A mission-driven travel card

Published Feb. 8, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Hernandez
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Air Force is currently implementing a new travel card program designed to provide travelers with increased flexibility in order to meet their traveling needs.

Air Force Global Strike Command and Team Minot Airmen who currently posseses a Government Travel Card can expect to be enrolled in the new Citi Controlled Spend Account program by April. Currently, there are approximately 500 Airmen here who have obtained a CSA card since the program's initial implementation in early January.

Vicki Campbell, 5th Comptroller Squadron financial management analyst, explained the new program will put each member in control of their own official traveling expenses.

"The new CSA card will have a spending limit based on the projected cost of travel," said Mrs. Campbell. "And it will only be valid during a member's active orders."

She explained all Air Force members could now be authorized a CSA card with no credit check required, which allows for instant approvals. This was not the case with the travel card. It also differs in that there will not be an available balance unless there is an approved travel order or a residual balance left over from a previous trip.

"Before, almost three-fourths of the Air Force had access to a GTC," Mrs. Campbell explained. "Now everyone will have access to a travel card."

She said one of the benefits of this new program is its ability to allow travelers to fulfill mission requirements, while also minimizing the risk of delinquency.

"A lot of manpower hours are dedicated in order to deal with delinquencies," she continued. "Clearing up delinquencies takes time, but this new program is sure to help us out."

"This program will help curtail disciplinary actions due to delinquencies as well," said Mrs. Campbell. "Members will know their spending limits up front before they travel."

Mrs. Campbell said delivering a more efficient travel program by simplifying and streamlining the whole travel process was also a main goal.

She explained that when a member files for a travel voucher, 100 percent of the final payment will go to the card.

"Members will then be able to use any money that is left on the card to their liking," added Mrs. Campbell. "They also have the option to transfer it to their own personal account."

She added because of the CSA program's collaboration with CitiBank, there is increased access to merchants. This allows members to make purchases from any location.

Mr. Todd Johnson, 5th CPTS financial services officer, mentioned Air Force leadership has always worked hard at trying to find ways to make traveling procedures more effective and that this program was a step in the right direction.

"This CSA program has been in testing at Keesler AFB, Miss., as well as a few others, and we've received good data on how it's been doing," said Mr. Johnson.

He stressed that while this program places a personal responsibility on individuals to spend wisely, they also have implemented a "leave no one stranded" policy. With CitiBank's 24-hour customer service availability, travelers will be able to request a temporary increase in their card limit to prevent members from being stranded out at their TDY locations without funds.

"We understand that situations arise when a traveler might require more money," said Mr. Johnson. "Sometimes the mission changes or unexpected expenses arise."

He said this new program's mission-driven initiatives would definitely allow travelers to perform their mission with confidence while making travel related purchases with ease.

Additional information can be found by searching "controlled spend account" on the USAF Portal.