Starting Sept. 1, most of Queen’s Hospitality Services’ campus food locations, including dining halls, will expand 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 also convert cash to purchase 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 per cent 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 per cent 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 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 and the University Club Pub.

Snack vending machines across campus will also continue to accept cash, but cold beverage vending is cashless.

More information is available online at https://www.queensu.ca/food/cashless-transactions.