Warren implements new travel card program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Tryon
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WYO --  In an effort to help mitigate delinquencies with the government travel card, the Air Force is transitioning to the new controlled spend account.

The new CSA card is meant to provide the traveler with increased flexibility to meet their travel needs by allowing the traveler to fulfill mission requirements while also minimizing the delinquency risk.

"One of the biggest differences about this and the old government travel card is this new card only has funds loaded on it if you have orders," said 2nd Lt. Josh Mann, 90th Comptroller Squadron. "Other than that, it works much in the same way the GTC did."

With the implementation of this new card, members no longer have to worry about using the card for the wrong purchase, Lieutenant Mann added. The CSA's spending limit adjusts based on the estimated cost for that particular mission, whether it be a permanent change of station, temporary duty assignment or deployment.

Once someone gets orders, funds are loaded based on what the estimated cost of that trip is, Lieutenant Mann said. The estimated cost is based off of travel cost, lodging and per diem.

"Where people could run into trouble is if they go somewhere and the cost ends up being different than the estimate," Lieutenant Mann said. "For example, let's say you go somewhere and are supposed to stay on base, but once you get there, you get a 'non-availability letter,' which means you have to now stay downtown. What you would then do is call the number on your CitiBank card and ask for a 'temporary spending limit' which will 'load' more funds onto your card to help pay for the new lodging costs."

"After that, you need to call your servicing finance office to get your orders amended, which in turn will increase your estimated cost, resulting in more funds," he added.

The same also works in reverse, Lieutenant Mann said. If someone has orders to anywhere, and are supposed to stay in a hotel, but they stay at a friend's house instead, when they go to file their final travel voucher, the cost for lodging will go to zero, because they have no receipt of staying at a hotel.

"After you file your travel voucher, and the estimated cost gets 'finalized' to the actual cost, the remaining balance entitled to you is yours," Lieutenant Mann said. "At that point, you can call CitiBank to have them transfer funds to your personal account or send you a check, or you could use your CSA card like a gift card or debit card at that point."

For more information about the new CSA card, visit http://www.airforcetravelcard.transactionservices.citi.com.