KU cards allows students to earn points for paying up

By Christine D'Amico

Monday, July 28, 2008

Eating around Lawrence continues to get a little tastier for KU students this fall.

Students can use their KU Card Beak ‘Em Bucks account to eat at several on- and off-campus locations instead of carrying cash or using a debit card.

Beak ‘Em Bucks is a stored-value account that students can deposit money into and then use on campus for various services. Students may also use their Beak ‘Em Bucks account at off-campus locations and for pizza delivery.

The student accounts can earn Beak ‘Em Bucks reward points every time the account is used at specific locations.

Beak ‘Em Bucks rewards are earned through purchases made on the account. Students must sign up online to activate the rewards account. As points add up, students can view prizes they are eligible for on the KU Card Web site.

There are more than 20 locations where students can use Beak ‘Em Bucks accounts, including Bigg’s BBQ, 2429 Iowa St., Chili’s Grill & Bar, 2319 Iowa St., CVS Pharmacy, 2300 Iowa St., and SunKissed Tan, 2540 Iowa St.

On-campus purchases can be made at food, coffee and Hawk Food Stop locations as well as vending machines, residence hall laundry facilities and libraries for printing and photocopying.

The Beak ‘Em Bucks account is automatically set up for students when they receive their KU cards. Students may then add money to their account online, by cash-to-cash machines on campus or through optional campus fees.

Nancy Miles, director of KU Card Center, said the Beak ‘Em Bucks account provides a convenience factor to students.

“Not all students have a debit card,” Miles said. “Most students always carry their KUID cards on them.”

Miles said the Beak ‘Em Bucks accounts act similar to debit cards but can also be used for services that normally do not accept debit card payments, like on-campus printing and photocopying.

Unlike a debit card, cash withdrawals are not allowed through Beak ‘Em Bucks accounts. Students also may not use their accounts to purchase tobacco or alcohol products.

Michelle Archambault, Flemington, N.J. senior, said she occasionally used her Beak ‘Em Bucks at Chili’s, 2429 Iowa St. She said the account was just as easy to use on-campus as it is off-campus, but there was a downside.

“It can be a pain in the butt to go online and put money on your card,” Archambault said. “But it just depends on how you budget.”

Students can go to the KU Card Center Web site at www.kucard.ku.edu/beak_’em_bucks/ for updates on participating Beak ‘Em Bucks merchants.

— Edited by Sachiko Miyakawa

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