What is MyMeal Plus and how does it work at SDSU?

What is MyMeal Plus, and How Does It Work at SDSU?

What is MyMeal Plus, and how does it work at SDSU

San Diego State University (SDSU) offers several meal plan options for students, but one of the most flexible—and sometimes misunderstood—is the Meals Plus Plan (MyMeal Plus). Designed for students who want a mix of buffet-style dining and declining balance funds, this plan provides both convenience and variety. However, it also comes with unique rules and challenges.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about MyMeal Plus at SDSU, including how it works, where you can use it, and tips to maximize its value.

1. What is the Meals Plus Plan (MyMeal Plus)?

The Meals Plus Plan is a hybrid meal plan that combines:

80 meal swipes per semester for buffet-style dining at The Garden (Cuicacalli Suites) or à la carte meals at University Towers Kitchen (UTK).
A $1,360–$1,786.50 declining balance per semester (varies by academic year) for use at over 35 on-campus dining locations, including Aztec Markets, Starbucks, and restaurants like The Habit and Oggi’s.

Unlike daily debit-based plans (Flex 5/7), MyMeal Plus allows unused funds and swipes to roll over from fall to spring—but only if you keep the same plan for both semesters.

2. How Does MyMeal Plus Work?

A. Meal Swipes: Buffet & À La Carte Options

The Garden: An all-you-can-eat buffet where one swipe grants unlimited access per meal period. No takeout is allowed unless you have a Sick Meal Pass.
UTK: A made-to-order dining hall where swipes can be used for grill items or "Market Fresh To Go" meals. Max 4 swipes per meal period.

Meal Periods at UTK:

Weekdays: Breakfast (8–11 AM), Lunch (11 AM–4 PM), Dinner (4–8 PM).
Weekends: Brunch (11 AM–2 PM), Dinner (2–6 PM).

B. Declining Balance: Campus-Wide Spending

The declining balance works like a prepaid debit card for:

Restaurants: The Habit, Oggi’s, Rubio’s, Panda Express, and more.
Markets: Aztec Markets for snacks, drinks, and groceries.
Coffee Shops: All three on-campus Starbucks locations.

Key Restrictions:

Funds cannot be used for non-food items (e.g., toiletries, gift cards).
Unused balances expire at the end of the academic year with no refunds.

3. Pros and Cons of MyMeal Plus

Pros

Flexibility: Unlike Flex 5/7, there’s no "use it or lose it" daily limit—just a semester-wide balance.
Rollover Funds: Unused money and swipes carry over to spring if you keep the plan.
More Dining Options: Declining balance works at 35+ locations, including popular chains.

Cons

Pressure to Spend: Students often scramble to exhaust funds, leading to unnecessary purchases.

Limited Swipe Locations: Only The Garden and UTK accept swipes, which some find restrictive.

No Refunds: Unused money disappears at year-end, which can feel wasteful.

4. Student Tips for Maximizing MyMeal Plus

A. Avoid Wasting Money

Track Your Balance: Check remaining funds via [SDSU’s meal plan portal].
Stock Up: Use leftover funds at Aztec Markets for non-perishables (e.g., granola bars, bottled drinks).
Share Swipes: Near the semester’s end, swipe friends into The Garden to use unused meals.

B. Plan Around Meal Periods

UTK’s à la carte system is ideal for smaller meals, while The Garden is best for large gatherings.
Breakfast at The Garden is cheaper ($8 vs. $11.60 for dinner), so prioritize swipes there.

C. Change Plans if Needed

You can switch plans during designated periods (September, November, or February), but:

A $10 fee applies.
Balances do not transfer if switching to Flex 5/7.

5. How MyMeal Plus Compares to Other SDSU Meal Plans

Plan	Flex 5	Flex 7	Meals Plus
Daily Funds	$22.60 (Mon–Fri)	$20.80 (Mon–Fri) + $14 (Weekends)	$1,360–$1,786.50/semester
Rollover	No	No	Yes (fall to spring)
Swipes	10/semester	10/semester	80/semester
Best For	Light eaters	Weekend diners	Flexibility seekers