Air Force issues new government travel card

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Air Force in partnership with CitiBank, has rolled out the new travel card program called Citi Controlled Spend Account (CSA) Dec 13.

"This new mission-driven CSA card program replaces the traditional Defense Department Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) program which had become more of a delinquency management program instead of a tool to accomplish the travel mission," said Mr. Michael Farley, 325th Fighter Wing government travel card coordinator. "CSA brings the government travel card program back to its original purpose by allowing our Airmen to put their focus back on the mission, while maximizing resources and card use."

Air Force officials estimate an annual loss in rebates of over $10 million for lack of usage and delinquent payment. DoD policy requires all travelers to use the government travel card for all official travel expenses.

"Unfortunately, most travelers usually just use the card for airline tickets, rental cars and lodging expenses," said Mr. Farley. "The new CSA encourages usage by giving the traveler a broader variety of merchants that accept the card. With limited exception, the card can be used just about anywhere."
CSA will also eliminate delinquencies in that 100 percent of the settlement voucher will be paid directly to Citi for account reconciliation.

Citi launched an aggressive auto-enrollment plan in December, aimed at transitioning approximately 6,000 GTCC to the new CSA card per day. The initial phase was set to convert cardholders with cards expiring between December and April, with the first set of cards delivered on or around Dec. 27.

"Five hundred and seventy-five Tyndall Airmen can anticipate receiving the CSA card during this initial phase; nearly 500 have already received their cards," said Mr. Farley. "An additional 2,170 Tyndall Airmen identified as infrequent travelers will be converted in the second phase scheduled to begin around mid February. Total conversion is planned to be completed by the end of March."

Once the card has been issued, CitiBank will send an e-mail to inform the cardholder that the card has been mailed and that the GTCC has been closed and is no longer open for charges. The e-mail will also give individuals instructions concerning acknowledgement of receipt and highlights of the new card.

It is very important that Airmen log on to Citi Commercial Cards website at https://home.cards.citidirect.com/CommercialCard/Cards.html to update their profile with the correct e-mail and mailing address.

All Air Force members (active duty and civilians) are authorized a CSA card and no credit check is required. The spend limit is set for each trip based on the estimated dollar amount of the approved travel orders. Resource advisors, travel order approving officials, and GTCC agency program coordinators are vital to assuring the appropriate amount of funds are added to the CSA card.

"We have been scheduling times to brief at commander's calls and will offer training sessions," said 2nd Lt. Carlton Freeman, 325th Comptroller Squadron deputy budget officer of the financial analysis flight. "In addition, we have briefed the area program coordinators on the new card to allow them to help us in spreading the information that we are receiving."
Bank members are enthusiastic about the changes.

"The CSA is the most innovative solution to the government travel card program since its inception, and it allows the Air Force to better manage cash flows," said Mr. Mike Bilbrey, the Air Force banking officer. "Since the card won't have any value until a travel order is approved, Airmen can count on higher levels of security, lower delinquency rates, and best of all, instant approval, since there is no credit check required to have a CSA."

For additional questions, Airman can access the following site:
http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/csa.cfm