<p>Cal Poly has several different dining plans and they’re all listed for the same price on their website. The platinum plan seems best because it can cover lunch and dinner every day of the week but I’ve read online that some people prefer the freedom plan because it offers more plus dollars. Also, is the $.$$ tag next to the pricing a limit on how much you can spend per meal? For example, if my dinner goes over $7.42 would I have to cover the difference with plus dollars or my own money? Thanks for your reply in advance! </p>
<p>But how do you use less than 8 dining credits per week without skipping meals? I’m just worried about having to call home asking for more money because I ran out of money on my plan. </p>
<p>I spoke with a current student about this earlier this week. The dining credits are only good at 5 locations on campus. The vast majority of places to eat don’t accept the credits, they accept the Plus $$ or cash, credit, etc. The link below has links to menus/prices for each restaurant and dining FAQs. So far my daughter and I have talked to four different students (at shadow events and on the phone) and ALL have said to choose the 8 dining credit plan. You can always add more meals if you need them, and as someone mentioned above, the credits expire each week, whereas the Plus $$ roll over each quarter (you forfeit unused $$ at the end of spring). If you have questions I suggest you call Cal Poly; everyone I’ve spoken to on the phone about housing and student accounting has been extremely helpful. One more thing - there’s a change period during each quarter where you can choose a different meal plan if what you have isn’t working for you.</p>
<p>Also FYI I just filled out the housing application and you don’t choose your dining plan until August after room assignments are made. This is because if you end up in the apartments, the dining plan is different than if you end up in the residence halls. So you have some time to think about it.</p>
<p>@Lasthuman - The meal credits can only be used at 5 places. Those places are better for dinner because the value of the meal credit varies through the day:</p>
<p>Breakfast (7-10am): $7.90
Lunch (10am-5pm): $9.00
Dinner (5pm-8:15pm): $10.75
Late Night (>8:15pm): $8.75</p>
<p>A seen above, dinner is worth the most for a meal credit. $10.75 is way more than you need for dinner so often you will have extra money for leftovers or snacks.</p>
<p>Most students here use 7 of their 8 meals for dinners, and the remaining one for whenever is needed. Plus dollars are the best option for lunches because most of the lunch places are plus dollars only and have faster service for those small breaks between classes.</p>
<p>That said, I only know 1 person out of my many friends that doesn’t have the 8meals/week plan.</p>
<p>Trust me get the Freedom plan, eating at the same few places (really only 3 places to eat and 2 for most meals) gets very boring. Having more plus dollars to vary their meals helps. You can always change it. I have a second year student, the vast majority of the students will advise the freedom plan! Sad to say Cal Poly is not famous for their food though there are some favorites such as the late night at VG’s.</p>