In continuing efforts to enhance our customers' retail and dining experience, Hospitality Services' campus food locations has expanded electronic payment options to include credit cards and stop accepting cash. The move follows a consultation with students, staff, and faculty last year and aligns the university’s retail food practices with many peer institutions.
Patrons can convert cash to Flex $, and load funds on to student, staff, or faculty ID cards. Flex $ purchases are subtracted from the card's balance and accepted at all retail food locations on campus.
Using Flex $ also offers bonus rewards options. When purchasing 125 Flex $ or more in a single transaction bonus dollars between 5-12% are earned. Flex $ can be purchased online via the student or staff portal, or by visiting the Hospitality Services office in Victoria Hall. Visitors who prefer to pay cash can get a Flex $ card from the Hospitality Services office.
Cash sales at Hospitality Services’ food locations currently account for less than 20 percent of average food sales. Adopting a fully electronic payment system will benefit students, faculty, staff, and visitors by reducing potential health risks from cash exchanges, reducing administrative oversight, and eliminating the risks involved with storing and transporting cash across campus for deposit.
Richardson Stadium went cashless in 2022. All other retail locations at West Campus will continue to accept cash for the 2024/25 academic year, as will the Common Ground, The Tea Room, Grad Club, Clark Hall, and the University Club Pub.
Snack vending machines and cold beverage machines are also cashless.
Frequently Asked Questions
The transition to a cashless environment represents a move to a more efficient and hygienic method of transaction processing on campus. Faster and safer transactions will help us achieve our goal of providing a better customer experience at all of our locations.
Yes! While exploring the option to go cashless during the Spring semester, we invited students, staff, and faculty to provide feedback through a Cashless Survey. We welcome your feedback!
The following payment methods will be accepted at Hospitality locations across campus: debit, credit, Flex $, and TAMs. Flex $ and TAM Plans can be purchased through the online student or staff portal, or in person by visiting our Hospitality Services office in Victoria Hall. Credit cards, Flex $, and TAMs can also be used through the Transact Mobile App.
If you don't have a debit or credit card, you can use your cash to purchase Flex $ through the online student or staff portal, or by visiting the Hospitality Services office in Victoria Hall.
Flex $ are funds loaded on to your student, staff, or faculty card that work like cash. Your purchases are subtracted from your card's balance and accepted at all retail food locations on campus.
You can add any denomination of Flex $ throughout the year; the more you buy, the more Flex $ bonus cash you can earn.
| Amount Purchased | < $124 | $125 - $224 | $225 - $324 | $325 - $424 | > $425 |
| Reward % | 0% | 5% | 7% | 10% | 12% |
| Bonus Flex $ | 0$ | $6.25 - $11.25 | $15.75 - $22.68 | $32.50 - $42.40 | >$51.00 |
Terms and Conditions apply.
*Hospitality Services is not liable for lost or stolen cards containing Flex $ balances.
Locations still accepting cash for 2023/24
While Richardson Stadium went cashless last year, all other retail locations at West Campus will continue to accept cash for the 2023/24 academic year, as will:
- Common Ground
- The Tea Room
- Grad Club
- Clark Hall
- University Club Pub
Snack vending machines across campus are now cashless, excluding Brant, Smith, Legget, Watts, Victoria and Endaayaan – Tkanónsote.
Visitors can either use debit or credit cards at retail food locations or visit the Hospitality Services office in Victoria Hall to convert their cash into a Flex $ card.
Debit and credit card transactions are tracked only by our electronic payment provider. Our access to personal information is limited to only the last 4 digits of a card number, therefore, data cannot be tracked by customers for individual purchases. The University also complies with the PCI (Payment Card Industry) Data Security Standard (DSS) to ensure the safe handling of sensitive information, which includes an annual audit by a Quality Security Assessor from an external auditing firm to validate PCI compliance.
If you have any questions, please contact dining@queensu.ca.