By Orit Naomi, HTN staff writer - 6.28.2024
Google Wallet has expanded its functionality to include digital hotel key cards, offering a new level of convenience for Android phone users. This development allows hotels to provide guests with digital key cards that can be stored directly in their Google Wallet, eliminating the need for physical keys or additional hotel-branded apps.
The Clarion Hotel Post in Gothenburg, Sweden, set in a historic post office building and part of the Strawberry hotel group in the Nordics, is reportedly one of the first hotels to implement this feature. Guests staying at the hotel can now save their room keys to their Google Wallet, enabling them to access their rooms using near-field communication (NFC) technology. By simply tapping the back of their phones on a reader near the door handle, guests can unlock their rooms seamlessly.
While hotel chains such as Marriott and Hilton have been offering mobile keys through their respective apps for some time, this marks the first instance of such functionality being available directly within Google Wallet. This integration negates the need for guests to download and use specific hotel apps, streamlining the process and enhancing user convenience.
Apple introduced a similar solution for iPhone and Apple Watch users in 2021. Google has now confirmed on its website that digital hotel keys are supported within the Wallet app, although this feature is currently limited to participating lodging venues. The digital key can also be used to access other areas of the hotel, such as the pool or recreational rooms, depending on the venue’s setup.
Adding a hotel key to Google Wallet is a straightforward process, akin to adding a concert ticket or train pass. Guests can tap the “Add to Google Wallet” button found on the hotel’s website, app, or in an email. While booking details may appear immediately, the key typically requires activation upon check-in. For added security, some devices may need to be unlocked to use the key, unless NFC support is available.
NFC technology has simplified many device interactions by eliminating extra steps, such as unlocking the phone. However, the exclusivity practices of major tech companies have made the field challenging to navigate. European Union regulators have scrutinized Apple for limiting NFC technology, and other companies, including Google and Meta, have faced criticism for similar gatekeeping practices. These limitations often place the burden on customers.
The addition of digital hotel keys to Google Wallet is similar to adding a credit card. Guests simply tap the “Add to Google Wallet” button on the hotel’s website, app, or in an email, sign in, and add the hotel key to their Google Wallet. To unlock their room, guests hold their phone near the door handle, with some phone models not even requiring the phone to be unlocked first.
While Apple Wallet has offered this feature since 2021 with the launch of iOS 15, the inclusion of digital hotel keys in Google Wallet opens up this functionality to a broader group of Android users. Although some hotel chains, like Marriott and Hilton, have had digital key cards available through their apps, the integration with Google Wallet means guests no longer need to download additional apps.
However, not all hotels are currently compatible with Google Wallet for digital key cards. Each hotel must add support for the feature, and at present, only a limited number of hotels have done so. The Clarion Hotel Post in Sweden is one of the early adopters of this technology. While this feature offers significant convenience for travelers, its widespread availability remains uncertain. Initially, it is likely that higher-end hotels will adopt this technology first, with more affordable hotels likely following suit over time.