So as someone that has not had a meal plan in several years but still follows these a little… there really isn’t much choice. For anyone wondering, the 231 plan is basically 2 meals a day (the semester is around 115 days).
VIP allows you to use a meal at a retail location that’s up to $6 in value. Basically, this REALLY limits your options: it means a 6" sub at Subway, an original sandwich at Chick-Fil-A, etc (unless they relaxed the rules this coming year… not mentioned anywhere). Whether that’s worth it to you is something you have to figure out. With an unlimited plan the VIP thing sounds kind of dumb since you were still limited to the $6 menus at these places (yet can’t just “swipe twice” so to speak).
Between the 3, obviously the Open Access plan looks to be the best on the surface, but keep in mind that the Flexible 231 plan is still basically 2 meals a day (and that’s if you don’t ever leave).
Bottom line: Honestly, these plans are just kind of awful. You would probably be better served just buying Garnet Bucks (do not expire until you graduate, again, unless this changed) and using them to buy food at restaurants. The per-meal prices are not that high at Fresh Food or Suwannee, especially for breakfast or lunch. I think the only break-even point on the 200 plan is if you eat all 200 meals during dinner hours which will be a huge stretch with the limited hours that exist during the weekend.
Thank you for that analysis. It really is overwhelming. We were just down for Preview, and we met up with a Frosh that’s one of my wife’s friend’s nephews. But he also gave us the low down, and told my son the best deal is to swipe in at about 10 at Freshfoods or Suwanee, study there and then have lunch without having to do another swipe. From my perspective, my son is an amateur bodybuilder, so the thought of having him on a fixed price dining plan is a dream come true. I suspect they will lose a lot of money on him even if I go for the Open Access.
With the minimal price difference, son opted for the Open Access. The kid is kinda picky and hardly eats, so I doubt he’ll get his money’s worth (if that’s even possible.)
Yeah, if you swipe in to the dining halls sort of between meals, you can get essentially two meal options for the price of one. Lunch and Breakfast are usually close enough in price that I don’t think it matters much if you are doing it regularly but as of last visit the price between Lunch and Dinner was a couple bucks. I wouldn’t do it all the time but I don’t think they’re going to care if you get there at like 4pm and dinner starts at 4:30pm and get both every now and then. They’re still only spending probably $2 or so per serving at most, not like a couple times is going to hurt Aramark’s bottom line.
Honestly if he’s picky, and you don’t have to buy a meal plan (not in one of the dorms that it’s required), I really wouldn’t. Garnet Bucks are a much better option, especially since they’re usable everywhere and don’t expire until you graduate vs. Flexbucks that expire at the end of the year.
If he’s required to have one… the 200 meal plan is probably sufficient. If it ends up not being enough Dining usually has some sort of upgrade or extra meals promotion towards the end of the semester.
@pasbal Thanks for the tips. He’s required to have a plan, but will let him know about the Garnet bucks for the future. I figured it’s best to give him as many options as possible. He’s getting a full ride and I think the extra costs are covered.