keycard reader

Meaning

An electronic device, usually mounted on a door or inside an elevator, that scans or reads a plastic keycard to grant access. It is the modern standard for hotel security, replacing traditional metal locks. To use it, guests tap or insert their card until a light turns green.

Examples

• Hold your room card against the keycard reader until the light flashes green.

  Hold your room card against the keycard reader until the light flashes green.

• The keycard reader on the elevator requires you to scan your card to access the guest floors.

  The keycard reader on the elevator requires you to scan your card to access the guest floors.

• I think the keycard reader is broken because my card isn't unlocking the door.

  I think the keycard reader is broken because my card isn't unlocking the door.

• The technician is currently repairing the keycard reader at the main entrance.

  The technician is currently repairing the keycard reader at the main entrance.

• A red flashing light on the keycard reader usually indicates an expired card or a system error.

  A red flashing light on the keycard reader usually indicates an expired card or a system error.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Put your card on the key lock to open the door.

  ✓ Hold your card against the keycard reader to open the door.

  Modern electronic locks are referred to as 'keycard readers' or 'card scanners,' not 'key locks'.

• ✗ The card reader key is not working.

  ✓ The keycard reader is not working.

  The device that reads the card is the 'keycard reader'; 'card reader key' confuses the card with the reader itself.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If the light on the ___ turns red, you may need to re-magnetize your card at reception.

  💡 The electronic device that scans your hotel card.

  Show answer

  keycard reader

• To activate the elevator, tap your card on the ___ located below the floor buttons.

  💡 The scanner that grants access.

  Show answer

  keycard reader