufacturer helps hotels avoid costly mistakes. Getting the stripe type wrong can mean frequent reprints or failed room access.
LoCo (Low Coercivity) magstripe cards are budget-friendly and best for short-term or single-use guest stays. HiCo (High Coercivity) magstripe cards resist demagnetization and suit hotels needing durable, reusable cards. Choose based on guest turnover, reuse needs, and budget.
LoCo cards use a low-coercivity magnetic stripe. They're cheaper to produce but demagnetize more easily near phones, magnets, or electronics.
HiCo cards use a high-coercivity stripe that resists demagnetization far better. They cost slightly more but last significantly longer under repeated use.
Both stripe types work with standard magstripe readers found in most hotel door locks. The difference lies in cost, durability, and how many times a card can be reused.
LoCo cards suit hotels that replace cards frequently anyway. Since guests rarely keep the card, durability matters less than upfront cost savings.
They're common in high-turnover properties like budget hotels and hostels. Frequent reprinting is already built into daily operations at these properties.
HiCo cards fit hotels that want to reduce reprint frequency and card waste. Their stronger stripe holds encoded data reliably over hundreds of uses.
Mid-range and upscale hotels often prefer HiCo for this reason. Fewer failed key reads also mean fewer frustrated guests at the door.
Beyond the stripe type, branding matters too. Hotels can order custom hotel key cards printed with logos, room numbers, or seasonal designs on either LoCo or HiCo stock.
Dennison Business Solutions LLC (DBS) produces both LoCo and HiCo magstripe cards in-house, alongside custom printing options. This gives hotels flexibility to match card durability with brand presentation.
What is the main difference between LoCo and HiCo magstripe cards?
LoCo cards have a low-coercivity stripe that demagnetizes easily, while HiCo cards have a high-coercivity stripe that resists demagnetization. HiCo cards last longer under repeated use.
Which magstripe card type is better for budget hotels?
LoCo cards suit budget hotels best. They cost less per card and work well when hotels already replace key cards frequently due to short guest stays.
Can HiCo cards be reused multiple times without losing data?
Yes. HiCo cards are specifically designed for reuse, holding encoded data reliably across hundreds of swipes, unlike LoCo cards, which degrade faster near magnetic interference.
Do LoCo and HiCo cards work with the same door lock hardware?
Yes. Both stripe types work with standard magstripe readers used in most hotel locks. Hotels don't need new hardware when switching between LoCo and HiCo cards.
Can I get custom-printed designs on both LoCo and HiCo cards?
Yes. Both LoCo and HiCo magstripe cards support custom printing, including hotel logos, branding colors, and room information, regardless of the stripe's coercivity level.
