Convenient credit

The most recent change Dining Services and ARAMARK have implemented this year is small, yet significant. Visa and MasterCard credit cards are now accepted at specific dining locations, which was announced at the cash registers by a small sign with the Visa and MasterCard logos.Previously, students, faculty, staff and others without meal plans had to pay cash for their meal purchases. While this may not seem to be a large inconvenience, making payments by charge card is often more convenient than using cash. If his or her account wasn’t Chase or HSBC, he or she had to pay ATM fees in addition to the minimum $20 withdrawal value. Many college students prefer not to carry or pay with cash, relying on credit or debit cards instead. While cash is still the most widely accepted form of payment, credit cards are becoming a universal standard. Even McDonald’s has started offering the choice.ARAMARK and Dining Services have made a step in the right direction by including credit cards as a payment option. Hopefully the addition will draw more faculty members to the Pit and other popular student dining locations. Even though credit card users don’t have the benefits that a declining account provides such as tax-free dining, the added convenience of not having to worry about always having cash and change on hand is sufficient.