Authorized travel with the GTCC

Photo By Robert Lingley | The Government Travel Charge Card Program provides Airmen with a safe, effective, convenient and commercially available method to pay for expenses associated with official government travel. The Department of Defense policy is that the government-sponsored, contractor-issued travel card should be used to pay for all official travel expenses while on a temporary duty assignment. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Robb Lingley)  

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES

03.20.2019

Story by Robert Lingley 

21st Space Wing

The Government Travel Charge Card Program provides Airmen with a safe, effective, convenient and commercially available method to pay for expenses associated with official travel. The GTCC includes Individually Billed Accounts and Centrally Billed Accounts.

The Department of Defense policy is that the government-sponsored, contractor-issued travel card should be used to pay for all official travel expenses while on a temporary duty assignment.

Benefits of the GTCC Program include but are not limited to the following:

• Increases data capture, providing business intelligence to improve travel programs, reduce overall travel costs and expand strategic sourcing opportunities.
• Improves audit readiness and program management.
• Reduces the need and costs to the department for travel advances, reconciliation and collection.
• Eliminates the need for travelers to pay for expenses with personal funds.
• Improves financial readiness and security of travelers.
• Increases rebates from the travel card vendor.

Personal use of the travel card or using the travel card to pay for someone else's travel expenses is prohibited. The use of the travel card for non-official expenses may result in disciplinary action.

“We have had a few instances where Airmen were caught misusing their GTCC,” said Airman 1st Class Zachary Farmer, 21st Comptroller Squadron financial operations technician.

Examples of misuse can include, but are not limited to:

• Expenses related to adult entertainment and gambling (as discovered by Inspector General Audits).
• Purchases for personal, family or household purposes except for authorized Permanent change of Station expenses.
• Cash withdrawals or advances used during non-travel periods or not related to official government travel requirements, to include, but not limited to, any withdrawal of a credit balance remaining on the card.
• Intentional failure to pay undisputed charges in a timely manner.
• Cash withdrawals or advances taken more than three working days prior to official government travel, with the exception of expenses incident to official travel described by the Defense Travel Management Office in paragraph 041006, use of the travel card for personal expenses incurred during leave in conjunction with official travel.

“Misuse of the GTCC can have a negative impact on an Airman by causing administrative or disciplinary action,” said Farmer. “If an Airman forgets to pay off their GTCC balance it can cause late fees to occur and credit scores to go down.”

Airmen shouldn’t use their GTCC for personal gain. Failure to pay the bank can result in termination of charge card privileges and/or salary offset. Don't allow your travel card account to become delinquent. Delinquency occurs on the first day after the due date.

• Date Taken: 03.20.2019
• Date Posted: 03.20.2019 17:24
• Story ID: 315021
• Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US