Ordering RFID hotel key cards without verifying compatibility with your lock system is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes in hospitality procurement. Different lock manufacturers require different RFID chip types, encoding protocols, and card form factors. This guide covers the five major lock systems found in Caribbean hotels and the specific RFID cards they support.
ASSA ABLOY VingCard
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions (formerly VingCard Elsafe) is the world's largest hotel lock manufacturer, with an installed base in over 42,000 hotels globally. Their product lines include Essence, Allure, Classic, and Signature series locks. Caribbean hotels using VingCard systems typically require MIFARE Classic 1K (for legacy installations) or MIFARE DESFire EV2/EV3 (for Visionline and newer systems). VingCard's proprietary encoding uses their VISIONLINE or VISION software, which programs the card with specific room assignments, access levels, and validity periods.
When ordering cards for VingCard systems, the card must be blank and compatible with the chip type your VingCard encoder is configured for. Your card supplier should not pre-encode VingCard data — the front desk encoder does this at check-in.
Dormakaba (Saflok / Kaba)
Dormakaba's hospitality lock division (formerly Saflok and Kaba) supplies locks to thousands of Caribbean properties, from budget hotels to luxury resorts. Their product lines include Ambiance, Confidant, RT, and Quantum series. Dormakaba locks primarily support MIFARE Classic 1K and MIFARE Classic 4K chips. Newer installations support MIFARE DESFire EV2 with their latest firmware. The encoding is handled by Dormakaba's SYSTEM 6000 or MESSENGER software.
A common Caribbean-specific issue with Dormakaba: some older Saflok RT locks in tropical environments experience corrosion on the card reader contacts due to salt air. Upgrading to newer contactless RFID lock versions eliminates this problem entirely, as there are no physical contacts between the card and the reader.
SALTO Systems
SALTO's XS4 platform is increasingly popular in Caribbean boutique hotels and newer resort properties. SALTO supports a wide range of RFID technologies: MIFARE Classic, MIFARE DESFire EV2/EV3, LEGIC, and HID iCLASS SE. The standout feature of SALTO's system is SVN (SALTO Virtual Network) technology, which enables wireless lock communication without hardwiring — particularly valuable for Caribbean properties where running Ethernet or Wi-Fi to every door is impractical.
SALTO's encoding uses their ProAccess SPACE software. Cards can carry both the access credential and SVN data (blacklist updates, audit trails) that are transferred to the lock when the card is presented — keeping the lock updated without a network connection.
Onity (Allegion)
Onity (now part of Allegion) has a large installed base in the Caribbean, particularly in mid-range and budget hotel segments. Legacy Onity locks (HT24, HT28) used magnetic stripe technology exclusively. Newer DirectKey and Trillium locks support RFID with MIFARE Classic and MIFARE DESFire chips. Onity uses proprietary encoding through their OnPortal software.
Caribbean hotels transitioning from magnetic stripe Onity locks to RFID should note that the upgrade typically requires new lock hardware — Onity's magnetic stripe locks cannot be retrofitted for RFID in most cases.
Miwa
Miwa, a Japanese lock manufacturer, has a smaller but notable presence in Caribbean hotels, particularly those owned by Japanese or Asian hospitality groups. Miwa's ALV2 and ALOS series support MIFARE Classic 1K and select MIFARE DESFire configurations. Encoding uses Miwa's proprietary software, and compatibility verification with your specific Miwa model is essential before ordering cards.
How to Verify Compatibility Before Ordering
Before placing a bulk key card order, gather three pieces of information: (1) your lock manufacturer and model name (check the lock faceplate or your maintenance records), (2) your lock management software version (this determines which chip types the encoder supports), and (3) the current chip type in your existing cards (your lock vendor or card supplier can identify this). Provide this information to your RFID card supplier, and request a compatibility verification and test sample before committing to a production run.
A reputable supplier will always test cards against your specific system before shipping a bulk order. Never accept a supplier who cannot confirm lock system compatibility — the cost of incompatible cards is not just the card price, but the operational disruption of not being able to check guests into rooms.