Controlled Spending Account transitions into new, improved Government Travel Card

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  The Air Force recently decided to transition existing Controlled Spend Account travel cards to an enhanced Government Travel Card by the end of fiscal year 2012.
 
The actual transition is scheduled to occur during August and September of this year, current CSA cardholders should continue to use their cards as normal.

The transition strategy allows travelers to continue using their CSA cards without interruption.

The CSA card's functionality will be converted to a GTC allowing travelers a permanent credit limit, effectively ending customers' need to call for "temporary spend limit" increases.

"Once the cards are updated, the spending limits increase to whatever the estimated spending limits is for that particular deployment or temporary duty," said Senior Airman Gregory Uhl, 366th Comptroller Squadron lead defense travel administrator. "So while individuals are gone they can spend the money accordingly and upon return, pay the balance and the limit goes back to a dollar."

The CSA card's functionality will be converted to a GTC allowing travelers a permanent credit limit, effectively ending customers' need to call for "temporary spend limit" increases.

"The Air Force began noticing there were issues and problems with the automated portion of the CSA system," said Uhl. "Now with the transition back to GTC there will be a set spending limit per cardholder probably around $5,000, and when a temporary duty assignment or last minute deployment comes up the individual can go get the things they will need like a plane ticket or equipment."

Despite the CSA system issues, administrators are optimistic about the change.

"Luckily, the switch will not have negative repercussions because the major changes will occur behind the scenes and not affect the vast majority of Gunfighters," said Uhl.

According to leadership from the 366th CPTS, there are a few key pieces of information during the transition.

1. CSA default settings will be changed to automatically align most non-mileage expenses to the card.

2. The traveler can split-disburse any residual funds to their personal account.

3. A carryover from the CSA program, CitiBank will upgrade their GTC online system to allow travelers to request electronic fund transfers of credit balances directly to their bank accounts.

4. Do not throw away the CSA card. Basically now it is a GTC. CSA program rules will remain in effect until all cardholders are transitioned back to the GTC.

5. The credit limit on a GTC is fixed and set based upon creditworthiness. Agency Program Coordinators have the authority to increase the limits on a temporary basis to meet mission requirements. CitiBank will no longer approve temporary spend limit increases requested by cardholders.

All Department of Defense personnel are required to comply with the following:

1. Submit travel vouchers within five business days of completion of travel.

2. Split disburse all undisputed expenses charged to the CSA/GTC on your voucher.

3. It is the cardholder's responsibility to promptly pay the travel card contractor directly for any outstanding charges not split disbursed at the time of the travel voucher settlement.

4. To support the split disbursement requirement, the Defense Travel System automatically includes airline, rail, hotel, rental vehicle, and other miscellaneous expenses identified by the traveler to be paid directly to the travel card contractor.

"It's very exciting right now because this is a perfect solution and will fix the problems and issues customers are having with the current system," said Uhl.

For more information, contact the 366th CPTS customer service desk at (208) 828-2046.

The GTC Statement of Understanding can be found at: www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/GTC_SoU_SAF.pdf