2 key cards for hotel room - normal?

[Fuckfucketyfuck]

My husband stays in London a lot for work and stays around the city. I found a key card holder and it has 2 keys. I also found another one with 2 keys and someone else’s name written in pen on the front. Can someone tell me if this is normal practice to give 2keys and can there be any explanation for someone else’s name on the front?

I stayed in the Imperial Hotel in Torquay for one night earlier this week, they only have twin/double rooms and I was given 2 keys - it was just me booking in, I asked why two 'we always give two in case you shut one in your room when you go out' - which I guess saves a lot of hassle on reception in a big hotel.

Here's the thing. A few years ago now, hotels started putting card holders just inside the entrance to the room that activated the electricity within the room. It meant that when you left, the lights and everything went out, thereby not wasting electricity/increasing the hotel's bill. But then people said that they wanted to leave phones and laptops on charge when they went for breakfast, so they started giving out two cards on request.

Or there's another reason.

He stays in hotels a lot - but I didn’t think he stayed at this one that often, there is another he stays in regularly. We only live an hours commute out but he has a high pressured job in the city and has always worked very long hours, lots of entertaining, drinking. So that would all be ok but he also just goes out drinking to get drunk a lot - this is the man who on our family
Holiday went out to “watch the football” at 7pm and came home at 6am. While I’m there with our 1 year old and 4 year old. So he’s a shit already to be honest.

I stayed in an Ibis last week on my own and had 2 keys, one for the light. I've also checked in as a couple at various hotels when we were asked if we wanted 1 key or 2. So.... the number of keys isn't necessarily indicative of the number of guests either way round. However, what is strange is that a stranger's name should be written on the key holder in your husband's possession....

His names not Alex

It might not be anything too sinister... but generally it's one key for each occupant.

I worked as a hotel receptionist for years and we were forever issuing second room keys to people - people lose keys or leave them in the room as in many hotels you're required to put your key into a slot inside the door to use electricity/power. A lot of guests would forget to take this key out and would then need a 2nd key to get back into their room.

Key cards get deactivated very easily if in same pocket as a credit card for example or the receptionist may have only activated it to last 1 day.

Hotel software can be to blame also... The reservation may have been incorrect in the system and had total number 2 occupants as often 2 people are automatically assigned to certain room types so say if person was auto assigned a twin room, the system might automatically populate the no. of occupants to 2 people, and receptionist will they cut 2 key cards.

Normal to get 2 cards. Sometimes I book for colleagues or they book for me so Harriet could end up with Barbara on her card quite plausibly.

BUT you don't need proof of him cheating when you already know he is a shit husband. It is fine to LTB regardless.

My partner works in London a lot and stays in the same hotel where they know him. Sometimes he gets given 2 cards. He always gives the cards back on check out though so why does your husband have the cards.

I've stayed in that hotel but there were 2 if us so can't help sorry. It's quite a nice hotel!

Just read your update. Just because it's normal to get 2 cards doesn't mean anything if you're not happy and he's shit.

I would add he should give them back though. It's probably people like him which means they have to keep reusing the bloody old keys someone has possibly written on.

I guess he uses fast check out or isn't bothered about checking the bill before he leaves. You can just leave a hotel without a proper checkout.

Always get two keys.

One operating the aircon, especially on a hot day

X-Post.

If his name is not Alex that's a concern.

Two cards is standard.

And he sounds like a shit. So now I think you probably have a concern.

Who is Alex?

I travel solo for work and always get two cards. The name written on the packet is usually either my company name or the PA name as that's who booked the reservation.

Forget about trying to figure out if he's having an affair, I'd dump him purely for not taking part in family life. An hour is not a long commute and he probably doesn't need to do after work drinks as often as he tells you. And staying out all night leaving you with two small kids is shitty. Unless he has a lot of redeeming features and will change behaviour instantly and forever if you ask then you'd probably be better off without him

Sounds like you have bigger more immediate concerns to consider.

Do you think he has a drink problem?

Thank you, yes he is. He also follows a load of 18+ twitter accounts and saves sexy pictures to his phone. So he’s not necessarily doing anyrhjng but it doesn’t make him a great husband. I feel like I have overcompensate for him never being around so I hardly ever go out. If I had proof of something it would help me decide to make a change.

I'd call the hotel and ask what their standard practice is.

Cheating or not, the bigger picture doesn't sound much fun. Maybe time for a serious discussion with him? Or have you already had a few?

I always request and get two keys in case I leave one in the room. Always keep a spare in my handbag that I don't take out the entire trip. And yes I've known quite a few hotels to give two so you can keep one in the slot to keep the lights on etc.

I get why you could be worried. From experience though, sometimes the reception does ask you if you want 2 key cards encase you lose one!

Sorry, just saw your update.

Any chance you could off hand say 'So I spoke to Alex about you today' and see what his reaction is? You'd obviously have to make up a story in case he looks at you genuinely bewildered and asks who Alex is...

Two keys is normal. Also, I've often found that the name thing are booked under is the name of our administrator, because she's a bit daft sometimes.

Not saying it's innocent, but it could be. Depends on who the name is - have you tried googling said name?

OP, I’d be more concerned with what sounds like a drink problem and the fact that you never go out and he is barely present in your marriage.
What do you actually get out of this relationship? What is he contributing to the partnership? Does he love you? Do you love him?

Just seen your update also, they wouldn't put a name of the receptionist on the key card. Alex is someone who also has that key card it seems. I have stayed in a lot of hotels.

Maybe ring the hotel??

You don't need proof to make a change, you being unhappy is enough. At the very least you need to make sure you get to spend time with friends and without your children. Does your husband contribute anything positive to your life?

So does one key say Alex and one key say Tina? Two different keys with other names on them?