There are a number of places that restrict access to the elevators.  I've been to several that this situation occurred.  Ladies aren't aware of this situation if it's a place they haven't been to before.  She should have been aware of this after she arrived, perhaps she forgot?

When I arrive and see that there is security near the elevators, I'll not approach and will continue past it.  I'll contact her to let her know the situation and she'll have to come down to retrieve me.  Sometimes she'll have an extra key card and will discreetly give the extra and ask me to wait several minutes after she's gone back up.

So the question is did you say anything to the person monitoring the checkpoint?  If you did and you mentioned it to her, it may have caused her sufficient concern to not come down. The last thing she wants to do is to draw attention to herself.  

It is rare, but it happens.  They should have made you aware of the protocol well in advance of the actual appointment and ensured that you were comfortable with it.  

This never happened so I walked straight towards the elevator and he stopped me. Now i know if a is guy standing there hes not there to greet you, hes there to screen you.  

particularly in NYC.  Ask before

Well in NYC, it's very common. Almost half of the hotels I like have key elevator or security, it includes but not limited to the four season, Westin, Ritz, crowne plaza, W hotels, knickbucker..... anyway just have the person who host to pick up the other one.

This is unfortunately very common in NYC! I pick the nicest hotel that is least expensive at the time and they usually require a key card. Some that did not require in the past have been updated to need one. Another issue could have been they require one after 7pm or later. The girl could have had no issues when she checked in and it might have changed later. Either way the protocol is to let the person know you could not get up and they can come get you.

So now some hotels have security at the elevators like at the Vegas casinos??  Key card access to the elevator is one thing but now they have security checking for key cards before you even get to the elevator lobby?  Could this be a response to active shooter incidents/soft targets?

Hi there everyone, I'm debating about having incall next week and I was just reading this about needing keys to get up to the room... ughh! Last thing I want to do is put on street clothes to come down and get my friend, giant pain in the ass and very awkward! Any suggestions on decent midtown/ues/uws hotels that won't cost me an arm and a leg who do not require elevator keys? I'd hate to book a room only to face that problem😡 Please message me, thanks a mill😘😘😘

The key card problem is a can of worms but I think I have a soluton.  
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1. Bring a spool of monofilament fishing line. I suggest 600 yards of 4 pound test.
2. Bring a Halloween "light stick" with an unusual color.
3. Communicate with your client and direct him to stand under your window ("Mine is six windows north of N th St, facing the Bizzy Building on M th Ave.. I can see a red Porsche directly across from my window."); hang the light stick in your window so he can see it and move around to be in the right place.
4. Tie up your key card in a pair of panties. Tie the panties to the loose end of the fishing line. If it's very windy, add a small weight to the panties, too.
5. Lower the panties and key card to your date, standing below. 600 yards = 1800 feet is good enough for the highest floors of most skyscrapers in Manhattan. (WTC is 1776 feet.)
6. After he grabs the lowered panties and removes what he needs, reel the line back in.  
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Holy Mackerel! Do you think it will work?