Ramstein finance prepares for travel card change

The 86th Comptroller Squadron is preparing for the transition from the controlled spend account to the government travel card program projected for the end of fiscal year 2012.

After receiving guidance from the secretary of the Air Force for financial management, 86th CPTS anticipates the program change to aid travelers and improve upon the current travel card program.

“For most cardholders, the changeover will be seamless,” said 2nd Lt. Adrianna Perez, 86th Comptroller Squadron Financial Services flight commander.

Travelers do not need to take action to change cards. Airmen will keep their blue CSA cards, which will eventually be transitioned to a GTC. A pilot test is planned to run in July in preparation for the card conversion.

The changeover from CSA to GTC is aimed to benefit Airmen. One of the advantages includes centralizing the base level delinquency management processes. This will help agency program coordinators to better track cardholders and keep Airmen in good standing with their GTC.

The new GTC will also ease how Airmen regain unused funds from their account. The upgraded program will allow travelers to utilize an electronic funds transfer from the Citibank website.

The new program will potentially face challenges with new Airmen who have not had a GTC account in the past. Law requires a credit check for all cardholders under the GTC program.

“Overall, the enhancement of the GTC program will be beneficial for travelers,” Perez said. “The goal is to be able to have Airmen focus on mission readiness when
traveling.”