Virdee and Salto Partner to Deliver NFC Mobile Wallet Room Keys

Key points

• Virdee and Salto expanded their integration so guests can receive room keys directly in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
• Using NFC, guests can tap phones or smartwatches against Salto door locks without unlocking the device or opening a native app.
• The integration connects digital key issuance with Virdee's automated check-in pipeline covering ID verification, credit card authorization, registration and room assignment.
• Wallet keys remain operational for hours after a smartphone battery dies via device power-reserve features.
• Access permissions sync across guest rooms, elevators, fitness centers and perimeter doors without physical keycard creation.
• The report notes first-generation digital keys saw weak guest adoption because they relied on Bluetooth Low Energy and required proprietary hotel apps.
• Migrating to native mobile wallets could turn digital keys from a low-single-digit novelty into a primary guest arrival channel.
• By connecting Virdee's check-in engine directly to Salto's lock provisioning APIs, properties can execute fully contactless or hybrid arrivals without front-desk staff manually verifying IDs or programming plastic keycards.