From winter semester 23/24, we will gradually switch to a purely cashless payment system at our locations. You will then be able to make contactless, cashless and, above all, fast payments everywhere with your MensaCard or student ID.
The switch is, among other things, a direct response to feedback from our guests, who would like shorter waiting times at our checkouts, for example. Cashless payment via the MensaCard not only eliminates the annoying search for small change, but also the need to show your student ID or staff ID to record the correct price for students, staff or guests. We are convinced that this change will make your visit with us even more pleasant. Look forward to a smooth and convenient cashless payment experience at all our facilities.
More than two thirds of the guests at the University of Konstanz's already pay without cash at our checkouts, and in the Mensa Gießberg it is even three quarters. In the HTWG cafeteria, cashless payment has been a matter of course for years. Our pilot projects in the CampusBistro Fallenbrunnen, where we have been extensively testing the new system since January 2023, as well as the successful conversion of the Seezeit Strandbar at HTWG in May have convinced us: Seezeit is going cashless.
In addition, the new system offers external guests further payment options such as giro, credit or debit cards as well as the use of Google Pay or Apple Pay. Regular guests can also use these payment services to top up their canteen credit. For those who want to get to lunch even faster, there is EasyLoad. With EasyLoad, you can save yourself a trip to the top-up machine and keep an eye on your spending online. You can find more information about EasyLoad here.
In order to avoid another price adjustment due to the additional costs for these services, we have decided not to add them to our sales prices for the time being. However, we ask all students and university members to use the MensaCard and EasyLoad, as this is the only way to avoid additional costs and take advantage of the faster checkout processes.
We take the protection of your personal data very seriously. For this reason, we have never collected personal data when paying with the student ID or the MensaCard - this will not change with this switch.
MensaCard at all our locations
The MensaCard is available at our cash desks for a deposit of €7.
Konstanz
At the university, you can get your UniCard at the Student Service Centre of the University of Konstanz.
At the HTWG, you can get your ZACK card from the university administration.
Ravensburg, Weingarten, Friedrichshafen
Students at the universities in Ravensburg, Weingarten and Friedrichshafen can obtain their student ID, HS Smartcard or StudiCard from the respective university administration.
We know that it is annoying when a coin gets stuck in the banknote feeder or an EC machine hangs up because the card was pulled out too quickly, and we have been talking to the manufacturers for some time. However, they have not yet been able to offer us a solution for the faults that occur.
With EasyLoad, we have been offering an uncomplicated alternative to the reload machines for years. With a SEPA direct debit mandate and the top-up value you specify, our cashiers top up your card with your consent when you want to pay and do not have enough credit on your card. You can set up EasyLoad daily before and after the lunch break at our checkouts within 2 minutes with your debit card. You can find more information about EasyLoad here.