<p>I'm an incoming student for Fall of 2013 @ UMASS AMHERST and I was wondering if anyone has taken a look at these meal plans?</p>
<p>"""" Unlimited Meal Plan</p>
<p>$2,660 / Semester</p>
<p>Includes unlimited access to any four all-you-care-to-eat dining commons, 12 Meal Exchanges and 15 Guest Meals.</p>
<p>Value Meal Plan</p>
<p>$2,296.50 / Semester</p>
<p>The Value Meal Plan offers a total of 224 meals per semester and includes 9 Meal Exchanges and 15 Guest Meals. Meals may be eaten in any of our 4 all-you-care-to-eat dining commons, while the Meal Exchanges are for use in our retail dining locations across campus. Fifteen Guest meals enable you to bring a guest to dine with you at the dining commons. """"</p>
<p>Should I even consider these plans? It's averaged about $9.50 per meal a swipe. So for the value meal plan, 224 meals X $9.50 per meal = $2,128. The meal plan is $2,269.50 (of course they offer free 15 meal swipes on Friday as well as exchange/guest passes) but I honestly do not believe ALL meals will not be totaled to $9.50 ... I hear they serve 2 slices of pizza and a cold drink for 1 meal swipe...$9.50. No way it should be like this.</p>
<p>My question is, should I just do a credit card swipe for all my meal purchases to save money? Will everything they sell be as much as $9.50 for those who have attended this University? I want to lean towards the YCMP plan where they give you 100 meals for close to $1,150. Some dining halls cost as near as $12.50 where taking advantage of the $9.50 swipe would be essential. </p>
<p>Are meal plans just an overpriced lunch ticket for pure "convenience?" Should I just pay with my credit card or is that not such a good idea here?</p>
<p>I need some advice.</p>