<p>My Freshman D has a standard meal plan and does not yet have any money on her account for the added "Terp Bucks". What is the difference between Terp Bucks and Terrapin Express?</p>
<p>And how does a parent put money on either of these?</p>
<p>This list shows what places accept Terp Bucks and Terrapin Express. Terrapin Express can be used at several places that Terp Bucks can’t be. It’s kind of like a campus debit card.
[University</a> of Maryland Dining Services Where to use your points](<a href=“http://dining.umd.edu/dining/payment]University”>http://dining.umd.edu/dining/payment)</p>
<p>Adding Terrapin Express:
[University</a> of Maryland Dining Services Activate or Add Money](<a href=“http://dining.umd.edu/terrapin/activate]University”>http://dining.umd.edu/terrapin/activate)</p>
<p>I’m not sure how to add Terp Bucks…I just know they come with some of the dining plans.</p>
<p>Good list.</p>
<p>But here’s the deal. </p>
<p>Terp Bucks and Terrapin Express are like cash - severely restricted cash. You don’t get a “deal” on campus food because you are using Terp Bucks. It cost just the same to hand the cashier a REAL debit card. Terp Bucks and Terrapin Express are just a way to haggle parents into giving their kids money that can be used ONLY in the overpriced campus convenience and book stores. While you can use cash anywhere on campus, you can’t take Terrapin Express to Giant or to Staples (where everything is undoubtably loads cheaper).</p>
<p>HOWEVER, there is some benefit to the restricted nature, if you are worried your D will use regular cash or a regular debit card for buying things other than food and school supplies.</p>
<p>hmm that’s weird that she doesn’t have any terp bucks on her meal plan…all of the dining plans come with them. where did she check? the online dining services management site?</p>
<p>One thing to keep in mind, and add to umcp11’s post, by having at least a little money on either Terp Bucks or Terrapin Express, to use it, all you need to have with you is your ID, right? Most usually people will always have their ID’s, as they need it to get back into the dorm. At least in the beginning, I think it came in handy when realizing that they left the dorm without taking any money, etc, or don’t have time to go to the ATM, they can pick up something quickly on campus to eat/drink. My 2 (especially now without meal plans) generally rely on cash or bank debit cards…</p>
<p>Digging this thread up a few years later… </p>
<p>My daughter ran out of quarters to do her laundry. She easily added money to Terrapin Express account online, which she did not open until this 2nd semester. She can now use her ID card for the washer and dryer in her dorm.</p>