<p>We were told by the book store that they accept credit/debit cards, and so do not have to use convenience points to purchase texts…</p>
<p>Besides laundry and snacks, what else are they good for? If you were going to just use the convenience points for laundry and snacks and use your debit/card for major purchases (like textbooks, computer supplies, school supplies), how much money would you put into convenience points?</p>
<p>What are the advantages of disadvantages of convenience points over debit/credit card?</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Honestly, I’d just start with the $20ish that they load on for you (assuming you’re a new student) and see where it goes. If you’re only using your points to do laundry and snacks, that should last for a while. You can always add more to your account if you run out, and can check out your balance on the “Food and Shelter” tab on Studentlink. Using them for laundry is the best part about them–when I lived in a brownstone and had to use quarters for my laundry, I didn’t really use my convenience points. </p>
<p>Advantages: You don’t have to whip out your debit/credit card when at places like the Starbucks under Warren Towers, Subway, and the City Convenience stores, which means they also waive tax for you. You can also do your laundry by swiping your card, instead of bringing quarters with you. </p>
<p>Disadvantage: None, really, except you might spend your points really quickly because they don’t seem like actual money!</p>
<p>If you have a debit or credit card, in my opinion there’s no point in buying convenience points. That is, unless you really don’t want to use quarters for laundry. Otherwise convenience points are like having a gift card, only existing to limit where you can spend your money. Much better to have cash or credit you can spend anywhere. And yes, Subway and them will still waive tax if just show them your student ID.</p>