Reply #4: Interesting

[catchnrelease]

They might not be valid without a signature, but I have not signed any of my cards in years, and instead have "see ID" written in the strip. It's never once been questioned or refused. Have had vendors comment that they do the same thing. Half of the time the vendor doesn't even turn the card over, which is pretty frightening in itself.

Edited to add: After reading #6 I was pretty spooked, as we have just returned from a few days vacation, and stayed in several motels. Usually we turn in the cards, and occasionally take one by accident. So when I told my SO, he called a friend that is a corporate exec for company that owns several nation-wide chains, and asked if this was true. He said that it's an urban myth, that the only thing that is "imprinted" on the room cards is your name, room number and expiration date when the card will no longer work. So I'm relieved about that, but still think all the rest of the suggestions are really good ones.