LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Air Force travel is remaining the same, but the new blue Controlled Spend Account card will replace the existing grey Government Travel Card. The CSA card will eliminate unauthorized purchases and minimize delinquency issues with the current GTC. CSA cards are designed around four key concepts: availability to travelers; flexible spending limits; full coverage of expenses during travel; and direct traveler access to CitiBank.
CSA cards do not require a credit check, which allows all travelers to be issued a card. This reduces the number of cash advance paperwork and added security with less cash on-hand. CSA cards have a zero balance until the travel orders in Defense Travel System are approved. Once approved, the CSA's spending limit will be increased based on the travel order estimate. While traveling on official government travel orders, all travel expenses will be placed on the CSA card, which is the same policy currently in effect. If trip itineraries change or costs increase, travelers will be able to contact CitiBank directly to have their spending limits increased to meet mission needs.
The card is designed to support the mission and provides flexibility when short notice changes occur. No matter when or where you are in need, CitiBank customer service will be available 24/7/365. If you find yourself with a short notice mission or need more money to meet your current needs, you may contact CitiBank customer care directly for a temporary spend limit increase. An e-mail will be sent to the traveler and their unit agency program coordinator to acknowledge the TSL increase has taken place. The unit travel order generating official will have five business days to submit and approve amendments or orders in DTS supporting the increase. For trips that require an early registration or other advance expenses greater than 30 days out, the traveler can call CitiBank for a TSL increase to pay your conference or other expenses up front. The traveler will then file a local voucher via DTS.
With CSA cards, a traveler will conduct business as usual. The traveler will book flights, hotel reservations, meals, etc. Once the mission is complete and travel voucher is filed at home station via DTS, 100 percent of the travel pay reimbursement is disbursed to CitiBank. This ensures that all charges on the card are paid off. With 100 percent reimbursement to CitiBank, the chances of delinquencies are dramatically reduced; no more split disbursing calculations. The residual balance that you would have received in your personal bank account (unspent money from the trip) is left on the CSA card.
There are four ways you can access your residual balance from the card. First, you can simply call CitiBank and request your money be transferred electronically into your personal bank account on file. Second, you can treat your CSA card as a gift card and use it at any place where Visa is accepted. Third, to request a mailed check to be sent to the member's mailing address on file. Lastly, you can withdraw your residual balance by Automated Teller Machine; however, there is a two percent service fee that is not reimbursable.
During TDYs, cash withdrawal is still available with the new CSA card. The withdrawal limit is $200 per trip. This is reset once the traveler's voucher has been paid; however, with the increase of merchant codes the traveler can use their CSA card for almost every expense, including lodging, transportation and meals.
Dissemination of CSA cards will happen in a phased transition with automatic enrollment with non-frequent travelers (less than three trips per year) being followed by more frequent travelers. It is imperative that all current GTC cardholders confirm with the unit APC that their personal information is correct and current so their card reaches them in a timely manner.
Once you have received your new CSA card, contact your unit DTS point of contact and make sure that the new CSA account is reflected on your DTS account information.
If you have questions, contact your unit APC for more information or the Finance Office at 764-3333.