Lock Compatibility · dormakaba
Kaba / dormakaba-Compatible Hotel Key Cards
Ilco magstripe classics, Kaba RFID lines and the merged dormakaba portfolio — one supplier for the whole family, verified generation by generation.
The Kaba name covers a broad hospitality catalog — Ilco magstripe locks (760/790 series) that still run in thousands of properties, Kaba RFID generations, and the merged dormakaba portfolio that today also includes Saflok. If your fleet mixes these, chip management gets confusing fast.
Ilco magstripe locks read LoCo cards. Kaba/dormakaba RFID lines typically pair with MIFARE Classic® 1K, with Ultralight® C appearing in some product lines and periods. We keep per-property spec sheets so multi-brand estates reorder without re-testing every time.
Which chip does Kaba / dormakaba read?
Commonly used pairings by generation. Individual properties can differ — the final chip is always confirmed with free test samples in your own doors before production.
| Lock generation | Card / chip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ilco 760 / 790 (magstripe) | LoCo magstripe (300 Oe) | Very large installed base in the Americas |
| Kaba RFID / RT Plus era | MIFARE Classic® 1K | The common Kaba RFID pairing |
| Certain RFID lines / periods | MIFARE Ultralight® C | Line-specific; confirmed via sample pack |
| dormakaba current (incl. Saflok family) | MIFARE Classic® 1K | See also our Saflok page for that branch |
What we supply for Kaba / dormakaba properties
- LoCo magstripe cards for Ilco 760/790 estates
- MIFARE Classic® 1K and Ultralight® C cards in all our materials
- Hybrid cards for staged upgrades
- Per-property spec management for management groups running mixed Kaba estates
How verification works
- 1
Identify your lock
Find the brand and model on the lock’s inside plate or battery cover, ask your installer, or simply photograph a working key card (both sides) and the lock.
- 2
We match the chip
Send the details to sales@cardotel.com or through the form. We identify the chip your generation reads and assemble free test samples with the matching candidates.
- 3
Your doors decide
Encode the samples on site exactly as you do today. Only after your locks confirm the reads do we print the full run — zero compatibility gambles.
Kaba / dormakaba key card questions
What cards fit Ilco 760 and 790 locks?
Both are magstripe systems running LoCo (300 Oe) cards. We produce them in volume with full brand printing, and hybrid chip + magstripe versions for properties preparing an RFID upgrade.
Is Kaba the same as Saflok now?
Both brands sit under dormakaba, but the lock lines and their credentials remain distinct. We maintain separate chip specs for each — see our dedicated Saflok compatibility page for that family.
Which chip do Kaba RFID locks use?
Most commonly MIFARE Classic® 1K; certain lines issue Ultralight® C. Our free test pack includes both candidates so your doors give the final answer before production.
We manage 12 properties with mixed Kaba generations — how do reorders work?
We keep a per-property spec sheet (lock model, verified chip, artwork, quantities). Group reorders become one email, packed and labeled per site so each front desk receives the right cards.
Start your order
Need key cards that just work at check-in?
Send your lock brand and quantity — you will get a factory-direct quote and a free sample pack to test in your own locks before you commit.