Suite-style Residence Meal Plans

Our Suite-Style Meal Plans work on a declining balance system, just like a debit card, so you only pay for what you eat and have full control over your spending on campus. With exciting chef-inspired meals, snacks, and your favourite franchises just steps away, you can focus on studying while we handle the cooking and dishes!

At UW Food Services, sustainability is a priority, we’re committed to reducing waste, sourcing responsibly, and offering eco-friendly dining options.

With our Advantage A and Advantage B plans, you’ll enjoy built-in savings all term long. Plus, any unused funds stay on your WatCard and can be used as long as you're a student - so you never lose out!

Remember: You can buy a meal plan at any time during the term, but the earlier you purchase one, the more time you’ll save, and the sooner you can enjoy our amazing food!

SAVE MONEY

FLEXIBILITY

SAVE TIME

Suite-style Meal Plan for Fall 2024 - Spring 2025

Meal Plan Name What do you pay? (per term) Meal Plan Portion Flex Dollar Portion Capital Improvement Allocation Savings
Super Saver $2,645 $2,395 $200 $50 13%
Saver $2,165 $1,915 $200 $50 5%
Casual $1,580 $1,330 $200 $50 5%

Note: Meal plan savings are only applicable during the term which the meal plan was purchased.

Super Saver: Recommended to those in suite-style residence or off-campus who would like to eat at residence dining halls and on-campus regularly.

Saver: Recommended for those who live in suite style residence or off campus who are looking for a few meals a week on campus and at residence dining halls.

Casual: Recommended for those living in suite style residence or off campus and would like a lunch or two on campus plus some light snacks and beverages.

Suite-style Meal Plan for Fall 2025 - Spring 2026

Meal Plan Type What do you Pay? (per term) Meal Plan Portion Flex Dollar Portion Overhead Deduction Capital Improvement Allotment Savings
Advantage A $2690 $1235* $100 $1235 $120 13%
Advantage B $2170 $1995 $100 $0 $75 5%
Advantage C $1500 $1425 $0 $0 $75 N/A
*Students with an 'Advantage A' Meal Plan with receive a 50% reduction at the register, reflecting the adjustment for overhead deduction

Advantage A: Ideal for students living in suite style residence who want to dine regularly at residence dining halls and on campus. This plan lets you spend less time cooking and more time enjoying campus life. Plus, it’s tax-exempt, saving you up to 13%!

Advantage B: A great option for students who want a few meals a week on campus and at residence dining halls. While this plan is not HST-exempt (applicable taxes apply to meal purchases), you’ll receive a 5% discount on the plan.

Advantage C: Designed for students living off-campus who want the flexibility to grab lunch on campus and enjoy light snacks and beverages. This plan is not HST-exempt, so applicable taxes apply to meal purchases.

How can I purchase a Value Plus Meal Plan?

  1. Add funds to your Watcard through the online portal for the amount needed for your chosen optional meal plan.

  2. Email watcard@uwaterloo.ca with your full name and Watcard number and indicate which type of meal plan you would like to purchase.  If you do not contact them, your funds will be allocated to flex dollars and will not recieve the corresponding savings.

  3. Enjoy your meal plan and the discounts it offers!

Meal Plan Funds

This portion is reserved for meal purchases at all UW Food Services locations. For Traditional and Advantage A meal plan holders, enjoy tax-exempt savings and 50% off the set price every time you purchase food with your meal plan—helping to balance the overhead deduction!

Flex Dollar Funds

Flex dollars can be used at non-Food Services locations such as laundry, vending machines, W Print and W Store. They can also be used at various off-campus partner restaurants.

Overhead Deduction

This is an upfront deduction to help cover the cost of providing a top-notch meal plan program. It is taken at the start of the term, and in return, you receive a 50% price reduction on purchases at UW Food Services locations, ensuring full purchasing power throughout the term.

Capital Improvement Allotment

A non-refundable charge that goes towards UW Food Services' dining environments, facilities and equipment. It is deducted from the meal plan cost and cannot be used to make food purchases.

Where can I use my meal plan dollars?

At any one of our 25+ locations, including residence dining halls, cafés, and eateries across campus, your meal plan makes dining easy and convenient. This plan helps you save time and build community as you eat with your peers. Plus, your meal plan dollars are accepted at on-campus franchises, giving you even more variety in your daily meals.

What are flex dollars?

Flex dollars are used for additional on-campus services such as vending, laundry, buying textbooks, goods from W Store, and even for buying food at participating off-campus Flex Partners. That means you can use your Flex Dollars towards a meal at restaurants like Score Pizza or Williams Fresh Café!

I have a dietary restriction, will my meal plan provide enough options?

Food services can accommodate most common dietary needs and priority food allergens including vegan, vegetarian, halal, gluten and dairy. Our key message to students coming to Waterloo with food allergies or serious dietary restrictions is to self-identify! If you have a food allergy or dietary restriction, please contact Food Services before you move in. We will set up a meeting with your residence Chef and our Registered Dietitian to review available options and make sure you feel comfortable dining at Waterloo.

Please also complete the Housing Disability Verification Form to ensure housing accommodations. First-year students must register by June 1 to be a part of the Residence Guarantee application. Please be sure to check off that you are registered with AccessAbility Services when you fill out your Residence Community Ranking Form.

What happens if I have money left on my WatCard at the end of the term?

Any money remaining on your WatCard will automatically carry forward each term for as long as you are a student at UWaterloo.

Your meal plan discount only applies during the term in which you have purchased your meal plan. However, when you purchase a meal plan during a subsequent term, any meal plan money that has carried forward from a previous term will receive your current applicable discount. 

Residence meal plan money transfers to your Transfer Meal Plan (MP) account to be spent at a UW Food Services eatery only and do notbecome Flex Dollars. Any purchases you make at a UW Food Services location using Flex Dollars or Transfer MP Dollars are not HST exempt.

The fine print

Federal and Provincial tax legislation prohibits the use of tax-exempt meal plan funds by individuals who are not qualified to receive these benefits. Only the WatCard holder may purchase meals. WatCard holders purchasing more than one meal at a time will be charged appropriate taxes on the meal with the lower value. All applicable discounts will be applied before taxes. For each transaction, the cashier will examine the photo on the WatCard to ensure that the person making the purchase is the WatCard holder. In all cases where the cashier suspects that somebody is using a WatCard other than the cardholder, the cashier must keep the card and prevent its use. The WatCard will be forwarded to the WatCard Office within four hours where it can be picked up by the proper cardholder at that time, or the next business day. Fraudulent use of WatCard funds to purchase food for other people may result in the loss of all discount and tax exemption privileges. The security of a WatCard remains the cardholder’s responsibility. WatCards should be treated like a credit or debit card. If a WatCard is lost or stolen the cardholder is responsible for all charges made to that card until the card is reported lost or stolen. A WatCard can be reported lost or stolen at any WatCard cash register on campus, at the WatCard Office, or online at the WatCard homepage. All WatCards are the property of the University of Waterloo.